WASHINGTON: The US and Russia are nearing an agreement on Syria for how they hope to resolve the Arab country’s civil war once the Daesh group is defeated, officials said.
If clinched, the deal could have been announced by President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin after a meeting in Vietnam, US officials said. But White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Friday that they won’t hold a formal meeting due to scheduling conflicts on “both sides.”
Still, Sanders said it was possible Trump and Putin could have a less formal encounter while in Vietnam. The US has been reluctant to hold a formal meeting between the leaders unless they have a substantive agreement to announce.
The potential understanding comes as an array of forces are near a final defeat of Daesh, the extremist group that once controlled vast stretches of both Iraq and Syria. Fighting the group is no longer top priority, shifting the focus back to Syria’s intractable conflict between President Bashar Assad’s regime and the opposition — and to concerns that foreign powers such as Iran will now dominate the country’s future.
The US-Russian agreement being discussed would focus on three elements, officials said: “deconfliction” between the US and Russian militaries, reducing violence in the civil war and reinvigorating UN-led peace talks. The officials were not authorized to discuss the deliberations and requested anonymity.
The US and Russian militaries have maintained a “deconfliction” hotline for years to avoid unintended collisions and even potential confrontations as they each operate in Syria’s crowded skies. A heavy air campaign by Russia has been credited with shoring up the position of Assad, a close ally of Moscow.
With Daesh nearing defeat, the US and Russia are losing their common enemy in Syria and will remain in a proxy battle in which Russia backs Assad and the US lends at least rhetorical support to armed opposition groups fighting the government. That has increased the need for close communication between the two powers about where their forces are operating at any given time, officials said.
The agreement also seeks to build on progress in establishing “de-escalation zones” in Syria that have calmed some parts of the country. In July, when Trump held his first meeting with Putin in Germany, the US and Russia announced a deal that included Jordan and established a cease-fire in southwest Syria. The US has said that cease-fire has largely held and could be replicated elsewhere in the country.
A key US concern, shared by close ally Israel, is the presence of Iranian-backed militias in Syria that have exploited the vacuum of power. The US and Israel have been seeking ways to prevent forces loyal to Iran from establishing a permanent presence. One idea hinges on a “buffer zone” along Israel’s border with Syria.
A third element of the deal would reaffirm support for the UN effort being run out of Geneva to seek a political transition in Syria and resolve the civil war. The US and Russia have been at odds for years over whether Assad could be allowed to remain in power in a future Syrian government.
The UN talks, which have come in fits and starts without yielding significant progress, aren’t the only discussions about Syria’s future. Russia, Turkey and Iran have been brokering their own process in Astana, Kazakhstan. The US views those talks warily because of Iran’s involvement, though they’ve led to local cease-fire deals that have reduced violence, too.
“We believe that the Geneva process is the right way to go,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday. “Unfortunately, it is a long way off, but we’re getting a little bit closer.”
The US-Russia deal may also seek to expand the mandate of a joint “monitoring center” established this year in Amman, Jordan, to watch for cease-fire violations and other developments on the ground. It has focused on southwest Syria, where the cease-fire is in place, but could be used to monitor broader stretches of the country.
Although Moscow has sought a formal meeting between Trump and Putin while both are in Vietnam this week, the US has not committed to such a meeting. Washington’s concern is that it would not serve US interests unless there’s progress between the countries to announce — on Syria or something else. Putin’s aides have said a meeting will likely occur Friday and that the time, place and format are being worked out between the governments.
US and Russia ‘nearing agreement on Syria’s future’
US and Russia ‘nearing agreement on Syria’s future’
Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says
Yemen’s Houthis launched a military operation on a “vital target” in central Israel using a hypersonic missile, the group’s military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a televised address on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday the Israeli military said that a projectile launched from Yemen was intercepted before it crossed into Israeli territory.
The military earlier said sirens had sounded in a number of areas in central Israel following a launch from Yemen.
The Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel repeatedly in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, since the Gaza war began in 2023.
Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately
- Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has called a presidential election for January 9 in a bid to end a two-year leadership vacuum
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis called on Lebanese politicians on Sunday to urgently elect a new president, to get the country’s governing institutions functioning again.
“I address an urgent invitation to all Lebanese politicians to elect the president of the republic immediately,” the pontiff said at Saint Peter’s Square at the end of Sunday Angelus prayer.
Lebanon’s institutions need to “start functioning normally again to undertake the necessary reforms and sustain the country’s role as an example of peaceful cohabitation between different religions,” Francis said.
Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has called a presidential election for January 9 in a bid to end a two-year leadership vacuum.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022.
Neither of the two main blocs in parliament — the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents — have the majority required to elect a head of state and they have been unable to agree on a consensus candidate.
Family speak of ‘desperation’ as UK couple still missing in Red Sea
- Jenny Cawson, Tariq Sinada disappeared after tourism boat sank on Monday
- Her parents say they have had to rely on Egyptians for info rather than UK Foreign Office
LONDON: A British family have spoken of their “desperation” after a young couple went missing almost a week ago when the tourist boat they were on sank off the Egyptian coast.
Seven people are still unaccounted for after the sinking of the Sea Story vessel on Monday in the Red Sea, including Jenny Cawson, 36, and her husband Tariq Sinada, 49.
Cawson’s family said they are not being given sufficient information on the ongoing search for the pair by the UK Foreign Office.
Her father Michael Williams told the BBC that they were informed by Sinada’s mother of what had happened. “We were just in disbelief, it’s one of those moments when the world stops,” he said.
Cawson’s mother Pamela said: “Your heart sinks. You ask yourself, have I misread the news? Let’s look again.”
The four-deck vessel was carrying 31 passengers and 13 crew when it sank in stormy weather. It reportedly capsized after being hit by a large wave.
Nationalities aboard included Belgian, Chinese, Finnish, German, Irish, Polish, Slovakian, Spanish, Swiss and American. So far 33 people have been recovered alive, along with four bodies.
The Sea Story set out on a five-day scuba tour. Cawson and Sinada were experienced divers and had traveled to Egypt several times before.
Pamela said: “Everything Jenny and her husband do is highly considered; they do proper research before traveling anywhere. They are not the type of people who take anything at face value.”
The family say they have been forced to reach out to local authorities and sources due to a lack of information from the Foreign Office.
A rescue diver told the BBC earlier this week that five of the 33 survivors had been found alive trapped inside the submerged vessel.
Pamela said: “One of the local sources was kind enough to try and look for (Cawson and Sinada) in local hospitals.”
Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit
- Summit aims to underscore the importance of collective action among nations in the region
RIYADH: Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has called for an immediate ceasefire and has renewed condemnation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
In his opening speech for the 45th GCC Summit being hosted by his country, the Kuwait ruler also called international community “to play its role in implementing Security Council resolutions on Gaza.”
“Civilians in Gaza must be protected and provided with aid,” he said.
“We reiterate our unwavering support to Palestine and to end the Israeli occupation, attain all their political rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions,” he stressed.
“We also commend Qatar, Egypt, and the US for their mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and welcome the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation.”
The Emir also echoed support for a two-state solution on the Palestinian issue, and reiterated “We support Saudi efforts to push for two-state solution.”
Gulf leaders earlier arrived in Kuwait ahead of the 45th GCC summit, which aimed to underscore the importance of collective action among nations in the region.
GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, said the summit was yet another milestone in the chain of accomplishments for attaining the aspired pan-GCC merger, in a statement published by Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA.
#فيديو | سمو #ولي_العهد يصل دولة الكويت وفي مقدمة مستقبليه سمو أمير دولة الكويت، لترؤس وفد المملكة في الدورة الـ 45 للمجلس الأعلى لمجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية.#واس pic.twitter.com/NgYC6UTkJF
— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) December 1, 2024
It is rather a platform for the leaders to coordinate their visions and stands toward regional and international issues, said Al-Budaiwi, revealing that leaders would look into strategic files designed to strengthen regional security and stability, in addition to backing up sustainable economic development in the six countries, members of the bloc.
“We recall with pride the developments and innovations that all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reached, becoming an example to be followed in security, development, flourishing as well as a destination for regional excellence in overall progress,” according to Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad Al-Saud, in a separate KUNA report.
The Saudi envoy affirmed that the GCC had carried out its international duties within the frame of the international community, championing wisdom and balance in the regional and international arenas.
The GCC is a beacon of hope in the region and it has worked as a unifier of efforts by all GCC citizens, he added.
Among those who have arrived in Kuwait, which hosts the event, are Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar’s Ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyed Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Said.
The Saudi official delegation includes Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Prince Turki bin Mohammad, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaid Al-Aiban, Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan, Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser and other senior officials, KUNA reported.
Iraq MPs to debate revised bill after outcry over underage marriage
- Proposed amendments would let people choose between religious or state regulations for family matters
- A revised version of the bill sets the minimum age at 15 with court approval and retains ‘current conditions’
The proposed amendments would let people choose between religious or state regulations for family matters, such as marriage, inheritance, divorce and child custody.
Critics fear the move could erode protections for Muslim women by lowering the legal age for marriage – currently set at 18, or 15 with the consent of legal guardians and a judge – and pave the way for the adoption of Islamic jurisprudence that could allow marriages as young as nine years old.
A revised version of the bill sets the minimum age at 15 with court approval and retains “current conditions,” according to MP Raed Al-Maliki, who backs the new proposals.
Couples could opt for Shiite Muslim or Sunni Muslim rules under the amendment.
If passed, clerics and lawyers would have four months to establish community-specific regulations. Parliament would then vote again to finalize the changes.
The draft law has already undergone two readings, with votes previously delayed.
An earlier version faced backlash from feminists and civil society groups.
In October, Amnesty International warned the amendments could legalize unregistered marriages – often used to bypass child marriage bans – and strip protections for divorced women.
The London-based rights group also voiced concerns that the amendments would strip women and girls of protections regarding divorce and inheritance.
Sunday’s parliament session will also include a vote on a general amnesty law.
Excluded from amnesty are convictions for terrorism and crimes like rape, incest, human trafficking and kidnapping.
The amnesty, covering 2016-2024, could apply to drug users but not traffickers, according to Maliki.
Cases based on evidence from “secret informants” may qualify for retrial.
The previous 2016 amnesty reportedly covered 150,000 people.
