International
Lebanon’s prime minister calls for ceasefire with Israel
Lebanon’s prime minister calls for ceasefire with Israel
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a ceasefire on Monday in the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Beirut.
According to a statement from his office, Mikati said: “The key to the solution is to put an end to the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and to revive the appeal launched by the United States and France … in favor of a ceasefire.”
As Israel deploys troops in preparation for a potential ground incursion into Lebanon, and amid the ongoing displacement in the south, Bekaa and Beirut’s southern suburbs, Barrot held discussions in Beirut with Lebanese officials, politicians, religious leaders, and the army.
In a statement issued by the French Embassy, Barrot affirmed that “in the face of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, France stands alongside Lebanon and remains committed to protecting civilians, and the security of its citizens.”
Barrot emphasized “France’s support for Lebanon and its people,” adding that “his country is keen on supporting the Lebanese army and helping it during these critical times.”
The plane carrying the French official to Beirut had brought “12 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies in response to emergencies and general medical needs, particularly pediatric care.”
The embassy said that the relief operation was carried out in cooperation with the EU.
During his meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, Barrot focused on the “importance of electing a president as a foundation and priority, while emphasizing the need for stopping the war.”
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Walid Ghayyad, the media official at the patriarchate, said that Barrot’s visit was “one of solidarity and reconnaissance, aimed at pushing forward key issues.”
Mikati reiterated during his meeting with Barrot that “the gateway to a solution is stopping the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and returning to the call made by the US and France, with the support of the EU and Arab and foreign countries, for a ceasefire.”
He stressed that “the priority is the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
He added: “Once the ceasefire is in effect, we are ready to send the army to the area south of the Litani River to fully carry out its duties in coordination with the international peacekeeping forces in the south.”
Barrot spoke of the “priority of electing a president and working to stop the armed confrontations.”
Barrot announced during his meeting with Health Minister Firass Abiad “the launch of emergency humanitarian aid worth €10 million to support the work of humanitarian organizations on the ground, most notably the Lebanese Red Cross.”
The diplomatic meetings went ahead as the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan ordered urgent relief aid to the Lebanese people, valued at $100 million, the Emirates News Agency reported.
In the first appearance of a Hezbollah official since the assassination of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah last Friday, Sheikh Naim Qassem, the group’s deputy secretary-general, said in a televised speech: “We will choose a new secretary-general at the earliest opportunity and we will fill leadership positions.
“The brothers continue their work according to the organized structure, and work with alternative plans for individuals and leaders.
“In Hezbollah’s structure there are deputies for the leaders and backup alternatives ready if a leader in any position is incapacitated.”
Qassem added: “Despite losing several leaders, the attacks on civilians, and the great sacrifices, we will not budge an inch from our positions.
“The Islamic resistance will continue to confront the Israeli enemy in support of Gaza and Palestine and defense of Lebanon and its people.”
Lebanon’s prime minister calls for ceasefire with Israel
ARAB NEWS
International
Israeli airstrike cuts off road linking Lebanon, Syria
Israeli airstrike cuts off road linking Lebanon, Syria
Lebanon said an Israeli air strike on the Syrian border on Friday cut off the main international road linking the two countries.
Coastal Lebanon shares a border with Israel, with which Hezbollah is at war, and Syria, where tens of thousands of people have taken refuge from the violence engulfing the country.
Israel has said Hezbollah uses the road to bring weapons across the border from Syria, with which it is allied.
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“The road that leads to the main humanitarian crossing for thousands of Lebanese into Syria is now cut off after an Israeli strike,” Transport Minister Ali Hamieh told AFP.
The official National News Agency also reported the strike, saying that “enemy warplanes hit the Masnaa area”, as the crossing is known, “cutting off the road”.
Israeli airstrike cuts off road linking Lebanon, Syria
International
Hunger protests: Russia accuses US, UK of ruining its relations with Nigeria
Hunger protests: Russia accuses US, UK of ruining its relations with Nigeria
The Russian government says the western countries are trying to destroy its relationship with Nigeria by linking the country with the recent hungry protests.
This is contained in a letter from the Russian government to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtained on Friday.
Yury Paramonov, official Press Secretary of the Russian embassy in Nigeria, released the document.
Recall that during the August 1-10 nationwide protests, some protesters were seen waving Russian flag and chanting slogans, while others held placards with various messages during the protest.
Russia, a global power, was also accused of involvement in political upheavals in several West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
This has sparked concerns about external interference in regional affairs.
But Russia claimed that the United States, Britain and Ukraine were linking it with the protests to destroy the cordial relationship between it and Nigeria, advising the Federal Government to ignore the claims.
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The letter read in part, “In particular, statements by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Director of the British Council in Nigeria David Roberts, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko have shamelessly and baselessly suggested that the use of Russian flags during recent protests is evidence of Russia’s interference and have further warned that this could happen again in the future.”
“The Embassy categorically rejects such accusations and reiterates that the Russian Federation neither had any involvement in the protests that occurred in the recent past, nor does it have any connection to any potential future demonstrations or unrest.
“Russia has always respected the sovereignty of Nigeria. We strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states.
“By contrast, the coordinated media campaign by Western and Ukrainian officials and outlets clearly points to their attempts to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs and shift the blame for any consequences onto the Russian Federation.
“We greatly value the level of relations between our two countries, support only peaceful dialogue within the legal framework as the proper means to resolve any internal disputes, and once again express our unwavering support for the leadership and the people of Nigeria.”
Yuri said the Embassy had conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of Nigeria’s National Day.
“The Embassy also extends its best wishes to the people and Government of Nigeria for prosperity and stability, and we hope for continued cooperation and deepening relations between our two countries,” he said.
Hunger protests: Russia accuses US, UK of ruining its relations with Nigeria
International
Haiti gang attack leaves at least 20 dead
Haiti gang attack leaves at least 20 dead
At least 20 people including children have been killed after an armed gang attacked a small town in Haiti.
Another 50 were wounded as Gran Grif gang members rampaged through Pont-Sondé in the central Artibonite region about 71km (44 miles) north-west of the capital Port-au-Prince.
Video footage shows groups of people fleeing the violence on motorbikes and on foot. A government prosecutor described the attack as “a massacre”, reported the Associated Press.
Armed gangs have taken control of large parts of Haiti and a UN-backed policing mission, led by officers from Kenya, began in June in an attempt to wrestle back control.
The exact number of dead from the attack is not clear – local media reported that more than 50 had been killed, while a Haitian human rights group put the figure at 20 or more, AP said.
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Gran Grif is said to be one of the most violent of Haiti’s gangs. In January 2023 its members were accused of attacking a police station near Port-Sondé and killing six officers. It is also blamed for forcing the closure of a hospital serving more than 700,000 people.
The gang has about 100 members and has been accused of crimes including murder, rape, robberies and kidnappings, according to a UN report cited by AP. Both its founder and current leader are subject to US sanctions.
Thursday’s gang rampage comes almost a month after the Haitian authorities expanded a state of emergency to cover the whole of the country.
Prime Minister Garry Conille has vowed to crack down on the gangs, with the UN saying a “robust use of force” is needed.
It has approved the policing mission made up of 2,500 officers from various countries – including 1,000 pledged by Kenya.
Their deployment has been authorised for one year, with a review to be held after nine months.
Haiti gang attack leaves at least 20 dead
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