Category: General

Prime Minister Hussein Arnous said that Hama province is expected to produce nearly 350,000 tonnes of wheat in the 2023 season.

Inspecting transfer and receipt of cereals in cereals centers of Salhab, al-Suqaylabiyah, and Maharda at Hama province on Friday, Arnous indicated that this estimated production promises good seasons of this strategic yield, pointing out the need to harness all the possibilities of the governorate to contribute to achieving a special season that supports the national economy.

The Premier emphasized the facilitation of transport operations and the acceleration of receiving work in order to save time and effort on the farmer.

He noted that the government will support the farmers and on their sides in paying their crop values of wheat directly and immediately upon delivery to the centers if the crop is worth SYP 50 million and below, and in case the value of the wheat crop increased, the farmer would receive the second batch of the value of it in the second week.

He hoped that the total quantities of wheat received this season in all provinces would reach one million tonnes.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

A number of Lebanese citizens on Friday gathered along the outskirts of Kfarshouba to recite Friday prayers, in the presence of Hasbaya- Marjeyoun Mufti, Hassan Dallah, and MP Kassem Hashem, in protest against the Zionist enemy forces that have been carrying out scraping activities near the Blue line. Citizens who attempted to trespass the border line, and remove most it, were met with Israeli enemy smoke bombs. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army carries out intensive patrols in coordination with UNIFIL. The Lebanese Army also mentioned via its twitter account that it was in the process of deploying its troops in the bordering southern Lebanese village of Kfarshouba facing the Israeli enemy.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Commenting on the situation in Kfarshouba, UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said, ‘UNIFIL peacekeepers are on the ground and have been on the ground from the very beginning to ensure that cessation of hostilities is maintained and helping in decreasing tension. We urge the parties to utilize our coordination mechanisms effectively to prevent misunderstandings, violations, and contribute to the preservation of stability in the area. UNIFIL is in contact with the parties, actively seeking solutions. We call upon both sides to exercise restraint and avoid actions along the Blue Line that may escalate tensions.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Lebanese Army on Friday said via its twitter account that it was in the process of deploying its troops in the bordering southern Lebanese village of Kfarshouba facing the Israeli enemy.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday felicitated via Twitter the Internal Security Forces marking its 162nd anniversary: “I salute the Internal Security Forces’ leadership, officers, and personnel, on their 162nd anniversary, and I value the sacrifices they make to protect the land and the people. God willing, we will continue endeavors to do the ISF and all the military apparatuses justice, so that they can continue to face the difficulties that our country endures.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister, Hussein Arnous, inspected Thursday the progress of the implementation of the power plant in Rastin area within the formwork of following up the work situation in a number of vital projects in Lattakia province.

During the tour to the plant, accompanied by Electricity Minister, Ghassan al-Zamil and Lattakia Governor Amer Hilal, Prime Minister listened to an explanation by the technical and administrative cadres of the executive companies about the project stages in preparation for putting the power plant into service.

Later, Arnous held a meeting with the executive cadres , stressing the need for exerting efforts to operate the plant in the next coming period , in a way that contributes to improving the situation of the electrical energy produced in the country.

“411 million Euro is the total cost of the project ,” Arnous said, adding that the implementation works are underway within the framework of specified timetable.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Louai Emad El-Din Al-Munajjid, stressed the importance of working on establishing a special platform, which would be the main supply for the labor market in Syria.

That came during Minster Al-Munajjid’s meeting with Tomoki Watanabe, ILO Country Coordinator in Syria, and Luca Pellerano, Senior Social Protection Specialist at the organization.

Al-Munajjid underscored the legislative environment regulating the business sector through amendments that keep pace with recent economic and social developments and are consistent with the Syrian environment.

Furthermore, the two sides discussed boosting areas of cooperation through establishing a special platform for the labor market, developing the legislative environment for the business sector, and enhancing vocational training and rehabilitation.

Minster Al-Munajjid highlighted the ministry’s readiness to provide all the necessary facilities to make the ongoing cooperation with ILO a success as well as with joint projects and programs.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro chaired a regular Tripartite meeting at a UN position in Ras al-Naqoura today. ‘During the last couple of months, there have been a number of concerning developments along the Blue Line’ he said. ‘Despite these events, active engagement has contributed to the prevention of potential escalation and helped maintain stability.’ The UNIFIL head highlighted the breach in the cessation of hostilities, which occurred on 6 April 2023, noting increased tension along the Blue Line. ‘I strongly encourage the parties to continue to avail of our liaison and coordination mechanisms while avoiding unilateral actions,’ Major General Lázaro added. During the meeting, the UNIFIL chief acknowledged the efforts made by the parties to de-escalate situations calling on them to refrain from taking measures close to the Blue Line that can lead to misunderstandings, violations and increased tension. ‘I continue to appeal for engagement in Blue Line talks to address outstanding issues,’ he noted. ‘Our efforts need to be forward looking and focused on solutions – getting beyond the immediate incidents and looking to how we resolve them. This is a vital chance to remove sources of friction from the Blue Line. It is an opportunity that should not be squandered.’ Discussions during the meeting also focused on the situation along the Blue Line, air and ground violations, and other issues within the scope of UNIFIL’s mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and subsequent resolutions.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, on Thursday met with the Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf. Discussions during the meeting touched on the latest developments on the Lebanese arena, politically and economically, in addition to a number of issues of common interest, Ambassador Bukhari said via his Twitter account.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Commenting on the situation in Kafr Shouba, UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told the National News Agency, ‘UNIFIL peacekeepers are on the ground and have been on the ground from the very beginning to ensure that cessation of hostilities is maintained and helping in decreasing tension. We urge the parties to utilize our coordination mechanisms effectively to prevent misunderstandings, violations, and contribute to the preservation of stability in the area. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Lázaro is in contact with the parties, actively seeking solutions. We call upon both sides to exercise restraint and avoid actions along the Blue Line that may escalate tensions.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadhel, announced the start of the implementation ceremony of the (Iraqi-Gulf) electrical interconnection project between the countries of the Republic of Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, confirmed today, Thursday, that he discussed in Sulaymaniyah, controlling international borders and combating drug smuggling.

Al-Shammari said in a press conference in Sulaymaniyah after his meeting with the Head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Pavel Talabani: “Our visit to Sulaymaniyah aims to see the headquarters of the border formations in the province.”

He added, “We discussed with Talabani and the leaders of the border guards the control of international borders and the procedures of the forces in the 3rd Brigade and the 21st Brigade in regulating barriers, as well as strengthening the capabilities that help us perform tasks and combat drug smuggling.”/ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency