Day: March 15, 2023

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Wednesday expressed hope that the Lebanese parliament would be able to achieve a successful presidential election soon. “Everyone is required to realize that Lebanon doesn’t enjoy the luxury of wasting time in light of the rapidly deteriorating financial, economic, and living conditions, especially now that the US dollar’s black market exchange rate has exceeded LBP 100,000,’ Berri said. ‘I do not hide my concern that prolonging the presidential vacancy and obstructing the work of institutions will bear catastrophic repercussions from which no one will be spared, even disrupters themselves,’ warned Speaker Berri, adding that the election of a president ‘is the key to the solution that paves the way to the country’s rescue path.’ “Lebanon possesses all the ingredients for advancement and recovery from the crises it is facing; all of this depends on investing in sincere intentions and benevolent wills, most importantly realizing that Lebanon is too small to be divided and that there is no option to resolve outstanding issues, no matter how big or small, except through dialogue and consensus,’ Berri explained. As for dividing Beirut in municipal elections Speaker Berri said, ‘The Development and Liberation Bloc refuses any text that legislates the division of the capital in any municipal election law. Dividing the capital is dividing Lebanon. We are taking into account equality and Islamic-Christian partnership.” Regarding the fresh deal between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Berri affirmed that “this agreement will cast positive shadows on the situation in the entire region.” Regarding the Syrian refugee file, Speaker Berri stressed that “the international community must assume its full humanitarian, moral, and legal responsibilities resolving refugee-related issues,’ noting that the key to approaching this matter is by ‘opening channels of communication with Syria.” Berri’s words came before a delegation representing the “National Balance Gathering’, with whom he discussed the country’s latest political developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

In his Excellency’s first station of his visit to Federal Russia, President Bashar al-Assad, and the accompanying delegation, visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow and laid wreath at the monument.

President al-Assad was received by General Yevgeny Seleznev, Commander of the Moscow Garrison, Director of Russian Foreign protocol, as the President reviewed the Honor Guard and the official orchestra played the tune of the unknown soldier and the national anthem of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier symbolizes martyrdom in defending the homeland, as well as for cities whose locals have shown models of heroism in defending them.

The Syrian delegation accompanying President al-Assad comprises of Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam, Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Samer al-Khalil, Defense Minister, General Ali Abbas , Finance Minister Kanan Yaghi, Chairman of Planning and International Cooperation Commission Dr. Fadi al-Khalil, Cabinet Secretary General Dr. Qais Khedr , Special Adviser at the Republic’s Presidency, Luna al-Shebel and Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to Moscow.

President Assad arrived in Moscow yesterday evening for an official visit to the Russian Federation, during which he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)

Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water, Dr. Walid Fayyad, on Wednesday inaugurated the national workshop on “Launching the Renewable Energy Certification Mechanism” known internationally as ‘I-REC certificates’. The workshop was organized by the United Nations Development Program in Lebanon at the Movenpick Hotel – Beirut. In his address, Minister Fayyad stressed the need to make maximum use of the financial returns that can be secured through I-REC certificates, within the domain of renewable energy projects in Lebanon. In this context, Minister Fayyad pointed to the flourishing development of renewable energy projects in Lebanon, mostly solar energy. He further affirmed that the Ministry of Energy would continue to work with the House Parliament to approve the distributed renewable energy law, which opens the door to more large-scale renewable energy projects and is considered the most likely to benefit from the revenues of the I-REC certificate. Minister Fayyad finally clarified ‘the importance of preserving a minimum level of fossil energy sources to secure balance within Electricite du Liban’s network (EDL), which allows linking existing solar energy projects to the national power grid and linking any future projects in this field.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

An earthquake measuring 4.1 magnitudes on the Richter scale struck south of Turkey, Wednesday.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) stated that the tremor that struck Kahramanmaras occurred at a depth of 2 km.

No damage or injuries were recorded by the tremor, the source added.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)

Caretaker Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, on Wednesday welcomed a delegation representing the unions of gas station owners and fuel distributors. The meeting highlighted the sector’s concerns and problems in light of the escalating economic crisis and the significant rise in US dollar’s black market and Sayrafa exchange rate. Salam stressed, “The pressing need to find swift solutions to preserve the fuel sector and protect consumer rights.’ Both sides agreed to coordinate with the Ministry of Energy and Water in the framework of a series of meetings that will be held soon to mitigate the problems being faced by the fuel sector in light of the exceptional circumstances that the country is going through at all levels.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

/- The joint legal committee between Kuwait and Iran met to discuss the issue of “demarcation of the maritime borders between the two countries in accordance with the rules of international law.”

The Kuwaiti News Agency “KUNA” reported that “the joint committee between the two countries held its work in the Iranian capital, and the two sides discussed the issue of demarcating the maritime borders between the two countries, and it was stressed the need to resolve this matter in a manner that is in accordance with the rules of international law,” without mentioning more details.

The Kuwaiti side in the meeting was chaired by the Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, while the Iranian side was headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Ambassador Reza Najafi.

Al-Otaibi also discussed with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Ali Bagheri Kani, “ways to strengthen and develop relations,” during the political consultations session between the two countries in Tehran.

This comes, days after the announcement of the agreement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran in China, to restore diplomatic relations severed since 2016, and to reopen the Embassies in the two countries within a maximum period of two months./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency