Category: Politics

Caretaker Interior and Municipalities Minister, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, participated in the quadripartite meeting hosted by Amman for the interior ministers of Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria to discuss joint mechanisms for confronting and combating the drug scurge.

In his word at the meeting, Mawlawi said: ‘Our Arab security is shared, as our borders are close and overlapping, which requires us to work hard to protect our countries and societies from cross-border crime in all its forms.’

He added, “Lebanon’s position among the Arab countries requires us to work to avoid it being a source of harm to its people or to the sisterly Arab countries and the Arab Gulf.”

“We continue to firmly control drug smuggling operations through the efforts of the Lebanese security authorities,’ Mawlawi asserted, praising the role played by all security bodies.

He stressed the need to continue ‘joint cooperation between our countries to fight this crime.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Major General Abbas Ibrahim visited today former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, with mutual talks touching on the internal and regional situations.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s media office reported that a telephone call took place today between Hariri and the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Bishop Elias Audeh, during which they discussed the latest developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati continued his meetings during his participation in the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

In this context, Mikati met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

The two parties discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, the situation in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and the necessity of stopping the war quickly and reaching a peaceful, just and comprehensive solution.

The Prime Minister held a meeting with

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Paul Gallagher, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib.

The attendees reportedly discussed efforts to stop the war in Gaza and southern Lebanon and the importance of electing a new president for Lebanon.

The Prime Minister also met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in the presence of Minister Abdullah Bou Habib.

The attendees stressed the importance of stopping the Israeli aggression against Gaza and then working to find a sustainable solution to the Palesti
nian issue.

The Prime Minister also met, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Lebanese Ambassador, with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie.

The meeting touched on the work of UNRWA and the Canadian contribution to its financing.

Mikati also met with the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell.

The Prime Minister met with US Senators Chris Murphy and Chris von Hall, where they stressed the importance of supporting the army to carry out its tasks.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister Saad Hariri received this morning former PM Tammam Salam at the Center House. The pair reportedly discussed the latest developments.

British Chargé d’Affaires

Prime Minister Hariri also met with the Chargé d’Affaires of the British Embassy in Lebanon, Camilla Nickels. The meeting focused on the relations between the two countries.

Minister Charbel

He also discussed with former Minister Marwan Charbel the latest developments.

Iraqi Chargé d’Affaires

Prime Minister Hariri received the Charge d’Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Lebanon, Amin Al-Nasrawi, who subsequently explained that “the meeting was a good opportunity to listen to Prime Minister Hariri’s opinion on many political, economic, and security matters that Lebanon and the region are going through, in addition to reviewing Lebanese-Iraqi relations.’

Major General Ibrahim

Hariri also welcomed with the former Director General of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, with whom he tackled the most recent developments.

Sour
ce: National News Agency – Lebanon

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Thursday has called for a joint session by the Finance and Budget, Administration and Justice, National Economy, Trade, Industry, and Planning, Education and Higher Education, and Culture committees at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Former Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, on Thursday welcomed several caretaker ministers at the Grand Serail.

Caretaker Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan expressed concern over Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, emphasizing the need for political consensus to elect a new president.

Environment Minister Nasser Yassin recalled late PM Rafik Hariri’s role in protecting Lebanon amid Israeli aggressions.

Industry Minister George Boujikian and Tourism Minister Walid Nassar also discussed pertinent issues during their meetings with Hariri.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, on Thursday condemned the massacre perpetrated by Israel last night in the city of Nabatieh, resulting in the loss of over 10 martyrs and a large number of wounded, most of whom were women and children. “Another massacre added by the political and military echelons of the Israeli entity to its long record of murder, terrorism, and genocidal wars through the cowardly aggression that targeted the innocent in the city of Nabatieh,’ Berri said.

“The premeditated and calculated nature of this massacre indicates the aggressive and racist nature of this enemy, whose antagonism towards humanity is no longer concealed. Its declared and covert targets are civilians and all the vital elements of life in our homeland and region,’ Berri added.

“The blood shed in Nabatieh, and prior to that in Hula, Al-Souwaneh, and Adaisseh, is a call to action for international envoys, the United Nations, and human rights organizations. Not merely to condemn, but to urgently and immediately act to sto
p the Israeli killing machine and restrain the leaders of the occupation entity who are pushing the region towards a war with dire consequences,’ Berri added.

“May mercy be upon the martyrs, deepest condolences to their families, and prayers for the speedy recovery of the wounded,’ Berri concluded.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday vehemently condemned the “escalating Israeli enemy’s aggression in southern Lebanon and the new massacres it’s committing against Lebanese citizens, especially the events that occurred last night in Nabatieh, where seven members of one family were martyred in the Israeli shelling.”

“In the face of the enemy’s escalation and the loss of martyrs and the massive destruction it causes, I consulted with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Abdullah Bou Habib, about the situation and requested the urgent submission of a new complaint against Israel to the United Nations Security Council,’ Mikati said.

“While we emphasize the need for calm and call on all parties to commit to de-escalation, we find the Israeli enemy persisting in its aggression, prompting us to question the international stakeholders about the steps taken to restrain the enemy,’ the PM added.

In conclusion, he said, “Given the escalation of aggression, I have requested the Minister o
f Environment to convene an urgent meeting of the National Emergency Committee to monitor the situation. I have also been briefed by the Minister of Health on the health and hospital situation in the south, and the urgent measures taken.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday vehemently condemned the “escalating Israeli enemy’s aggression in southern Lebanon and the new massacres it’s committing against Lebanese citizens, especially the events that occurred last night in Nabatieh, where seven members of one family were martyred in the Israeli shelling.”

“In the face of the enemy’s escalation and the loss of martyrs and the massive destruction it causes, I consulted with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Abdullah Bou Habib, about the situation and requested the urgent submission of a new complaint against Israel to the United Nations Security Council,’ Mikati said.

“While we emphasize the need for calm and call on all parties to commit to de-escalation, we find the Israeli enemy persisting in its aggression, prompting us to question the international stakeholders about the steps taken to restrain the enemy,’ the PM added.

In conclusion, he said, “Given the escalation of aggression, I have requested the Minister o
f Environment to convene an urgent meeting of the National Emergency Committee to monitor the situation. I have also been briefed by the Minister of Health on the health and hospital situation in the south, and the urgent measures taken.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The 4th round of the political consultations session between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Union (EU) was held in Brussels today.

The Omani side was chaired by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, whilst the EU side was chaired by Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs.

During the session, the two sides discussed relations and affirmed to continue promoting joint cooperation in various areas.

They also touched on a set of regional and international issues of common concern, including the repercussions of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. In this context, the two sides stressed the importance of backing political endeavors and efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and delivering the humanitarian aid.

It is worth mentioning that these consultations comes within the framework of the cooperation arrangements signed in 2018 between Oman and the EU, which reflect the commitment of both sides to enhancing cooperation and mutual
understanding in light of the current challenges on the international arena.

The session was attended by Ambassador Munthir Mahfoud Al Manthri, Head of Europe Department, Ambassador Rua’a Issa Al Zadjali, Head of Oman’s Mission to the EU and a number of officials from both sides.

Source: Oman News Agency

Acting Director General of General Security, Brigadier General Elias Baissari, on Thursday received in his office, Dean of Tripoli and North Lebanon Bar Association, Sami Al Hassan, at the head of a delegation from the Bar Council.

Discussions reportedly touched on the current local developments and issues of common interest.

Major General Al-Baissari also met in his office with the Security Advisor to the Iraqi Interior Minister, Major General Dr. Saad Maan, with whom he discussed ways of cooperation and coordination.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Addressing the unfolding events in South Lebanon, where airstrikes have reportedly claimed numerous civilian lives, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, expressed deep concern, stating:

“The recent surge in hostilities and the reported airstrikes resulting in increasing civilian casualties are extremely concerning.

Among the victims are children, mothers, and grandparents.

The loss of innocent life is lamentable.

The rules of war are clear: Parties must protect civilians and these rules must be upheld. They are not a target.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon