BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun hoped on Thursday “for the ceasefire in Gaza to end the tragic reality and prompt Israel to seriously abide by the clauses of the agreement, which requires the follow-up of the sponsoring states and the UN.”
Israel had always evaded its commitments and ignored international resolutions, he said.
“The hostilities taking place in the south (of Lebanon), as well as the violations of the ceasefire agreement, prove so.”
Aoun’s comments came as Israel’s violations of Lebanese airspace reached Beirut and its forces continued to bulldoze the neighborhoods of Taybeh and Aita Al-Shaab.
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International said its media staff “came under Israeli fire while accompanying an ambulance team inside a house in Mays Al-Jabal, with no casualties reported.”
Aoun, who was elected president a week ago, received invitations to visit Qatar and Jordan. He also took a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who invited him to visit the Kingdom. Aoun said it would be his “first visit abroad.”
Qatar’s Ambassador to Lebanon Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani delivered an official invitation from his nation’s leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for Aoun to visit Doha.
In the letter, the sheikh said he hoped that Aoun’s tenure would “witness a new stage where security, stability and prosperity will prevail in the country.”
In a speech delivered from the presidential palace, the ambassador expressed his country’s “continuous support for Lebanon in all the political, economic and military fields.”
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi delivered an invitation from King Abdullah II for Aoun to visit Jordan. He also expressed Jordan’s “commitment to supporting Lebanon, its security, stability and full sovereignty” and urged Israel to “honor the ceasefire agreement and stop its violations against Lebanon.”
Safadi also met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.
“We believe that the new leadership in Lebanon can go forward and we affirm that we will continue to support the Lebanese army,” he said.
“We look with our partners worldwide into providing what the army needs in terms of fundamental capabilities so it could carry out its role.”
Safadi said that the mediators announced the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip “clearly and decisively” and that “the whole world knows the importance of respecting and implementing this agreement.”
“We call for full compliance,” he said. “We also urge the opening of all crossings and an international effort to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to make a working visit to Beirut on Friday, becoming the second head of state to visit the country, following Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected to travel to Beirut to congratulate Aoun.
The Elysee Palace said Macron’s visit “underscores France’s unwavering commitment to Lebanon’s stability, unity and development” and that his presence would strengthen the ceasefire monitoring mechanisms, mainly focusing on UNIFIL’s peacekeeping operations.
In domestic developments, Aoun held talks with acting Central Bank Governor Wassim Mansouri, who offered his first public assessment since Lebanon’s recent period of turmoil.
He reported “improving monetary conditions and increased foreign currency reserves following the presidential election” and emphasized the central bank’s policy of maintaining the value of the Lebanese pound “without market intervention.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Aoun received Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.
Meanwhile, Salam entered the final day of non-binding parliamentary consultations regarding government formation and the ministerial statement that will outline his administration’s agenda.
The process has unfolded amid growing international and Arab support for Lebanon’s new leadership.
A meeting between Salam and Berri is expected to take place on Friday.
Both Berri’s parliamentary bloc and Hezbollah’s representatives have boycotted the consultations, protesting against Salam’s appointment ahead of their preferred candidate, Najib Mikati.
If it takes place, the meeting between Berri and Salam is intended to ease Hezbollah’s concerns.
It will also seek to assure the party it has not lost its internal cohesion following the speeches of the president and prime minister.
Salam is expected to present his vision for forming the next government to Berri and the president after consulting with all parliamentary blocs, including independent and Change lawmakers.
MP Jihad Al-Samad met Salam on Thursday and quoted him as saying that “given the ongoing disagreement, there are only two solutions: either an agreement or an agreement.”
Other lawmakers who attended the talks said the parliamentary consultations concluded on the second day with the “assertation that the government’s ministerial statement must be a reflection of the president’s oath speech.”
They said the consultations also emphasized the importance of “establishing a government capable of protecting Lebanon, overseeing rapid reconstruction and ensuring the return of the displaced people to the south.”
“It must be a government composed of qualified people, free from political calculations, with all its components, including new faces who aspire to trust and plan to restore depositors’ funds,” they said.
“Additionally, the government should consist of national competencies, separate parliamentary seats from ministerial posts and ensure the transparency and integrity of the judiciary to attract investments back to the country.”
At the end of the first day of the parliamentary consultations, the parliamentary blocs expressed their desire to form “a government of specialists representing all the parliamentary blocs.”
Lebanese president seeks Israel’s commitment to Gaza deal, warns against violations
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Lebanese president seeks Israel’s commitment to Gaza deal, warns against violations
- French president, UN chief set to visit Beirut as Aoun rallies support
- PM-designate Salam calls for dialogue with Hezbollah, Amal as consultations end
Libya oil chief Farhat Bengdara quits for ‘urgent’ health reasons
- Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah had accepted Farhat Bengdara’s resignation
- Libya has Africa’s most abundant hydrocarbon reserves but is struggling to recover from years of conflict since 2011
TRIPOLI: The chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation, Farhat Bengdara, has resigned for “urgent” health reasons, the NOC said in a statement on Thursday.
It said Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah had accepted Bengdara’s resignation, “which he submitted due to urgent health circumstances that prevented him from optimally performing his duties and responsibilities.”
The statement said NOC board member Masoud Suleman had been appointed acting chairman.
Libya has Africa’s most abundant hydrocarbon reserves but is struggling to recover from years of conflict after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi.
There have been frequent blockades of oil installations, often because of social demands or political disputes.
After a complaint filed by an employee facing dismissal, a Libyan court in November ruled that Bengdara’s position as NOC chairman was invalid because he was also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.
Under Libyan law, senior positions in public office are open to those with Libyan nationality only.
Bengdara, a former central bank chief under Qaddafi, also worked in banking in the UAE and became head of the NOC in 2022.
Oil production in Libya had hovered for a decade at around 1.2 million barrels per day, but rose to 1.4 million barrels per day in early December.
Pre-uprising output was between 1.5 million and 1.6 million barrels per day.
UN Security Council calls for ‘swift’ formation of government in Lebanon
- Council members underscore important need for continuing international support as the country navigates this critical period
- They also express concern about violations of ceasefire agreement with Israel
NEW YORK CITY: The UN Security Council on Monday reaffirmed its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as it urged the country’s leaders to take swift action to form a government following the election last week of Joseph Aoun as president and the designation of Nawaf Salam as prime minister.
The council expressed its approval of the successful election of Aoun, describing it as a crucial step toward resolving Lebanon’s prolonged political crisis. The office of president had been vacant since the end of his predecessor’s term in October 2022, as political factions were unable to agree on a successor.
The council also welcomed the appointment of Salam as prime minister-designate, and underlined the fact that the formation of a government remains the next key step in efforts to ensure the stability and resilience of Lebanon amid ongoing domestic and regional challenges.
“The election of a new president is an important and long-awaited and critical step to overcome Lebanon’s political and institutional crisis,” council members said.
They stressed that the formation of a government is now imperative to help ensure Lebanon can address the many challenges it faces, both within its borders and across the wider region. The council encouraged all political factions in Lebanon to act with a renewed unity and determination to swiftly form a government.
Members also underscored the importance of continuing international support for Lebanon as it navigates this critical period, and acknowledged the international community’s role in creating the conditions that allowed for the election of Aoun.
The council also discussed the security situation in the country, expressing concern about violations of the cessation-of-hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel. The ceasefire deal struck on Nov. 27 to halt the war required Hezbollah to immediately lay down its arms in southern Lebanon, and gave Israel 60 days to withdraw its forces from this area and hand over control to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.
Lebanon accuses Israel of continually violating the agreement. Last month, it filed a complaint with the Security Council accusing Israel of carrying out about 816 “ground and air attacks” between the start of the ceasefire and Dec. 22, 2024. The attacks have hindered Lebanese army efforts to deploy in the south and uphold its end of the ceasefire deal, it added.
Meanwhile, Israel accuses Hezbollah of breaching the agreement hundreds of times and has also raised the issue with the Security Council. The allegations include claims that Hezbollah militants are moving ammunition, trying to attack Israeli soldiers, and preparing and launching rockets toward northern Israel.
While the council welcomed the ceasefire as a significant step toward stabilization of the region, it called on all of those involved to adhere to the terms of the agreement, the aim of which is to deescalate tensions along the border between Lebanon and Israel.
“Reports of violations after Nov. 27 are troubling,” the council said. “The Security Council calls on all parties to cease any further violations and to implement the cessation of hostilities in full, with the support of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, in line with their mandates.”
The council reiterated its strong support for UNIFIL, emphasizing the critical role the force plays in maintaining regional stability and assisting Lebanon in its peacekeeping efforts. Council members urged all parties to respect the safety and freedom of movement of UNIFIL personnel, noting that peacekeepers and their facilities must never be targeted.
The council also appealed to the international community to continue providing humanitarian and economic assistance to Lebanon. This includes support for displaced persons, financial aid for reconstruction efforts, help to strengthen state institutions, and promoting the return of displaced Lebanese citizens to their homes under the government’s authority.
Lebanon requires continuing international assistance to help rebuild its institutions and promote long-term stability, the council said. This support should include efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and help secure a lasting ceasefire, it added.
The Security Council’s call for international engagement comes as Lebanon continues to struggle with the aftermath of a series of crises, including political instability, economic collapse and the continuing challenges created by simmering regional tensions.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of previous resolutions adopted over the past 20 years relating to Lebanon, which address issues such as the disarmament of militias, the establishment of Lebanese sovereignty, and the promotion of political independence. These resolutions remain integral to Lebanon’s long-term peace and stability, the council said.
“The Security Council reaffirms that the preservation of Lebanon’s stability is essential not only for Lebanon but also for regional security,” it added.
Arab League condemns attack in Sudan on Africa’s largest hydropower dam
- Organization urges all warring parties to comply with Saudi-mediated ceasefire agreement
- Several Sudanese cities suffered power outages as a result of the attack on Monday morning
LONDON: Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, on Thursday condemned the recent attack on the Merowe Dam and hydroelectric station in northern Sudan.
The attack on the dam, the largest hydropower project in Africa, in the early hours of Monday morning caused power outages in several Sudanese cities, including Merowe, Ad-Dabba, Atbara, Dongola, Omdurman, and parts of Port Sudan.
Aboul Gheit said the incident was “a new violation of international humanitarian law that prohibits targeting civilian infrastructure.”
Since April 2023, Sudan has been ravaged by a conflict between rival military factions in the country that has resulted in the deaths of at least 60,000 people and the displacement of 3 million.
The Arab League urges all warring parties to comply with a Saudi-mediated ceasefire agreement, signed in Jeddah in May 2023, which outlines a path to peace in Sudan, Aboul Gheit added.
US issues sanctions on Sudanese army chief Burhan
- The army’s war tactics have included indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure, attacks on schools, markets and hospitals, and extrajudicial executions
- Washington announced the measures, just a week after imposing sanctions on Burhan’s rival in the two-year-old civil war, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
NAIROBI/WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Sudan’s leader, army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, accusing him of choosing war over negotiations to bring an end to the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes.
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that under Burhan’s leadership, the army’s war tactics have included indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure, attacks on schools, markets and hospitals, and extrajudicial executions.
Washington announced the measures, first reported by Reuters, just a week after imposing sanctions on Burhan’s rival in the two-year-old civil war, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Two sources with knowledge of the action told Reuters one aim of Thursday’s sanctions was to show that Washington was not picking sides.
Speaking earlier on Thursday, Burhan was defiant about the prospect that he might be targeted.
“I hear there’s going to be sanctions on the army leadership. We welcome any sanctions for serving this country,” he said in comments broadcast on Al Jazeera television.
Washington also issued sanctions over the supply of weapons to the army, targeting a Sudanese-Ukrainian national as well as a Hong Kong-based company.
Thursday’s action freezes any of their US assets and generally bars Americans from dealing with them. The Treasury Department said it issued authorizations allowing certain transactions, including activities involving the warring generals, so as not to impede humanitarian assistance.
The Sudanese army and the RSF together led a coup in 2021 removing Sudan’s civilian leadership, but fell out less than two years later over plans to integrate their forces.
The war that broke out in April 2023 has plunged half of the population into hunger.
Dagalo, known as Hemedti, was sanctioned after Washington determined his forces had committed genocide, as well as for attacks on civilians. The RSF has engaged in bloody looting campaigns in the territory it controls.
In a statement, Sudan’s foreign ministry said the latest US move “expresses nothing but confusion and a weak sense of justice” and accused Washington of defending genocide by the RSF.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have tried repeatedly to bring both sides to the negotiating table, with the army refusing most attempts, including talks in Geneva in August which in part aimed to ease humanitarian access.
The army has instead ramped up its military campaign, this week taking the strategic city of Wad Madani and vowing to retake the capital Khartoum.
Rights experts and residents have accused the army of indiscriminate airstrikes as well as attacks on civilians, most recently revenge attacks in Wad Madani this week. The US had previously determined the army and RSF had committed war crimes.
In his final news conference ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that it was a “real regret” Washington had not managed to end the fighting under his watch.
While there have been some improvements in getting humanitarian assistance into Sudan through US diplomacy, they have not seen an end to the conflict, “not an end to the abuses, not an end to the suffering of people,” Blinken said. “We’ll keep working here for the next three days, and I hope the next administration will take that on as well.”
UN’s Guterres in Lebanon on ‘visit of solidarity’
- Guterres will meet political officials and visit UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon during his trip which will last until Saturday
BEIRUT: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Lebanon Thursday on a “visit of solidarity,” he said, after a long-stalled presidential election and a devastating war between armed group Hezbollah and Israel.
“I have arrived in Beirut on a visit of solidarity with the Lebanese people,” Guterres posted on X.
“A window has opened for a new era of institutional stability with a state fully able to protect its citizens and a system that would allow the tremendous potential of the Lebanese people to flourish,” he added.
“We will do everything to help keep that window open wide.”
His deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Guterres would meet political officials and visit UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon during his trip which would last until Saturday.
Lebanon’s deeply divided political class last week finally elected a new president, Joseph Aoun, after two years of deadlock.
Aoun on Monday named Nawaf Salam, until recently the presiding judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, to form a government.
Since Wednesday Salam has been consulting political parties ahead of drawing up a list of cabinet members.
Guterres is visiting the country as the deadline approaches for full implementation of a November 27 ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon.
Under the truce, which ended two months of all-out war between both sides, the Lebanese army is to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws before January 26.
Hezbollah is due to pull its forces north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border with Israel, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in south Lebanon.
