Category: Politics

The Embassy of Yemen in Beirut on Monday shared the following statement:

‘His Excellency, President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council, renewed today, Saturday, the call to support the capabilities of the Yemeni government and enable it to restore state institutions. As this is the best way to enhance regional and international security, stability and put an end to the threats and attacks of the Houthi militias and terrorist organizations on global shipping and trade lines.

The President of the Presidential Leadership Council said during a meeting with media correspondents and international news agencies, ‘We have been saying on all occasions that the best way to secure the entire Yemeni mainland will not be achieved except by supporting the capabilities of the legitimate government and enabling it to restore state institutions and port cities, which have been turned today into platforms for threats against maritime, regional and international security.

His Exce
llency the President also renewed the Presidential Leadership Council and the government’ s welcome to any international effort to help eliminate terrorist organizations, especially the Houthi militias, which are designated by the Yemeni government and the Gulf regime as a terrorist organization, just like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. His Excellency noted in this context the US administration’s designation for the Iranian militias in Yemen a global terrorist organization.

In this context, he stressed that any real international effort to help eliminating these organizations had been, and still welcomed by successive Yemeni governments.

The President of the Presidential Leadership Council pointed out that supporting the Palestinian cause is through Arab unity and ending the wars in the region instead of further aggravation and fragmentation, in a comment on the Houthi militias’ claims that their terrorist attacks on international shipping lines and commercial ships come to express their alleged solidarity with the Pal
estinian people.

The President recalled the firm position of the Presidential Leadership Council and the government on the issue of the Palestinian people and the grave Israeli violations in the occupied territories. He said that the Palestinians, today need life-saving aid and a unified and effective diplomatic movement more than anything else to control the Israeli plan to liquidate the Palestinian issue and displace the Palestinian people.

He stressed that the Houthi terrorist attacks in the Red Sea harmed the freedom of global trade and the peoples of the region, first and foremost doubling the suffering of the Yemeni people, who depend on 90 % of imports to survive. He explained that the Houthi militias were the ones who brought all these fleets to Yemeni waters with their terrorist attacks as an extension of their coup against the national consensus.

The President of the Presidential Leadership Council briefed the journalists, media correspondents and news agencies on the latest developments in the p
olitical and economic situation, the path of the peace process and its complications in light of the recent developments, reiterating the government initiatives to end human suffering as a result of the war sparked by the terrorist Houthi militia.

He pointed out that Iran at the end of the day did not appear to be satisfied with putting aside its agents in Yemen, “because the ceasefire agreement, specifically would mean stopping all hostilities on land, sea and air.”

His Excellency said, “We are ready for peace and for that purpose we have made concessions in order to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. Because peace is a Yemeni, regional and international interest, and the world’s efforts must be united for this goal.”

He pointed out that Iran does not want peace, whether in Yemen or elsewhere, and that the terrorist acts carried out by the Houthis in the Red Sea against commercial ships are to provide a service to Iranian expansion in the region.

President Alimi touched upon developments in th
e situation in Yemen and the region, pointing out the necessity of correcting the narratives related to these developments and their backgrounds, and knowing what is going on in Yemen closely and from reliable sources.

His Excellency pointed out the continuation of repeated attempts to bring the Houthis into the peace processes, starting from Geneva, Bern, Kuwait and Dhahran Al-Janoub, all the way to the peace map. All of these were attempts to impose peace.

Regarding the developments in the Red Sea, President Al-Alimi said, ‘This is not a new act, we had warned early on that Iran was planning to control the Red Sea. We referred to this in our speeches before the United Nations General Assembly, in which we warned the world of the danger of these Iranian-backed militias’ continued control over the Red Sea overlooking areas.

He pointed out that defensive operations are not the solution. However, the solution is to eliminate the Houthis’ military capabilities, and to enter into a partnership with the Yemeni
government to control these areas and restore state institutions, which is the only guarantor of security and stability not only for Yemen but for the region, stressing the importance of creating a regional and international institutional framework to protect the Red Sea.

He added, “There was an Iranian plan from an early age to control the Red Sea, and what we did to engage the Houthis into power or to be part of the political components, was destroyed by the Iranians with all this work carried out by the Houthi militias.”

His Excellency the President called on the international community to implement Security Council Resolution No. 2216, as it is the one that would bring the Houthi militias to the dialogue table, expressing his confidence that the Yemeni issue will not be affected by any other issues in the world because it is a just issue.

During the meeting, His Excellency the President reviewed the first beginnings of the formation of the Houthi militia, which did not begin in the year 2004 or in the
year 2014, as various accounts say in a number of media outlets. But rather it began at the beginning of the eighties of the last century after the return of Khomeini in 1979 to Iran and the beginning of Iranian policy to expand through the formation of cells affiliated with the Iranian regime in Yemen, coinciding with the establishment of Hezbollah in Lebanon.

His Excellency the President pointed out that the cells formed by Iran did not have a specific name at the time, but rather they were a cell that was trained in Iran. These cells began committing terrorist acts in Sana’a in 1984, attacking the Belqis Cinema with bombs, which caused the death of its guard and the injury of a number of citizens, attacking embassies, diplomatic missions and the use of incendiary materials against women. His Excellency confirmed that some of them were arrested and put on trial, while others of their leaders left for Iran, including Badr al-Din al-Houthi, the father of the so-called Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the
terrorist Houthi militia, and Abdul Salam Falita, the father of the spokesman of the terrorist militia, referring to the successive developments that ended with the militias’ coup against the national consensus and flaring the war that has been going on for ten years.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Statement issued by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq: “Continuing our path in resisting the American occupation forces in Iraq and the region, and in response to the massacres committed by the Zionist entity against our people in Gaza, the Islamic Resistance fighters in Iraq attacked the occupation base in Khirbet Adnan in Syria on Saturday, January 27, 2024, using drones. The Islamic Resistance affirms its commitment to continue striking the enemy’s strongholds.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rahi emphasized that “the role of the state and officials is to serve the citizens.”

In his Sunday sermon, he lamented, “How regrettable it is to see our people in a state of humiliation and poverty. It is no wonder as our crippled state has become prey to corrupt individuals who devour its resources and institutions.”

He added, “Our people on the southern borders are experiencing the pressures of psychological warfare, and children are deprived of school education. You cannot imagine this bitter reality, and we refuse to be sacrificial lambs for a culture of death that has only yielded imaginary victories.”

Rahi continued, “We do not understand why the real estate departments in Mount Lebanon are closed in a bankrupt state, and we demand the Ministry of Finance to address this gross negligence.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rahi emphasized that “the role of the state and officials is to serve the citizens.”

In his Sunday sermon, he lamented, “How regrettable it is to see our people in a state of humiliation and poverty. It is no wonder as our crippled state has become prey to corrupt individuals who devour its resources and institutions.”

He added, “Our people on the southern borders are experiencing the pressures of psychological warfare, and children are deprived of school education. You cannot imagine this bitter reality, and we refuse to be sacrificial lambs for a culture of death that has only yielded imaginary victories.”

Rahi continued, “We do not understand why the real estate departments in Mount Lebanon are closed in a bankrupt state, and we demand the Ministry of Finance to address this gross negligence.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent further genocidal acts committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement today, the OIC called on all state parties to ensure the full and immediate compliance of the Israeli entity with the court’s ruling, stressing the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities towards achieving justice for the Palestinian people, providing them with international protection, and putting an end to the acts of genocide inflicted upon them.

OIC also reiterated the need to continue political and legal efforts in order to achieve a complete and comprehensive cessation of the crimes of the brutal Israeli military aggression, and all acts of genocide, including killing, displacement and destruction, committed by the Israeli occupation throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as providing
immediate, adequate and sustainable humanitarian needs to the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Friday, the ICJ issued an interim ruling that ordered six provisional measures, including for Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts, prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to genocide, and take immediate and effective steps to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza

Source: Oman News Agency

New York: Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General called for the need to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He affirmed that urgent measures would be taken after allegations of the involvement of employees in the 7th of October attacks.

Guterres said that the UN is taking swift action following the extremely serious allegations against several UNRWA staff members.

“An investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was immediately activated,” he added.

The UN had received information from the Israeli entity about allegations of the participation of 12 UNRWA employees in the Oct. 7 attacks.

The UN Secretary-General explained in a press statement: “Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead, and the identity of the two others is being clarified.” Guterres affirmed that “Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held acc
ountable, including through criminal prosecution. The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariats normal procedures for such cooperation.” “Meanwhile, 2 million civilians in Gaza depend on critical aid from UNRWA for daily survival but UNRWA current funding will not allow it to meet all requirements to support them in February,” he indicated.

Nine countries announced the temporary suspension of their funding to UNRWA after these allegations.

“I understand their concerns I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA operations,” Guterres said.

Guterres concluded in his press statement: “The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be
penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received here today Dr. Konstantinos Kompos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.

The two sides explored the bilateral relations and means of developing them. They also discussed cooperation in economic, trade and arts fields. The two sides also agreed to finalize several agreements and memoranda of understanding, such as an agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, cooperation agreement on issues of public security, cooperation project on areas of agriculture and fisheries with a focus on activating partnership and cooperation in marine shipping, tourism, education and renewable energy.

At the political field, the two ministers exchanged points of view on current regional and international developments, the foremost of which covered repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza Strip, the tragic humanitarian situation and the tension in the Red Sea. They also reaffir
med the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire and allowing access of all humanitarian needs to Gaza Strip and resuming the process of two-state solution to achieve security and comprehensive peace.

The meeting was attended by Andreas Nikolaides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Sultanate of Oman and Munthir bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Head of Europe Department at the Foreign Ministry.

Source: Oman News Agency

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad al-Makary, visited today Havana where he met with his Cuban counterpart, Alfonso Noya Martez, in the presence of the Lebanese Ambassador to Cuba, Namir Nour El-Din, and Mr. Elias Khalil.

During the meeting, Minister Makary stressed “the importance of raising one’s voice against the war of extermination waged by the Israeli enemy against the Palestinians.”

He agreed with his Cuban counterpart on “the importance and necessity of holding the -Operation Truth Conference – at the present time in light of the increasing misinformation by the dominant media.”

Both ministers agreed during their talks on several points, emphasizing the responsibility of the media towards providing correct information to the people, in addition to agreeing to prepare a joint program regarding the Lebanese expatriates residing in Cuba and to enhance cooperation and exchange of experiences between both countries.

For his part, the Cuban Minister of Information stressed ‘the importance of unity
as a strategy to convey the image of truth,’ considering that ‘what is most important today is not only portraying the truth about Cuba to the world, but the truth of all oppressed peoples who are subjected to aggression and siege.’

It is to note that Minister al-Makary is currently on an official visit to Cuba, where he took part in the ‘Operation Truth Conference”, during which participants from thirty countries around the world discussed the role of the media and its responsibility in conveying the truth to the peoples without neglecting the Palestinian issue.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants welcomed, in a statement on Saturday, the temporary measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the case submitted by the Republic of South Africa against Israel, for committing the crime of genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and failing to adhere to its obligations stipulated in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

The Ministry called on the United Nations and the international community to “take immediate measures to ensure the implementation of these temporary measures to prevent the killing of Palestinians and subjecting them to inhumane living conditions, by depriving them of food, water and medicine, with the aim of pushing them into forced migration outside the Gaza Strip.”

It also praised the efforts of the South African Republic and hoped that ‘the measures would include obligating Israel to an immediate ceasefire as a first step along the path to finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian c
ause in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions, based solely on establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

The statement underlined that this solution alone is capable of ensuring security, peace and prosperity in the Middle East region.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that a number of heavy missiles were launched from Lebanon in the late hours of Friday, hitting at least five Israeli occupation military sites, including barracks and gathering, in the occupied Western al-Jalil in Palestine in less than two hours.

According to our correspondent, a heavy missile was launched from Lebanon toward a military target in the vicinity of the “Shlomi”, while another missile targeted the “Hanita” barracks in the occupied Western al-Jalil. Later, a salvo of rockets was launched toward the same barracks.

On its part, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah confirmed that in support of the resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in solidarity with their courageous and honorable Resistance, its fighters carried out the following operations:

EASTERN SECTOR

At 8:10 AM, Hezbollah fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli occupation soldiers in the vicinity of the Hounin Castle using appropriate weapons.

At 1:00 PM, Resistance fighter
s targeted the “Ma’ale Golan” barracks with Falaq-1 rockets, achieving direct hits.

At 4:10 PM, Hezbollah fighters targeted the Israeli occupation soldiers’ gatherings and deployments in “Ma’ale Golan” barracks and its vicinity with a large barrage of Katyusha rockets.

At 11:05 PM, Hezbollah fighters targeted the positioning and deployment of Israeli soldiers near “Metulla” with rocket artillery, achieving direct hits.

WESTERN SECTOR

At 9:00 PM, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Birket Risha site using appropriate weapons, achieving a direct hit.

At 9:00 PM, a sniper unit in the Islamic Resistance targeted a newly established surveillance security device erected on the “Zar’it” barracks.

At 9:55 PM, Hezbollah fighters targeted the “Zar’it” barracks with a Burkan rocket, achieving a direct hit.

At 10:00 PM, the Resistance targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers on “Cobra Hill” with two Burkan rockets, achieving direct hits.

At 10:40 PM, Resista
nce fighters targeted a building in the “Avivim” settlement using appropriate weapons, achieving a direct hit.

In the same context, Israeli media outlets reported that a helicopter carrying four injured soldiers arrived at the Rambam Hospital in Haifa, pointing to a “security incident” in a settlement on the border with Lebanon while refraining from providing additional details due to strict military censorship.

Earlier reports from Israeli media had reported violent explosions shaking the north near the Lebanon border around midnight, confirming that a Burkan rocket landed on a room in the “Zari’it barracks” housing Israeli troops. The reports also raised concerns about a possible infiltration into the area.

Calls spread on social media within the Israeli occupation entity for settlers to “pray” for the soldiers in the north, acknowledging a tough night along the front with Lebanon.

In the context of the ongoing Israeli aggression against southern Lebanese towns and villages, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent
reported Israeli artillery shelling targeting the outskirts of the town of Tayr Harfa, as well as the towns of Marwahin, al-Bustan, and Umm al-Tout.

Our correspondent also mentioned that Israeli occupation forces launched illuminating flares into the skies of the town of Dahr al-Ahmar.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah announced on Friday the martyrdom of four of its fighters on the path to al-Quds while performing their Resistance duties. The martyrs were identified as Taleb Yahya Balhas, Ali Fawzi Melhem, Mohammad Ali Mazeh, and Islam Mohammad Zalzali.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Thursday received at his Yarzeh office, Saudi Military Attaché, Colonel Fawaz Al-Mutair

Discussions reportedly touched on the means of cooperation between the armies of both countries.

Maj. Gen. Aoun later received a delegation from the Union of Jabal Al-Rihan Municipalities, headed by Bassem Sharaf El-Din, with whom he discussed various matters.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Internal Security Forces (ISF) chief, General Imad Othman, on Thursday received in his office, the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, at the head of a delegation, who came on a visit during which Palestinian refugee affairs were discussed.

Talks also touched on the general situation in the country.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Abdallah Bou Habib, winded up his visit to New York with a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

The meeting took place in the presence the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari.

Caretaker Minister Bou Habib thanked the UN Secretary-General for his intervention during the ministerial-level session of the United Nations Security Council, and appreciated his position on the situation in the Middle East.

Minister Bou Habib also invited Guterres to visit Lebanon.

Bou Habib stressed, ‘Lebanon’s adherence to the work of UNIFIL forces and their coordination with the Lebanese army, and the Lebanese authorities’ keenness on their safety and facilitating their mission.’

The Minister also underlined Lebanon’s readiness for a comprehensive and balanced implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 withi
n a comprehensive solution that ensures stability and sustainable calm.”

Viewpoints were also similar on ‘the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, and the application of the two-state solution to exit the spiral of conflict in the Middle East.”

This morning, Bou Habib met with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and informed her of Lebanon’s desire to avoid escalation, and adopt self restraint policy.

Minister Bou Habib also agreed with his Slovenian counterpart, Tanja Fajon, that a ceasefire is the gateway to resolving the conflict, and that ensuring a secure Middle East entails the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon