English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For January 11/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming
for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from
the wrath to come
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
03/07-12/When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said
to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come?Bear fruit worthy of repentance.Do not presume to say to yourselves, "We
have Abraham as our ancestor"; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to
raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the
trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown
into the fire.‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more
powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his
hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the
granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on January 10-11/2025
Elias Bejjani/Text & Video: Elias Bejjani: Text and Video: The Story Is
Over, Joseph Aoun Appointed President by Saudi-Iranian-American Agreement...
Come On, Let's Celebrate
Elias Bejjani/Text & Video: Dima Sadek's Documentary on Shiite Victimhood is a
Blatant and Shameless Falsification
Abu Arz - Etienne Sakr: Signs of the Times - and the Beginning of a Good Era
Five killed in Israeli strike on southern Lebanon, health ministry says
Lebanon PM to visit new Damascus ruler on Saturday
Lebanese caretaker PM says country to begin disarming south Litani to ensure
state presence
Arab, international support for Lebanon pours in as Aoun set to form government
Cyprus president becomes first foreign dignitary to meet with Aoun
Italy PM says Aoun will be a 'trustworthy' leader
Biden and Trump reportedly coordinated push for Aoun's election
Aoun calms Shiite Duo's security, political and reconstruction concerns, report
says
Aoun schedules new PM consultations for Monday
Bassil says having a president better than void, hails Aoun's speech
'So much work ahead': Mikati discusses Israeli violations, new govt. with Aoun
Geagea says Aoun 1st president outside 'Axis of Resistance' interference
Weakening of Hezbollah allowed Lebanon to fill vacant presidency
UNIFIL Supports Lebanese Army Redeployment in South Following Israeli Withdrawal
Regional and International Support for Joseph Aoun's Presidency/Bassam Abou Zeid/This
is Beirut/January 10, 2025
Southern Lebanon: Tensions Persist as Ceasefire Deadline Approaches
UN Allocates $30 Million for Crisis Response in Lebanon
Lebanon Files Complaint to UN Security Council Over Israeli Violations
Joseph Aoun Visits Bechara Rai in Bkerke
Israel expects increased pressure for its withdrawal after Aoun's election
Are We Witnessing the Rise of Another Fouad Chehab?/Johnny Kortbawi/This is
Beirut/January 10, 2025
Lebanese Information Center Statement/On the Election of President Joseph Aoun
Japan congratulates Lebanon on electing new President
A new era and a golden opportunity for Lebanon/Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoors/Arab
News/January 10, 2025
Uniting the Lebanese is Aoun’s most important mission/Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab
News/January 10, 2025
Many reasons for optimism about Syria and Lebanon/Faisal J. Abbas/Arab
News/January 10, 2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on January
10-11/2025
Israel bombs power station, two ports in Houthi-controlled Yemen
Israeli military confirms hostage killed alongside father in Gaza
West Bank family wants justice for children killed in Israel strike
France summons Iranian ambassador over hostages
Stampede at central Damascus mosque kills four: health official
Tajani says Syrian leader pledged to stop ‘illegal immigration’
Turkey says Syria should be given chance to address Kurdish militant presence
Israel rallies global support to win release of a woman believed kidnapped in
Iraq
Polish government adopts resolution protecting Netanyahu from arrest if he
attends Auschwitz event
Syria monitor says Assad loyalist ‘executed’ in public
Turkiye says France must take back its militants from Syria
Italy’s foreign minister heads to Syria to encourage post-Assad transition
UN says 3 million Sudan children facing acute malnutrition
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on January
10-11/2025
American Free Speech vs. European Censorship/Drieu Godefridi/Gatestone
Institute./January 10, 2025
Policies that make stronger families make a stronger nation/Sinem Cengiz/Arab
News/January 10, 2025
US working with regional partners to support ‘responsible transition’ in Syria:
Official/RAY HANANIA/Arab News/January 10, 2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on January 10-11/2025
Elias Bejjani/Text & Video:
Elias Bejjani: Text and Video: The Story Is Over,
Joseph Aoun Appointed President by Saudi-Iranian-American Agreement... Come On,
Let's Celebrate
January 9, 2025
Based on analysis and without official or confirmed information, we expect that
today, Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 12 noon Beirut time, Army Commander General
Joseph Aoun will be appointed as President of the Republic. The rubber-stamp
Parliament, led by the eternal corrupt and Trojan Speaker Nabih Berri,
specialized in submissiveness, will endorse the decision without objection. This
is because all the Members of Parliament fundamentally lack independent, free,
and sovereign will, as they are either followers of their local political party
owners or Trojan agents and soldiers serving foreign states, as is the case with
the so-called 'Party of God,' blasphemously named Hezbollah.
Furthermore, based on analysis and numerous political commentaries and
assessments, we believe that the presidential breakthrough came as a result of a
Saudi-Iranian agreement blessed by the United States, accompanied by a binding
set of conditions. All we hope is that Saudi commitments to Iran are strictly
limited to funding the reconstruction of Shiite areas destroyed during the
Hezbollah war with Israel and do not include leaving Hezbollah armed or granting
it any political or partisan role.
The positive or negative judgment on the new president and the government that
will come with him will be based solely on one issue: closing Lebanon as an
operational base for all those involved in the deceitful trade of so-called
resistance and liberation, the rhetoric of throwing Jews into the sea, praying
in Jerusalem, and the culture of death glorification. Of course, this includes
recognizing the State of Israel, as all Arab states have done for years.
Come on, let's celebrate, offer congratulations, and pray for Lebanon's
liberation from the Iranian occupation, the criminal terrorist Hezbollah, and
the corrupt political and partisan elite.
Elias
Bejjani/Text & Video: Dima Sadek's Documentary on Shiite Victimhood is a Blatant
and Shameless Falsification
Elias Bejjani/January 07/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/01/138797/
"Enough with the attacks on what is
referred to as 'Political Maronism' as a cover for disasters and a justification
for the crimes, heresies, terrorism, and atrocities committed in the eras that
followed. These periods were marked by jihadists, Arab nationalists, leftists,
and so-called resistance merchants abandoning Lebanon's values of freedom,
independence, democracy, and coexistence.
In reality, there was never a historical period of 'Political Maronism' in
Lebanon. Rather, it was an era of independence, freedom, progress, peace,
openness, democracy, art, culture, and leadership.
The so-called "Political Maronism" was Lebanon's only true era of independence
following liberation from the French Mandate.
Every era that followed was marked by submission and subjugation to Palestinian,
Syrian, and Iranian occupations driven by sectarian motives that destroyed
Lebanon, obliterated its sovereignty, displaced its people, and dismantled its
institutions—most glaringly evident in the ongoing crimes of the Iranian Shiite
duo. In the context of Lebanon's continued Iranianization and the attempts to
beautify this era, Dima Sadek's documentary aired yesterday on MTV under the
title "Shiite Victimhood."
This fabricated and falsified documentary has no connection to history, truth,
or facts. It is nothing but deception, a deliberate distortion aimed at
misleading the Lebanese public and justifying the crimes and Persian agenda of
the Iranian Shiite duo with vulgarity and audacity.
For countless reasons, the genuine independence era, misrepresented as
"Political Maronism," must never be equated with any political phase that
followed.
The Shiite duo has committed heinous crimes against Lebanon, holding their sect
hostage, alienating it from its homeland, and plunging it into disasters.
Therefore, the so-called "Shiite duo" has no connection to Lebanon or the Shiite
community itself.
Yes, absolutely, the Shiites are a respected and influential Lebanese component
whose rights should be equal to those of all Lebanese, and their duties should
also be bound by the state, the law, the constitution, and national charters.
No to Dima Sadek's leftist-leaning documentary, driven by dreams of throwing
Israel and the Jews into the sea while deceitfully exploiting the Palestinian
cause.
In conclusion, the leaders of the Shiite duo must be prosecuted for all the
crimes they have committed against Lebanon and the Shiite community,
specifically Hezbollah, which must be prohibited from engaging in any political,
social, or cultural activities.
Abu Arz - Etienne Sakr: Signs
of the Times - and the Beginning of a Good Era
10 January 2025
(Free Translation by: Elias Bejjani)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/01/138933/
The leader of the Guardians of the Cedars Party - Lebanese Nationalist Movement,
Etienne Sakr, known as Abu Arz, issued the following statement:
For more than half a century, Lebanon has endured dark times filled with wars,
calamities, and hardships that overshadowed daily life. Its pages were marred by
divisions, embezzlement, and corruption that ate away at the state to its core.
However, the tides began to shift in the last quarter of 2024, as Lebanon
entered a new era marked by what can only be described as divine interventions
that saved the homeland in its final breath and restored its rightful place
among nations.
The sequence of miracles has begun in Lebanon. The first was the dismantling of
Hezbollah's statelet, which had nearly obliterated the Lebanese state. This was
followed by the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House,
ushering in promising projects aimed at restoring stability and peace to the
Middle East, particularly Lebanon, by drying up the sources of terrorism
emanating from the Iranian regime. Then came the third miracle: the fall of the
criminal Assad regime in Syria and the rise of a new leadership that respects
Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and uniqueness.
Today, we witness yet another miracle, no less significant than the previous
ones: the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Lebanese Republic.
This election is not a mere political event but a historic shift reflecting the
Lebanese people's aspirations to break free from corruption and the grip of the
entrenched political class. General Aoun embodies the virtues we have long
advocated for: heroism, wisdom, and integrity.
In his swearing-in speech, the new president reaffirmed his commitment to
transform Lebanon from a state plagued by corruption, disintegration, and decay
into a nation governed by transparency, justice, and the principles of civilized
values. His words were not mere rhetoric but a solemn pledge to be fulfilled
with the full support of the honorable Lebanese people who have long awaited a
leader with such vision, courage, and determination.
With the election of a president from outside the corrupt political
establishment, Lebanon now has a historic opportunity to emerge from its
prolonged decline. As we congratulate Lebanon and its people on this
transformative event, we extend our full support to President Joseph Aoun in his
mission of reform, praying that God grants him the strength to fulfill this
sacred national duty.
Congratulations to Lebanon for such a president. May God grant him success.
Lebanon at your service
Etienne Sakr – Abu Arz
Five killed in Israeli strike
on southern Lebanon, health ministry says
Reuters/January 10, 2025
BEIRUT (Reuters) -Five people were killed and four wounded in an Israeli strike
on the town of Tayr Debba in southern Lebanon on Friday, the Lebanese health
ministry said.
The Israeli military said it had conducted an airstrike on vehicles loaded with
weapons used by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon. The army said
it "continues to be committed to the ceasefire understandings between Israel and
Lebanon, is deployed in the southern Lebanon area, and will work to eliminate
any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens".Israel and Iran-backed
Hezbollah agreed to a U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire that calls for a phased
Israeli military pullout after more than a year of war, in keeping with a 2006
U.N. Security Council resolution that ended their last major conflict. Israel
launched an offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon last September, following
nearly a year of cross-border hostilities ignited by the Gaza war, pounding wide
areas of Lebanon from the air and sending troops into the south. The conflict
began when Hezbollah opened fire in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas
after Hamas launched the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.
Lebanon PM to visit new
Damascus ruler on Saturday
AFP/January 10, 2025
BERUIT: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati will on Saturday make his first
official trip to neighboring Syria since the fall of president Bashar Assad, his
office told AFP. Mikati’s office said Friday the trip came at the invitation of
the country’s new de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa during a phone call last week.
Syria imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens last week, two
security sources have told AFP, following what the Lebanese army said was a
border skirmish with unnamed armed Syrians. Lebanese nationals had previously
been allowed into Syria without a visa, using just their passport or ID card.
Lebanon’s eastern border is porous and known for smuggling. Lebanese Shiite
group Hezbollah supported Assad with fighters during Syria’s civil war. But the
Iran-backed movement has been weakened after a war with Israel killed its
long-time leader and Islamist-led rebels seized Damascus last month. Lebanese
lawmakers elected the country’s army chief Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday,
ending a vacancy of more than two years that critics blamed on Hezbollah. For
three decades under the Assad clan, Syria was the dominant power in Lebanon
after intervening in its 1975-1990 civil war. Syria eventually withdrew its
troops in 2005 under international pressure after the assassination of Lebanese
ex-prime minister Rafic Hariri.
Lebanese caretaker PM says
country to begin disarming south Litani to ensure state presence
Reuters/January 10, 2025
DUBAI: Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday that the
state will begin disarming southern Lebanon, particularly the south Litani
region, to establish its presence across the country. “We are in a new phase –
in this new phase, we will start with south Lebanon and south Litani
specifically in order to pull weapons so that the state can be present across
Lebanese territory,” Mikati said.
Arab, international support
for Lebanon pours in as Aoun set to form government
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/January 10, 2025
BEIRUT: Joseph Aoun’s first day as president of Lebanon was marked by strong
Arab and international support. Parliamentary consultations to name a new prime
minister will take place next week. Imran Riza, UN humanitarian coordinator in
Lebanon, announced the allocation of $30 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian
Fund to address urgent humanitarian needs caused by the recent escalation of
hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Dar Al-Fatwa relayed remarks
from the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, during his meeting with
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian.
Bukhari expressed “Saudi Arabia’s satisfaction with Lebanon’s successful
presidential election, achieved through Lebanese unity that inspires hope.”He
described the accomplishment as a significant step toward Lebanon’s renaissance,
reconstruction, security, and stability, as well as the initiation of reforms
and restoring Arab and international confidence. Dar Al-Fatwa also reported that
Bukhari admired “President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural speech, which was a
reflection of his national responsibility.”On Friday, Cypriot President Nikos
Christodoulides visited Beirut to congratulate Aoun, marking the first visit by
a foreign head of state to Lebanon following the election. Aoun also received a
congratulatory message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing “the
Iranian government’s readiness to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation
in all areas.” Pezeshkian said he hoped the presidential elections would lead to
political stability, economic growth, peace, and security for the people of
Lebanon. He added that reinforcing stability and unity would thwart Israel’s
ambitions in Lebanon’s territory.
Aoun’s initial meetings included a session with Prime Minister Najib Mikati,
who, along with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, is set to visit Syria on
Saturday. This marks the first official Lebanese visit to Damascus since the
fall of Bashar Assad.
Aoun asked Mikati to “continue managing caretaker duties until a new government
is formed.”Mikati said after the meeting that during the two years and two
months since the end of former President Michel Aoun’s term, his government held
60 Cabinet sessions and issued more than 1,211 decisions and more than 3,700
decrees.
“We managed to navigate this phase and maintain the continuity of the state,
particularly through its backbone — the army — under the leadership of Gen.
Joseph Aoun and through our cooperation with him.”Mikati explained that the
discussion with the president focused on “the existing challenges and the
content of the inaugural address, in which Aoun outlined the directions for any
new government to implement the speech’s content through the necessary
constitutional steps.” Mikati said: “We talked about the situation in the south
and the necessity for a swift and full Israeli withdrawal, reestablishing
stability in the south and halting Israeli violations.” He said the next
government must be able to reflect the direction outlined by the president. “We
are embarking on a new phase that requires everyone’s cooperation to exert
serious efforts to save the nation. The broad outlines set by the president are
very important and the leadership of this country has the will to act. Many of
these objectives can be achieved quickly through an active government.”
Regarding Aoun’s insistence in his speech on “the state having a monopoly on
bearing weapons,” Mikati said: “Do we expect the president of the country to say
that weapons are legal for everyone? Do we expect a new government to say that
weapons are legal for all citizens? Today, we are entering a new phase that
starts from southern Lebanon, specifically south of the Litani River, to
withdraw arms and ensure that the state will be present across all Lebanese
territory, with stability beginning from the south.” Aoun’s inaugural address on
Thursday was widely welcomed in Lebanon, and across the Arab and international
states. Leaders of political parties and economic bodies expressed support for
the speech and its implementation. Sami Gemayel, head of the Lebanese Kataeb
Party, said: “His address is unprecedented in the past three decades, as all
presidents came during the Syrian guardianship or when Hezbollah controlled
decisions and no president was allowed to speak about the interest of his
country.”Gemayel pledged to “defend the speech, which fully represents us, and
to stand by the president to realize his national project.”A few hours after the
election of the president, Israeli reconnaissance planes resumed violations of
Lebanese airspace, starting from the south and reaching Beirut and its southern
suburb, extending to Hermel on the border with Syria.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued their incursions into southern Lebanon,
destroying border villages.
Aita Al-Shaab was subjected to artillery shelling, with Israeli forces
conducting explosions and intensive sweep operations inside the town. Movements
of Israeli forces’ vehicles were observed between Tallat Al-Hamames and the
adjacent Metula settlement at the Khiam-Wazzani triangle.
Once again, Israeli tanks and infantry forces conducted incursions in the town
of Taybeh and opened fire on the remaining houses. On Friday, a Lebanese Army
unit entered the town of Aitaroun in Bint Jbeil, accompanied by a bulldozer to
clear a dirt barrier previously erected by the Israeli Army at the village
entrance. The Lebanese Army is awaiting a signal from a five-member committee,
tasked with overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire resolution, to
redeploy in positions at the Al-Qouzah-Debel-Aita Al-Shaab triangle following
the Israeli withdrawal.
On Thursday Israel heavily bombed the border town of Aita Al-Shaab, causing
tremors deep in southern regions.
Israel also carried out operations to detonate houses in Kafr Kila, Houla, and
the vicinity of Wazzani, with the Israeli military claiming it had bombed “five
large ammunition warehouses.” Israeli forces still have 15 days left of the
60-day deadline to fully withdraw from the area following the incursion on Oct.
1.
On Friday, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee renewed his warning to
the residents of southern Lebanon via social media, advising them against
“moving south to the line of villages from Mansouri in the west to Shebaa in the
east until further notice. Anyone who moves south of this line is at risk.”
Civil defense personnel, in coordination with the army and UNIFIL, continue to
search and survey the areas from which the Israeli army withdrew, looking for
the bodies of Hezbollah fighters who were reportedly missing.
Cyprus president becomes first
foreign dignitary to meet with Aoun
Associated Press/January 10, 2025
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has become the foreign head of state and
first foreign dignitary to pay an official visit to Lebanon's new President
Joseph Aoun.
Aoun, the former commander of the Lebanese army, was elected Thursday by the
Lebanese parliament to fill a more than two-year vacuum in the presidency. The
two leaders met at the presidential palace in Baabda, southeast of Beirut. “I
wanted to be the first to visit President Aoun and show, not in words but in
actions that Cyprus stands by Lebanon and the Lebanese people,” Christodoulides
told reporters afterward. Cyprus and Lebanon have had close relations for
decades. Cyprus is less than 200 kilometers (130 miles) from the Lebanese
capital Beirut and has provided the country with military assistance to prop up
its armed forces. The island became a refuge for thousands of Lebanese during
Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war. Many more Lebanese citizens moved there following
the historic economic meltdown in Lebanon that started in late 2019. In recent
years the two countries have also been involved in intense discussions over
border control, as many Syrian refugees living in Lebanon -- and an increasing
number of Lebanese after the country fell into a major economic crisis beginning
in 2019 -- sought to reach Cyprus by sea in smuggler boats.
Italy PM says Aoun will be a 'trustworthy' leader
Agence France Presse/January 10, 2025
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her support on Friday for new
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, saying he would be a "trustworthy" leader for
the country. "I am convinced that President Aoun will be a trustworthy and
authoritative leader for Lebanon, a friendly nation to Italy to which we are
linked by historic and deep ties," Meloni said in a statement.
Biden and Trump reportedly coordinated push for Aoun's election
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
The Biden administration and President-elect Trump's team closely coordinated to
push for Gen. Joseph Aoun to be elected as the new president of Lebanon, a U.S.
official and a source familiar with the issue told U.S. news portal Axios. The
election of Aoun, a U.S. ally, broke the political deadlock that left Lebanon
without a president for more than two years.
Aoun's victory is a boost to the pro-Western camp in Lebanon and a blow to
Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian groups in the region. “After Israel assassinated
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the Shia militia group suffered a series
of defeats, the Biden administration decided to take advantage of the situation
and push Lebanese leaders to elect a new president,” Axios said. That effort got
a boost six weeks ago when Israel and Lebanon signed a ceasefire agreement. One
day after the ceasefire took effect Speaker Nabih Berri announced presidential
elections would take place on Jan. 9. U.S. officials told Axios that during the
past six weeks the Biden administration and Saudi Arabia led a joint effort to
ensure the Jan. 9 vote ended with the election of a new president. France and
Qatar also supported and assisted in that effort.
The efforts reached their height this week when President Biden's envoy Amos
Hochstein, who brokered the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, traveled to the region,
U.S. officials said.
“The U.S. didn't say it publicly, but in private Hochstein lobbied for Aoun. The
Biden administration sees the commander of the Lebanese military as a
professional who is pro-Western and doesn't support Hezbollah and has the trust
of the majority of Lebanese,” two U.S. officials told Axios. Before the trip,
Hochstein and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with
Trump's national security adviser Rep. Mike Waltz and coordinated their
positions, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the
discussion.
The source said both Waltz and the Biden team agreed it was important Hezbollah
couldn't stage a comeback through the political process of the presidential
election.
Hochstein was also in touch with Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and
briefed him on the developments around the Lebanese presidential elections, a
U.S. official said.
When Hochstein traveled to Riyadh on Sunday and to Beirut a day later, he told
his interlocutors that he spoke for the Biden administration but that the Trump
transition team was in agreement with the administration's position on the
Lebanese presidential election, a U.S. official said. In Riyadh, Hochstein met
with the Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his envoy Prince
Yazid bin Farhan to coordinate on their strategy, a U.S. official said.
In Beirut, Hochstein met for hours on Monday with Berri and later with caretaker
Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with Aoun joining at some point. But the most
important meeting was on Monday night with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea,
one U.S. official said.
The U.S. official said Hochstein met with Geagea until after midnight to
convince him to drop his objection to Aoun's candidacy and order the lawmakers
from his party to vote for him.
On Tuesday morning, Hochstein met with several dozen Lebanese lawmakers for
breakfast in Beirut. Some of them were still on the fence. "Who gives you the
right to decide who will be the president of Lebanon," one Lebanese lawmaker
told Hochstein, according to a U.S. official. Two U.S. officials said the U.S.
envoy replied that he was not telling them how to vote and stressed they could
do whatever they want.
"But it is my right to decide how much time the U.S. is going to spend on
Lebanon and where it wants to spend its money," Hochstein told the lawmakers,
according to two U.S. officials.
The U.S. envoy said it wasn't a threat but stressed that both the Biden
administration and the incoming Trump administration think electing a new
president now would be a good for Lebanon. A U.S. official said that on Tuesday,
shortly before leaving Beirut, Hochstein called the Saudi envoy Prince Yazid and
asked him to travel to Lebanon and continue pressing the Lebanese lawmakers. He
did. "The Saudis played a key role. It was essentially a joint effort by MBS and
the Biden administration," a U.S. official said referring to the Saudi crown
prince Mohammed bin Salman. Another key breakthrough came on Wednesday when
Suleiman Franjieh, the candidate supported by Hezbollah, dropped out of the race
and announced his support for Aoun.
On Thursday afternoon, the Lebanese parliament voted and elected Aoun. During
the vote one of the lawmakers who opposed Aoun wrote on his ballot: "Joseph Amos
Bin Farhan."
Under the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, the Lebanese armed
forces are supposed to play a key role in any post-war settlement and redeploy
in southern Lebanon over a period of 60 days while the Israeli military
gradually withdraws.
During his visit to Lebanon, Hochstein chaired a meeting of the ceasefire
monitoring committee with Lebanese and Israeli military officers joining.
As the meeting was taking place, the Israeli military started pulling its forces
out of the town of Naqoura where the monitoring committee convened and from the
rest of the western sector of southern Lebanon. "This was a key thing. The
presidential election wouldn't have happened as it did without it. The fact that
the IDF (Israeli army) withdrew gave huge credibility to the Lebanese army and
to Aoun personally. The Lebanese army showed everybody it can deliver," a U.S.
official told Axios. In a statement on Thursday, Biden said Aoun "will provide
critical leadership" as Lebanon and Israel implement the ceasefire and that Aoun
has his confidence. "I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,"
the statement continued.
According to the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military needs to finish its
withdrawal from southern Lebanon by the end of January. Israeli officials said
in recent days that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of
Defense Israel Katz and the army leadership don't want to completely pull out
the forces but leave them in three key positions in southern Lebanon. Israeli
officials say that while the Biden administration is strongly against that, they
hope the Trump administration will agree. A U.S. official said Aoun's victory
would create more pressure on Israel from the U.S. and other Western and Arab
countries to finish the withdrawal by the deadline. "The Israelis will start
receiving the message that they need to get with the program. No way they are
going to stay in Lebanon," the U.S. official said.
Aoun calms Shiite Duo's security, political and
reconstruction concerns, report says
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
President Joseph Aoun held two meetings prior to his election with the head of
Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad and Speaker Nabih Berri’s aide
MP Ali Hassan Khalil, a media report said. Aoun’s first meeting with Raad and
Khalil was held on Wednesday night while the second was held between the two
electoral rounds on Thursday, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday. “Aoun
stressed to them that reaching agreements with the Duo was a priority to him and
that he was not concerned with those who were trying to consider his election as
a political triumph” for the anti-Hezbollah camp, informed sources told the
daily. “Aoun calmed the Duo’s security, political, military and reconstruction
concerns, which led to him receiving the Duo’s votes in parliament,” the sources
added.Sources close to the new president meanwhile told the newspaper that the
talks with the Shiite Duo were aimed at “boosting the elements of confidence and
reassurance.” The daily however said that “the main and more important part of
the agreement was finalized by Speaker Berri with the Americans and Saudis, and
also by Hezbollah with the French.”“The understanding between Aoun and the Duo
placed guidelines for the relation between the two sides in the coming period,
which are related to the new tenure’s agenda, starting by reconstruction and the
(new) government’s shape all the way to the issue of the resistance and its role
and protection,” al-Akhbar added, noting that “there is reportedly an agreement
to keep PM Najib Mikati until the upcoming parliamentary elections, in line with
an agreement that was reached with the five-party group for Lebanon.”
Aoun schedules new PM consultations for Monday
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
President Joseph Aoun has announced that the binding parliamentary consultations
to pick a new PM will be held on Monday. According to a statement issued by the
Presidency, Aoun will meet with the parliamentary blocs and independent MPs from
8:00 am till around 5:30 pm. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed
his willingness to lead the new government. Media reports meanwhile said that
Mikati will stay as premier until the parliamentary elections. Lebanese Forces
leader Samir Geagea has meanwhile said that he supports picking MP Ashraf Rifi
or MP Fouad Makhzoumi for the post. Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect
Aoun as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.
The vote came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month
conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and at a time when Lebanon’s leaders are
seeking international assistance for reconstruction. Aoun, no relation to former
President Michel Aoun, was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United
States and Saudi Arabia, whose assistance Lebanon will need as it seeks to
rebuild. The next government will face daunting challenges apart from
implementing the ceasefire agreement that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war and
seeking funds for reconstruction. Lebanon is in its sixth year of an economic
and financial crisis that decimated the country's currency and wiped out the
savings of many Lebanese. The cash-strapped state electricity company provides
only a few hours of power a day. The country's leaders reached a preliminary
agreement with the IMF for a bail-out package in 2022 but have made limited
progress on reforms required to clinch the deal.
Bassil says having a president better than void, hails
Aoun's speech
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
Several lawmakers, including Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil
opposed Thursday the election of army chief Joseph Aoun, and objected to what
they saw as foreign interference. In an interview with LBCI, Bassil said that
Parliament had received directives from foreign countries, but that still having
a president is better than void. Newly elected president Aoun was widely seen as
the preferred choice of the United States, as well as regional heavyweight Saudi
Arabia. International pressure mounted ahead of the vote and U.S., Saudi and
French envoys visited Beirut in the run-up.
Before the vote Thursday, Bassil said votes for Aoun must be considered spoiled
because his election was unconstitutional as Lebanon's constitution does not
allow presidential candidates who have held high office in the previous two
years. He also said that the president is being imposed by foreign forces. The
FPM MPs later voted for "sovereignty and the constitution", as an objection to
foreign interference and the unconstitutionality of electing Aoun. "Aoun was
elected by Parliament, and we will deal with him with positivity and respect,"
Bassil told LBCI. "We support the subjects that he mentioned" in his
presidential speech, Bassil added. Aoun had vowed Thursday that the state would
have "a monopoly" on bearing weapons after a devastating war this fall between
Israel and Hezbollah. "I pledge to call for discussing a comprehensive defense
strategy... on the diplomatic, economic and military levels that will enable the
Lebanese state -- I repeat, the Lebanese state -- to remove the Israeli
occupation and deter its aggression," he said.
'So much work ahead': Mikati discusses Israeli violations,
new govt. with Aoun
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met Friday with newly elected president
Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. Mikati said he discussed with
the new president the situation in south Lebanon and stressed that the Israeli
army must completely withdraw from south Lebanon and stop violating the
ceasefire reached in November. Aoun faces the tasks of overseeing the fragile
ceasefire in the south and naming a prime minister capable of implementing the
reforms demanded by international creditors in return for a desperately needed
bailout. He said he would call for parliamentary consultations as soon as
possible on naming a new prime minister. Mikati and the caretaker ministers
remain in office until a new government is formed. "We still have so much work
ahead to save Lebanon," Mikati said from Baabda. Aoun vowed Thursday after his
election that the state would have "a monopoly" on bearing weapons. "I pledge to
call for discussing a comprehensive defense strategy... on the diplomatic,
economic and military levels that will enable the Lebanese state -- I repeat,
the Lebanese state -- to remove the Israeli occupation and deter its
aggression," he said.
After meeting Aoun, Mikati described the coming days as "a new phase,
particularly for the south." He said that from now on only the state will be
present in the south and in all Lebanese territories. "What do we expect from
the new president and the new government? Do we expect them to say that weapons
are legal for everyone?" Mikati rhetorically asked.
The war which ended in late November dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah, with
longtime leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah killed in an Israeli air strike. Under
the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese Army is to deploy alongside U.N.
peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws over a 60-day period.
Hezbollah is to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River -- some 30
kilometers from the border -- and dismantle any remaining military
infrastructure in the south. The army was not part of the 13-months conflict
between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict was initiated by Hezbollah over the
war in Gaza, but flared into an all-out war when Israel stepped up its bombing
campaign in September and later sent troops into Lebanon.
Geagea says Aoun 1st president outside 'Axis of Resistance' interference
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea celebrated the election of army chief Joseph
Aoun as president, ending a more than two-year vacancy. In an interview late
Thursday with MTV, Geagea said that Aoun is the first president to be elected
without the influence of the ousted Syrian regime and the "Axis of Resistance".
He hailed the new president for past achievements, like refusing to suppress the
Oct. 17 protests in 2019 and the army's unbiased reaction to the Tayouneh
clashes in 2021. Geagea said he was very relieved by Aoun's presidential speech
in which he vowed that the state will have "a monopoly" on bearing weapons. He
added that by electing Aoun, Lebanon will resume its neighborly relations with
Saudi Arabia and build a new era. The new president will call for parliamentary
consultations to name a new prime minister that would replace the incumbent
caretaker government. "Our candidates for the premiership are MPs Ashrad Rifi
and Fouad Makhzoumi," Geagea said.
Weakening of Hezbollah allowed Lebanon to fill vacant
presidency
Agence France Presse/January 10, 2025
The weakening of Hezbollah in last year's war with Israel allowed Lebanon's long
deadlocked parliament to reach consensus around a president who has the
confidence of the international community. Army chief Joseph Aoun, who was
elected on Thursday ending a more than two-year vacancy, signaled a readjustment
of Lebanon's foreign policy as the country works with international creditors to
forge a way out of six years of deepening financial crisis.
Deadlock in parliament between pro- and anti-Hezbollah blocs had stalemated a
dozen previous attempts to elect a president, leaving the country largely
rudderless in its efforts to secure an emergency bailout. But two months of
full-fledged war with Israel last fall dealt heavy blows to the Iran-backed
group, with its longtime leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah killed in a September
Israeli airstrike.Hezbollah also lost a strategic ally last month when
Islamist-led rebels ousted longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. Hezbollah's
"political defeat follows its devastating military defeat," said Hilal Khashan,
professor of political science at the American University of Beirut. Lina Khatib,
of Britain's Chatham House think tank, said it was "the first time since the end
of the Lebanese civil war (in 1990) that a Lebanese president is elected without
prior approval by Iran and by the ousted Syrian regime." "Hezbollah's acceptance
of Aoun's election underlines that it no longer dictates the political agenda,"
she told AFP. "The significant shift in the political status quo... is the
direct result of the larger geopolitical changes in the Middle East in which
Iran's influence in the region is ending."
Foreign backing -
The United States, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt had all lobbied heavily
for the election of Aoun to fill the presidential vacancy. "The role of the
quintet was decisive, particularly the last-minute support of Saudi Arabia," a
French diplomatic source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The kingdom had
appeared to lose interest in Lebanon in recent years as the influence of
Hezbollah and its Iranian sponsor grew. Aoun committed to "a policy of positive
neutrality" and better relations with Arab countries in his inaugural speech.
He also pledged a state monopoly on bearing arms, signaling difficult
discussions on disarming Hezbollah, which kept its weapons after the civil war
ended in 1990 to fight Israel's occupation of the south, which largely ended
with a 2000 withdrawal. A source close to Hezbollah and its ally the Amal
Movement of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told AFP that the two parties only
voted for Aoun after obtaining reassurances on the reinforcement of the
ceasefire with Israel "and the name of the next army chief."
'Right leader for this time' -
In the first round of voting on Thursday, Aoun failed to secure the required
two-thirds majority, but after meeting with representatives of Hezbollah and
Amal, he achieved that in the second round with 99 of the 128 votes cast.
Analysts say the army's central role in implementing the November 27 ceasefire
was a key factor in Aoun's rise to the presidency. U.S. President Joe Biden said
on Thursday that Aoun was "the right leader for this time" and would provide
"critical leadership" in overseeing the truce. Under the terms of the ceasefire,
the army is deploying in the south as Israeli troops withdraw. Hezbollah is
required to dismantle its remaining military infrastructure in the area and pull
its forces back north of the Litani River, around 30 kilometers (20 miles) from
the border. Khashan said it was now down to Aoun with his military background to
persuade Hezbollah to lay down its remaining weapons. "Only a president hailing
from the army can disarm Hezbollah, especially after Israel destroyed more than
80 percent of its military hardware," he said.
At this stage, "Hezbollah has no option but to transform itself into a political
party without a military component."
UNIFIL Supports Lebanese Army Redeployment in South Following Israeli Withdrawal
This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed its support on
Friday “for the redeployment of the Lebanese army in the south-western sector of
Lebanon, once the Israeli army has withdrawn from this area, including the
removal of unexploded ordnance and rubble.”In a statement published on its X
account, UNIFIL also pledged “to support the cessation of hostilities and the
implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 to restore stability” in
Lebanon, especially on the border with Israel. Since the ceasefire between
Lebanon and Israel came into effect on November 27, the Lebanese army has begun
redeploying to five localities in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil cazas.
Regional and International Support for Joseph Aoun's
Presidency
Bassam Abou Zeid/This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
The President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, enjoys significant regional and
international support, notably from Saudi Arabia and the United States. Major
European powers such as France, the United Kingdom and Germany also back the
president. The Vatican, for its part, has expressed satisfaction with the
election results.
This regional and international support is expected to increase with the
formation of a government whose president, composition and ministerial
declaration follow the roadmap laid out by President Aoun in his inauguration
speech. The document covers several areas but ultimately aims to rebuild the
state and dissociate Lebanon from any internal or external conflicts. President
Aoun has been clear on this matter, emphasizing positive neutrality and the
state's monopoly over weapons. In this context, some reports suggest that the
regional and international sponsors involved will also propose the individual
they deem qualified to form the government and accompany President Aoun at the
start of his term. They expect this government to accomplish three main tasks:
• Implement international resolutions 1701, 1680 and 1559, make the ceasefire in
southern Lebanon a sustainable solution, resolve border disputes with Israel,
and revive the armistice agreement.
• Undertake reforms at the administrative, economic and financial levels,
particularly by developing a recovery plan that would prioritize addressing bank
deposits and restore confidence in the Lebanese banking sector.
• Organize the 2026 legislative elections on time, according to a new electoral
law if possible, to ensure better representation. Sources close to the Lebanese
file believe that the success of his first government will allow President Aoun
to strengthen his credibility both nationally and internationally and to ensure
the implementation of the Taif Agreement. This success could also make Lebanon a
key player in the region again, especially in terms of investments, particularly
if the country makes oil or gas discoveries. These sources also emphasize that
the countries concerned with the situation in Lebanon will do whatever is
necessary to ensure the new administration completes its tasks without
hindrance. These same actors are determined to counter any attempts at
destabilization, both internal and external.
Southern Lebanon: Tensions Persist as Ceasefire Deadline
Approaches
This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
Following the election of Lebanon's new president, all eyes are now on the
southern region, with only 16 days remaining until the expiration of the
ceasefire agreement, which was enacted on November 27.
Developments on the Ground
Following airstrikes targeting southern Lebanese towns, the village of Aita al-Shaab
was struck by artillery fire on Friday morning, followed by air raids and a
large-scale military sweep of the area. In addition, Israeli forces have
mobilized in the area linking Tallet al-Hamames in Serda to the Metula
settlement in northern Israel. Further Israeli units were deployed on Thursday
night around Lebanese Army positions near Kouzah, Debel and Aita al-Shaab.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army has been awaiting approval from the supervisory
committee to regain control of its facilities in the region. Israeli drone
surveillance was also observed over Beirut and its suburbs earlier on Friday, as
well as over the Hermel area. A Lebanese army unit, accompanied by a bulldozer
and a Lebanese Red Cross team, headed into the town of Aitaroun. Furthermore, an
Israeli drone targeted a van in the town of Tayrdaba, Tyre district. The
Ministry of Public Health issued a statement announcing that the raid resulted
in the deaths of six people and the injury of two others.
Israeli Media Reports
According to Maariv, an Israeli newspaper, “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have
insisted that the Israeli Army maintain its positions in three strategic areas
in southern Lebanon, even after the ceasefire ends.” According to the report,
this stance would be opposed by outgoing US President Joe Biden but supported by
President Donald Trump. The report further suggests that the election of
President Joseph Aoun “could heighten international pressure from the United
States and other Western and Arab nations on Israel to fully withdraw from
Lebanese territory.”Moreover, The Jerusalem Post quoted an Israeli official
expressing concerns that “Israeli authorities fear Hezbollah may resume fighting
if the Israeli Army does not withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 27.”Since
the ceasefire’s implementation, no direct confrontations have been reported
between Israeli and Hezbollah forces. However, both each side has accused the
other of violating the ceasefire's terms. As reported by The Jerusalem Post,
“while the Biden Administration has confirmed that the Lebanese Army's
deployment is progressing as planned, Israeli officials have highlighted the
slow pace of this operation.” The report adds that, “should the Lebanese Army
fail to dismantle Hezbollah,” Israel may be “compelled to remain in southern
Lebanon.”
UN Allocates $30 Million for Crisis Response in Lebanon
This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, announced
on Friday the allocation of $30 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to
address urgent needs arising from the recent escalation of hostilities. This
funding aims to assist affected individuals, including displaced people and
those returning to areas devastated by conflict. In his statement, Riza
emphasized the fund's unwavering commitment to crisis response. “The Lebanon
Humanitarian Fund has not hesitated to support the displaced and those impacted
by the conflict,” he said. “Even at the height of hostilities, it was among the
first responders to provide funding to meet urgent needs swiftly.”
The recent surge in hostilities has resulted in significant human loss and
widespread destruction of homes and critical civilian infrastructure, including
essential services like healthcare, water and sanitation facilities. Riza
described the humanitarian aid as “an essential lifeline for individuals and
communities affected by hostilities.” He added, “This allocation enables us to
support those returning to their damaged areas as well as those who remain
displaced.”This $30 million funding will empower humanitarian organizations,
both local and international, to provide assistance across several vital
sectors.
These include food security through the delivery of essential supplies; shelter
through the rehabilitation of damaged homes and provision of temporary housing
solutions; and healthcare by strengthening facilities and ensuring access to
emergency medical services.
Efforts will also focus on improving water and sanitation services to provide
clean water and safe facilities, while supporting education to ensure children
affected by the crisis can continue their studies. Protection services will be
provided to vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. Riza highlighted
the importance of local engagement, stating that “the response will focus on
prioritizing local and community efforts to ensure we can reach the most
vulnerable.” “As humanitarian efforts continue, cooperation between all
stakeholders remains essential to address the urgent needs of the most
vulnerable populations,” Riza concluded.
Lebanon Files Complaint to UN Security Council Over Israeli
Violations
This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, in coordination with the
Ministry of Agriculture, has instructed on Friday Lebanon’s permanent mission to
the United Nations in New York to file a formal complaint to the UN Security
Council.
The move comes in response to what Lebanon describes as continuous Israeli
violations targeting the agricultural and livestock sectors, despite the
declared cessation of hostilities.
The complaint outlined several significant violations, which Lebanon claims
constitute clear breaches of international law and pose a direct threat to the
country's sovereignty and food security. Among the incidents listed were the
destruction of olive and citrus groves, the damage to agricultural roads and
infrastructure in southern Lebanon, and the demolition of the Wadi Al-Houjeir
plant propagation project, which was supported by the World Food Programme and
the European Union. The complaint also highlighted the targeting of the fishing
port in Naqoura and the abduction of a Lebanese shepherd.
The Lebanese government has called on the Security Council to take immediate
action to halt these violations, protect the rights of affected farmers and
fishermen, and safeguard their livelihoods. Lebanon further urged the Council to
hold Israel accountable for its actions and demand compensation for all damages
inflicted on the agricultural sector and other affected areas. It also appealed
to member states of the Security Council, particularly those sponsoring the
cessation of hostilities agreement, to adopt a firm and unequivocal stance
regarding Israel’s repeated violations of the terms of the agreement.
Joseph Aoun Visits Bechara Rai in Bkerke
This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
Newly elected President Joseph Aoun visited the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerkeh
on Friday evening, where he was warmly received by Maronite Patriarch Bechara
Rai. The Patriarch congratulated Aoun on his election and expressed his hopes
for the success of the commitments outlined in his inaugural address. Aoun was
received at the main entrance by Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Antoine Awkar and
Bkerkeh’s director of media and protocol, attorney Walid Ghayyad. The two men
then proceeded to the grand salon for a commemorative photo session before
engaging in a private meeting that lasted an hour.
During the meeting, Rai praised the content of Aoun's inaugural address,
describing it as “a roadmap for Lebanon’s salvation.” He also highlighted the
broad local, Arab, and international support for Aoun’s election, which he said
would aid in achieving the desired reforms. "The joy of the Lebanese people in
your election reflects their trust in you as a person and in your national
stances, which they have witnessed during your various responsibilities,
especially your leadership of the army," said Rai.Aoun thanked the Patriarch for
his continued support throughout his tenure as head of the military institution,
and expressed confidence that this support would continue during his presidency.
The two also discussed the country’s general situation and the steps Aoun plans
to take in the coming phase. Before leaving, Aoun met with the bishops of the
patriarchal seat, who also congratulated him on his election.Rai personally
escorted Aoun to the outer entrance of the Patriarchate, once again wishing him
success and prosperity in his new role.
According to press sources, Aoun did not spend the night at the presidential
palace following his visit to Bkerkeh.
Israel expects increased pressure for its withdrawal after
Aoun's election
Naharnet/January 10, 2025
U.S. and Israeli officials believe that Joseph Aoun’s election as president in
Lebanon “will increase the pressure on Israel to complete the withdrawal of its
forces from south Lebanon by the end of January,” Israel’s Walla news portal has
reported. Lebanese media reports have recently said that Israel would withdraw
its forces from south Lebanon by January 27 but would keep control of three
strategic hills inside Lebanon. Israel intends to build “military bases” on the
three hills, the reports said.
Are We Witnessing the Rise of Another Fouad Chehab?
Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/January 10, 2025
In Lebanon, history tends to repeat itself in times of crisis, seldom during
moments of progress, as we have grown accustomed to hardship that we often
forget the fleeting moments of light. However, one cannot help but notice the
striking similarities between the newly elected President Joseph Aoun and one of
the pillars of Lebanon's First Republic, Fouad Chehab. Fouad Chehab, whose
presidency marked a turning point in the actual construction of Lebanon’s
institutions and one of the most significant phases in the country’s
state-building, played a pivotal role in shaping the First Republic and the
Lebanese State. He succeeded in establishing a legacy that has endured beyond
his time, leaving a lasting influence even after the era he helped define. Fouad
Chehab ascended to power in the wake of the 1958 major crisis, which erupted
over the potential extension of President Camille Chamoun’s mandate, protests
against the political conditions of Muslims and the widespread unrest triggered
by the declaration of the Arab Republic under Gamal Abdel Nasser. Fouad Chehab
was elected president after leading the Army, which refrained from engaging in
internal conflicts. As a result, he became the embodiment of dialogue and
reconciliation, taking on the presidency without seeking personal gain. Joseph
Aoun’s rise to power comes at a time strikingly similar to that of his
predecessor. He ascends following a major crisis and a devastating war,
affecting both the South and all of Lebanon, and amid years of political power
struggles fueled by the arrogance of the Amal/Hezbollah duo, who monopolized
power and treated others as if they were invisible. His election today reflects
the difficult circumstances that Lebanon and the entire region have faced,
signaling a potential return to stability in the Middle East after decades of
conflict. Like Fouad Chehab before him, he represents a solution to the crisis,
albeit without the strong popular backing Chehab had in 1958. However, if he
succeeds in breaking through the barriers of Lebanon’s crises and delivers
tangible accomplishments, he will emerge more popular than ever, carving a path
as a leader in a time when Christian leaderships are dwindling.Joseph Aoun is
presented with a historic opportunity to rebuild the institutions that were
destroyed and to restore the political and administrative order established
during Fouad Chehab's era. Yet, the most significant factor is humility. Fouad
Chehab entered office with humility and left in the same way, never standing in
the way of democracy or the state's progress. If, like Chehab, you embody this
humility, history will remember you as the one who brought Lebanon into the
Third Republic, through the oath of office that ultimately became the
Constitution itself.
Lebanese
Information Center Statement/On the Election of President Joseph Aoun
January 09/2025
The Lebanese Information Center (LIC) extends its heartfelt congratulations to
the people of Lebanon on the historic election of General Joseph Aoun as
President of the Lebanese Republic.
We also wish to express our deepest gratitude to the United States for its
invaluable support throughout this process - leading, for the first time in
decades, to an election notably free from external hostile influences. American
engagement and partnership have been instrumental in promoting Lebanon’s
security, sovereignty, and democratic governance. We are confident that
continued U.S. support will help safeguard this progress, as well as foster
further reforms in the months and years ahead.
President Aoun’s inaugural speech, outlining the following key priorities,
resonates strongly with the core principles and recommendations the LIC has been
advocating for in its policy papers over the past two years:
Sovereignty and Hezbollah Demilitarization
Monopoly of Arms by the State
Defensive Strategy and Border Control
Economic and Banking Reform
Return of Syrian Refugees
Decentralization and Good Governance
The LIC believes that these priorities - when implemented resolutely - will
guide Lebanon toward genuine sovereignty, economic revival, and robust state
institutions. We stand ready to support and collaborate with all stakeholders,
domestic and international, to help realize President Aoun’s vision for a free,
united, and flourishing Lebanon.
Once again, we congratulate President Joseph Aoun on his election and commend
the Lebanese people on this historic step. We also thank the United States and
other international partners for their ongoing support and encourage the global
community to remain steadfast in helping Lebanon fulfill its potential as a
sovereign, democratic, and prosperous nation.
Japan
congratulates Lebanon on electing new President
Arab News/January 10, 2025
TOKYO: The Government of Japan said it congratulates Lebanon on the election of
the new President Joseph Aoun on January 9. A statement by the Foreign Ministry
said while Lebanon has been facing difficult situations such as a prolonged
economic crisis and the exchange of attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, the
election of a new President is an important step toward stability and
development of the country. “Japan once again strongly demands all parties
concerned to fully implement the ceasefire agreement between Israel and
Lebanon,” the statement added. The ministry also said that Japan will continue
to support Lebanon’s efforts on achieving social and economic stability in the
country as well as stability in the Middle East region.
A new era and a golden opportunity for Lebanon
Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoors/Arab News/January 10, 2025
The election of Gen. Joseph Aoun as president of Lebanon marks the dawn of a new
era, one brimming with hope for a nation burdened by decades of compounded
crises. This election is not merely a step toward ending a prolonged
constitutional vacuum, it is also the beginning of a pivotal phase loaded with
both challenges and opportunities, demanding wise leadership and a clear vision
to achieve security and prosperity for Lebanon. From the outset, Aoun has
demonstrated that he is a leader of transparency and clarity. His words after he
took the oath were devoid of the usual diplomatic platitudes, and reflected an
honest character and a deep love of his country. His vision is precise, and his
goals are firmly set, prioritizing the restoration of security and rebuilding
Lebanon’s institutions on solid foundations that serve its people and deliver
justice. In his address, Aoun emphasized the importance of restoring the state’s
authority and reinforcing its sovereignty — essential foundations for building a
secure future. His discourse on institutional reform underscored his commitment
to strengthening the state and restoring public trust. Furthermore, he
highlighted the significance of national unity and the vital role of youth in
driving change, offering hope for Lebanon’s revival through the participation of
all its components.
Lebanon today faces numerous predicaments, but these very challenges could be a
launchpad for reconstruction. Rebuilding trust between the state and its people
requires tangible steps to combat corruption and enhance transparency —
principles that Aoun reinforced when he said: “Lebanon will only rise through
the hands of its loyal citizens.”
Moreover, the implementation of international mandates — such as UN Security
Resolutions 1559 and 1701, which require, among other things, the withdrawal of
foreign forces from Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah — will be crucial
in establishing stability and distancing Lebanon from regional power struggles.
Aoun’s firm stance that Lebanon “will not be a battleground for settling scores”
renews hope for a sovereign and independent national future, free from regional
tensions.
At this pivotal juncture in Lebanon’s history, appointing a competent prime
minister is an urgent priority. This individual must possess both economic
expertise and integrity, someone capable of spearheading economic reform and
attracting investments to restore trust in state institutions. Such an
appointment will lay the groundwork for a comprehensive plan to return Lebanon
to a path of growth and stability.
Lebanon has always been a beacon of culture, diversity, and tolerance, and, God
willing, it will reclaim its rightful place. Aoun recognizes the essential role
of Gulf nations in supporting Lebanon’s renaissance and has called upon them to
return and invest in its economic recovery. This call is not solely economic: it
is an expression of gratitude and appreciation for the vital role the Gulf has
historically played in Lebanon’s development.
As one of Lebanon’s largest investors and a lifelong admirer of this beautiful
country, I echo the president’s invitation. I urge Arab, Gulf, and capable
Lebanese investors to seize this opportunity to contribute to Lebanon’s
reconstruction. I am confident that this appeal will be met with enthusiasm and
support. With the united efforts of all who cherish Lebanon, we can transform
challenges into opportunities and restore its status as a hub for investment and
culture. Aoun’s election is a landmark moment in Lebanon’s history. His honest
leadership and transparent approach inspire hope for a brighter future. However,
realizing this hope requires collective effort and serious action.
Lebanon deserves the best, and with firm leadership and the support of its
people and allies, a nation worthy of its history and stature can be rebuilt.
Let this new era be a golden opportunity for a fresh start, and let us always
remember that hope is built on action and dedication.
• Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoor is a prominent UAE businessman and chairman of the Al-Habtoor
Group and Dubai National Insurance and Reinsurance Company. X: @KhalafAlHabtoor
Uniting the Lebanese is Aoun’s most important mission
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/January 10, 2025
After a heated parliamentary debate, army chief Joseph Aoun was on Thursday
elected as Lebanon’s president, more than two years after the post was last
occupied. This is not the first time the head of the military has become the
country’s president — this was also the case with Emile Lahoud and Michel
Suleiman. Even Aoun’s predecessor, Michel Aoun (no relation), was formerly in
the military role, but well before the start of his presidency. Despite this
being positive news, Lebanon now needs to break free of the cycles of the past
that have drowned it in chaos and mediocrity. The new president needs to ask
some tough questions: How can his mandate change the situation in Lebanon for
the better? How can he make sure to enhance people’s daily lives? How can he
reduce security risks? How can he turn around the economic situation? How can he
rebuild the country and keep it this way? This is not his responsibility alone
and now we can also add to the mix the need for a prime minister, but the
questions will still be the same. One thing is certain: keeping the old system
afloat will leave Lebanon as a small ship lost at sea, being hit by waves and
navigating aimlessly. This is why Joseph Aoun needs to be courageous enough to
push ahead with an agenda of transforming the country. There needs to be a new
vision, strategy and political roadmap. If his election was once again a result
of a regional equilibrium, the switch needs to happen so that foreign support
and collaborations are solicited for the building of the state and not to solve
domestic problems. Regional actors understand this need more than international
ones and know that this is the real change that is expected. The “Libanization”
of the political process is the slogan to follow. Hence, Aoun needs to propose a
national dialogue for the transformation of the country. The status quo in the
operation of the institutions needs to be stopped. There needs to be a complete
overhaul of the state and the way it serves its people. Lebanon needs a new
constitution and better management of the state apparatus.
The new president needs to be courageous enough to push ahead with an agenda of
transforming the country. It is more the symbol of the president that is needed
than its actual constitutional role. A president who will do the same as his
predecessors will be leading the country over the precipice. Hence, Aoun should
initiate a national dialogue and present real plans for reform, focusing on
constitutional and structural changes. This must start with the security and
geopolitical stability of the country. This is why sovereignty needs to be
reasserted.
Regardless of the deadlines and the outcome of the military confrontation with
Israel, Hezbollah still has enough weapons to continue threatening the Lebanese.
It is even, as expected, hinting at a repeat of May 7, 2008, when its forces
invaded Beirut, if the political pressure increases. This cannot be permitted to
happen again, simply because, this time, the reaction will come from beyond the
borders of Lebanon and will lead to a sectarian conflict of extreme violence. It
will throw Lebanon into a no-man’s-land of military confrontation.
Moreover, Lebanon can no longer claim or say that it is a hostage of Hezbollah.
The new president, as a symbol of the country, will need to rally the population
to massively push the demand that Hezbollah immediately disarms. Reminiscent of
the great crowds that forced the Syrian military out in 2005, it is time to
finish the job and eradicate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ influence in
Lebanon. This is a historic opportunity.
It is also urgent to do so. I recently watched a viral social media clip of
Lebanese children from different minorities debating about the country. From all
sides, these children are being robbed of their childhoods and thrown into
confrontation and biased thinking. It is another generation that is being pushed
to the edge. Notably, the most worrying element is the indoctrination and
recruitment of youth that is being pushed by Hezbollah. The minorities that
constitute Lebanon are so entrenched in their own culture that it has become
difficult to envision a nation. And this truth came from these children.
Aoun should initiate a national dialogue and present real plans for reform,
focusing on constitutional and structural changes
When watching this clip, I felt sad for a child who had lost his father, who was
part of Hezbollah, and had been brainwashed into saying that his goal was to be
a martyr and that he was already undergoing military training. How can we let
this dangerous indoctrination happen? How can we let our children see death as
an objective of life? We need to stop allowing extremism to be taught and be the
culture of the country. A transformation into pursuing happiness and prosperity
needs to take place. We can say whatever we want, but ultimately Lebanon’s
failure is our fault and no one else’s. No longer can we hide behind
geopolitical shifts or find excuses in being the confrontation playground of
international powers. This is the time to change how the country shapes its
future. We are at a crossroads and this time we can either hold our mandate or
let it slip away like in the past. This is the most important mission that
Joseph Aoun should initiate. The mission is to bring the people together for the
true independence of Lebanon and to defeat the enemies from outside and within
who do not want to see this happen. I believe this is a make-or-break situation
— yes, it can always get worse — for the country. International powers need to
support this transformation and no other. I hope that, when we listen to
children 10 or 15 years from now, they will have been granted the simple right
of being children and nothing else. Moreover, the cedar flag will have their
sole and exclusive loyalty.
• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused
investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.
Many reasons for optimism about Syria and Lebanon
Faisal J. Abbas/Arab News/January 10, 2025
They say all good things come to an end, and surely the same argument applies to
bad things too. At least this is what we have noticed recently in both Syria and
Lebanon. In December, Syrians got rid of the brutal Assad regime, which governed
with terror, torture, and tyranny for over five decades. The regime was replaced
by a transitional government led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu
Mohammed Al-Golani, leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. Yesterday, Lebanon — another
failed Arab state — elected a president, Gen. Joseph Aoun, after a two-year
vacuum, its first freely elected head of state since 1990, with no influence or
pressure from the Syrian regime or from Hezbollah. Yes, it could be argued that
the rise of both Al-Sharaa and Aoun was a direct result of a weakened Iranian
proxy influence in the Levant. However, a power vacuum does not always guarantee
the rise of a better alternative. In fact, in many cases throughout history, it
has brought chaos and even worse regimes. It is too early to judge the new
leaders of Syria and Lebanon by their actions. But at least when it comes to
their words, one cannot help but raise one’s hat to the truly refreshing pledges
and reassuring promises made by both Al-Sharaa and Aoun. Al-Sharaa, who many
feared would turn Syria into an ideological Islamist state given his background,
has taken everyone by surprise by pledging inclusivity, guaranteeing minority
rights, and saying that the West has nothing to fear from Syria. He even went on
to say that the country is in no condition to wage wars and wants to focus on
reconstruction and rebuilding.
In the Middle East, we — rightly — believe that actions speak louder than words.
However, for now, the words from both Al-Sharaa and Aoun are exactly what we
have waited a long time to hear.
Even though Al-Sharaa technically has absolute power, he was adamant to repeat
during several media interviews that he would leave legislation to the
legislators, and called for an urgent national dialogue to ensure a new
constitution is written.
Not too long after that, Aoun was elected as president. Not wasting any time, he
immediately made his mandate clear: “Lebanon will no longer be a country for
mafias, drug trafficking, or money laundering.” A reassuring message to Gulf and
Arab countries.
He also made it clear that he would not negotiate on Lebanese sovereignty. Only
the state will bear arms and only the army has the right to protect Lebanese
borders, and he will stand up to any Israeli intrusions. This is a direct
message to any militants or so-called resistance groups that decide to take the
law into their own hands.
For the Lebanese themselves, they heard exactly what they needed to hear: “If
one of us falls, we all fall. There will be no immunity for criminals or corrupt
individuals. No interference in the judiciary.”
Perhaps in the Middle East, we — rightly — believe that actions speak louder
than words, considering we have been disappointed many times in the past.
However, nobody can deny that, for now, the words from both Al-Sharaa and Aoun
are exactly what we have waited a long time to hear. Their actions must follow
suit, but if both leaders are sincere and committed to their vision, it is very
clear that they will get full support from Riyadh and beyond.
What is also reassuring is that in both cases, Syria and Lebanon, it is
virtually impossible for what comes next to be worse than what was. For now, we
can rejoice that the leaders of both countries are at least sounding like true
statesmen, and for that they deserve for us to wish them the best of luck.
**Faisal J. Abbas is the editor in chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on January
10-11/2025
Israel
bombs power station, two ports in Houthi-controlled Yemen
Clauda Tanios and Tala
Ramadan/Reuters/January 10, 2025
DUBAI (Reuters) -Israeli warplanes bombed a power station and two ports in
Houthi-controlled Yemen on Friday in further retaliation for Houthi drone and
missile strikes against Israel, and pro-Houthi media said at least three people
were injured.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia "are paying and will continue to pay a heavy
price for their aggression against us", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said. Thirteen airstrikes targeted the Hezyaz central power station in
Yemen's capital Sanaa, said Al Masirah TV, the main news outlet run by the
Houthis. "Three citizens were injured, including a worker at the Hezyaz ...
station in Sanhan District, and a number of homes were damaged," it said.
Earlier, British security firm Ambrey said airstrikes on the Red Sea port
of Ras Issa targeted oil storage facilities in the vicinity of shipping berths,
though no merchant vessels were reported to have been damaged. Al Masirah
reported a series of airstrikes on Ras Issa and six other airstrikes on the
major port of Hodeidah, while Harf Sufyan District in Amran province also came
under air attack. mAn Israeli military statement confirmed the targets, saying
the Hezyaz power station served as a "central source of energy for the Houthi
terrorist regime in its military activities". It added that the targets struck
were examples of the "Houthis' exploitation of civilian infrastructure". Within
the past 48 hours, the Houthis fired three drones at Israel's commercial hub Tel
Aviv and more drones and missiles at the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S.
Truman in the Red Sea, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said. The
Houthis have targeted Israel, hundreds of kilometres (miles) to the north as
well as international shipping in waters near Yemen since November 2023 in
support of Palestinian militants at war with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Israel
has responded with airstrikes in Houthi-held areas of Yemen, as have British and
U.S. forces in the region. Netanyahu said last month Israel was only at the
beginning of its campaign against the Houthis.
Israeli military confirms
hostage killed alongside father in Gaza
Reuters/January 10, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israel confirmed on Friday that the remains of a hostage found killed
in Gaza were of Hamza Ziyadne, the son of deceased hostage Youssef Ziyadne,
whose body was found beside him in an underground tunnel near the southern city
of Rafah. Israeli forces continued on Friday to pound Gaza, with Palestinian
medics saying at least 15 people had been killed, including a journalist for
Cairo-based Al-Ghad TV who had been covering an incident at Nuseirat refugee
camp in central Gaza. There was no immediate comment on the latest fighting from
Israeli’s military, which earlier announced it had concluded forensic tests to
identify Hamza Ziyadne, an Israeli Bedouin taken hostage by Hamas-led fighters
alongside his father and two of his siblings. It said earlier this week that the
body of Hamza’s father Youssef had been recovered close to those of armed guards
from Islamist group Hamas or another Palestinian militant group and there were
indications that Hamza may also have been killed. There was no immediate comment
from Hamas although the group’s armed wing told Qatar’s Al-Jazeera news network
that most of the hostages in northern Gaza were now considered missing because
of intense Israeli strikes there. The left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz
reported that the Israeli military has said it suspected Hamza and Youssef were
killed in one of its strikes, given their bodies were found next to those of
dead militants. A military spokesperson said this week that Youssef Ziyadne had
not died recently.The military declined to comment on the cause of the hostages’
deaths.
EFFORTS TO END FIGHTING
Mediators Qatar, the United States and Egypt are making new efforts to reach a
deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and free the remaining hostages before
President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. The Hostages and Missing
Family Forum, which represents most of the families, renewed its call on the
Israeli government to conclude a deal with Hamas and bring back the hostages,
saying Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne could have been saved through an earlier
agreement. The negotiations have been at an impasse for a year over two key
issues. Hamas has said it will only free its remaining hostages if Israel agrees
to end the war and withdraw all its troops from Gaza. Israel says it will not
end the war until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are free. Israeli defense
minister Israel Katz on Friday instructed the military to present a plan for the
“total defeat” of Hamas in Gaza if it does not release the hostages before
Trump’s inauguration. It was not clear how such a plan would differ from
existing Israeli military plans. “We must not be dragged into a war of attrition
against Hamas in Gaza, while the hostages remain in the tunnels, putting their
lives at risk and suffering severely,” he told senior commanders, according to a
defense ministry statement. Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip after
Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people
and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then,
more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian
health officials, with much of the enclave laid waste and most of its people —
displaced multiple times — facing acute shortages of food and medicine due to
Israel’s actions, humanitarian agencies say.
West Bank family wants justice
for children killed in Israel strike
AFP/January 11, 2025
TAMMUN, Plestinian Territories: Batoul Bsharat was playing with her
eight-year-old brother Reda in their village in the occupied West Bank. Moments
later, an Israeli drone strike killed him and two of their cousins. “It was the
first time in our lives that we played without arguing. It meant so much to me,”
the 10-year-old said as she sat on the concrete ledge outside the family home in
the northern village of Tammun where they had been playing on Wednesday. At her
feet, a crater no wider than two fists marked where the missile hit. The wall
behind her is pockmarked with shrapnel impacts, and streaks of blood still stain
the ledge. Besides Reda, Hamza, 10, and Adam, 23, were also killed. The Israeli
army said on Wednesday that it had struck “a terrorist cell” in Tammun but later
promised an investigation into the civilian deaths. Batoul puts on a brave face
but is heartbroken at the loss of her younger brother. “Just before he was
martyred, he started kissing and hugging me,” she said. “I miss my brother so
much. He was the best thing in the world.” Her cousin Obay, 16, brother of Adam,
was the first to come out and find the bodies before Israeli soldiers came to
take them away. “I went outside and saw the three of them lying on the ground,”
he said. “I tried to lift them, but the army came and didn’t allow us to get
close.” Obay said his elder brother had just returned from a pilgrimage to
Makkah. “Adam and I were like best friends. We had so many shared moments
together. Now I can’t sleep,” he said, staring into the distance, bags under his
eyes. Obay said the soldiers made him lie on the ground while they searched the
house and confiscated cellphones before leaving with the bodies on stretchers.
Later on Wednesday, the army returned the bodies, which were then laid to rest.
On Thursday, Obay’s father, Khaireddin, and his brothers received condolences
from neighbors. Despite his pain, he said things could have been worse as the
family home hosts many children.“Usually, about six or seven kids are playing
together, so if the missile had struck when they were all there, it could have
been 10 children,” he said. Khaireddin was at work at a quarry in the Jordan
Valley when he heard the news. Adam had chosen to stay home and rest after his
pilgrimage to Makkah. He described his son as “an exceptional young man,
respectful, well-mannered and upright,” who had “nothing to do with any
resistance or armed groups.”Khaireddin, like the rest of the Bsharat family,
said he could not comprehend why his home had been targeted. “We are a simple
family, living ordinary lives. We have no affiliations with any sides or
movements.”Violence has soared in the West Bank since war broke out in Gaza with
the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023. Israeli troops or settlers have killed at
least 825 Palestinians in the territory, according to Health Ministry figures.
As the Israeli army has stepped up its raids on West Bank cities and refugee
camps, it has also intensified its use of air strikes, which were once a rarity.
A day before the Bsharat home was hit, a similar strike had struck Tammun.
Khaireddin regrets that the army made “no apology or acknowledgment of their
mistake.”“This is the current reality — there is no accountability. Who can we
turn to for justice?“
France summons Iranian ambassador over hostages
Reuters/January 10, 2025
PARIS (Reuters) -France summoned Iran’s ambassador on Friday to protest over the
case of three of its citizens whose detention conditions the foreign ministry
said were akin to torture. The ministry described the French nationals as
"hostages of the state of the Islamic republic of Iran"."Their situation is
unbearable, with undignified detention conditions that, for some, constitute
torture under international law," it said, reiterating that French nationals are
advised not to travel to Iran. Officials in France have hardened their tone
towards Iran in recent weeks over issues like Tehran's nuclear programme,
regional activities and the detention of European citizens. They say that
conditions for progress on talks with Iran on bilateral or multilateral issues
will be dependent on the release of the hostages. Senior French, British and
German diplomats will meet with their Iranian counterparts on Monday in Geneva
to discuss bilateral issues and more notably the future of nuclear talks ahead
of the return of Donald Trump to the White House on Jan. 20. France's foreign
minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday that the situation of three French
citizens held in Iran was worsening. In recent years, Iran's Revolutionary
Guards have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, often on charges
related to espionage and security. Rights groups have accused Iran of attempting
to extract concessions from other countries through the arrests. According to
diplomatic sources, about 20 European citizens from 10 countries are being held
in Iran.
Stampede at central Damascus
mosque kills four: health official
AFP/January 10, 2025
DAMASCUS: A stampede at the landmark Umayyad Mosque in Syria’s capital on Friday
killed four people, a Damascus health official told state media. “Damascus
Health Director Dr. Mohammed Akram Maatouq announced that the final toll from
the unfortunate stampede that occurred today in the Great Umayyad Mosque and its
surroundings is four dead and 16 injured,” a statement carried by state news
agency SANA said. Earlier, Damascus Governor Maher Marwan had told SANA that the
deadly crush took place “during a civilian event at the mosque.” A photographer
who collaborates with AFP and was at the site of the stampede saw large crowds
gathered near the mosque because free meals were being handed out. Ghina, who
was at the mosque to attend Friday prayers, said she saw “people carrying an
elderly woman with blood dripping from her face,” adding that she appeared
dead.The Al-Watan newspaper said the stampede happened during the distribution
of free meals by a social media personality. A YouTuber called Chef Abu Omar,
who has a restaurant in Istanbul, had earlier posted a video of preparations for
the distribution of free meals at the Ummayyad Mosque. Italian Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani had visited the mosque in the morning.
Tajani says Syrian leader pledged to stop ‘illegal
immigration’
Reuters/January 11, 2025
BEIRUT: Syria’s new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa told visiting Italian Foreign
Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday that he was ready to stem “illegal
immigration” to Europe, the European diplomat said. “Al-Sharaa says he is ready
to block illegal immigration, (and) fight against drug traffickers,” Tajani said
in the Lebanese capital, the second leg of his trip, adding these were “two
crucial commitments for Italy.”Tajani said he had called for a moratorium on EU
sanctions on Syria for six months or one year. However, Tajani added that
“lifting sanctions is not a national decision. They are a European bloc
decision.”Tajani also met his new counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani, after which the
Syrian official said he would soon make his first official tour of Europe. “I am
pleased to announce my intention to head a high-level delegation on a foreign
tour that includes a number of European countries,” he said. Al-Shaibani has
already visited Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Jordan since the start of the
month. Tajani arrived after hosting talks with European counterparts and US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Rome on Thursday, where Tajani said they
are seeking a “stable and united Syria.”The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja
Kallas earlier on Friday said the 27-nation bloc could begin lifting sanctions
if Syria’s new rulers took steps to form an inclusive government that protects
minorities.
Turkey says Syria should be given chance to address Kurdish
militant presence
Reuters/January 10, 2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press conference in
Istanbul
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday that
the new Syrian administration should be given an opportunity to address the
presence of Kurdish militants in the country, and reiterated that the Turkish
military would act if it did not.Since the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad
last month by rebels - some of which have been backed by Turkey for years -
Ankara has repeatedly said the Kurdish YPG militia must disband, lay down its
weapons, and have its foreign fighters leave Syria.
"We see that there is an agenda in the new administration to end the occupation
and terror that the YPG has created in the region," Fidan told a press
conference in Istanbul. "We believe that an
opportunity needs to be given to them to realise this. We are waiting for this
now," he said, without saying how long Turkey would wait. Ankara has threatened
to mount a military operation against the Kurdish forces, which control Syria's
northeast, if its demands are not met. Turkey considers the YPG, which
spearheads the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a terrorist
organisation linked to militants waging a decades-old insurgency against the
Turkish state. Washington considers them a key ally battling Islamic State.
Fidan said he did not expect any problems with the United States in
counter-terrorism in Syria despite its support for the YPG, even if this was a
matter for the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Ankara,
he said, is reviewing its presence in parts of northern Syria where it controls
territory after several cross-border incursions against the YPG. "We are in a
new period... (and) our presence there will have to, God willing, evolve into a
different dimension if everything goes well," he said. Asked about the role of
Russia in Syria and the fate of its military bases in coastal Syria, Fidan said
he believed Moscow had taken a "very rational" decision by cutting its support
for Assad amid the rebels' advance toward Damascus. The future of its air and
naval bases depended on negotiations with the new Syrian administration, he
said.
Israel rallies global support to win release of a woman
believed kidnapped in Iraq
JOSEF FEDERMAN/JERUSALEM (AP)/January 10/2025
A senior Israeli official says the government is working with allies in a
renewed push to win the freedom of an Israeli-Russian researcher who is believed
to have been kidnapped in Iraq nearly two years ago. The official said Thursday
that the matter was raised in a meeting of special envoys for hostage affairs in
Jerusalem this week. He said the envoys met the family of Elizabeth Tsurkov and
that Israel asked the representatives – from the U.S., U.K., Germany, Austria
and Canada – to have their embassies in Baghdad lobby the Iraqi government and
search for a way to start negotiations. Israel and Iraq do not have diplomatic
relations. He said he hopes other countries will help. “We are counting on our
allies,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was
discussing closed-door discussions. “And I hope that other nations will suggest
assistance in helping us release Elizabeth. Many nations have embassies and
contacts with the Iraqi government.”Tsurkov, a 38-year-old student at Princeton
University, disappeared in Baghdad in March 2023 while doing research for her
doctorate. She had entered the country on her Russian passport. The only sign
she was alive has been a video broadcast in November 2023 on an Iraqi television
station and circulated on pro-Iranian social media purporting to show her. No
group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. But Israel believes she is
being held by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia that it says
also has ties to the Iraqi government.
The Israeli official said that after months of covert efforts, Israel believes
the “changes in the region” have created an opportunity to work publicly for her
release. During 15 months of war, Israel has struck Iran and its allies, and
Iran’s regional influence has diminished. Iraq also appears to have pressured
militia groups into halting their aerial attacks against Israel.
Polish government adopts resolution protecting Netanyahu from arrest if he
attends Auschwitz event
Vanessa Gera/The Associated Press/January 10/2025
The Polish government adopted a resolution on Thursday vowing to ensure the free
and safe participation of the highest representatives of Israel — including
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who choose to attend commemorations for the
80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau later this month.
Netanyahu became an internationally wanted suspect last year after the
International Criminal Court, the world's top war crimes court, issued an arrest
warrant for him and others in connection with the war in Gaza, accusing them of
crimes against humanity.
“The Polish government treats the safe participation of the leaders of Israel in
the commemorations on January 27, 2025, as part of paying tribute to the Jewish
nation, millions of whose daughters and sons became victims of the Holocaust
carried out by the Third Reich,” read the resolution published by the office of
Prime Minister Donald Tusk.The government published the statement after Polish
President Andrzej Duda asked Tusk to ensure that Netanyahu can attend without
the risk of being arrested. German forces occupied
Poland at the start of World War II and set up a system of ghettos and death
camps where they killed millions of Jews and others.
There had been reports suggesting that the arrest warrant could prevent
Netanyahu from traveling to Poland to attend observances marking the anniversary
of the liberation in 1945 of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp by Soviet forces
on Jan. 27.
Member countries of the ICC, such as Poland, are required to detain suspects
facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to
enforce that. Israel is not a member of the ICC and disputes its jurisdiction.
The court has more than 120 member states, though some countries, including
France, have already said that they would not arrest him. Hungarian Prime
Minister Viktor Orbán even said he would defy the warrant by inviting Netanyahu
to Hungary. It was not even clear if Netanyahu wanted to attend the event. The
Polish Foreign Ministry said earlier Thursday that “it has not received any
information so far indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going to
attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz.”“Poland is a safe country and any leader visiting Poland is entitled
to protection granted by the Ministry of the Interior,” it added. The ministry
also suggested that any idea that Netanyahu could be arrested in Poland is “fake
news" that spread in U.S. media. The commemoration will be attended by
international officials and elderly survivors. It is to take place in Oswiecim,
a town that was under German occupation during the war. More than 1.1 million
people were murdered at Auschwitz. Historians say that most of them, about a
million, were Jewish, but the victims also included Poles, Roma, Soviet
prisoners of war, and others.
Syria monitor says Assad
loyalist ‘executed’ in public
AFP/January 10, 2025
BEIRUT: A Syria monitor said fighters linked to the Islamist-led transitional
administration publicly executed a local official on Friday, accusing him of
having been an informant under ousted president Bashar Assad. Contacted by AFP,
the Damascus authorities did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighters affiliated with the country’s
new rulers executed Mazen Kneneh on Friday morning, describing him as “one of
the best-known loyalists of the former regime.”Fighters shot Kneneh in the head
on the street in Dummar, a suburb of the capital Damascus, said the
Britain-based monitor. It said he was “accused of writing malicious security
reports that led to the persecution and jailing of many young men” who were
tortured in prison under Assad, whose rule came to an end on December 8. A video
circulating online, which AFP was unable to independently verify, purportedly
showed the man’s slumped body tied to a tree trunk, his clothes bloodied from
what looked like a bullet wound to the head. Members of the public including
children gathered around the body, according to the video, some filming with
their mobile phones and others beating the body with sticks or high-kicking it
in the head. In recent days, Syrian authorities launched security sweeps
targeting “remnants of the regime” of the deposed leader in several areas. Anas
Khattab, the new General Intelligence chief, has pledged to overhaul the
security apparatus, denouncing “the injustice and tyranny of the former regime,
whose agencies sowed corruption and inflicted suffering on the people.”
Turkiye says France must take
back its militants from Syria
AFP/January 10, 2025
ISTANBUL: France must take back its militant nationals from Syria, Turkiye’s top
diplomat said Friday, insisting Washington was its only interlocutor for
developments in the northeast where Ankara is threatening military action
against Kurdish fighters. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan insisted Turkiye’s only
aim was to ensure “stability” in Syria after the toppling of strongman Bashar
Assad. In its sights are the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which
have been working with the United States for the past decade to fight Daesh
group militants. Turkiye considers the group as linked to its domestic nemesis,
the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK has waged a decades-long insurgency
in Turkiye and is considered a terror organization by both Turkiye and the US.
The US is currently leading talks to head off a Turkish offensive in the area.
“The US is our only counterpart... Frankly we don’t take into account countries
that try to advance their own interests in Syria by hiding behind US power,” he
said. His remarks were widely understood to be a reference to France, which is
part of an international coalition to prevent a militant resurgence in the area.
Asked about the possibility of a French-US troop deployment in northeast Syria,
he said France’s main concern should be to take back its nationals who have been
jailed there in connection with militant activity. “If France had anything to
do, it should take its own citizens, bring them to its own prisons and judge
them,” he said.
Italy’s foreign minister heads to Syria to encourage post-Assad transition
Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press/January 10, 2025
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he will travel to Syria on Friday
to encourage the country's transition following the ouster of President Bashar
Assad by Islamist insurgents, and said Europe should review its sanctions on
Damascus now that the political situation has changed.
Tajani presided over a meeting in Rome on Thursday of foreign ministry officials
from five countries — Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States —
after speaking earlier by telephone with his counterparts from Turkey and Saudi
Arabia. The aim, he said, is to coordinate the various
post-Assad initiatives, with Italy prepared to make proposals on private
investments in health care for the Syrian population.
Going into the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their
European counterparts, Tajani said it was critical that all Syrians be
recognized with equal rights. It was a reference to concerns about the rights of
Christians and other minorities under Syria’s new de facto authorities of Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, an Islamic militant group that the U.S. and U.N. have
long designated as a terrorist organization. “The
first messages from Damascus have been positive. That’s why I’m going there
tomorrow, to encourage this new phase that will help stabilize the international
situation,” Tajani said. Speaking to reporters, he said the European Union
should discuss possible changes to its sanctions on Syria. “It’s an issue that
should be discussed because Assad isn’t there anymore, it’s a new situation, and
I think that the encouraging signals that are arriving should be further
encouraged,” he said. Syria has been under deeply isolating sanctions by the
U.Ses, the European Union and others for years as a result of Assad’s brutal
response to what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 and spiraled
into civil war. mHTS led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and
ended his family’s decades-long rule. From 2011 until Assad’s downfall, Syria’s
uprising and civil war killed an estimated 500,000 people. The U.S. has
gradually lifted some penalties since Assad departed Syria for protection in
Russia. The Biden administration in December decided to drop a $10 million
bounty it had offered for the capture of a Syrian rebel leader whose forces led
the ouster of Assad last month.Syria’s new leaders also have been urged to
respect the rights of minorities and women. Many Syrian Christians, who made up
10% of the population before Syria’s civil war, either fled the country or
supported Assad out of fear of Islamist insurgents.
UN says 3 million Sudan children facing acute malnutrition
AFP/January 10, 2025
PORT SUDAN, Sudan: An estimated 3.2 million children under the age of five are
expected to face acute malnutrition this year in war-torn Sudan, according to
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “Of this number, around 772,000
children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition,” Eva Hinds,
UNICEF Sudan’s Head of Advocacy and Communication, told AFP late on Thursday.
Famine has already gripped five areas across Sudan, according to a report last
month by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed
assessment. Sudan has endured 20 months of war between the army and the
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), killing tens of thousands and,
according to the United Nations, uprooting 12 million in the world’s largest
displacement crisis. Confirming to AFP that 3.2 million children are currently
expected to face acute malnutrition, Hinds said “the number of severely
malnourished children increased from an estimated 730,000 in 2024 to over
770,000 in 2025.”The IPC expects famine to expand to five more parts of Sudan’s
western Darfur region by May — a vast area that has seen some of the conflict’s
worst violence. A further 17 areas in western and central Sudan are also at risk
of famine, it said. “Without immediate, unhindered humanitarian access
facilitating a significant scale-up of a multisectoral response, malnutrition is
likely to increase in these areas,” Hinds warned.Sudan’s army-aligned government
strongly rejected the IPC findings, while aid agencies complain that access is
blocked by bureaucratic hurdles and ongoing violence. In October, experts
appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council accused both sides of using
“starvation tactics.”On Tuesday the United States determined that the RSF had
“committed genocide” and imposed sanctions on the paramilitary group’s leader.
Across the country, more than 24.6 million people — around half the population —
face “high levels of acute food insecurity,” according to IPC, which said: “Only
a ceasefire can reduce the risk of famine spreading further.”
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on January 10-11/2025
American Free Speech vs. European Censorship
Drieu Godefridi/Gatestone Institute./January 10, 2025
What is important is the solidarity being forged between the major US social
media platforms and the incoming US administration in support of real freedom of
expression.
The new US administration will not tolerate levying fines of tens of billions of
dollars on major US technology companies by an EU that is drifting towards
authoritarianism and is at the same time more dependent than ever on American
power.
It would be in Europe's lasting interest to prepare for the return of free and
unfettered expression. The European Union's Digital
Services Act (DSA) obliges US social media platforms to take a whole arsenal of
preventive and repressive measures, basically to prevent the sharing of
information that displeases the European Commission. The new US administration
will not tolerate levying fines of tens of billions of dollars on major US
technology companies by a European Union that is drifting towards
authoritarianism and is at the same time more dependent than ever on American
power.
Anyone wishing to gauge the extent of the European Union's regulatory drift will
need to read Articles 34 and 35 of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Given their
length it is impossible to quote them in full here, so here is an extract:
DSA Article 34, "Risk assessment":
"1. Providers of very large online platforms and of very large online search
engines shall diligently identify, analyse and assess any systemic risks in the
Union stemming from the design or functioning of their service and its related
systems, including algorithmic systems (...) and shall include the following
systemic risks (...) (a) the dissemination of illegal content through their
services (which includes 'hate speech'); (b) any actual or foreseeable negative
effects for the exercise of fundamental rights, in particular the fundamental
rights (...) to non-discrimination; (c) any actual or foreseeable negative
effects on civic discourse and electoral processes, and public security; (d) any
actual or foreseeable negative effects in relation to (...) public health (...)
and serious negative consequences to the person's physical and mental well-being
(...)."
Article 35, "Mitigation of risks," obliges these platforms to take a whole
arsenal of preventive and repressive measures, basically to prevent the sharing
of information that displeases the European Commission. In short, the idea is to
force these platforms to pay hordes of patrol officers to relentlessly hunt down
opinions that do not please the European Lord. The preventive nature of these
measures means that they can be described as censorship in the strict sense.
What's more, general censorship, because the terms used by the European
legislator - hate, non-discrimination, civic discourse, electoral process,
public security, public health, well-being - are so vague that censors with
(digital) scissors do cut wherever they please, at the whim of the European
Prince.
Meanwhile, in the USA
Elon Musk has never made a secret of his adherence to the American concept of
freedom of expression, which is that expression is free regardless of what the
law says.
By contrast, according to the European Convention on Human Rights, expression is
free with legal exceptions. For a long time, these exceptions were rare, with
the result that expression remained almost as free in Europe as in the United
States. Over the past 30 years, however these European exceptions to free
expression have multiplied — hate, discrimination, racism, Islamophobia,
transphobia, and so on — to the extent that European citizens - including those
in the UK - are now being arrested, tried and imprisoned for expressing
inappropriate ideas on Facebook, X/Twitter and other social media platforms.
But then, you might ask, why can't the two concepts of expression -- free in the
USA, censored in Europe -- coexist, each in its own way, on our respective
continents?
The problem is that the European Union has an imperialist conception of its
regulation. The EU does not regulate Europe; it seems to think it regulates the
world. True to the rich German and French legal traditions, the EU sees itself
as a kind of legislative model for the planet. Not only is the EU taking the
initiative to regulate sectors that were not regulated before, it also seems to
expect the rest of the world to follow suit.
Better -- or worse, depending on your point of view -- the EU is backing up its
global regulations with sanctions no less global. Apple was recently hit with a
landmark $2 billion EU antitrust fine. Breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA)
are punishable by penalties calculated as a percentage of revenues -- not
profits -- received by the company concerned not just in Europe, but all over
the world. In the case of companies such as Meta (Facebook) or X, we are talking
about EU fines running into billions of dollars. Since they seem not to be able
to innovate -- anyhow, they haven't -- they tax Americans, who have.
All the "major platforms" that the European Union is regulating with imperial
superciliousness are in fact American. Therefore, none of these platforms is
subject to the august EU. As technology expert Jason Oxman remarks, "the EU
[has] become as sterile in innovation as it is fertile in regulation."
This puts the EU and its DSA on a collision course with the incoming Trump
administration. With touching naivety, the German media on January 8, 2025,
greedily called for DSA sanctions to be applied to X and to Meta (Facebook).
The major news on January 7 was the about-face, at least for now, of Meta's Mark
Zuckerberg, and his Facebook and Instagram, to the Muskian concept of free
speech, pretty much as enshrined in the US Constitution. Whether or not this
endorsement is self-serving is irrelevant. What is important is the solidarity
being forged between the major US social media platforms and the incoming US
administration in support of real freedom of expression.
Consequently, either American free speech will impose itself on Europe, or, less
likely -- unless the Europeans show a sudden desire for tyranny -- Europe will
impose its conception on American platforms. There can be no coexistence of the
two concepts. If the EU had been legislating only for Europe and providing for
local sanctions, the two concepts might have coexisted. The hubris of the EU's
grandiose vision of global sanctions makes this coexistence unlikely.
The European king has no clothes
A prediction: American free speech will win the day. Europe is weak, and the EU
as a bureaucracy is increasingly hated by Europeans, not without reason. Without
NATO, Europe would not exist militarily. With no American security guarantees,
Europe can prepare for the return of Russian troops to Berlin. Above all, Europe
exports more to the US than it imports. In 2022, trade in goods and services
between the United States and the European Union totaled an estimated $1.3
trillion. US exports amounted to $592 billion and imports to $723.3 billion, as
Trump reminds us of it at every one of his press conferences.
The new US administration will not tolerate levying fines of tens of billions of
dollars on major US technology companies by an EU that is drifting towards
authoritarianism and is at the same time more dependent than ever on American
power. To imagine otherwise, you would have to be as naive as a German
bureaucrat. It would be in Europe's lasting interest
to prepare for the return of free and unfettered expression.
*Drieu Godefridi is a jurist (University Saint-Louis, University of Louvain),
philosopher (University Saint-Louis, University of Louvain) and PhD in legal
theory (Paris IV-Sorbonne). He is an entrepreneur, CEO of a European private
education group and director of PAN Medias Group. He is the author of The Green
Reich (2020).
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Policies that make stronger families make a stronger
nation
Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/January 10, 2025
Family and gender issues have traditionally been confined to the social sphere,
but they are increasingly a subject of political and economic discussion, widely
included in the national policies of states to ensure economic growth and
political stability.
In Turkiye, the protection of the traditional family structure has become a
focal point of political debates and public policy. In response to growing
concerns over the declining birth rate, the Turkish government has declared 2025
the “Family Year” and established the Family Institute and Population Policies
Board, which is expected to implement population policies with a holistic
approach to ensure the demographic structure.
The family is viewed as the foundation of Turkish society and its central role
in state-society relations is related to a broader vision: the belief that the
family is key to overcoming the political and economic challenges that Turkiye
is likely to face in the coming future. Turkish ministries of finance, labor and
social security, health, and family and social policies have rolled up their
sleeves to work together to produce a new population policy.
For Turkish policymakers, a growing population is a must for a strong state and
society. In response to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s warning about declining
birth rates, the government implemented a series of measures to support families
and encourage childbirth. However, that will not be enough to address Turkiye’s
demographic challenges. For these policies to be effective, they must be
supported by an inclusive agenda.
If the family is indeed the main pillar of society, the transformation must
begin at the societal level. This means that policy approaches should be
bottom-up rather than top-down. Before the government implements family-friendly
policies, society itself needs to become more family friendly. Only in this way
can the demographic threats that Turkiye faces be challenged.
One key challenge in Turkish society and elsewhere is the negative perception of
women who choose to work. Family policies constructed with only women in mind,
or that only focus on the “women and family” nexus, are reductive. For family
policies to succeed, both men and women must be part of the discussion. Sex
equality must start at home, and family policies should encourage men to embrace
roles as supportive partners in family life, encourage women going to work, and
promote a healthy space for pregnancies in the work-family balance. The
responsibility for enacting such policies falls not only on the government but
also on the private sector. Women’s economic empowerment is critical for any
country’s economic growth. Without stable and fair working conditions, women
will continue to struggle to balance work and family life, which limits their
potential and that of the country.
Poverty and domestic violence weaken the family structure in Turkiye. Threats to
the family structure are not only economic in nature: they also involve the
psychological and physical violence that can occur within the home. Domestic
violence against women undermines the integrity of the family unit. Women
exposed to violence at home cannot contribute to a healthy family structure.
Thus, any policy that aims to strengthen families must first address domestic
violence and promote sex equality as a foundational element of family life.
Child abuse is another issue that needs urgent attention. In Turkiye, it
increased by 33 percent in 2022 compared with the previous year. This alarming
rise underscores a deeper problem: not every man or woman is ready or fit to be
a parent. Family violence against women and children is not just a societal
issue, it is a political and legal issue, and a crime against humanity. It
undermines the well-being of society and threatens the future of a nation. Only
families free from violence can contribute to a society free from violence, and
only such families can secure a stable, healthy future for a nation. There are
still criticisms that current laws in Turkiye are not child and women centric.
Addressing these criticisms with promoting a “rights-based” awareness in society
should be a key task for Turkish policymakers.
These challenges are not unique to Turkiye. Around the world, many states
emphasize the importance of the family structure, but continue to implement the
same norms and policies. These policies, often unchanged for decades, fail to
address the root causes of the issues and have not delivered the necessary
results. There must be a shift in the way of looking at the matter to ensure
that family structures are truly strengthened.
Creating stronger families requires more than just top-down state policies: it
requires a shift in societal attitudes and the adoption of a more progressive
and inclusive agenda that recognizes the urgent needs of families, particularly
women and children. By embracing such an agenda, states such as Turkiye can
begin to change the course of the demographic trends that threaten their future.
Only this can lead to stronger families and ultimately a stronger nation.
• Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s
relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz
US working with regional partners to support
‘responsible transition’ in Syria: Official
RAY HANANIA/Arab News/January 10, 2025
CHICAGO: Discussions to ensure a “responsible transition” in Syria to prevent a
rise in terrorism, provide basic services to citizens and ensure good relations
with regional nations are progressing, the US acting undersecretary for
political affairs told a press briefing attended by Arab News on Friday.
Concluding two days of talks with Turkish officials in Ankara, John Bass said
the Syria Working Group also addressed defining Syria’s borders and
“strengthening internal security” to prevent a resurgence of Daesh and other
“foreign terrorist organizations” in the country.
Bass was careful not to predict how US policy might change under Donald Trump,
nor would he address questions regarding Israel’s military attacks against
Syria. “We’ve also discussed in depth a range of steps that the United States
and other governments have taken to enable the interim authorities in Damascus
to address the immediate needs of the Syrian people, including via support from
other governments for things like salaries, payments for the civilian
administration at the national level, for donations of power or energy, and for
some of the other measures that are required to stabilize the Syrian government,
to stabilize the economy, and to give the Syrian people hope that this
transition will yield a better future for all of the citizens of the country,”
Bass said. “What we’re working through … is how we can affect a responsible
transition … so that it contributes to strengthening national forces over time
and building, rebuilding a military and a police service that responsibly
fulfills its duties and obligations to the Syrian people, but to do that in a
way that doesn’t create immediate risk,” he added. “It’s a complicated process
to help a national government, particularly one that’s an interim government
that needs to do a lot of internal work with other parts of Syrian society to
determine what that government will look like in the future.”Bass said the US is
concerned that events in Syria do not “pose a threat to any of Syria’s
neighbors, to countries in the wider region or to countries further afield,
whether that’s in Europe, the United States or elsewhere around the world.”He
added that “the long-running civil war in Syria and the long-standing presence
of Daesh” in the country have created threats to neighboring nations. “It’s in
that spirit that we’ve been engaging … in discussions about how we can help work
together to ensure that as this transition continues inside Syria that it
doesn’t just produce a better, safer environment inside Syria for all Syrians,
it also addresses the security concerns of Turkiye, of Iraq, of Jordan, and of
Syria’s other neighbors,” he said. The US “greatly” admires “the generosity of
the Turkish government and the Turkish people in hosting over 3 million (Syrian)
refugees for now well over a decade,” he added.
Bass said discussions were focused on ensuring that fighters of terrorist groups
such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are forced to return to their nations
of origin. “We’re in agreement with the government of Turkiye and a number of
other governments that Syria can’t be, shouldn’t be in the future a safe haven
for foreign terrorist organizations or foreign terrorist fighters. And we
believe that any foreign terrorist that’s present inside Syria should leave the
country,” Bass said in addressing the PKK. “Ideally, many of those people will
be returning to their countries of origin, their countries of nationality,
through a responsible process that involves those governments potentially to
face justice for their actions. “But they should no longer be present in Syria,
contributing to instability in the country. And that includes any foreign
terrorists who have taken advantage of the long-term instability in Syria to set
up shop whether it’s in northeastern Syria, whether it’s in southwestern or
southern or southeastern Syria.” Asked how Trump administration policies might
differ, Bass said: “I’m a senior official of the current United States
government. I can’t speak for the next US administration, nor can I offer any
insights at this time into how US policy might change under the next
administration.”He expressed confidence, however, that “colleagues in the US
government” will continue to support Syria’s transition.Bass also emphasized
that the small US presence in Syria has one specific purpose, “to ensure that
Daesh doesn’t again become a threat to the people of Syria, the people of
Turkiye, the people of Iraq or Jordan, or any other country.”