Category: Politics

Caretaker Minister of National Defense, Maurice Sleem, on Thursday met with MPs Amin Cherri and Ali Fayyad in his office in Yarzeh to discuss the situation in Lebanon and the region.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon on Thursday issued the following statement: “In support of our resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in reinforcement of their brave and noble resistance, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted, at 12:20 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the Zaoura depot with rocket weaponry.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Major General, Abbas Ibrahim, on Thursday continued his tour visiting spiritual authorities in Sydney, where he met with Sheikh Kamal Muslimani, representing the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council, and His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, as well as the Lebanese Islamic Association in Lakemba, Sydney. He also met with the mosque’s Imam, Sheikh Yehya Al-Safi, and the Director of the Islamic Association, Khalid Al-Din, in the presence of Bankstown Mayor Bilal Al-Hayek, municipal member George Zakhia, accountant Adel Al-Hasan, and members of the association.

Major General Abbas Ibrahim and the accompanying delegation also visited the “Islamic Charity Projects Association,” where they were welcomed by Sheikh Salim Al-Husseini and the association’s president in Australia, Mohammad Mehyo, as well as the school directors of Al-Amana College and Al-Salam College, the Islamic Community Radio, and a number of scholars. Discussions focused on the role of these leading institutions in protec
ting and preserving society from extremism through the principles of moderation and centrism.

The meetings revolved around the situation in Lebanon on the security, political, economic, and social fronts. General Ibrahim was briefed by spiritual leaders on the activities they undertake in Australia. In turn, he praised the expatriates’ contributions in the countries that host them, especially in Australia, and commended their role in assisting their families and hometowns in their homeland.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Former President, Michel Aoun, on Thursday met at his Rabieh residence with a delegation from the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, headed by MP Mohammad Raad, and including MPs Ali Ammar and Hassan Fadlallah.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Wednesday received at his ministry office, MP Imad Hout, with whom he broached the current general situation and the latest developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanese Forces party leader, Samir Geagea, on Wednesday criticized recent presidential initiatives, saying they exposed the opposition’s true intentions. Geagea accused the resistance axis of shunning dialogue and aiming solely to fragment those opposing their candidate, former Minister Sleiman Frangieh.

Geagea condemned the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc’s unwavering support for their candidate, the Marada Movement leader, ‘allowing no room for further discussions.’

The LF chief argued that this stance obstructed attempts by the national moderate coalition and others to end the presidential vacuum. He lamented the resistance axis’ failure to secure the necessary votes for their presidential candidate for over a year and four months, resulting in continued electoral obstruction.

Geagea then criticized the national moderation initiative, alleging it ensnared the resistance axis into echoing its known rhetoric across various media outlets, insisting on electing a president to protect the resistance. he fina
lly urged Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to fulfill his constitutional duties by convening consecutive parliamentary sessions until a new president is elected.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water, Walid Fayad, recently participated in a conference titled “The Role of Gas in the Energy Transition in the Mediterranean Basin” in Paris, organized by the Mediterranean Energy and Climate Organization (OMEC).

The event drew high-level attendees including Egyptian Petroleum Minister, Tarek El Mala, and representatives from the European Commission.

During his speech, Minister Fayad underscored the critical need for stability in the Mediterranean as a foundational element for achieving energy transition goals. He emphasized the imperative of ending the conflict in Gaza, not only for humanitarian reasons but also to enhance energy security in the region.

Fayad also discussed Lebanon’s gas sector, highlighting the ongoing third licensing round which includes nine out of ten blocks.

Notably, exploration in Block 9 has drawn significant interest from a consortium comprising Total, Eni, and Qatar Energy.

Furthermore, Minister Fayad elaborated on Lebanon’s recent energy pol
icy shifts, including the removal of subsidies on oil derivatives and electricity prices. He noted how this shift has propelled the renewable energy sector forward, evidenced by the recent approval of the Distributed Renewable Energy Law by the Parliament.

On the international front, Fayad highlighted Lebanon’s participation in the MED-GEM project, funded by the EU, aimed at developing a green hydrogen strategy. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among Mediterranean countries, stressing the significance of addressing shared energy infrastructure challenges.

Minister Fayad is expected to return to Beirut following the conclusion of the conference.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel received Member of the European Parliament Geoffroy Didier.

Talks focused on the regional situation and its repercussions on Lebanon.

The meeting was attended by Kataeb Political Bureau Member Alain Hakim, as well as Head of the Kataeb Foreign Affairs Department Marwan Abdallah and Member of the Foreign Affairs Department Lea Ibrahim.

During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the danger of war on Lebanon and the importance of expediting the election of a sovereign and reformist president to restore political normalcy.

Gemayel reiterated Hezbollah’s responsibility for dragging Lebanon into war and imposing the “arena’s unity” equation.

Talks also highlighted the Syrian refugees file and the importance of the European Union’s role in securing their safe return to their country.

For his part, Didier expressed his support for the Kataeb Party, affirming the partnership between the the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Kataeb Party.

He also pledged to continue prioritizing Le
banese affairs and rejecting any alteration of Lebanon’s identity.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Al-Makary, on Wednesday welcomed the Ambassador of Argentina to Lebanon, Maria Virginia Ruiz Quintar, with whom he discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the possibility of signing media cooperation protocols between the Ministry of Information and Argentine news agencies to enhance communication between Lebanese residents and expatriates.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Efforts by the UN World Food Program (WFP) to deliver desperately needed food supplies to northern Gaza resumed today but were largely unsuccessful, the agency reported.

A 14-truck food convoy – the first by WFP since it paused deliveries to the north on 20 February – was turned back by the Israeli occupation army after a three-hour wait at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint.

Although the convoy “did not make it to the north to provide food to the people who are starving, WFP continues to explore every possible means to do so,” WFP’s Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau said.

In a preliminary toll, the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, has left 30,534 martyrs and 71,920 injured, the majority of whom were women and children, while thousands of victims remain under the rubble and on the roads, as the occupation prevents ambulance and rescue crews from reaching them.

Source: Oman News Agency

Australia and Southeast Asian nations urged for calm in the disputed South China Sea and a long-lasting truce in the Gaza Strip as they concluded a three-day summit today.

Australia hosted a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Melbourne to mark the 50th anniversary of its ties to the bloc, even as differences remained across the 10 members on China’s plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.

A joint statement by Australia and ASEAN called for a “rules-based” order in the Indo-Pacific, as Beijing looks to increase its presence in the South China Sea.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the situation in South China Sea was generally stable and China’s position on the disputed area was consistent and clear.

The joint statement also reiterated concern over the “dire” humanitarian situation due to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, as well as calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, a Palestinian resistance movement.

“We condemn at
tacks against all civilians and civilian infrastructure, leading to further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza including restricted access to food, water, and other basic needs,” the statement said.

It added, “We urge for an immediate and durable humanitarian ceasefire.”

Source: Oman News Agency

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday welcomed UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro, with whom he discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and the ongoing cooperation between the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.

Prime Minister Mikati also welcomed World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ferid Belhaj, along with the Regional Director for the Middle East at the World Bank, Jean-Christophe Carret.

Belhaj stated after the meeting, “Today, I had a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, marking my latest official visit to Lebanon. It provided an opportunity to discuss regional issues, particularly economic, social, and security conditions. We discussed upcoming projects to be reviewed by the Cabinet and Parliament for their approval and implementation.”

“We’ve also discussed a study conducted by the World Bank on the economic and social impact of Syrian refugee influx into Lebanon. A similar study was conducted ten years ago, presented
to the Security Council, which rallied support for Lebanon. This new study evaluates the economic and social repercussions and will be presented to donors and the Lebanese public to understand the budgetary pressures, economic, and social contractions in Lebanon,’ Belhaj explained.

Regarding the cost of the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, Belhaj said that the cost amounted to approximately $1.5 billion, and that it was imperative for all stakeholders or donors to contribute significantly, as Lebanon alone couldn’t bear this cost.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Mikati held discussions with Minister of Telecommunications, Johnny Corm, and the Director-General of OGERO, Imad Kreidieh, to address ministry affairs.

Mikati also welcomed Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta.

“We’ve discussed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister of Malta, Ricardo Paterno, with a delegation to Lebanon in April,’ Sehnaoui said, outlining the details of the visit and the scheduled meetings.

M
oreover, Premier Mikati welcomed at the Grand Serail, a delegation from the ‘National Moderation’ bloc, which included MPs: Walid Al-Baarini, Ahmed Al-Khair, and Ahmed Rustom, in addition to the Bloc’s Secretary, Hadi Hobeish, in the presence of MP Bilal Al-Hashimi.

The delegation briefed the Premier on their presidential election initiative, and raised with the PM affairs related to the Akkari district.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon