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Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday received an invitation from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to partake in the 33rd summit of the Arab League, to be held in Bahrain on May 16.
The invitation was extended to Mikati by the envoy of the King of Bahrain, Ambassador to Syria Waheed Mubarak Sayyar.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants on Wednesday submitted to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers copies of letters and complaints filed before the United Nations against Israel since the beginning of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon in last October.
Through the said letters and complaints, which amount to 22, Lebanon has documented Israel’s violations of UN Security Council’s Resolution 1701, urged the UNSC members to condemn said attacks and to curb the Israeli violations of the Lebanese sovereignty, and called them to prevent a wider regional war.
Some of the complaints include Lebanon’s detailed response to Israeli claims that accuse Lebanon of violating Resolution 1701. In the documents, Lebanon also proposes a roadmap and a vision on achieving sustainable stability in south Lebanon through the full and complete implementation of Resolution 1701.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Hezbollah has strongly condemned an Israeli attack on the Islamic Medical Association center in the southern town of Habbariyeh that killed and injured Lebanese civilians.
“We assure that this aggression will not go unpunished,” Hezbollah vowed.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Tuesday received at the Second Presidency in Ain el-Tineh, Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib.
Speaker Berri also received at Ain El-Tineh, Member of Parliament Dr. Abdel Rahman Bizri, with whom he broached the general situation, political developments, and legislative affairs.
On the other hand, Berri cabled the Senegalese President-elect Bessero Diomay Fay, congratulating him on his election as Senegal’s President.
In his cable, Berri wished the Senegalese President success in his new duties, wishing Senegal further progress and prosperity, and for the Senegalese people further security and stability.
“We seize the occasion to confirm our readiness to cooperate in various domains, especially in the legislative field, for the benefit of our two friendly countries and peoples,’ Berri said in his cable.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Tuesday chaired a meeting at the Grand Serail devoted to addressing the Union of Al-Fayhaa and Beddawi Municipalities’ solid waste dossier, attended by Caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin, President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, Nabil Al-Jisr, and the Director of the Union of Al-Beddawi Municipalities, Dima Hamza.
After the meeting, Caretaker Minister Yassin indicated that ‘they discussed how to improve the solid waste management situation in Tripoli and the north.’
On the other hand, Premier Mikati received at the Grand Serail a delegation from the ‘National Moderation’ bloc, which included MPs: Walid Al-Baarini, Abdel Aziz Al-Samad, Mohammad Sleiman, Sajih Attieh, Ahmed Khair, and Ahmed Rustom.
On emerging, MP Sleiman said that they discussed with the Premier the current situation in the region and Lebanon, as well as the issue of security in north Lebanon and Akkar.
Mikati later received a delegation from the Druze Sect Council
, which included Sheikh Judge Gandhi Makarem, Sheikh Sami Abdel Khaleq, and Mazen Fayyad, who invited the Premier to an iftar banquet that will be held next April 3, at the Druze community house.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Tuesday received at the Second Presidency in Ain el-Tineh, Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib.
Speaker Berri also received at Ain El-Tineh, Member of Parliament Dr. Abdel Rahman Bizri, with whom he broached the general situation, political developments, and legislative affairs.
On the other hand, Berri cabled the Senegalese President-elect Bessero Diomay Fay, congratulating him on his election as Senegal’s President.
In his cable, Berri wished the Senegalese President success in his new duties, wishing Senegal further progress and prosperity, and for the Senegalese people further security and stability.
“We seize the occasion to confirm our readiness to cooperate in various domains, especially in the legislative field, for the benefit of our two friendly countries and peoples,’ Berri said in his cable.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Tuesday received at his Yarzeh office, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka.
Discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in the country and developments along the southern border.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
A ceremony marking the conclusion of the first National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security was held on Tuesday at the Government Serail under the patronage of Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.
During the event, Mikati delivered a speech, saying: “I am pleased to meet with you at this honorable ceremony, marking the conclusion of the national plan for implementing Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. We aimed for this plan to be the cornerstone for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Lebanon in the coming years, providing a comprehensive national framework for stability and security. It aims to support women’s participation in decision-making, protect them from violence, and review laws that infringe on their rights, among other related matters.”
“It is worth noting that the Council of Ministers has approved the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing this resolution in 2019
, tasking the National Commission for Lebanese Women with preparing this plan through effective collaboration with relevant official administrations, civil society, as well as international and donor organizations, to achieve and develop its goals according to the needs and priorities of the Lebanese society. Unfortunately, women in Lebanese society, despite their general distinction in education, competence, and ability to prove themselves and compete in many sectors, suffer from injustice in some laws that restrict them and diminish their rights,’ Mikati added.
“We witness many cases of violence against women, which highlights the need to review some legal texts and add others to protect and empower them to ensure their full human rights as stated in the International Bill of Human Rights. This includes women’s rights to justice, equality, and non-discrimination, as well as working to support their participation in decision-making and activate their leadership role in political, economic, administrative, a
nd social positions. This represents the essence of our goals and the goals of the National Commission for Lebanese Women in achieving the National Action Plan for Resolution 1325,’ the Prime Minister explained.
“I congratulate the committee on their work, hoping that the resolutions will be implemented in all areas to support women’s role in society in all fields,’ Mikati concluded.
In turn, head of the National Commission for Lebanese Women, highlighted Lebanon’s difficult circumstances. She noted that Lebanon faces a severe political crisis, marked by the absence of a president for seventeen months, alongside economic challenges that have pushed the majority of Lebanese into poverty. Aoun emphasized the importance of women’s participation in decision-making and peace building processes, especially in times of conflict and crisis.
For his part, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, praised the NAP’s achievements despite Lebanon’s challenging environment.
He highlighted the importance of the plan in supporting women’s participation in governance and security institutions, as well as its role in promoting peace and stability in the country.
Similarly, UN Resident Coordinator in Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, commended Lebanon’s commitment to security, peace, and development, and expressed readiness to support the country in developing a second National Action Plan. She stressed the importance of empowering women and youth in various fields and integrating peace and security into all aspects of society. Wronecka also emphasized the need for the youth to participate in economic, educational, and leadership roles to ensure security and peace.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Tuesday sent a letter to the Civil Service Council regarding the issue of “assignments” in public administrations, requesting the preparation of a detailed report identifying all the assignment cases in public administrations and their compliance with applicable laws.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Japan’s Cabinet today approved a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets that it’s developing with Britain and Italy to other countries, in the latest move away from the country’s postwar pacifist principles.
The contentious decision to allow international arms sales is expected to help secure Japan’s role in the joint fighter jet project and part of a move to build up the Japanese arms industry and bolster its role in global security.
The Cabinet also endorsed a revision to Japan’s arms equipment and technology transfer guidelines to allow coproduced lethal weapons to be sold to countries other than the partners.
Japan has long restricted arms exports under the country’s pacifist constitution, but has rapidly taken steps to deregulate amid rising regional and global tensions.
The decision on jets will allow Japan to export lethal weapons it coproduces to other countries for the first time.
Japan is working with Italy and the UK to develop an advanced fighter jet to replace its aging fleet of Am
erican-designed F-2 fighters, and the Eurofighter Typhoons used by the UK and Italian militaries.
Japan, which was previously working on a homegrown design to be called the F-X, agreed in December 2022 to merge its effort with a British-Italian program called the Tempest. for deployment in 2035. The joint project, known as the Global Combat Air Program or GCAP, is based in the UK.
Source: Oman News Agency
The United Nations Security Council has issued its first demand for a cease-fire in Gaza, with the US angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of ‘retreating’ from a ‘principled position’ by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas, a Palestinian Resistance Movement.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the administration was ‘kind of perplexed’ by Netanyahu’s decision. He said the Israelis were ‘choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that.’
Kirby and the American ambassador to the UN said the US abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas. US officials chose to abstain rather than veto the proposal ‘because it does fairly reflect our view that a cease-fire and the release of hosta
ges come together,’ Kirby said.
The 15-member council voted 14-0 to approve the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. The chamber broke into loud applause after the vote.
The US vetoed past Security Council cease-fire resolutions in large part because of the failure to tie them directly to the release of hostages, the failure to condemn Hamas’ attacks and the delicacy of ongoing negotiations. American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favored unconditional calls for a cease-fire.
The resolution approved yesterday (Monday) demands the release of hostages but does not make it a condition for the cease-fire for the holy month of Ramadan, which ends in April.
Hamas, a Palestinian Resistance Movement said it welcomed the UN’s move but said the cease-fire needs to be permanent.
‘We confirm our readiness to engage in an immediate
prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides,’ Hamas said. For months, Hamas have sought a deal that includes a complete end to the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted: ‘This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.’
The US decision to abstain comes at a time of growing tensions between President Joe Biden’s administration and Netanyahu over Israel’s prosecution of the war, the high number of civilian casualties and the limited amounts of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. The two countries have also clashed over Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state, Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the expansion of settlements there.
In addition, the well-known antagonism between Netanyahu and Biden – which dates from Biden’s tenure as vice president – deepened after Biden questioned Israel’s strategy in combating Hamas.
Then, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Biden ally, suggested that
Netanyahu was not operating in Israel’s best interests and called for Israel to hold new elections. Biden signaled his approval of Schumer’s remarks, prompting a rebuke from Netanyahu.
During its US visit, the Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with its plans for a possible ground invasion of Rafah, a city on the Egyptian border in southern Gaza where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from the barbaric war.
Last week, Netanyahu rebuffed a US request to halt the planned Rafah invasion – vowing during a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to act alone if necessary. Blinken warned that Israel could soon face growing international isolation, while Vice President Kamala Harris said Israel could soon face unspecified consequences if it launches the ground assault.
The Security Council vote came after Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution last Friday that would have supported ‘an immediate and sustained cease-fire’ in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. That
resolution featured a weakened link between a cease-fire and the release of hostages, leaving it open to interpretation, and no time limit.
The United States warned that the resolution approved yesterday (Monday) could hurt negotiations to halt the hostilities, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans. The talks involve the US, Egypt and Qatar.
Because Ramadan ends on 9 April 2024, the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead to ‘a lasting sustainable cease-fire.’
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the resolution ‘spoke out in support of the ongoing diplomatic efforts,’ adding that negotiators were ‘getting closer’ to a deal for a cease-fire with the release of all hostages, ‘but we’re not there yet.’
The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, was backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.
Under the United Nations Charter, Security Coun
cil resolutions are legally binding on its 193 member nations, though they are often flouted.
Since the start of the war, the Security Council has adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none has called for a cease-fire.
More than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the fighting by Israeli occupation forces, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The agency does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.
Gaza also faces a dire humanitarian emergency. A report from an international authority on hunger warned last week that ‘famine is imminent’ in northern Gaza and that escalation of the war could push half of the territory’s 2.3 million people to the brink of starvation.
Source: Oman News Agency
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories affirmed that there are “reasonable grounds” to determine that the Israeli occupation committed several acts of “genocide,” warning also of “ethnic cleansing.”
“The overwhelming nature and scale of Israel’s assault on Gaza and the destructive conditions of life it has inflicted reveal an intent to physically destroy Palestinians as a group,” she said in a report.
This report finds that “there are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating the commission of the following acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has been met: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to groups members; and deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.”
She also affirmed in her report that photos of dead civilians after their displacement to southern Gaza, accompanied by statements by
some senior Israeli officials declaring their intention to forcibly displace the Palestinians out of Gaza and replace them with Israeli settlers, lead logically to the conclusion that the “evacuation orders and safe zones have been used as genocidal tools to achieve ethnic cleansing.”
The report continued that “genocidal acts” were approved and carried out following statements expressing “genocidal intent,” issued by senior military and government officials, affirming that “Israel’s genocide on the Palestinians in Gaza is an escalatory stage of a longstanding settler colonial process of erasure.”
Since 7 October 2023, the death toll from the Israeli aggression continued in the Gaza Strip and has risen to 32,333 martyrs and 74,694 wounded, the majority of whom are children and women.
Source: Oman News Agency