Category: Politics

The Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi emphasized that “since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in the brutal manner we have witnessed, we considered it a genocidal war against the Palestinian people, a liquidation of their cause, and the least of it is repetition.”

“We call for adherence to Resolution 1701 by both the Israeli and Lebanese sides to protect the southern border towns from bombing, killing, displacement, and destruction,” he said.

In his Sunday sermon, the Patriarch affirmed that “we have never stopped demanding a permanent ceasefire and the pursuit of negotiations, political and diplomatic solutions to establish the two-state solution.”

He reminded that “the decision to establish a separate Palestinian state alongside Israel dates back to Resolution 181 issued by the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 1947. This resolution divided Palestine into two states, a Hebrew state, and an Arab state, and delineated the borders of these states.”

Al-Rahi continue
d: “However, the Palestinian state has not been formed to this day. Nevertheless, international efforts call for its establishment in what is known as the ‘two-state solution.'”

Al-Rahi pointed out that “everyone knows that it is a fundamental condition to end the ongoing war in Palestine,” emphasizing that “Lebanon is expected to play the role of a political and diplomatic mediator according to its message.”

Furthermore, he said: “It cannot fulfill this duty as long as it is deprived of a head of state and has lost its neutrality by involving itself in regional wars and conflicts it does not want.”

Maronite Patriarch added: “Deprived of a Lebanese president, the intentions were revealed through the results of the vacuum: transforming Lebanon in practice from a state that separates religion from the state to a sectarian religious state, as witnessed in general appointments and particularly in the judiciary, where those in power surpass it and intervene politically, violating the separation of powers contra
ry to the constitution, and hindering the course of justice.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Muscat: Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received here today a copy of credentials of Tin Yu, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Sultanate of Oman.

The Political Affairs Undersecretary welcomed the ambassador, wishing him success in carrying out his duties. He also wished the relations between the two countries further development and growth.

The meeting was attended by Najeeb Yahya Al Balushi, Head of the Protocols Department and several officials from the Foreign Ministry.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received here today a copy of credentials of Tin Yu, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Sultanate of Oman.

The Political Affairs Undersecretary welcomed the ambassador, wishing him success in carrying out his duties. He also wished the relations between the two countries further development and growth.

The meeting was attended by Najeeb Yahya Al Balushi, Head of the Protocols Department and several officials from the Foreign Ministry.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today made a phone call to Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister,Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

During the telephonic conversation, the two ministers held consultations and exchange points of view onthe course of efforts made to confront the dangerous escalation resulting from the continued brutal Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, stop this war, and launch a new horizon that leads to achieving a permanent solution and a comprehensive and just peace by ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied territories and establishing an independent Palestinian state.

Source: Oman News Agency

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi is currently meeting with MP Farid Haykal al-Khazen in Bkerki.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, is currently meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, at the Grand Serail.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday met with Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, at the Grand Serail, in the presence of Beirut Governor, Judge Marwan Abboud, and Colonel Khaled Youssef. The meeting discussed an array of ministerial affairs.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib, on Thursday met with the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Israeli enemy on Thursday targeted the vicinity of Mount Labouneh with heavy machine gun fire. The areas affected by the Israeli aggression include Mount Labouneh and Al-Alam.

Yesterday evening, the Israeli enemy fired a number of heavy artillery shells on the outskirts of the towns of Naqoura, Mount Labouneh, Alama Al-Shaab, Tyre Harfa, and Dhaira, causing severe damage to crops, olive and pine trees, and water networks.

Flares were launched by the enemy into the sky over the western and central sectors, reaching the outskirts of the city of Tyre.

A raid on the southern Lebanese town of Beit Lif last night resulted in the destruction of a house and the martyrdom of Mohammad Naif Hamoud, later mourned by the Islamic Resistance, at the age of thirty.

The issue of displacement towards safe areas in Lebanon, especially in the Tyre region, weighs heavily on the Tyre Union of Municipalities and municipalities in the Tyre district, as other Lebanese districts have not yet designated reception centers for t
he displaced, except for one center in the Ghazieh area.

It is worth mentioning that the fire that broke out at night in one of the apartments in the industrial city of Tyre was not caused by enemy bombardment, but was a local fire resulting from an electrical fault. Civil defense teams worked to extinguish it and rescued four trapped individuals inside.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Israeli enemy on Thursday targeted the vicinity of Mount Labouneh with heavy machine gun fire. The areas affected by the Israeli aggression include Mount Labouneh and Al-Alam.

Yesterday evening, the Israeli enemy fired a number of heavy artillery shells on the outskirts of the towns of Naqoura, Mount Labouneh, Alama Al-Shaab, Tyre Harfa, and Dhaira, causing severe damage to crops, olive and pine trees, and water networks.

Flares were launched by the enemy into the sky over the western and central sectors, reaching the outskirts of the city of Tyre.

A raid on the southern Lebanese town of Beit Lif last night resulted in the destruction of a house and the martyrdom of Mohammad Naif Hamoud, later mourned by the Islamic Resistance, at the age of thirty.

The issue of displacement towards safe areas in Lebanon, especially in the Tyre region, weighs heavily on the Tyre Union of Municipalities and municipalities in the Tyre district, as other Lebanese districts have not yet designated reception centers for t
he displaced, except for one center in the Ghazieh area.

It is worth mentioning that the fire that broke out at night in one of the apartments in the industrial city of Tyre was not caused by enemy bombardment, but was a local fire resulting from an electrical fault. Civil defense teams worked to extinguish it and rescued four trapped individuals inside.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

President Jakov Milatovic of Montenegro today received Badr Mohammed Al Mantheri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who presented his credentials as Oman’s Non-resident Ambassador to Montenegro.

Al Mantheri conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to President Jakov Milatovic, along with His Majesty the Sultan’s wishes of good health and happiness to the President. He also conveyed His Majesty the Sultan’s wishes of further progress and prosperity to the government and people of Montenegro.

On his turn, President Jakov asked Al Mantheri to convey his heartfelt sentiments and best wishes of good health and wellbeing to His Majesty the Sultan. The President of Montenegro also expressed his appreciation for Oman’s diplomatic approach that advocates support for global peace.

President Jakov Milatovic underscored the importance of augmenting trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Al Mantheri noted that the
government of His Majesty the Sultan is keen on enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation in all spheres, notably in the fields of diplomacy, trade exchange, investment and tourism.

Source: Oman News Agency

Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, today received a phone call from Hanke Bruins Slot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The conversation focused on developments taking place in the region, efforts for de-escalation to prevent the expansion of regional and international conflicts, and steps to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and tackle the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

The two sides also stressed the importance of addressing the real causes of the conflict, the need to find political solutions through constructive dialogue and the involvement of all parties concerned.

The two sides agreed to continue coordination and consultation and support the development of friendly relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Source: Oman News Agency

Member of Parliament, Farid Haikal Al-Khazen, on Thursday visited Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, in Bkerki, with whom he discussed the general situation in the country, according to MP Al-Khazen’s media office.

Following the meeting, MP Al-Khazen stressed that ‘the campaign against Patriarch Rahi is denounced and rejected, as Bkerke is a national edifice that brings together all the Lebanese.’

On the other hand, Patriarch Rahi met with MP George Atallah, who said on emerging that ‘The discussion dealt with various current matters locally and regionally.’

The Patriarch later received in Bkerki, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, with whom he discussed the current developments on the local and regional arenas.

Among Bkerki’s itinerant visitors for today had been Head of the Mount Lebanon Intelligence Bureau, Brigadier General Tony Moawad.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon