The US State Department announced today that Secretary Anthony Blinken contacted Prime Minister Najib Mikati yesterday, expressing ‘growing concerns about the escalating tensions on Lebanon’s southern border.’ Ministry spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken also affirmed ‘the United States’ support for the Lebanese people.’
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
A group of Arab and Lebanese figures addressed a message to the Cairo Peace Summit, which was held today in the Egyptian capital, asking them to ‘take a unified position rejecting the aggression and supporting the investment of the moral, material and economic standing of the Arab countries and friendly countries in strengthening efforts to confront, deter and stop this unjust aggression, and in imposing Israel’s commitment and implementation of the relevant international resolutions, and immediately starting to bring food and medical aid into Gaza, ending Israel’s inhumane siege, and establishing an Arab and international fund for the reconstruction of Gaza and the areas that were destroyed.’ More than 50 Arab and Lebanese personalities signed the letter, including, from Lebanon, former Presidents Michel Sleiman and Amin Gemayel, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and former Progressive Socialist Party Chief, Walid Jumblatt; while the prominent Arab signatories included Iyad Allawi, Taher Al-Masry, Ali Abu Al-Ragheb, Al-Akhdar Al-Ibrahimi, Amr Moussa, Nabil Fahmy, Muhammad Al-Saqr, and Ali Nasser Mohamad. The letter called for endeavoring to organize an international conference linked to a time limit to declare an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and implementing what was approved by the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002, which is based on land for peace and the two-state solution. It also urged the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the international community, to mobilize international public opinion to stop the aggression, maintain international peace and security, respect the principles and provisions of international humanitarian law as stated in the Fourth Geneva Convention relating to the protection of civilians in times of war, and to put a final end to the policy of double standards, and demonstrate a clear commitment to achieving freedom, sovereignty, and independence.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Israeli enemy warplanes launched a raid on a valley located between the towns of Yarin and Al-Jabain, followed by a second raid on the outskirts of the town of Yarin, NNA correspondent reported.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Israeli enemy’s Iron Dome intercepted a resistance missile in the skies over the Kfar Shouba farms, causing an explosion and a large flash in the area, which was followed by a drone raid on the sources of the fire, NNA correspondent in Hasbaya reported this evening.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Foreign Secretary joins international partners at the Cairo Peace Summit alongside Minister for the Middle East – James Cleverly and Lord Ahmad will hold high-level talks with leaders from across the world to strengthen engagement around a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict – UK attendance at the summit follows Foreign Secretary’s visit to Egypt, Turkey and Qatar
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh has clarified recent remarks on potential threats to Jordan’s armed forces and security services, emphasizing that he did not allude to any journalists. He reiterated the unwavering support the press, media, and journalists consistently provide to the Hashemite leadership, the Jordanian people, and both legislative and executive branches of the government. Addressing a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Khasawneh elaborated that his concerns centered on perilous narratives gaining traction on social media platforms. These narratives, he indicated, misguidedly steer discussions toward the Jordanian heartland, while concurrently sowing discord in the national fabric. Furthermore, Khasawneh accentuated the integrity and valor of the nation’s armed forces, decrying the malicious attempts to besmirch their esteemed reputation. He praised the security forces for their unwavering support to the citizenry, particularly during peaceful demonstrations that span the breadth and depth of the Kingdom. Lastly, while championing the right to peaceful protests as boundless, the Prime Minister issued a cautionary note to the nation’s populace. He warned against insidious factions, distinct from the nation’s core values and affiliations, that lurk in these congregations. These elements, he contended, strive to mislead the masses, fostering discord that threatens not only Jordan but also the Palestinian cause.
Source: Jordan News Agency
