Israel’s failure to commit to full withdrawal contradicts promises made to Lebanon, Aoun says

Special Israel’s failure to commit to full withdrawal contradicts promises made to Lebanon, Aoun says
Joseph Aoun meets with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles. (X/@Defensagob)
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Updated 21 January 2025
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Israel’s failure to commit to full withdrawal contradicts promises made to Lebanon, Aoun says

Israel’s failure to commit to full withdrawal contradicts promises made to Lebanon, Aoun says
  • Aoun told Spanish Def Min Margarita Robles that Israel’s failure to commit to the withdrawal contradicts the promises made to Lebanon during the negotiations preceding the agreement
  • President praised the role of the Spanish battalion operating within the UNIFIL in southern Lebanon and the exceptional efforts of UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday reaffirmed Lebanon’s adherence to “the completion of Israel’s withdrawal from the remaining occupied territories in the south within the 60-day deadline stipulated in the agreement reached on Nov. 27, 2024, which expires in four days.”

Aoun told Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, during their meeting at the Presidential Palace, that “Israel’s failure to commit to the withdrawal contradicts the promises made to Lebanon during the negotiations preceding the agreement.”

This, he said, “perpetuates tension in the border villages, prevents establishing stability, delays the return of residents to their towns, and obstructs the reconstruction of what the Israeli enemy destroyed during its aggression against Lebanon.”

Aoun said he had sent several messages to force Israel to withdraw, receiving support from the international community, “which is expected to exert pressure in this regard.”

The president praised the role of “the Spanish battalion operating within the UNIFIL in southern Lebanon and the exceptional efforts of UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, as well as the complete coordination with army units deployed in the international operations area.”

The Spanish minister underlined her country’s “support for the role Aoun is playing in Lebanon’s recovery after the difficult circumstances it has faced.”

She said: “Spain will stand by Lebanon and its people and will continue its work within the international forces,” emphasizing “the necessity of achieving the Israeli withdrawal on time to preserve stability in the south and the progress made so far.”

Robles also highlighted “Spain's collaboration with the EU to assist Lebanon in all fields.”

Meanwhile, Aoun emphasized the importance of rejecting sectarianism.

During a meeting with Sheikh Ali Qaddour, head of the Alawite Islamic Council, who came to congratulate the president, Aoun said: “Lebanon comprises various sects, and this constitutes its wealth. Each sect has its own elites, and it is essential for all groups to have representation in the government, parliament, and public administrations, similar to the representation found within the army.”

Aoun said he hoped to “form a government as soon as possible so that we can create political, economic and security stability so that citizens can live in dignity and not just in luxury.”

Aoun said: “We are at a crossroads; we can either take advantage of the current situation and rise above the trivialities of sectarian, confessional, and political matters, or we may find ourselves in a different place where the fault lies not with others, but with us for failing to fulfill our responsibilities.”

Nawaf Salam, the designated prime minister, is expected to visit Aoun to present the draft list of proposed names for the government.

Salam insists the Cabinet should consist of non-partisan and non-parliamentary figures, comprising 24 ministers.

Aoun is seeking the formation of the government before the deadline for the Israeli withdrawal, so that the new government can address the expected challenges.

Israeli forces carried out more demolition operations in the border area and bulldozed roads linking the inner neighborhoods in the town of Maroun Al-Ras.

Israeli media reported that preparations are ongoing along the border with Lebanon for the establishment of new positions for the Israeli army.

Construction teams are working to set up these new sites, which will primarily be situated between the settlements and the border fence.


Trade mission from Philippines to arrive in Jordan to strengthen economic ties

Trade mission from Philippines to arrive in Jordan to strengthen economic ties
Updated 21 sec ago
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Trade mission from Philippines to arrive in Jordan to strengthen economic ties

Trade mission from Philippines to arrive in Jordan to strengthen economic ties
  • Delegation set to arrive on Sunday

AMMAN: A delegation of 13 Philippine companies and senior officials will arrive in Jordan on Sunday as part of a business, trade, and investment mission aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the two nations.

The mission, scheduled for Feb. 11-12 in Amman, will see the Philippine delegation engage with 39 Jordanian companies in efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment, the Jordan News Agency reported.

Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Philippine Trade Commissioner Vichael Angelo Roaring from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Dubai, Wilfredo C. Santos, Philippine ambassador to Jordan, reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to fostering stronger economic ties with Jordan.

Santos said: “The Philippines, as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, seeks to expand its global presence by forging strategic partnerships. Our robust sectors in food, agriculture, manufacturing, and creative industries align well with Jordan’s strategic location, its safety and security as an oasis of peace in this region, and its investment-friendly environment.”

The ambassador also highlighted that the delegation — which will include representatives from the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the PTIC in Dubai — reflected the country’s dedication to expanding its footprint in Jordan’s market and building long-term partnerships with local businesses.

He expressed confidence that the visit would serve as a “springboard for elevated bilateral trade levels and facilitate meaningful business exchanges.”

Santos also acknowledged Jordan’s Filipino community, numbering around 48,000, praising their contributions and the care they received in the country.

Roaring officially announced the launch of the Philippine Outbound Business Matching Mission to Jordan, describing it as a strategic initiative to strengthen trade relations and create new market opportunities for Filipino exporters in the Middle East.

Roaring said: “Jordan is a valued trading partner and a gateway for Filipino companies seeking regional expansion.”

He added that the delegation would include Filipino exporters specializing in food, beverages, and personal care products.

A key element of the visit will be a business-to-business matching session on Feb. 11, hosted by the Amman Chamber of Commerce, at which Filipino exporters will engage directly with Jordanian industry players to explore trade and investment opportunities.

Roaring added: “This mission is more than just trade: It is about building long-term partnerships and expanding business opportunities in Jordan and beyond. With the continued support of our partners, we look forward to turning discussions into concrete trade deals that benefit both our nations.”


Sudan army says retakes key district in Khartoum North

Sudan army says retakes key district in Khartoum North
Updated 08 February 2025
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Sudan army says retakes key district in Khartoum North

Sudan army says retakes key district in Khartoum North
  • Military spokesman Nabil Abdullah said that army forces, alongside allied units, had “completed on Friday the clearing of” Kafouri and other areas in Sharq El Nil
  • The army has in recent weeks surged through Bahri pushing the paramilitaries to the outskirts

PORT SUDAN: Sudan’s military said Saturday that it had regained control of a key district in greater Khartoum as it presses its advance against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The district of Kafouri in Khartoum North, or Bahri, had been under RSF control since war between the army and the paramilitaries began in April 2023.
In a statement, military spokesman Nabil Abdullah said that army forces, alongside allied units, had “completed on Friday the clearing of” Kafouri and other areas in Sharq El Nil, 15 kilometers to the east, of what he described as “remnants of the Dagalo terrorist militias.”
The army has in recent weeks surged through Bahri — an RSF stronghold since the start of the war — pushing the paramilitaries to the outskirts.
The Kafouri district, one of Khartoum’s wealthiest neighborhoods, had served as a key base for RSF leaders.
Among the properties in the area was the residence of Abdel Rahim Dagalo, the brother of RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and his deputy in the paramilitary group.
The recapture of Kafouri further weakens the RSF’s hold in the capital and signals the army’s continued advance to retake full control of Khartoum North, which is home to one million people.
Khartoum North, Omdurman across the Nile River, and the city center to the south make up greater Khartoum.
On Thursday, a military source told AFP that the army was advancing toward the center of Khartoum, nearly two years after the city fell to the RSF at the start of the war.
Eyewitnesses in southern Khartoum reported hearing explosions and clashes coming from central Khartoum Saturday morning.
The developments mark one of the army’s most significant offensives since the war broke out between army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his erstwhile ally Dagalo’s RSF, which quickly seized much of Khartoum and other strategic areas.
The conflict has devastated the country, displacing more than 12 million and plunging Sudan into the “biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded” according to the International Rescue Committee.


President Aoun, PM Salam form Lebanon government

President Aoun, PM Salam form Lebanon government
Updated 08 February 2025
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President Aoun, PM Salam form Lebanon government

President Aoun, PM Salam form Lebanon government
  • Salam’s cabinet of 24 ministers, split evenly between Christian and Muslim sects, was formed less than a month after he was appointed
  • Lebanon is also still in the throes of a crippling economic crisis, now in its sixth year

BEIRUT: Twenty-six days after Nawaf Salam was assigned to form a Lebanese government, the decrees for its formation were announced on Saturday from the Presidential Palace.

President Joseph Aoun accepted the resignation of Najib Mikati’s government.

The Council of Ministers is scheduled to hold its first session at the Presidential Palace next Tuesday.

In a speech after announcing the formation of the government, Salam said he hoped that “it would be a government of reform and salvation, because reform is the only way for Lebanon to rise.”

He added: “With President Aoun, we launch the workshop to build a new Lebanon.”

He said that “the diversity of ministers’ names will not hinder the function of government, and no government formation will satisfy everyone. We will work in a unified manner. I am keeping in mind the establishment of a state of law and institutions, and we are laying the foundations for reform and rescue. There is no room to turn back time, and we must begin work immediately.

“The government will have to work with parliament to complete the implementation of the Taif Agreement and proceed with financial and economic reforms.

“The government will be a place for constructive joint work and not for disputes. I am determined to lay the foundations for reform and rescue in cooperation with President Aoun.”

Salam continued: “This government will strive to restore trust and bridge the gap between the state and the aspirations of the youth. It must work toward the full implementation of the Taif Agreement, proceed with financial and economic reforms, and establish an independent judiciary.”

He emphasized the importance of “ensuring security and stability in Lebanon by completing the implementation of Resolution 1701.”

He said: “It is difficult for any government formation to satisfy everyone. However, the government will endeavor to be cohesive, and diversity will not serve as a source of obstruction to its work, nor will it provide a platform for narrow interests.”

The government included Tarek Mitri as deputy prime minister, Michel Menassa as defense minister, Ahmad Hajjar as interior minister, Youssef Raji as foreign minister, Yassine Jaber as finance minister, Ghassan Salameh as culture minister, Laura Khazen Lahoud as tourism minister, Kamal Chehade as minister of displaced persons and artificial intelligence, Nora Bayrakdarian as minister of sports and youth, Rima Karami as education minister, Adel Nassar as justice minister, Rakan Nasser Eldine as health minister, Mohammed Haidar as labor minister, Joseph Sadi as energy minister, Amir Bisat as economy minister, Charles Hajj as telecommunications minister, Joe Issa El-Khoury as industry minister, Fayez Rasamny as public works minister, Nizar El-Hani as agriculture minister, Fadi Makki as minister of administrative development, Tamara Zein as environment minister, Hanin Sayyed as social affairs minister and Paul Marcos as information minister.

Salam’s government during Aoun’s presidency has broken the norms established by Hezbollah and its allies over three terms, which dictated that the government be composed of direct party representatives and that Hezbollah maintain a significant influence capable of obstructing decisions at every critical political or security juncture.

A technocratic government has been formed, one that is widely acknowledged and uncontested by political parties.

Despite pressure from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement over the past few weeks to form a government similar to its predecessor, both the president and the prime minister-designate stood firm. As a result, they eventually formed a government that reflects the reformist spirit expressed in Aoun’s oath speech.

The new government has no members affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement, but it does have representatives close to the Lebanese Forces Party.

Notably, it includes five women, and for the first time, a ministerial portfolio has been dedicated to artificial intelligence.

The government consists of 24 ministers. Its formation was delayed from Friday to Saturday due to disagreements over Shiite representation.

At noon on Saturday, Salam presented three candidates to the Presidential Palace for selection to fill the fifth Shiite seat in the administrative development portfolio.

Fadi Makki, former adviser to Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2002, was chosen.

Makki is known for pioneering the application of behavioral economics in public policy across the Middle East.

The announcement of the new government coincided with the conclusion of the two-day visit by US deputy envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, who held discussions with several Lebanese officials.

Ortagus’s statement at the Presidential Palace on Friday caught many by surprise, when she said: “The US expresses its gratitude to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah. Hezbollah must not be part of the government in any way. It must remain demilitarized and militarily defeated.”

According to Salam’s office, Ortagus met him and reaffirmed “the US support for Lebanon in this new era and government.”

Salam emphasized to Ortagus the need for “international pressure to ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories by the Feb. 18 deadline. This withdrawal must occur without delay or procrastination, in full compliance with international resolutions.”

Ortagus also met the parliament speaker, Nabih Berri. Notably, during this meeting, she was not wearing the Star of David ring she had worn during her earlier meeting with the president on Friday.

While Ortagus did not make a statement, Berri’s media office reiterated that “Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territories necessitates our resistance.”

In a separate development, Israeli forces continued to demolish homes in villages along the southern border.

Meanwhile, for a third consecutive day, deadly clashes intensified in north-east Lebanon along the Syrian border and in villages straddling Lebanese and Syrian territories.

On Friday, Aoun held a phone conversation with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. They both agreed to coordinate efforts to control the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border and prevent civilian casualties.

The border town of Jarmash was targeted by missiles and drones, while additional missiles landed near the Lebanese town of Qasr, leaving one civilian seriously injured.

After the shelling of the border area, the Lebanese Red Cross transported eight wounded people to hospitals in Hermel.

The Lebanese town of Qanafez, on the northern border of Hermel, was hit by artillery shelling from the Qusayr countryside, breaking a night of relative calm.

Armed clansmen intercepted and shot down three Shaheen drones over the northern border villages of Hermel, after they were launched from Syrian territory.

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, they also destroyed a tank in the town of Jarmash.

Lebanese media reports indicated that 10 members of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham were killed, while three others were captured in the aftermath of the clashes.

The clashes broke out last Thursday when forces aligned with the new Syrian administration advanced on the border town of Hawik as part of a sweeping operation to “seal off smuggling routes for weapons and contraband.”


Hamas accuses Israel of ‘slow killing’ of Palestinian prisoners

Hamas accuses Israel of ‘slow killing’ of Palestinian prisoners
Updated 08 February 2025
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Hamas accuses Israel of ‘slow killing’ of Palestinian prisoners

Hamas accuses Israel of ‘slow killing’ of Palestinian prisoners
  • Seven prisoners were transferred to hospitals immediately after their release
  • The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that seven inmates had been admitted to hospitals

GAZA CITY: Hamas accused Israel of adopting a policy it described as the “slow killing” of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails after seven inmates freed on Saturday were admitted to hospital.
“The fact that seven prisoners were transferred to hospitals immediately after their release... reflects the systematic assaults and mistreatment of our prisoners by the Israeli prison authorities,” Hamas said in a statement, adding that it was “part of the policy of the extremist Israeli government, which pursues the slow killing of prisoners inside the prisons.”
Meanwhile Abdullah Al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club told AFP: “All the prisoners who were released today are in need of medical care, treatment, and examinations as a result of the brutality they were subjected to during the past months. There are seven who were transferred to the hospital.”
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that seven inmates had been admitted to hospitals.


Kingdom’s security ‘red line’ for Egypt, says Cairo

Kingdom’s security ‘red line’ for Egypt, says Cairo
Updated 08 February 2025
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Kingdom’s security ‘red line’ for Egypt, says Cairo

Kingdom’s security ‘red line’ for Egypt, says Cairo

CAIRO: Egypt condemned on Saturday as “irresponsible” statements by Israeli officials suggesting establishing a Palestinian state on Saudi territory, according to a statement by Egypt's foreign ministry.

The foreign ministry said it considered the suggestion a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty”, adding that the Kingdom's security was a “red line for Egypt”.