The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has facilitated the release of 125 Sudanese soldiers held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The ICRC said the troops – many of whom were wounded – had been taken by bus from the capital, Khartoum, to the city of Wad Madani to the south.
The war between Sudan’s army and the RSF has caused a major humanitarian crisis, displacing nearly three million people.
Source: BBC
Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Al-Makary, inaugurated the “Beirut Health and Beauty Exhibition 2023” in Beirut’s Zaitunay Bay this afternoon, in the presence of organizing company owner, Ms. Zeina Nakouzi Akiki, and Zaitunay Bay director, Rita Radi, alongside a number of media, artistic and social dignitaries. Following the national anthem and ribbon cutting, Makary toured the exhibition that includes more than fifty participants, where he inspected the different pavilions and the Lebanese food and craft industries and displayed products. At the end of his tour, Makary said: “I am very pleased to be here in this rich exhibition, and in my opinion this exhibition requires the participation of several ministries, such as tourism, industry, agriculture, economy and social affairs…This exhibition gives a great impetus to the Lebanese men and women who decide to undertake small business initiatives, and I noticed and was pleased that these activities attract large numbers of Lebanese from abroad, which gives hope to our country against all odds, and we hope for a beautiful summer away from politics, war and everything that destroys the Lebanese morale.’ He added, “We, at the Ministry of Information, always like to give a positive image of Lebanon, and this is an essential role for the ministry. We thank Ms. Zeina for her invitation and offer her all the encouragement with the hope for success and advancement.” In turn, the exhibition organizer Ms. Nakouzi thanked the Information Minister for attending and patronizing the event, considering that ‘this shows his love and encouragement for everything that is positive for Lebanon.’ She added, ‘The exhibition includes a wide range of products and reflects the civilized facet of Lebanon, and the strength and courage of Lebanon’s youth, as they defy the difficulties in these circumstances and carry out useful work, which encourages the economic wheel and tourism in Lebanon.’
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Lower House of Parliament on Thursday voiced its rejection and condemnation of burning a copy of the Holy Quran by extremists in Sweden following the Swedish authorities approval of this cowardly act, which can only be described as organized terrorism that coincided with the first day of Eid Al-Adha. “This cowardly act provokes the feelings of Muslims around the world, and constitutes a racist abuse and hate that is unacceptable to Muslims and to the great Qur’an, which urges the values of love, tolerance and mercy,” the Lower House said Thursday in a statement. “Muslims will not accept insulting the Holy Quran in any way, and we warn against the consequences of this act in various parts of the world, and we call on our brothers in Arab and international parliaments and our friends in international parliaments to take stances rejecting those provocative acts that would destabilize security and stability and flagrantly contradicts human, moral and religious values and principles,” the statement added. “This cowardly act constitutes an offense to religions and beliefs, and the international community and its active forces must deal firmly with these dangerous behaviors, as they are extremist acts that are no less terrorist than other terrorist practices, and we do not accept in any way this persistence and abuse of the Holy Quran under the pretexts of freedom of opinion and expression,” the statement concluded.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Two people were killed Wednesday evening in a shooting near the US Consulate in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. “A person in a car stopped near the American consulate building in Jeddah Governorate and got out of it carrying a firearm in his hand, so security authorities took the initiative to deal with him as required and the exchange of fire resulted in his death,” the SPA cited a spokesperson for the Mecca Region police as saying. A Nepalese worker in the consulate’s security guards died of his injury during the shooting, according to the SPA. It said that investigations continue into the attack.
Source: Jordan News Agency
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates summoned the Swedish ambassador to Jordan to express Jordan’s utter rejection of the Swedish government decision to allow extremists to burn a copy of the Holy Quran in the Stockholm on Wednesday. The Ministry condemned the burning of a copy of the Holy Qur’an and said it was a racist act of dangerous hate, and a manifestation of Islamophobia that incites violence and insulting religions, stressing that such acts cannot be justified in the context of freedom of expression at all. The Ministry reiterated its rejection and condemnation of such acts, which are considered a crime and a provocation to the feelings of more than two billion Muslims around the world. The Ministry called for confronting and stopping such provocative and abusive acts, which represent one of the ugliest forms of the culture of hatred, as well as respecting religious symbols and spreading and promoting a culture of peace and acceptance of the other, and to raise awareness of the values ??of common respect.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti on Thursday joined officers of the 2nd Royal Artillery Battalion to celebrate the second day of Eid Al-Adha. Huneiti was received by the Acting Commander of the Royal Artillery Corps, Brigadier General Hani Al-Masri. Huneiti also participated in the salaries of the Royal Fifth Tank Battalion, a Central Military Region unit, to celebrate the second day of Eid Al-Adha and he was received by the region commander, Brigadier General Tawfiq Al-Marzouq. Commanders of the two units briefed the army chief on their operational progress, training and logistical matters, future work plans, and all their roles and duties. Huneiti met with officers of the two units and conveyed to them the greetings of His Majesty the Supreme Commander and his wishes on the occasion of the holy Eid al-Adha, lauding the great efforts of officers of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) – the Arab army in their various locations. The army chief called on JAF officers to exert maximum efforts and dedication in protecting the homeland and raising the name of Jordan high, and said all forms of care and support will be provided to them, under royal directives and support of the JAF General Command.
Source: Jordan News Agency
