UN Security Council calls for ‘swift’ formation of government in Lebanon

Special UN Security Council calls for ‘swift’ formation of government in Lebanon
General view of a United Nations Security Council meeting from an interpretor’s booth at the UN headquarters in New York on January 16, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 17 January 2025
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UN Security Council calls for ‘swift’ formation of government in Lebanon

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.


Syrians among victims in Swedish mass killing: Syrian embassy

Syrians among victims in Swedish mass killing: Syrian embassy
Updated 56 min 51 sec ago
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Syrians among victims in Swedish mass killing: Syrian embassy

Syrians among victims in Swedish mass killing: Syrian embassy

Stockholm: Syrians were among those killed in Sweden’s worst mass shooting that left 10 people dead at an adult education center, the Syrian embassy said.
The embassy expressed “its condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, among them Syrians,” in a post on its Facebook page late on Wednesday.


Israeli defense minister tells army to set plans for Palestinians to leave Gaza

Israeli defense minister tells army to set plans for Palestinians to leave Gaza
Updated 06 February 2025
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Israeli defense minister tells army to set plans for Palestinians to leave Gaza

Israeli defense minister tells army to set plans for Palestinians to leave Gaza
  • Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said the plan “will include options for exit at land crossings as well as special arrangements for exit by sea and air.”

Israel’s defense minister says he has instructed the army to prepare plans for large numbers of Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip in line with President Donald Trump’s proposal for the war-ravaged territory.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said the plan “will include options for exit at land crossings as well as special arrangements for exit by sea and air.”
He said he welcomed Trump’s “bold plan, which could allow a large population in Gaza to leave for various places in the world.”
He did not say whether Palestinians would be able to one day return to Gaza, which has been rendered largely uninhabitable by Israel’s 15-month military campaign against Hamas.
Trump on Wednesday proposed that most of Gaza’s population be “permanently” resettled elsewhere while the United States rebuilds the territory.
US officials later said the relocation would only be temporary, but Palestinians fear Israel would never allow them to return, deepening and perpetuating a refugee crisis dating back to the establishment of the state.
Trump’s plan was roundly rejected by the Palestinians and much of the international community. Rights groups said it would amount to forcible displacement in violation of international law.


Tunisia president fires finance minister

Tunisia president fires finance minister
Updated 06 February 2025
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Tunisia president fires finance minister

Tunisia president fires finance minister
  • Tunisia has over the past two years suffered sporadic shortages of basic items such as milk, sugar and flour

TUNIS: Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has sacked his finance minister and appointed a magistrate to the role.
Michket Slama Khaldi will take on the country’s finance portfolio, the presidency announced on Facebook overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, alongside images of her taking the oath of office.
The presidency gave no further details, nor did it mention outgoing minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia.
The new finance minister had headed a national commission tasked with recovering embezzled public funds.
Tunisia has over the past two years suffered sporadic shortages of basic items such as milk, sugar and flour.
Recently, there has also been a scarcity of domestic gas cylinders, which are widely used for cooking and heating.


Two years after quake disaster, Turkiye’s painful recovery continues

Two years after quake disaster, Turkiye’s painful recovery continues
Updated 06 February 2025
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Two years after quake disaster, Turkiye’s painful recovery continues

Two years after quake disaster, Turkiye’s painful recovery continues
  • The disaster reduced entire towns to rubble, including homes, hospitals, and historical landmarks, with Hatay, Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman hardest hit.

ANKARA: Two years after the deadliest and most destructive earthquake in modern Turkish history, hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced, with many still living in temporary housing, as rebuilding efforts lag behind initial targets.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2023, and its aftershocks rattled 11 Turkish provinces and parts of northern Syria, killing more than 55,000 people and injuring more than 107,000.
The disaster reduced entire towns to rubble, including homes, hospitals, and historical landmarks, with Hatay, Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman hardest hit.
The government has pledged to build 650,000 homes, with President Tayyip Erdogan promising in the weeks after the tremor that 319,000 would be delivered within a year.
“We are fortunate to have delivered 201,431 independent units to their rightful owners less than two years after the earthquake,” Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting on Monday.
Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum said $75 billion had been spent on rebuilding across the quake region.
The critical phases of reconstruction have been completed, he said, adding that housing and business projects were progressing rapidly.
Many residents, however, remain in makeshift conditions, while others have left their home provinces entirely, disrupting communities and livelihoods.
Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition CHP, said only 30 percent of the pledged reconstruction had been completed. The housing completion rate in Hatay, one of the worst-hit provinces, was only 18 percent, he said.
“Only three out of ten who believed in Erdogan now have homes, while the other seven are still in containers or seeking refuge in the homes of relatives,” Ozel said on Tuesday.
“How can they look into the eyes of those they forced to live in containers for two years and say, ‘We have kept all our promises, thank God’?“
Lingering hardships
International and local aid groups say a full recovery remains far off, with thousands of Turks still facing barriers to returning home.
The Hatay Earthquake Victims’ Association said in a report that more than 400,000 people remain in container-home cities, facing poor sanitation, inadequate health care, and an uncertain future.
It also raised concerns about asbestos exposure from unregulated demolitions and land seizures under emergency decrees.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said that millions of people in Turkiye and Syria were still struggling to rebuild their lives. It called the pace of reconstruction “far too slow” for such a disaster.
Delays in reconstruction hurt long-term stability and risk depopulation of the region, some aid groups say.
In Hatay, in southernmost Turkiye, empty streets, shuttered businesses, and demolition work still define the city, which was once a bustling mixture of cultures and religions, and a draw for tourism.
Ankara says its response to the earthquake has been effective and on track.
Kurum, the government minister, said 423,000 homes and workplaces will be handed over to survivors by the end of 2025, adding that Turkiye had allocated 584 billion Turkish lira ($19 billion) for recovery efforts.


Iraq's famed 'hunchback' of Mosul rebuilt brick by brick

Iraq's famed 'hunchback' of Mosul rebuilt brick by brick
Updated 06 February 2025
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Iraq's famed 'hunchback' of Mosul rebuilt brick by brick

Iraq's famed 'hunchback' of Mosul rebuilt brick by brick
  • The mosque and minaret were destroyed in June 2017 during the battle to oust IS from Mosul
  • Minaret and mosque are the latest landmarks in Mosul to be restored by United Nations heritage body UNESCO

Mosul: The leaning minaret of Mosul in northern Iraq has been restored using its original brickwork, years after it was reduced to rubble under Daesh group rule.
The Al-Hadba or “hunchback” minaret is part of the historic Al-Nuri Mosque from where former IS chief Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi in July 2014 declared his “caliphate” that committed atrocities across swathes of both Syria and Iraq.
The mosque and minaret were destroyed in June 2017 during the battle to oust Daesh from Mosul, and Iraq’s authorities accused the jihadists of planting explosives before their withdrawal.
The minaret and mosque are the latest landmarks in Mosul to be restored by United Nations heritage body UNESCO, whose teams have worked for five years to revive several sites there.
The Al-Hadba minaret of today is an exact replica of the old one, “built with the same bricks,” said Abdullah Mahmoud of the Iraqi department of antiquities.
“Al-Hadba is our identity, and by restoring it, the identity of the city has been reclaimed.”
The restored minaret’s tilt has been retained at 160 centimeters (63 inches), just as it was in the 1960s.
However, engineers have reinforced the foundations so it no longer leans quite so precariously, as it began to do gradually after being built in the 12th century.
“The minaret’s body from the inside needed 96,000 new bricks,” Mahmoud said.
“But for the exterior we used 26,000 old bricks” to preserve its historical legacy.
’Massive change’
Days before work was completed, hundreds of workers put the finishing touches to Al-Nuri’s columns, dome and yard.
Mahmoud said the mihrab, a niche indicating the direction of Makkah, has been largely repaired using its original stones.
But the minbar, from where sermons are delivered, has lost most of its original pieces.
Across the street, Imad Zaki, a former muezzin at the mosque, said: “Every day I stand here for an hour to watch as they are restored to their original state.”
“Today one can feel the spirituality. It’s as if our souls have finally found peace,” added the 52-year-old, wearing a long traditional Iraqi abaya, or robe.
Eighty percent of Mosul’s old city was destroyed in the fight against IS, and more than 12,000 tons of rubble was removed for the UNESCO restoration project, which also included Al-Tahira and Our Lady of the Hour churches and 124 heritage houses.
The Al-Tahira Church, dating from 1862, has been rebuilt with its arcades, embellished pillars and stained-glass windows.
During restoration, workers discovered an underground cellar and large jars once used for wine. It now has a glass ceiling so visitors can look inside.
Maria Acetoso, senior project manager at UNESCO Iraq, said the project aimed “to work in parallel on meaningful monuments for the city and also to bring life back” to Mosul.
“When I arrived here in 2019 it looked like a ghost city,” Acetoso said. “In five years plus, there has been a massive change.”
In Mosul on Wednesday, UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay hailed her team’s efforts and said on that the renovation had allowed “the identity of the city” to return.
Scars of battle
After IS was defeated, life returned to the city’s streets, where the chatter of patrons in small cafes blended with the clatter of construction work at the mosque.
In the coming weeks, Iraqi authorities will inaugurate the restored landmarks.
But Mosul still bears scars from the ferocious fight against IS.
Tucked away in narrow old city alleyways are ruined houses. Some bear the word “safe” scrawled in red on walls, signalling that they that have been cleared of explosives.
The crumbling walls and shattered windows tell tales of displacement. Their original owners, mostly Christian, have yet to return.
Mohammed Kassem, 59, came back to the old city a few years ago, to a new house as his former home was just debris.
Mosul still “needs a great deal” of work before it is back to normal, he said.
“It needs its former residents... the Christians to come back. This is their place,” Kassem added.
Across the street from Al-Nuri Mosque, Saad Mohammed, 65, said he hoped the restoration efforts will attract visitors to Mosul, although he still feels sad because of what it has lost.
But he couldn’t help but smile when he looked up at the minaret from his little shop.
“We opened the window once and saw the black IS flag on top of the minaret. Then we opened it again and the minaret was gone,” said Mohammed, who never left Mosul, even at the height of the fighting.
“Today the minaret has risen again, alongside the mosque and the churches. Now we feel safe,” he said.