Israeli refusal to fully withdraw from Lebanon sparks regional concerns

Israeli refusal to fully withdraw from Lebanon sparks regional concerns
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun shaking hands with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya before their meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 24, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 24 January 2025
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Israeli refusal to fully withdraw from Lebanon sparks regional concerns

Israeli refusal to fully withdraw from Lebanon sparks regional concerns
  • President Aoun holds talks with US, French officials to urge Israel to meet ceasefire deal criteria
  • GCC, Kuwaiti officials hold talks with Lebanese counterparts

BEIRUT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday Israeli troops would not withdraw from the border area of southern Lebanon in accordance with the time frame set in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, amid claims that the Lebanese Army has not fulfilled its obligations.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun held talks with France and the US to urge Israel to fully implement the agreement and withdraw within the stipulated timeframe to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati also called on the US to “intervene to ensure the implementation of Resolution 1701 and Israel’s withdrawal.”
On Friday, Netanyahu’s office said that “the gradual withdrawal from Lebanon will continue in full coordination with the US administration.”
However, the Israeli Cabinet decided that “the Israeli Army will remain in its current positions,” warning that “the Israeli Army is prepared for any scenario and will respond harshly and immediately to any violations by Hezbollah.”
Israeli media reports said “Israel is requesting an additional one-month delay in the withdrawal of its army from Lebanon and an extension of the ceasefire agreement.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said that “the political leadership has instructed the army to remain in the eastern sector of Lebanon,” noting that “the additional period before the complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon may range from days to weeks.”
The development accompanied continued Israeli operations in the border region, particularly in the eastern sector.
Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed Israeli forces “uncovered several underground tunnel routes belonging to Hezbollah in Wadi Saluki, intended for the party’s members to take shelter,” asserting that “these routes have been destroyed.”
Adraee spoke about “the discovery of a stockpile of weapons inside a mosque, as well as a vehicle loaded with weapons, and hundreds of mortar shells, improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, rifles and other military equipment.”
He said: “In another operation by the Golani Brigade, trucks loaded with heavy rocket launchers were found, along with weapons depots that contained large quantities of rocket shells, mortars shells, shoulder-launched rockets, improvised explosive devices and military equipment.”
Calls intensified from border area residents following Israel’s announcement to gather on Sunday and demand to be allowed to return to their villages.
On Thursday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was informed by US Gen. Jasper Jeffers, head of the international committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, of “Israel’s intention to extend the presence of its forces in several locations in southern Lebanon,” according to information distributed about the meeting. Berri told the general “that people will head to their villages on Sunday.”
In a statement, Hezbollah said that “Israel’s failure to adhere to the 60-day deadline is an attack on sovereignty that requires the state to act and address it, using all international means and conventions to reclaim Lebanese territories and liberate them from the grip of occupation.”
At the political level, Lebanon received further Gulf support for its new leadership.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, along with a delegation from the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry and the GCC, held meetings with Lebanese leaders in Beirut on Friday.
This visit, along with the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan less than 24 hours earlier to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese officials and emphasized the importance of implementing Resolution 1701, carry exceptional importance in light of the developments in Lebanon and the wider region.
During his meeting with Aoun, Al-Yahya reaffirmed Kuwait’s “support, endorsement and commitment to standing by Lebanon to provide all necessary aid in all fields.”
He stressed “activating the Lebanese-Kuwaiti joint committees to address the issues raised according to Lebanon’s needs” was of the utmost importance, recalling that Lebanon “was the first country to condemn the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait through the stance of late Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss.”
Albudaiwi conveyed the GCC’s “unwavering support for Lebanon and its sovereignty,” emphasizing its commitment to “the non-interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.”
He affirmed that “the GCC is moving toward helping Lebanon in terms of economic development projects after implementing the intended reforms,” noting that “a Gulf program for Lebanon is set to be developed in cooperation with the future Lebanese government.”
Aoun said he hoped “for Kuwaitis in particular and the Gulf people in general to come back and visit Lebanon,” stressing that “the Arab countries’ unity is the cornerstone for confronting current challenges.”
The president affirmed that “after forming the government, we will establish new foundations for cooperation with the Gulf countries,” adding that “the main titles of these new foundations were included in the inauguration speech, which set the rules for building the state.”
Both Gulf officials met with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, who affirmed “the importance of working to confront the internal challenges faced by Lebanon during this period.”
Salam stressed “the significance of restoring Lebanese-Gulf relations, which he sees as a priority in the near future.”
The Gulf officials also met with caretaker Mikati and Berri.
The Kuwaiti minister and the GCC secretary-general held a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habibi following a meeting.
Al-Yahya said: “We reaffirm our solidarity with Lebanon, and our firm commitment to supporting its sovereignty and territorial unity, as well as the importance of implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1701, and the Taif Agreement.
“We look forward to building the best relations with Lebanon and strengthening security and stability in the region,” he added.
Al-Yahya affirmed that “the GCC had called for the full adherence to the ceasefire agreement and the cessation of Israeli hostilities against Lebanon and the UN peacekeeping forces,” pointing out “the importance of the role played by the army and the security forces to achieve security in the country.”
He said: “We encourage the implementation of the intended reforms. There’s a historical chance to overcome the past challenges and start the reconstruction and development process in a way that achieves the Lebanese people’s prosperity aspirations.”
Al-Budaiwi stated: “We are very pleased with what we heard from the Lebanese leadership and its keenness to achieve the needed reforms and the internationally-recommended programs to ensure the country’s stability.
“These reforms constitute the right path toward Lebanon’s recovery. We believe in the necessity to implement these mandatory reforms and the security council’s resolutions, namely Resolution 1701, and the Taif Agreement.”
He reiterated the final communique of the ministerial committee’s extraordinary meeting in regard to supporting the five-nation group on Lebanon.


Lebanese government formation stalls over minister selection

Lebanese government formation stalls over minister selection
Updated 10 sec ago
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Lebanese government formation stalls over minister selection

Lebanese government formation stalls over minister selection
  • Nabih Berri rejected the name of the fifth minister, which was proposed by Nawaf Salam in consultation with Joseph Aoun
  • Parallel to the government formation process, the fate of the Israeli withdrawal from the southern border area remains a source of Lebanese concern

BEIRUT: Lebanese leaders were close to reaching a new government lineup on Thursday, three weeks after the designation of Nawaf Salam to form the Cabinet.

However, last-minute changes occurred after parliament speaker Nabih Berri rejected the name of the fifth minister, which was proposed by Salam in consultation with President Joseph Aoun, stalling the formation process.

A political source following the formation process told Arab News that “things didn’t reach a deadlock," adding that “there’s an understanding of the importance to reach a governmental lineup as soon as possible, and under this understanding, the name of the fifth Shiite minister is being reconsidered.”

The government, he said, might be announced in the coming two days.

Aoun received Salam and Berri at the presidential palace. Mahmoud Makieh, secretary-general of the council of ministers, was subsequently summoned, signaling that the governmental lineup was ready to be announced by Makieh.

However, Berri left the presidential palace two hours after the meeting, followed by Salam.

According to information circulating at the palace, the selection of the fifth Shiite minister remains the root cause of the problem.

Aoun and Salam insist on naming the fifth Shiite minister in the government in lieu of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.

That is because they want to avoid repeating former premier Saad Hariri’s experience, whose government lost its legitimacy and collapsed in 2011 following the resignation of 11 Shiite ministers.

According to the political source, Salam insists on appointing Lamia Moubayed, who previously held the position of head of the Basil Fuleihan Institute of Finance, for the Administrative Development portfolio, a choice that Berri rejected.

The source said that the president was handling the issue, especially since Berri insists on having a say in naming the fifth Shiite minister, after having already proposed the names of the other four ministers in coordination with Hezbollah — figures close to them but not affiliated with any party.

On Wednesday night, after meeting Aoun, Salam reaffirmed his commitment to “forming a government with a high level of harmony among its members, committed to the principle of ministerial solidarity, and this applies to all ministers without exception.”

Salam emphasized his efforts to “form a reformist government composed of highly competent individuals, and I will not allow any element within it that could obstruct its work in any way.”

He stressed that “in the process of forming previous governments, there were inherited customs and narrow calculations that some find difficult to abandon or to accept a new approach in dealing with.

“However, I am determined to confront these practices and adhere to the constitution and the standards I have previously announced — excluding parliamentary candidates from joining the government and preventing the appointment of partisan figures.

“These standards provide an additional guarantee for the independence of the government's work, the integrity and neutrality of the upcoming elections, addressing the major challenges ahead, and laying the groundwork for reforms to rebuild the Lebanese state in a manner befitting its citizens.”

If formed, Salam’s government is expected to consist of 24 ministers, most of whom will be technocrats, according to leaked names.

Parallel to the government formation process, the fate of the Israeli withdrawal from the southern border area remains a source of Lebanese concern.

Aoun emphasized to the chief of staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization, Maj. Gen. Patrick Gauchat, whom he met on Thursday, the necessity of “implementing Resolution 1701, ensuring the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories occupied in the recent war, and releasing Lebanese prisoners.”

On Thursday, Israeli forces continued to demolish the remaining houses in the southern town of Kafr Kila.

The Israeli army issued a new warning to the residents in the border area that had not yet been evacuated, advising them not to move south.

Avichai Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli military, said: “The Israeli army remains deployed in the field. Therefore, you are prohibited from returning to your homes in the areas in question until further notice. Anyone attempting to move south is at risk.”

On the Lebanese Syrian border, tensions escalated between the new Syrian administration and Lebanese tribal groups involved in smuggling through illegal crossings in Hawik — a town straddling both Lebanese and Syrian territories and populated by Lebanese-origin residents with Syrian citizenship. The Syrian administration is working to secure the border and close these crossings following recent rocket and artillery clashes.

A Lebanese security source reported that “two members of the Syrian administration were killed, and two others were captured.” Video footage circulated online showed the captives being beaten and bleeding.

Shells also struck the Lebanese border town of Al-Qasr, injuring a Lebanese soldier.

According to security reports, Syrian administration forces entered the town two hours later and deployed reinforcements to maintain control of the border.

Many residents of Lebanese origin fled the town toward Lebanese territory in the aftermath.

About 150,000 Syrians, mostly Shiites and Alawites, fled to the Baalbek-Hermel region following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria.


Aga Khan IV to be buried in Egypt on Sunday

Aga Khan IV to be buried in Egypt on Sunday
Updated 4 min 56 sec ago
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Aga Khan IV to be buried in Egypt on Sunday

Aga Khan IV to be buried in Egypt on Sunday
  • Aga Khan IV will be laid to rest at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt on Sunday
  • His son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini was named the 50th hereditary Imam

LISBON: The late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died on Tuesday in Lisbon after nearly seven decades as the spiritual leader of the global Ismaili Muslim community, will be buried in Egypt on Sunday, according to the Ismaili Imamat.
After a funeral ceremony at the Ismaili Center in the Portuguese capital on Saturday — to be attended by leaders of the community, Portuguese government members and foreign dignitaries — Aga Khan IV will be laid to rest at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt on Sunday, it said in a statement on Thursday.
Known for his wealth and development work around the world through the Aga Khan Development Network, Prince Karim died in Lisbon, the seat of the Ismaili Imamat, at age 88 on Tuesday.
His son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini was named the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, on Wednesday, according to his father’s will.
As Aga Khan — derived from Turkish and Persian words to mean commanding chief — he is believed by Ismailis to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter.
The world’s Ismaili community, a branch of Shiite Islam, comprises around 15 million people who live in Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America.
Set up in 1967, the AKDN group of international development agencies employs 80,000 people helping to build schools and hospitals and providing electricity for millions of people in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.
Aga Khan IV also kept up his family’s long tradition of thoroughbred racing and breeding. His stables and riders, wearing his emerald-green silk livery, enjoyed great successes at the top international derbies.


Bahraini king arrives in UAE

Bahraini king arrives in UAE
Updated 34 min 47 sec ago
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Bahraini king arrives in UAE

Bahraini king arrives in UAE

LONDON: King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain arrived in the UAE on Thursday.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the ruler’s representative in the Al-Dhafra region, received the king on his arrival.

During his visit to the UAE, King Hamad will be accompanied by Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, among other senior officials, the Bahrain News Agency reported.


Palestinian PM meets Arab League’s chief in Cairo

Palestinian PM meets Arab League’s chief in Cairo
Updated 49 min 26 sec ago
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Palestinian PM meets Arab League’s chief in Cairo

Palestinian PM meets Arab League’s chief in Cairo
  • Mohammad Mustafa says priority is to back Palestinians’ right to remain in Gaza

LONDON: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said during his visit to Egypt on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority was coordinating with Arab countries to address the urgent reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Mustafa met Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo. The parties discussed ongoing humanitarian efforts to assist residents of the Gaza Strip.

Mustafa said that Palestinians in Gaza were experiencing “a difficult period” following US President Donald Trump’s remarks about relocating them to other countries, including Jordan and Egypt, both of which had rejected the idea.

He commended the Arab League’s support and said that the PA had already set in motion actions for rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Israel has bombed the region into rubble since late 2023, killing about 47,000 Palestinians.

Mustafa added that Gaza was part of Palestinian territory and emphasized that PA’s priority was to support Palestinians in the area to remain in the enclave.

He said: “We want to assure our people in the Gaza Strip that we will not leave them in this situation, and the coming days will be better.”

The meeting was attended by Maj. Gen. Ziad Hab Al-Rih, Palestine’s minister of interior; Palestine’s Ambassador to the Arab League Muhannad Al-Aklouk; The Arab League’s Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine Ambassador Saeed Abu Ali; and Ambassador Hossam Zaki, the assistant secretary-general of the Arab League.


Jordanian king arrives in UK ahead of US visit

Jordanian king arrives in UK ahead of US visit
Updated 06 February 2025
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Jordanian king arrives in UK ahead of US visit

Jordanian king arrives in UK ahead of US visit
  • King Abdullah II met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London
  • He will meet with US President Donald Trump next week in Washington, D.C.

LONDON: Jordan’s King Abdullah II arrived in the UK on Thursday afternoon ahead of a visit to the US next week.

He met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London. They discussed historical relations between the two kingdoms, Petra news agency reported.

The Jordanian king will meet US President Donald Trump next week in Washington, D.C. Their talks are expected to focus on events in the Gaza Strip. The king is also scheduled to visit Boston and will be accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein during his trip, Petra added.