UN accuses Israel of ceasefire breach

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon accused Israel Saturday of a “flagrant violation” of the 2006 Security Council resolution that forms the basis of its November ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The statement from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came as Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned the militant group’s patience with Israeli violations could run out before the end of the ceasefire’s 60-day implementation timeframe.

The fragile truce, which took effect on November 27, has been marked by mutual accusations of violations from both sides.

“This morning, peacekeepers observed an (Israeli military) bulldozer destroying a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel in Labbouneh, as well as an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces immediately beside a UNIFIL position there,” the peacekeeping force said.

“The (military’s) deliberate and direct destruction of both clearly identifiable UNIFIL property and infrastructure belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces is a flagrant violation of Resolution 1701 and international law.”

The force, which is represented on the panel overseeing the ceasefire’s implemenation, called on “all actors to avoid any actions, including the destruction of civilian property and infrastructure, that could jeopardise the cessation of hostilities”.

READ ALSO:

• Fulani herdsmen from Nigeria kill five Cameroonian soldiers, says MP
• You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
• Air Force schools increase feeding fees by 200%

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese army is to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws over a 60-day period.

Hezbollah is to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River — some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

In late December, the UN peacekeeping force expressed concern at the “continuing” damage being done by the Israeli military in south Lebanon.

Detailing its latest air strikes in Lebanon on Thursday, the Israeli military said it was acting to remove any threat to Israel “in accordance with the ceasefire understandings”.

Qassem said Hezbollah had decided to show patience, but warned that would not last indefintely.

UN accuses Israel of ceasefire breach

Austria’s chancellor to quit as coalition talks collapse

Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer says he will resign in the coming days, both as chancellor and party leader, after talks about forming a coalition government collapsed.

The chancellor said his party – the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) – and the Social Democrats had failed to agree on key issues.

The liberal Neos, another party involved in the talks, also pulled out on Friday.

In September the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) won an unprecedented victory in Austria’s general election, but the other parties ruled out forming a coalition with the FPÖ’s leader Herbert Kickl.

The collapse of the talks could lead to the conservatives negotiating with the far-right, or to a new election taking place, analysts have said.

The Russia-friendly FPÖ has been in a ruling coalition before. It would likely welcome a new election as opinion polls suggest its popularity has grown further since September.

The FPÖ has said in a statement on X that three months have been lost by the coalition talks and adds that “instead of stability, we have chaos”.

READ ALSO:

• Biden to honour Messi, others with top US award
• Man steals goat for daughter’s naming in Ogun
• Privatise Port Harcourt, Warri refineries, PETROAN tells FG

The party has called for Social Democrat leader Andreas Babler to also resign and said President Alexander Van der Bellen bears “a significant share of responsibility for the chaos that has arisen and the lost time”.

The FPÖ won almost 29% of the vote in September’s election, the People’s Party came second with 26.3% and the Social Democrats third, with 21%.

There was a high turnout of 77.3% as Austrian voters took part in an election dominated by the twin issues of migration and asylum, as well as a flagging economy and the war in Ukraine.

The FPÖ’s Kickl promised to build “Fortress Austria”, to restore Austrians’ security and prosperity.

The party wants firm rules on legal immigration and it has promoted the idea of remigration, which involves sending asylum seekers to their original countries.

The FPÖ was founded by former Nazis in the 1950s.

Two days before last year’s general election vote some of its candidates were caught on video at a funeral where an SS song was sung.

The party later denied the song, dating back to 1814, had any link to “National Socialist sentiments”.

Austria’s chancellor to quit as coalition talks collapse

Biden to honour Messi, others with top US award

US President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honourees on Saturday, bestowing the highest civilian honour in the US to entertainers, sports stars, politicians, and diplomats.

Among those honoured by the outgoing US president are singer and activist Bono, basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson, long-time fashion editor Anna Wintour, sports player Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

The honourees “are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” the White House said in a statement.

Others honoured this year include chef José Andrés, founder of the non-profit World Central Kitchen, and monkey researcher Jane Goodall, a prominent environmentalist.

READ ALSO:

• Man steals goat for daughter’s naming in Ogun
• Privatise Port Harcourt, Warri refineries, PETROAN tells FG
• 2027: Kwankwaso slams northern elders over choice of candidates

Some of the recipients chosen by the 82-year-old Democrat have a higher political profile, such as billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist George Soros and Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, senator, and US Secretary of State who ran unsuccessfully against Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

A White House statement said Soros was awarded for his global efforts to promote democracy, human rights, education, and social justice.

Clinton, on the other hand, was praised for her decades of public service, including becoming the first woman nominated by a major party for president of the United States.

Biden also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Francis Kennedy, popularly known as “Bobby” or “RFK.”

RFK, who was US Attorney General under his brother John F. Kennedy’s presidency, was slain in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“His legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and public service,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden’s choices for the Medal of Freedom indicate his determination to leave an indelible legacy before leaving office.

On Thursday, Biden also presented the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming who sat on the House commission investigating the January 6, 2021, revolt at the US Capitol.

Donald Trump criticised the move, calling Cheney “totally corrupt” and accusing Biden of rewarding her only for opposing him.