English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For December 03/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Chief tax-collector, Zacchaeus receives
Jesus in His House, Repents and offers the Penances
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 19/01-10/:"He entered
Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a
chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on
account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran
ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that
way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus,
hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’So he hurried down and
was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone
to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the
Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I
have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’Then
Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a
son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’"
Titles For The
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on
December 02-03/2025
The third and final day of the Pope's visit to Lebanon: Video of the
visit to the Monastery of the Cross, video of the Divine Liturgy at the Port of
Beirut, video of the Pope's meeting with the families of the victims of the port
explosion. Texts and reports of the events of the third day of the visit.
Video Links of the second day of the visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to
Lebanon
A detailed report in Arabic and English covering the events of the first day of
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon
Port Explosion: Israeli Army Claims Hezbollah Eliminated Four Key Witnesses
Israel Resumes Spy Activity Over Lebanon After Pope's Departure
Ortagaus in Tel Aviv, Meets Netanyahu
Netanyahu Discusses Lebanese Situation with US Envoy
US Embassy in Beirut: We join the Pope in working toward coexistence & peace in
the region
Pope Leo XIV Sends Voice Message to President Aoun and the Lebanese People
Pope Leo Meets Families of Beirut Port Blast Victims
Pope Leo XIV Praises Sisters of the Cross During Visit to Jal el-Dib Convent
Hospital
Pope Leo XIV Urges the Christians of the Levant to Embrace Courage and Peace
Pope Leo Calls for Peace in South Lebanon in Departing Speech
Pope Leo XIV concludes his historic visit to Lebanon with a message of peace, a
call to end hostilities
President Aoun: Our people are believers who have decided to persevere with
kindness, peace & righteousness
Pope urges end to hostilities at end of Lebanon trip
Pope asks Lebanon to be 'sign of peace' for Levant at Beirut mass attended by
150,000
Pope gets rockstar welcome as he delivers message of hope to Lebanese youth
Pope preaches unity at gathering of Christian, Muslim leaders in Beirut
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on
December 02-03/2025
Iran parliament speaker rejects missile limits as ‘impossible demand’
Hamas Hands Over One of Two Last Hostage Bodies in Gaza, Red Cross Says
Israel’s Netanyahu says Syria deal possible, expects buffer zone
Trump seeks to shield Sharaa from Israel’s policies, presses Netanyahu to change
course on Syria
Trump to Syria’s al-Sharaa: ‘Ahmed, you will be a great leader’
Trump warns Israel not to 'interfere' in Syria, invites Netanyahu to Washington
Mass wedding in Gaza celebrates new life after years of war and tragedy
Qatar says hopes to push Hamas, Israel to next talks phase ‘very soon’
Pope Leo urges US not to attempt military ouster of Venezuela’s Maduro
Putin warns Europe: If you want war, then Russia will defeat you
Putin meets Witkoff and Kushner for over three hours to discuss Ukraine peace
US envoy to meet Putin for talks on ending Ukraine war
Trump holds Venezuela meeting as Maduro rejects 'slave's peace'
Trump-backed candidate of Palestinian origin Nasry Asfura leads Honduras poll
Pope Leo criticizes anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe, US
‘We don’t want them’: Trump rages against Somali immigrants
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published
on
December 02-03/2025
How prolonged hunger and famine left irreversible scars on Gaza’s
youngest/ANAN TELLO/Arab News/December 02, 2025
The plan for Gaza not only fails to acknowledge Palestinian sovereignty but also
goes to great lengths to erase it./James J. Zogby/The Arab Weekly/December
02/2025
Trump's Stabilisation Plan for Gaza Risks Starting Another War/Con Coughlin/Gatestone
Institute/December 02/2025
Trump’s Venezuela push tackles the cocaine cartels — and Maduro’s illicit
regime/RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery/New York Post
Trump has finally said what no other world leader is brave enough to admit… and
taken a stand against the greatest threat to Western civilization/Mark Dubowitz/Daily
Mail/December 02/2025
Building resilient labor markets for a changing world/Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser
Abuthnain/Al Arabiya English/02 December/2025
The Muslim Brotherhood and ‘Resistance Axis’ … Partners in Destruction/Nadim
Koteich/Asharq Al-Awsat/December 02/2025
A Moment in The ‘Oval Office’/Amal Abdulaziz al-Hazzani/ASharq Al-Awsat/December
02/2025
Selected Face Book & X tweets for /December 02, 2025
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on
December 01-02/2025
The third and final day of the Pope's visit to
Lebanon: Video of the visit to the Monastery of the Cross, video of the Divine
Liturgy at the Port of Beirut, video of the Pope's meeting with the families of
the victims of the port explosion. Texts and reports of the events of the third
day of the visit.
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/12/149828/
December 02/2025
Video Links of the second day of the visit of His
Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/12/149784/
December 01/2025
**From Sawt Loubnan (Voice of Lebanon): Video link of the Ecumenical Spiritual
Meeting of Lebanon's Sect Leaders with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in the Martyrs'
Square.
**From DRM News: Video link of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Saint Charbel monastery-Eynaia
**From DRM News: Video link of Pope Leo XIV's visit to the Shrine of Harissa
**From Al-Nahar Newspaper Website: Video link of the Youth Meeting at Bkerké
complex with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
A detailed report in Arabic and English covering the
events of the first day of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/149724/
November 30, 2025
Link to the video of the Pope’s Speech and its text in Arabic and English
Link to the video of the speeches by the Pope and President Aoun, with Arabic
and English transcripts
Port Explosion: Israeli Army Claims Hezbollah Eliminated Four Key Witnesses
This is Beirut/December 02/2025
The Israeli army accused on Tuesday a Hezbollah unit of assassinating four
Lebanese figures who allegedly possessed information implicating the Shiite
movement in the Beirut port explosion of August 2020, according to its
Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, on X (formerly Twitter). According
to the Israeli army, Hezbollah’s Unit 121 allegedly targeted customs officials
and journalists who could have revealed that the ammonium nitrate stored at the
port had been kept there on behalf of the group. Among those mentioned is Joseph
Skaff, former head of Beirut port customs, who was reportedly killed in 2017
after requesting the removal of the substance. The Israeli army also cited Munir
Abu Rajili, former head of the customs anti-smuggling division, who was stabbed
to death in December 2020, as well as photographer Joe Bajani, who was shot dead
in his car the same year after documenting the explosion and assisting the
Lebanese army’s investigation. It further attributed to Unit 121 the February
2021 killing of intellectual and activist Lokman Slim, a prominent critic of
Hezbollah, shortly after he publicly accused the group and the Syrian regime of
responsibility for the blast.
Israel Resumes Spy Activity Over Lebanon After Pope's Departure
Ortagaus in Tel Aviv, Meets Netanyahu
Beirut: Asharq Al-Awsat/December 2, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
Hardly had the plane of Pope Leo XIV left Beirut's airspace when Israeli drones
returned to fly over the capital and its suburbs, a clear indication that the
calm accompanying the visit was calculated and temporary, imposed by the visit's
considerations rather than a shift in the Israeli military pace. This occurred
in parallel with US-Israeli meetings and European warnings of further escalation
on the Lebanese front. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated that Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yisrael Katz met with
the American envoy Morgan Ortagaus "in light of Israeli threats to Lebanon," a
sign that the northern front file was a top priority in the discussions.
Concurrently, Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a European diplomat saying, "There is a
danger of escalating tension on the Lebanese front after the assassination of a
Hezbollah leader," considering that "Israel has the right to act if Hezbollah
attempts to resume its activity in southern Lebanon." These indicators align
with what the Israeli website Walla! published regarding security assessments
which believe that "Tel Aviv's patience is running out, and Hezbollah's
rebuilding of its forces since the end of 2024 is proceeding at a dangerous and
accelerating pace, despite the assassinations and strikes it has been subjected
to."
Return of the Drones
The drones had been absent since last Sunday, coinciding with the Pope's arrival
in Lebanon. No Israeli drone flights were observed in Beirut, the suburb, or
deep in southern Lebanon, and Israeli movements were limited to firing near
military sites and flares in the border area. However, this reality did not last
long. On Tuesday afternoon, Israeli drone flight was observed around the Eastern
and Western Lebanon mountain ranges reaching the city of Baalbek. A low-altitude
drone flight was also recorded over Adloun and Kouthariyet Al-Siyad in the
south. Amidst this volatile scene, retired Brigadier General Khalil Helou offers
a more detailed reading of the nature and limits of the current calm. He told
Asharq Al-Awsat: "The slowdown in the pace of Israeli attacks in recent days,
and the absence of drones from the field, do not reflect a change in strategy,
but what can be described as the calm before the storm." He clarified that what
happened "is directly linked to the Pope's visit, because Israel realizes that
any major operation during the presence of a personality of this weight would
negatively reflect on it in international media, especially the Vatican media,
which does not view it favorably in the first place, particularly concerning the
files of Gaza and the Middle East." Helou added that Israel "also faces internal
US pressure; demonstrations inside universities, political polarization in
Washington, and the rising intensity of criticism within Congress make it
cautious of any military action that might create additional commotion at a
sensitive electoral moment." He considered that "its already tense relationship
with Europe makes it more inclined to freeze large operations during this
period."
Israeli Objectives
He stressed that "the geostrategic situation has not changed at all; the Israeli
goal remains the same, which is to dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure," noting
that "Israelis believe that Resolution 1701 failed to disarm the party in 2006,
and the revived understandings fell again in 2023, thus they see that the party
is still capable of reorganizing its ranks."Helou criticized Hezbollah's
statement about resorting to clandestine action, saying that "announcing an
action that is supposed to be secret reflects a contradiction and is used by
Israel to justify any future strikes." He added: "The international community's
confidence in the Lebanese state's ability to take clear decisions has severely
declined, from the government's August decision to confine the weapon to
retracting it a month later, up to today's talk about controlling the weapon
instead of disarming it. These are statements that may be suitable for internal
consumption, but they do not convince external parties that cannot wait years to
address the file with a traditional Lebanese methodology." Helou continued:
"Some believe that Israel is not serious, and that everything happening will
pass as it did before, but I do not share this view. In previous stages, Europe
and the United States played direct roles in restraining Israel. Today, however,
the circumstances are completely different." He recalled that "former US
President Joe Biden had refused to expand the war into Lebanon in 2023 for
considerations related to his negotiations with Iran at the time, while Trump,
who arrived today, follows a different policy based on striking and escalating,
then negotiating, not the reverse." Regarding the next phase, he said that "the
most likely possibility is the intensification of the Israeli air campaign that
had begun some time ago."
Netanyahu Discusses Lebanese Situation with US Envoy
Beirut: Asharq Al-Awsat/December 02/2025 (Translated from Arabic)
Hardly had the plane of Pope Leo XIV of the Vatican left Beirut, when Israeli
drones returned to fly over its airspace, an indication that the calm
accompanying the visit was calculated and temporary and imposed by the visit's
considerations. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated that Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yisrael Katz met with the American
envoy Morgan Ortagaus "in light of Israeli threats to Lebanon," and before her
upcoming visit to the Lebanese capital. In addition, Israeli Army Spokesperson
Avichay Adraee published a video clip on his 'X' account claiming that
Hezbollah's Unit 121 was behind the assassination of four prominent Lebanese
figures: Joseph Skaf, Mounir Abou Rejeili, Joe Bejjany, and Lokman Slim, because
they were about to uncover leads related to the 2020 Beirut Port explosion. Pope
Leo had visited the site of the port explosion, where he stood in silent prayer
in honor of the victims' souls, and shook hands with several residents who
received him with tears, holding pictures of their loved ones. Would you like me
to translate a specific part of the article, or search for more information
about the current situation on the Lebanon-Israel border?
US Embassy in Beirut: We join the Pope in working toward
coexistence & peace in the region
NNA/December 02/2025
The United States Embassy in Beirut wrote on its platform “X” page: “Ambassador
Michel Issa was honored to join Lebanon in welcoming His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
His visit is a recognition of Lebanon’s rich history, vibrant culture, and the
enduring spirit of its people. We join @Pontifex in working toward coexistence
and peace in the region.”
Pope Leo XIV Sends Voice Message to President Aoun and the
Lebanese People
This is Beirut/December 02/2025
From the plane carrying him back to Rome, Pope Leo XIV sent a voice message to
President Joseph Aoun, broadcast by LBCI on Tuesday. In the recording, the
pontiff expressed his gratitude for the welcome he received during his visit to
Lebanon.
“While on my way to Rome following the conclusion of my papal visit, I would
like to express my sincere gratitude to Your Excellency, to the officials, and
to the Lebanese people for the warm welcome during my visit.”The Pope also
affirmed that he would continue to pray for the nation’s peace, unity, and
prosperity. Lebanese of Different Confessions Express Happiness Over Pope Leo's
VisitLebanese of Different Confessions Express Happiness Over Pope Leo's Visit .
Barrack Warns Iraq of Imminent Escalation in LebanonBarrack Warns Iraq of
Imminent Escalation in Lebanon Crowds Lined the Motorway to Cheer Pope LeoCrowds
Lined the Motorway to Cheer Pope Leo
Pope Leo Meets Families of Beirut Port Blast Victims
This is Beirut/December 02/2025
Pope Leo XIV visited the site of the August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion on
Tuesday morning, in what became one of the most symbolically charged moments of
his third and final day in Lebanon. Still scarred by the blast, he was welcomed
by families of the victims, who came to express both their grief and their
unrelenting demand for truth and justice. Standing before the memorial sign
listing the names of the 245 victims, the pontiff paused for a silent prayer,
then laid a wreath and lit a candle in tribute to those who lost their lives.
Pope Leo XIV spoke with each person individually, shaking hands and listening to
testimonies that many Lebanese officials have never taken the time to hear. For
many, this direct, protocol-free encounter offered a sense of renewed hope. The
meeting brought a brief but meaningful moment of recognition for families who
say they’ve felt abandoned for over five years. The pope’s visit went far beyond
symbolic presence: he asked questions, requested names, and paid attention to
faces and stories. The gesture, rare in its depth and humanity, stood in stark
contrast to what relatives describe as enduring institutional indifference.
Pope Leo XIV Praises Sisters of the Cross During Visit to
Jal el-Dib Convent Hospital
This is Beirut/December 02/2025
Pope Leo XIV paid tribute Tuesday morning to the Sisters of the Cross during a
visit to their convent hospital in Jal el-Dib, thanking them for “the joy,
light, and compassion” they offer daily. He lauded their century-old mission,
founded by Abouna (Father) Yaacoub, as a “living witness to Christ’s love for
the poor and those who are suffering,” a mission embodied in the convent
hospital’s care for patients with mental illnesses. Addressing the nuns and
medical staff, the pope urged them “never to lose the joy of service, even when
fatigue or discouragement set in,” describing their work as “a lesson for the
country and for all humanity.” He also saluted the hospital’s personnel, whose
professionalism and compassion, he said, “embody God’s mercy in concrete ways.”
“We Christians are called to listen to the cry of the poor,” he added, praying
that God accompany them in their work. The pontiff was greeted in the convent
courtyard by Sisters of the Cross who run educational, medical, and scouting
institutions. Inside the main hall, a patient choir, “Reliques de Abouna Yaacoub,”
performed a composed hymn, Notre Espérance, written by Nizar Francis and set to
music by Maestro Elie Elia.
Sister Marie Makhlouf, the order’s Superior General, welcomed the pope as a
“messenger of peace and love.” Fighting back emotion, she reaffirmed the
convent’s commitment to serving “the poor, the forgotten, and the sick,” despite
“crises, wars, and state failures”. “We live on the widow’s mite and the
offering of the generous,” she said, thanking the pontiff for being “the father
of the marginalized and the abandoned.” Beginning early Tuesday morning,
hundreds of faithful gathered along the coastal road, hoping to get a glimpse of
the papal convoy on the third and final day of his visit to Lebanon. Authorities
deployed heavy security measures and closed several roads. Lebanese and Vatican
flags lined the route, alongside banners hailing Leo XIV as the “Pope of Peace.”
In tribute to the visit, Jal el-Dib municipal president George Zard Abou Jaoudeh
announced that the road linking Jal el-Dib Square to Saint George Square will be
renamed Avenue Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV Urges the Christians of the Levant to Embrace
Courage and Peace
This is Beirut/December 02/2025
Under a clear blue sky and before nearly 150,000 worshippers gathered along
Beirut’s seafront, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the public Mass, closing his
three-day apostolic visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, December 2. From early morning,
faithful from across the country streamed to the waterfront, while the nation’s
top officials joined the assembly, highlighting the significance of the final
celebration in a deeply spiritual and emotionally charged visit. The Mass opened
with remarks from Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi, who welcomed
the Pope on behalf of the Eastern Churches. He described the sons and daughters
of the Eastern Churches as “a treasure for the Universal Church” and said the
Pope’s presence sent “a message of hope in a critical time,” emphasizing the
role of these communities as “beacons of coexistence.”
“A Small Branch Sprouting From a Trunk”
In his homily, Pope Leo delivered the most powerful message of his visit: “This
is the dream entrusted to you. Lebanon, rise! Be a house of justice and
fraternity! Be a prophecy of peace for the entire Levant!” He invoked the
Prophet Isaiah’s vision of the Kingdom of God as “a small branch sprouting from
a trunk,” a modest sign of hope that promises renewal even amid death. The Pope
also expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received, saying: “I give
thanks to the Lord for allowing me to share these days with you, carrying in my
heart your sufferings and hopes.” He prayed that “this land of the Levant may
always be illuminated by faith in Jesus Christ, the sun of justice,” so that it
retains “hope that never disappoints.”
A Call to Gratitude Amid Hardship
Pope Leo urged Lebanese faithful to maintain gratitude even in times of trial.
“At the close of these intense days, we give thanks to the Lord for the many
gifts of His goodness,” he said, while acknowledging the struggles of a people
“whose gratitude can easily give way to disillusionment.” For the Pope,
gratitude is not an escape but a courageous act. It “must lead to the
transformation of the heart” and open the path to renewed life despite
weariness, fear, or accumulated wounds.
Rooted in Lebanon’s Reality
The Pope did not shy away from Lebanon’s challenges. He noted that the country’s
celebrated beauty is today “overshadowed by poverty, suffering, historical
wounds, political instability, economic crisis, and violence that revive old
fears.”Acknowledging the fatigue of the Lebanese people, he warned, “Gratitude
can easily give way to disillusionment; praise can vanish in the desolation of
the heart.”Yet he highlighted the “small lights shining in the heart of the
night”—signs of hope in families, schools, parishes, and the work of priests and
religious who “bring charity into the fabric of Lebanese society.”
A Call for Reconciliation
The central theme of the homily was a call to overcome divisions: “We have only
one way: let us disarm our hearts, remove the armor of our ethnic and political
divisions, open our religious communities to mutual encounter, and awaken the
dream of a united Lebanon.”“Everyone must do their part, and we must all work
together to restore this land to its full glory,” he added. “Do not be afraid.
Rise up. Keep hope alive.”
He concluded by urging the Lebanese to remain steadfast in faith and joy, even
amid uncertainty, and to continue as “builders of peace” in a troubled world.
Educating Hearts for Peace
In his final remarks, Pope Leo addressed the “Christians of the Levant,”
encouraging them to turn to the Lord with hope and courage. He called on Middle
Eastern peoples to embrace coexistence, reject violence, and open new chapters
of reconciliation and peace, stressing the importance of “educating hearts for
peace.”He prayed for the entire region and for victims of conflict, singling out
the “beloved Lebanon.” The Pope also called on the international community to
strengthen efforts to support dialogue and peace processes, urging political
leaders to heed “the cry of their people” longing for peace. He ended with a
direct message to the Christians of the Levant: “Courage!” and entrusted Lebanon
to the protection of Our Lady of Harissa.
A Historic Visit Concludes
The Mass marked the final major event of Pope Leo XIV’s visit, concluding a
dense, spiritually profound, and emotionally resonant three-day journey.
Earlier, the Pope visited the Hospital of the Cross in Jal el-Dib, meeting
patients and healthcare staff and praising “the quiet courage of those who heal
the visible and invisible wounds of the country.” He also led a moment of
reflection with families affected by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, an
encounter marked by grief but also dignity.
Pope Leo Calls for Peace in South Lebanon in Departing
Speech
This is Beirut/December 02/2025
Pope Leo gave a farewell speech from the Beirut International Airport,
concluding his 3-day historical visit in Lebanon.
“Mr President,
Presidents of the Council of Ministers and of Parliament,
Your Beatitudes and Brothers in the Episcopate,
Civil and religious authorities,
Sisters and brothers,
Departing is often more difficult than arriving. We have spent time together,
and in Lebanon, this spirit of encounter is contagious. Here, I have found that
people enjoy coming together, rather than being isolated. While arriving in your
country meant gently entering into your culture, leaving this land means
carrying you in my heart. Thus, we are not leaving each other; rather, having
met, we will move forward together. We hope to involve the entire Middle East in
this spirit of fraternity and commitment to peace, including those who currently
consider themselves enemies.
I am grateful, therefore, for the days spent with you, and I am pleased that I
could fulfill the desire of my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who would have
loved to be here. In reality, he is with us, walking with us alongside other
witnesses to the Gospel who await us in God’s eternal embrace. We are heirs to
what they believed, to the faith, hope and love that inspired them. I have seen
the profound veneration your people have for the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is
loved by Christians and Muslims alike. I prayed at the tomb of Saint Charbel and
sensed the profound spiritual roots of this country. Your history is a valuable
source of nourishment that can sustain you on the difficult journey towards the
future! I was deeply moved by my brief visit to the Port of Beirut, where an
explosion devastated the area, not to mention many lives. I prayed for all the
victims, and I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of
so many families, of an entire country. In these few days, I have met many
people and shaken many hands, receiving a sense of hope from these encounters.
You are as strong as the cedars that populate your beautiful mountains and as
fruitful as the olive trees that grow in the plains, in the south and near the
sea. In this regard, I greet all the regions of Lebanon that I was unable to
visit: Tripoli and the north, the Beqaa and the south of the country, which is
currently experiencing a state of conflict and uncertainty. In embracing all of
you, I express my aspiration for peace, along with a heartfelt appeal: may the
attacks and hostilities cease. We must recognize that armed struggle brings no
benefit. While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are
constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal! Let us
remember what Saint John Paul II reaffirmed while in your midst: Lebanon is more
than a country; it is a message! Let us learn to work together and hope together
so that this may become a reality. May God bless the Lebanese people, all of
you, the Middle East and all humanity! Shukran, ila alliqa’!”
Pope Leo XIV concludes his historic visit to Lebanon with a message of peace, a
call to end hostilities
President Aoun: Our people are believers who have decided to persevere with
kindness, peace & righteousness
NNA/December 02/2025
Pope Leo XIV concluded his historic three-day visit to Lebanon with an official
farewell ceremony held in his honor at the VIP terminal at Rafik Hariri
International Airport, in the presence of President Joseph Aoun, Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as various cabinet
ministers, members of parliament, and military and religious leaders. In his
delivered word, President Aoun addressed the Pope, saying, "Your Holiness Pope
Leo XIV, we meet today at the conclusion of a visit that will remain engraved in
the memory of Lebanon and its people. Over the past few days, you brought to
Lebanon words of hope and optimism, toured its regions, and met with its people,
who welcomed you with great affection from all sects and affiliations,
reflecting their enduring yearning for peace and stability." Aoun considered
that the Pope's visit to Lebanon bears a message of peace, a call for
reconciliation, and an affirmation that this small country, great in its
message, still constitutes a model of coexistence and of human values that
unite and not separate. "In your words, and in your meetings with the people of
this country, we sensed the depth of your love for Lebanon and its people, and
the sincerity of your desire for it to remain a land of message, a land of
dialogue, a land of openness, a land of freedom and dignity for all," the
President went on, thanking the Pope for graciosuly listening to the Lebanese
and for entrusting Lebanon with the message of peace.
"I, in turn, tell you that we have heard your message. We will continue to
embody it, and with our gratitude, we still have one wish, Your Holiness: that
we may always be in your prayers, and that your sermons to every believer and
leader in this world may include the affirmation that our people are a people of
faith who reject death and departure, a people of faith who have decided to
persevere with love, peace, and truth...a people of faith who deserve life and
are worthy of it," the President asserted. For his part, the Pope said in his
delivered word, "Leaving is harder than arriving. We were together, and in
Lebanon, being together is contagious. I found here people who do not like
isolation but rather convergence...If arriving means gently entering into your
culture, then leaving this land means carrying you in my heart. We are not
parting, then, but after we have met, we will move forward together....and we
hope to involve in this spirit of brotherhood and commitment to peace the entire
Middle East, even those who consider themselves enemies today." The Pope marked
the profound devotion that the people of Lebanon hold for Our Lady, the Virgin
Mary, beloved by both Christians and Muslims, adding, "I prayed at the shrine of
Saint Charbel and realized the deep spiritual roots of this country: the sweet
fragrance of your history sustains the difficult journey toward the future!" He
continued, "My brief visit to the port of Beirut, where the explosion devastated
not only the place but also the lives of so many, deeply moved me. I prayed for
all the victims, and I carry with me the pain and the thirst for truth and
justice for the many families and for your entire country."
"In these past few days, I have met many faces and shaken many hands, drawing
from this physical and spiritual connection a surge of hope. You are as strong
as the cedar trees of your beautiful mountains, and as fruitful as the olives
that grow in the plains, in the south, and near the sea. I greet all the regions
of Lebanon that I have not been able to visit: Tripoli and the North, the Bekaa
Valley, and the South, which is experiencing a particular state of conflict and
instability. I embrace everyone and send my wishes for peace to all," the Pope
affirmed. He also made a heartfelt appeal, saying, "Let the attacks and
hostilities cease. Let no one think anymore that armed fighting brings any
benefit. Weapons kill, but negotiation, mediation, and dialogue build. Let us
all choose peace, and let peace be our path, not just a goal."Pope Leo
concluded: "Let us remember what Saint Pope John Paul II told you: Lebanon is
more than a country, it is a message! Let us learn to work together and hope
together so that this may be achieved. May God bless the people of Lebanon, and
all of you, and the Middle East, and all of humanity! Thank you and goodbye!"
After concluding his speech, His Holiness headed towards the steps of the plane
awaiting him at Beirut Airport's runway, accompanied by President Aoun and the
First Lady, where he greeted the faithful who were there to bid him farewell.
The Pope then boarded the plane, concluding his historic visit to Lebanon.
Pope urges end to hostilities at end of Lebanon trip
Agence France Presse/December 02/2025
Pope Leo XIV called for an end to hostilities in Lebanon and said the Middle
East needed new approaches for peace as he finished a three-day trip to the
country by urging an end to divisions. A 150,000-strong mass at Beirut's
waterfront was the highlight of the trip by the Catholic leader, who arrived on
Sunday after visiting Turkey on his inaugural visit abroad as pontiff. He has
received a jubilant welcome in a nation beset by a years-long economic collapse
and which is still reeling from a war last year between Israel Hezbollah, with
many fearing renewed hostilities. Noting that he was unable to visit all of the
country, Pope Leo expressed his "aspiration for peace, along with a heartfelt
appeal: may the attacks and hostilities cease." Israel has kept up strikes on
Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah and has escalated
attacks in recent weeks -- but has not announced any raids during the pope's
visit. Under heavy pressure, Lebanon's government has committed to disarming the
Iran-backed group, which however has rejected the idea. The pope appealed in his
mass "to those who hold political and social authority here and in all countries
marked by war and violence. Listen to the cry of your peoples who are calling
for peace". He said that "the Middle East needs new approaches in order to
reject the mindset of revenge and violence, to overcome political, social and
religious divisions, and to open new chapters in the name of reconciliation and
peace."Later, as he prepared to depart from Beirut airport he declared: "While
weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are constructive. Let us
all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal!"
'Have courage' -
Earlier, the pope wound his way through the crowd at the outdoor mass in his
popemobile as people offered roses, with senior officials including President
Joseph Aoun also in attendance. "The pope puts joy and peace in our hearts and
strengthens our hope," said Samira Khoury, among some 150,000 people in
attendance. Leo told those gathered: "I especially pray for beloved Lebanon. I
ask the international community once again to spare no effort in promoting
processes of dialogue and reconciliation." He also sent a message of
encouragement to Christians in the region, whose presence has dwindled.
"Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect, I repeat,
have courage. The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration," he
said. Some participants travelled from abroad including from neighboring Syria,
while migrant workers from countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka were
also among the crowd. Elias Fadel, 22, said the visit was "a sign of hope for
Lebanon. I can feel the peace already just by seeing the people and how happy
they are and I can see hope in their eyes for the future of Lebanon."
'Thirst for truth' -
Before the service, the pope prayed at the site of a catastrophic port explosion
on August 4, 2020 which killed more than 220 people, injured over 6,500 and
devastated swathes of the capital. Near a monument to those killed, with the
facility's devastated grain silos visible nearby, the pope spoke with survivors
and relatives of victims, many of whom were holding photos of their loved ones.
"I was deeply moved by my brief visit to the Port of Beirut," the pope said from
the airport. "I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of
so many families, of an entire country," he added. Nobody has been held to
account for the Beirut port blast, one of the world's largest ever non-nuclear
explosions. Cecile Roukoz, a lawyer whose brother died in the explosion,
expressed gratitude at the visit.The pope raises his voice for justice "and we
need justice for our brothers and all the victims of this explosion", she said.
Pope Leo's first stop on Tuesday was at a psychiatric hospital run by nuns where
an emotional Mother Superior Marie Makhlouf thanked the pope for being "a father
to the forgotten, the abandoned and the marginalized". "We cannot forget those
who are most fragile," Pope Leo said. Bidding the pontiff farewell, Aoun said
the visit "reminded us that the world has not forgotten Lebanon -- that there
are still those who pray for it and work for peace".
Pope asks Lebanon to be 'sign of peace' for Levant at
Beirut mass attended by 150,000
Associated Press/December 02/2025
Pope Leo XIV prayed Tuesday at the site of a deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion
that has become a symbol of dysfunction and official impunity and called for
justice to prevail, as he offered words of consolation to Lebanon's people on
the final day of his first overseas trip. Relatives of some of the 218 people
killed by the blast held up photos of their loved ones as Leo arrived at the
scorched site. They stood side by side as Leo prayed silently first at a
monument to the dead, then greeted each one, grasping their hands. The emotional
encounter took place next to the shell of the last grain silo standing at the
site destroyed by the Aug. 4, 2020 blast and the piles of burned cars torched in
its wake. The explosion did billions of dollars in damage as hundreds of tons of
ammonium nitrate detonated in a port warehouse. Five years on, the families of
those killed are still seeking justice. No official has been convicted in a
judicial investigation that has been repeatedly obstructed, angering Lebanese
for whom the blast was just the latest evidence of impunity after decades of
corruption and financial crimes. "The visit clearly sends the message that the
explosion was a crime," said Cecile Roukoz, whose brother, Joseph Roukoz, was
killed and who was on hand to meet the pope. "There should be a message, the
country should end impunity and ensure justice is served." When he arrived in
Lebanon on Sunday, Leo urged the country's political leaders to pursue the truth
as a means of peace and reconciliation. In a homily Sunday after praying at the
site, Leo referred explicitly to the blast and called for Lebanon to be a place
of justice.
Pope calls for justice at Mass
An estimated 150,000 worshippers packed the Beirut waterfront for Leo's final
Mass, which he celebrated immediately after praying at the nearby blast site. In
his homily, Leo named the many problems Lebanese have faced, from economic
crises to the blast and renewed fears of war. He said it's natural to feel
"paralyzed by powerlessness in the face of evil and oppressed by so many
difficult situations." But he urged them not to be resigned, and to find ways to
remain hopeful and grateful. He insisted, though, that justice was part of the
equation. "Let us cast off the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, open
our religious confessions to mutual encounter and reawaken in our hearts the
dream of a united Lebanon," he said. "A Lebanon where peace and justice reign,
where all recognize each other as brothers and sisters." "Lebanon, stand up! Be
a home of justice and fraternity! Be a prophetic sign of peace for the whole of
the Levant!"
An emotional visit to the hospital
The American pope opened his final day in Lebanon with an emotional visit to the
De La Croix hospital, which specializes in care for people with psychological
problems. Awaiting him were some familiar-looking faces: young boys dressed up
as Swiss Guards and cardinals, and even one dressed as the pope himself in all
white. The mother superior of the congregation that runs the hospital, Mother
Marie Makhlouf, was overcome as she welcomed the pope, telling him that her
hospital cares for the "forgotten souls, burdened by their loneliness." Leo said
the facility stands as a reminder to all of humanity. "We cannot forget those
who are most fragile. We cannot conceive of a society that races ahead at full
speed clinging to the false myths of well-being, while at the same time ignoring
so many situations of poverty and vulnerability," he said. Lebanese were
overjoyed that a pope had finally managed to visit. Pope Francis had tried for
years to come but was stymied first by its economic and political crises, and
then by his own health problems. "For Lebanon, (the visit) means a lot," said
pilgrim Maggie Claudine, who was waiting for Leo at the hospital. "We hope that
peace will prevail, and that is what we wish for. We want to live in comfort."
Families of blast dead seek justice
Leo has sought to bring a message of peace to Lebanon as it copes with the
economic crises, the aftermath of last year's devastating war between Hezbollah
and Israel and the fallout from the port blast. Among those on hand to welcome
Leo at the blast site was Lebanon Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed, whose
mother was killed. Another was Mireille Khoury, whose 15-year-old son, Elias,
was killed. When Leo approached her, Khoury pointed to the building where they
lived across the port, where Elias died as he was hanging out in his room.
Khoury said Lebanon cannot heal from its wounds without justice and
accountability. She has been among the relatives who have called for finalizing
the investigation that implicated a long list of political, security and
judicial officials. The families have gathered monthly since the explosion to
honor the victims and urge the international community to support the probe into
the blast, which has been obstructed by officials who have largely refused to
cooperate. "Justice is the basis of building any country," she told The
Associated Press in an interview before the pope arrived in Lebanon. "Our
children were killed in their homes. They were killed because someone kept
(ammonium) nitrate in the main port of the city near a residential area." Khoury
said the pope's prayer and support would bring some relief, but said she would
not give up on her pursuit for justice."I will not say that this anger will
fully just disappear," Khoury said. "But I think it will give some sort of
relaxation of this anger that is in my heart until justice is served." The fate
of the port's massive grain silos, which absorbed much of the shock of the
explosion, has also been a matter of debate. The Lebanese government at one
point planned to demolish the damaged silos but decided against it after
families of the blast's victims and survivors protested. They have demanded
their preservation as a memorial and in case they might contain evidence useful
for the judicial probe.
The port, meanwhile, is largely functional again but still hasn't been fully
rebuilt.
Pope gets rockstar welcome as he delivers message of hope
to Lebanese youth
Agence France Presse/December 02/2025
Pope Leo XIV got a rockstar welcome from thousands of Lebanese youth on Monday,
bringing them a message of hope on the second day of his visit to the crisis-hit
country. Locals have joyfully welcomed the American pontiff, turning out in
their thousands to his public appearances and lining streets where his motorcade
has passed, waving Vatican flags, ululating and throwing rice in celebration
despite intermittent rain. But at Monday evening's youth event in Bkerke, north
of Beirut, the jubilation hit a fever pitch as the pope was met with cheers,
whistling and thunderous applause as attendees jostled to shoot photos and
videos with their mobile phones. Leo urged the crowd -- said by organisers to
number around 15,000 -- to "build a better world than the one you inherited",
after hearing testimonies from several young people who spoke of the grave
difficulties they and their country are facing. "You have the enthusiasm to
change the course of history," the pontiff said. "Young people of Lebanon, grow
strong like the cedars and make the world blossom with hope!" he continued. "Be
the source of hope that the country is waiting for!" Many Lebanese, particularly
young people, left the country after the 2019 onset of a crushing economic
crisis, widely blamed on official corruption and mismanagement, or following the
devastating explosion at Beirut's port the following year. Fears have also grown
recently of renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah despite a ceasefire in
November 2024 that sought to end more than a year of hostilities between the
foes.
'Coexistence'
Stephanie Nasr, 25, said she was "very moved" by the pope's message. "Of course
it's a message of peace, but it's also recognition of all the resilience that
we've shown, and the solidarity that Lebanon and young people have displayed in
recent years," she told AFP. Earlier Monday, Pope Leo met with leaders from
Lebanon's myriad religious communities in a show of unity. "You are called to be
builders of peace: to confront intolerance, overcome violence, and banish
exclusion, illuminating the path toward justice," he told them. "In an age when
coexistence can seem like a distant dream, the people of Lebanon... stand as a
powerful reminder that fear, distrust and prejudice do not have the final word,
and that unity, reconciliation, and peace are possible," he added. While long
hailed as a model of coexistence, Lebanon was devastated by a 1975-1990 civil
war waged along sectarian lines, and the country is still plagued by deep rifts.
On Monday morning, Leo visited a monastery hosting the tomb of Saint Charbel,
who enjoys broad popularity in Lebanon beyond the Christian community. "For the
world, we ask for peace. We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire
Levant," he said. In Harissa, where a giant statue of Our Lady of Lebanon
overlooks the Mediterranean from a plunging hilltop, Leo shook hands with
religious people and pastoral workers who had gathered for a packed event in the
nearby basilica. Prayer "gives us the strength to continue to hope and work,
even when surrounded by the sound of weapons and when the very necessities of
daily life become a challenge", he told attendees.
'Message of peace
Tony Elias, 43, a priest from the village of Rmeish along Lebanon's border with
Israel, said that "we have lived through nearly two and a half years of war, but
have never been without hope".Leo "has come to confirm that what we have gone
through has not been in vain, and we believe that he brings a real message of
peace -- a living peace", he told AFP from Harissa. In spite of the ceasefire,
Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, intensifying its attacks
in recent weeks, and the cash-strapped Lebanese government has come under heavy
U.S. pressure to disarm the Iran-backed militants.
Pope Leo arrived from Turkey on Sunday on his inaugural visit abroad as pontiff.
Lebanese authorities have proclaimed Monday and Tuesday official holidays, and
ramped-up security measures include road closures and a ban on drone
photography.
"Everyone goes to Rome to see the pope, but he has come to us," said Therese
Daraouni, 61, calling the visit "the greatest blessing". Yasmine Chidiac, who
was hoping to catch sight of Leo, said the trip "has brought a smile back to our
faces".
Pope preaches unity at gathering of Christian, Muslim
leaders in Beirut
Agence France Presse/December 02/2025
In a Beirut square that was once a physical embodiment of Lebanon's sectarian
rifts, Christian and Muslim leaders united around Pope Leo XIV on Monday as he
urged them to work for peace in their divided nation. Lebanon, whose political
system has long been based on religious balance, suffered through years of
sectarian conflict, and faith leaders at Monday's interreligious meeting
emphasised the importance of unity and coexistence. Speaking from Martyrs'
Square -- which served as a demarcation dividing Beirut along sectarian lines
during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war -- Leo called on the leaders to be
"builders of peace: to confront intolerance, overcome violence and banish
exclusion, illuminating the path toward justice and concord". He sat surrounded
by the spiritual heads of 16 Muslim and Christian denominations, out of the 18
recognised by Lebanon.
The Jewish and Ismaili faiths were not represented, as those recognised
communities have very few members remaining in the country. As the call to
prayer was heard from the nearby Mohammed al-Amin mosque, which is located next
to a church, clerics gave speeches and a children's choir sang Christian and
Muslim hymns. Under a pavilion erected for the occasion, the leaders stood on a
stage bearing the word "peace" in French and Arabic. The meeting "highlights
that Lebanon is a country with great experience in dialogue and meetings between
sects", said Naila Tabbara, founder of the Adyan foundation, which focuses on
interreligious rapprochement."Even in the most difficult times, this dialogue
has continued," she added, saying that the pope wished to show that "solidarity
that transcends affiliations does not exist in any other country" in the region.
Symbolic olive tree -
Lebanon's religious diversity is reflected in its political system. The
president of the republic must always be a Maronite Christian -- the only
Christian leader in the Arab world -- while the prime minister must be a Sunni
Muslim and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. But political and
religious divisions have repeatedly been exacerbated by Lebanon's many crises,
most recently the war between the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and
Israel. Shiite Hezbollah had opened a "solidarity front" with its ally Hamas in
Gaza by launching rockets at Israel, sparking anger in other Lebanese
communities.
Leo's visit -- part of his first trip abroad as pontiff -- "underscores the
importance of dialogue and coexistence in Lebanon", said Fuad Khreis, a Shiite
cleric. "Lebanon is strong because of its people and all its sects... We must
stand together as one and talk to each other, especially in light of the
difficult situation we are suffering through." In his speech, Pope Leo said
coexistence in Lebanon was "a mission that remains unchanged throughout the
history of this beloved land: to bear witness to the enduring truth that
Christians, Muslims, Druze and countless others can live together and build a
country united by respect and dialogue". He concluded the meeting by planting an
olive tree, saying it "not only adorns this space in which we gather today, but
it is also revered in the sacred texts of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam,
serving as a timeless symbol of reconciliation and peace".
The Latest English
LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on
December 02-03/2025
Iran parliament speaker rejects missile
limits as ‘impossible demand’
Al Arabiya English/02 December/2025
Iran’s parliament speaker on Tuesday rejected calls for Tehran to limit the
range of its missiles, describing the suggestion as an “impossible demand.”
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran’s
defensive capabilities were non-negotiable. “After they saw our power following
the war, they are now saying reduce your missile range… such a demand is not
possible at all,” he said. Ghalibaf was referring to the 12-day Iran-Israel war
in June, during which Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran,
prompting Tehran to fire missiles and drones in response. The United States also
briefly joined the conflict by striking key Iranian nuclear facilities. The
fighting derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington that had begun in
April. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24.
Several Western powers, including the United States, want Iran to place limits
on its missile program, something Tehran has repeatedly rejected, arguing that
doing so would undermine its ability to defend itself. Western governments fear
Iran’s uranium enrichment program could produce material for a nuclear warhead
and that it intends to develop a ballistic missile capable of carrying one.
Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Iran currently enforces a self-imposed
missile range limit of 2,000 kilometers, which officials have said is sufficient
to defend the country because it can reach Israel. However, after Israeli
fighter jets struck launch sites in Iran’s western provinces in June, Tehran
began launching missiles from further east, which requires longer ranges.
Ghalibaf accused the United States of pursuing coercion rather than diplomacy.
“America is not seeking real negotiations; they want to impose their demands and
force us to surrender,” he said. He added that the June war erupting in the
midst of US-Iran talks showed Washington “is not looking for negotiations and
has practically chosen war.” His comments come days after Supreme Leader Ali
Khamenei denied reports that Tehran had reached out to Washington through an
intermediary, insisting Iran should not pursue ties with what he called a
“warmongering” US government. Ghalibaf said he hoped a new war could be avoided
but added: “Today, Iran’s defensive and offensive capabilities – both
quantitatively and qualitatively – are such that any aggression by the United
States or (Israel) will be met with a much stronger, more precise, and more
effective response.”
Hamas Hands Over One of Two Last Hostage Bodies in Gaza,
Red Cross Says
Asharq Al Awsat/02 December/2025
Palestinian group Hamas on Tuesday handed over the remains of one of the last
two deceased hostages still in Gaza, the International Committee of the Red
Cross said, under terms of the October ceasefire deal. Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that Israeli forces in Gaza had
received what it described as "findings" that would be taken into Israel for
forensic testing. The two remaining deceased hostages are Israeli police officer
Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, both kidnapped during Hamas'
October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that touched off two years of devastating war
in Gaza. The Geneva-based ICRC has acted as an intermediary between Gaza armed
groups and Israel throughout the war triggered by Hamas' attack, helping
facilitate the release of living hostages and the handover of remains.
AIRSTRIKE KILLS JOURNALIST, HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAY
Earlier, an Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian man, whom local health
authorities identified as freelance journalist Mahmoud Wadi, in Khan Younis in
the southern Gaza Strip.
A senior Israeli military official told Reuters that Wadi had taken part in
Hamas' October 2023 attack, citing photographs. Reuters was not immediately able
to independently verify the official's account. Another Palestinian journalist
was wounded in the Israeli strike, Gaza authorities said. Later, the Palestinian
Civil Defense service said that Israeli tank shells hit a house in a Gaza City
suburb, killing two people and wounding 15 others.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for
comment on the incident.
BRITTLE CEASEFIRE
Violence has tailed off since the October 10 ceasefire but Israel has continued
to strike Gaza and conduct demolitions against what it says is Hamas
infrastructure. Hamas and Israel have traded blame for violating the US-backed
agreement. At least 357 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire
between Israel and Hamas went into effect, Gaza health authorities say.
Palestinian fighters killed three Israeli soldiers during this time, Israeli
authorities said. The Committee to Protect Journalists has said it has
documented 201 journalists and media workers killed in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon,
where the war spilled over shortly after the initial attack in 2023. Among those
killed were journalists working for Reuters. The count includes 193 Palestinians
killed by Israel in Gaza, six killed by Israel in Lebanon, and two Israelis
killed in the October 7 attack. The CPJ said Israel has never published the
results of a formal investigation or held anyone accountable in the killings of
journalists by its military. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli
forces have targeted only combatants and military sites, avoided civilians and
journalists, and warned that staying in active combat zones carries inherent
risks despite efforts to minimize harm. It has alleged at times, without
providing verifiable evidence, that some journalists were killed because of
their links to Hamas, which their news organizations denied.
Israel’s Netanyahu says Syria deal possible, expects
buffer zone
Reuters/December 02, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday a deal with
Syria is possible and he expects Syrian authorities to establish a demilitarised
buffer zone from Damascus to Mount Hermon and other areas. Netanyahu spoke a day
after US President Donald Trump, whose administration has been trying to broker
a non-aggression pact between the two countries, said it was very important that
Israel maintained a “strong and true dialogue” with Damascus. Syria does not
formally recognize Israel, which has occupied more Syrian territory since
December 2024. It captured the Syrian Golan Heights in a 1967 war and later
annexed it, a move recognized by the United States but not by most other
countries. “What we expect Syria to do is, of course, to establish a
demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer area, including the
approaches to Mount Hermon and the Hermon peak,” Netanyahu said while visiting
wounded soldiers in central Israel. “We hold these areas in order to ensure the
security of Israel’s citizens, and that is what obligates us.”He added: “With
goodwill and an understanding of these principles, it is possible to reach an
agreement with the Syrians, but we will stand by our principles in any case.”
Trump has backed Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, while Israel has voiced
wariness over Sharaa’s past links to Islamist militancy, but has engaged in
efforts to broker a deal. An Israeli raid in southern Syria on Friday killed 13
Syrians, Syrian state media reported. The Israeli military said it had targeted
a Lebanese Islamist militant group there. Netanyahu on Tuesday was visiting
soldiers wounded in the clash.
Trump seeks to shield Sharaa from Israel’s policies,
presses Netanyahu to change course on Syria
The Arab Weekly/December 02/2025
Trump said he was “very satisfied” with Syria’s performance under former
Islamist rebel Sharaa, who made an historic visit to the White House a few weeks
ago. US President Donald Trump told Israel on Monday to avoid destabilising
Syria and its new leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces
killed 13 people. Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and
invited him for another White House visit, Netanyahu’s office said shortly after
Trump issued the warning. “It is very important that Israel maintain a strong
and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere
with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous state,” Trump said on his Truth Social
platform. According the US website Axios, Washington believes Israel’s attacks
on Syria “risk destabilising the country and undermining hopes of an
Israel-Syria security agreement. The administration does not back Israeli
government’s endless wars against everybody. “We are trying to tell Bibi he has
to stop this because if it continues he will self-destruct,” a US official told
Axios. Also echoing the position of Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Syria and
Lebanon, the Trump administration wants to establish Syria’s policies as a model
of other countries in the region, especially Lebanon, while Netanyahu’s policies
of unbridled militarism are proving engagement of Israel to be useless. “Syria
doesn’t want problems with Israel. This isn’t Lebanon,” said a senior US
official. “But Bibi is seeing ghosts everywhere.” Washington is also said to be
concerned about the pressures for retaliation that Sharaa faces at home because
of the Israeli strikes. The US leader has been pushing for a security pact
between Israel and Syria since President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s radical Islamist
coalition overthrew long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad a year ago. But tensions
have risen over hundreds of strikes by Israel on Syria, and in the deadliest so
far Israeli forces killed 13 people on Friday in an operation in the southern
village of Beit Jin. Syria called the Israeli operation a “war crime.” Israel
said it targeted an Islamist group. Trump said he was “very satisfied” with
Syria’s performance under former Islamist rebel Sharaa, who made an historic
visit to the White House a few weeks ago. The US president insisted that Sharaa
“is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and
Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together.”He added that the
United States was “doing everything within our power to make sure the Government
of Syria continues to do what was intended” to rebuild the war-torn country.
Good relations between Syria and Israel would add to his efforts for a wider
Middle East peace following the fragile Gaza ceasefire in October, added Trump.
The Trump administration lifted sanctions against Syria as part of its efforts
to help Sharaa, while Washington says Damascus is joining the global coalition
against the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group. Netanyahu and Trump discussed
“expanding” regional peace deals when they spoke on Monday, the Israeli prime
minister’s office said in a statement that came on the heels of Trump’s post.
“Trump has invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to a meeting at the White House in
the near future,” it said. Netanyahu has already made more visits to Trump than
any other foreign leader since the US president’s return to power. “The two
leaders stressed the importance and obligation of disarming Hamas and
demilitarising the Gaza Strip, and discussed expanding the peace agreements,”
Netanyahu’s office said. Israel has defended its right to keep on striking
militant groups in neighbouring countries despite the Gaza deal with Palestinian
armed group Hamas and last year’s ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The
Israeli army said the targets of the Beit Jin operation were fighters from Jamaa
Islamiya, a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group based in Lebanon and allied with
Hamas. Netanyahu meanwhile drew a sharp rebuke from Damascus and others in the
region after visiting Israeli troops deployed in the buffer zone which has
separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights since 1974.
Trump to Syria’s al-Sharaa: ‘Ahmed, you will be a great
leader’
Al Arabiya English/03 December/2025
US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Syria and its president,
Ahmed al-Sharaa, in a handwritten letter delivered to Damascus. The letter,
attached with a photo of last month’s Oval Office meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa,
was carried by US envoy Tom Barrack. Barrack was in Syria to meet with al-Sharaa
and other officials in the country this week as Damascus tries to navigate a
complicated relationship with US-backed Kurdish forces and other minorities.
Additionally, Israel continues to violate Syria’s sovereignty and launch attacks
into Syria despite ongoing negotiations to reach a security deal between the two
countries. “Ahmed, you will be a great leader — and the United States will
help!” Trump wrote in his letter to al-Sharaa. On Monday, Trump lauded the
Syrian president and called on Israel to continue talks with Syria. “It is very
important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that
nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous
State,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. It later emerged that
the post followed a phone call between Trump and embattled Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is facing a corruption trial at home and
reportedly asked Trump to further intervene on his behalf. Trump previously
called on the Israeli president to grant Netanyahu a pardon.
New Middle East diplomat at State Department
Separately, a new official temporarily took over the Middle East file at the US
State Department. Joel Rayburn, whom Trump had tapped to be the Assistant
Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), had his nomination withdrawn last
month. Mora Namdar, who was on temporary assignment as the State Department’s
top diplomat for the Middle East, stepped down and is preparing for her next
role at the department, according to a State Department official. Robert
Palladino has officially taken over as the current senior bureau official for
NEA. Palladino most recently led the US Embassy in Hungary. He also served as US
Consul General to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During Trump’s first term, he
held roles as the chief of staff to Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun,
State Department Deputy Spokesperson, and Director of Strategic Communications
and acting National Security Council Spokesperson.
Trump warns Israel not to 'interfere' in Syria, invites Netanyahu to Washington
Agence France Presse/December 02/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump told Israel to avoid destabilizing Syria and its new
leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces killed 13 people.
Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invited him
for another White House visit, Netanyahu's office said shortly after Trump
issued the warning. "It is very important that Israel
maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place
that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous State," Trump said
on his Truth Social platform. The U.S. leader has been pushing for a security
pact between Israel and Syria since President Ahmed al-Sharaa's Islamist
coalition overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad a year ago. But tensions have
risen over hundreds of strikes by Israel on Syria, and in the deadliest so far
Israeli forces killed 13 people on Friday in an operation in the southern
village of Beit Jin. Syria called the Israeli operation a "war crime." Israel
said it targeted an Islamist group. Trump said he was "very satisfied" with
Syria's performance under former Islamist rebel Sharaa, who made a historic
visit to the White House a few weeks ago. The U.S. president insisted that
Sharaa "is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both
Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together."He added
that the United States was "doing everything within our power to make sure the
Government of Syria continues to do what was intended" to rebuild the war-torn
country.
'Expanding' peace agreements -
Good relations between Syria and Israel would add to his efforts for a wider
Middle East peace following the fragile Gaza ceasefire in October, added Trump.
The Trump administration lifted sanctions against Syria as part of its
efforts to help Sharaa, while Washington says Damascus is joining the global
coalition against the Islamic State group. Netanyahu and Trump discussed
"expanding" regional peace deals when they spoke on Monday, the Israeli prime
minister's office said in a statement that came hot on the heels of Trump's
post. "Trump has invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to a meeting at the White
House in the near future," it said. Netanyahu has already made more visits to
Trump than any other foreign leader since the U.S. president's return to power.
"The two leaders stressed the importance and obligation of disarming
Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and discussed expanding the peace
agreements," Netanyahu's office said. Israel has defended its right to keep on
striking militant groups in neighboring countries despite the Gaza deal with
Palestinian armed group Hamas and last year's ceasefire with Hezbollah in
Lebanon. The Israeli army said the targets of the Beit Jin operation were
fighters from Jamaa Islamiya, an Islamist group based in Lebanon and allied with
Hamas. Netanyahu meanwhile drew a sharp rebuke from Damascus and others in the
region after visiting Israeli troops deployed in the buffer zone which has
separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights since 1974.
Mass wedding in Gaza celebrates new life after years of
war and tragedy
AP/December 02, 2025
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip: Eman Hassan Lawwa was dressed in traditional
Palestinian prints and Hikmat Lawwa wore a suit as they walked hand-in-hand past
the crumbled buildings of southern Gaza in a line of other couples dressed in
exactly the same way. The 27-year-old Palestinians were among 54 couples to get
married Tuesday in a mass wedding in war-ravaged Gaza that represented a rare
moment of hope after two years of devastation, death and conflict. "Despite
everything that has happened, we will begin a new life," Lawwa said. “God
willing, this will be the end of the war.”
Weddings are a key part of Palestinian culture that have become rare in Gaza
during the war. The tradition has begun to resume in the wake of a fragile
ceasefire, even if the weddings are different from the elaborate ceremonies once
held in the territory. As roaring crowds waved Palestinian flags in the southern
city of Khan Younis, the celebrations were dampened by the ongoing crisis across
Gaza. Most of Gaza's 2 million residents, including Eman and Hikmet, have been
displaced by the war, entire areas of cities have been flattened and aid
shortages and outbursts in conflict continue to plague the daily lives of
people. The young couple, who are distant relatives, fled to the nearby town of
Deir al-Balah during the war and have struggled to find basics like food and
shelter. They said they don’t know how they’re going to build their lives
together given the situation around them. “We want to be happy like the rest of
the world. I used to dream of having a home, a job, and being like everyone
else," Hikmet said. “Today, my dream is to find a tent to live in.”“Life has
started to return, but it's not like we hoped it would," he added. The
celebration was funded by Al Fares Al Shahim, a humanitarian aid operation
backed by the United Arab Emirates. In addition to holding the event, the
organization offered couples a small sum of money and other supplies to start
their lives together. For Palestinians, weddings are often elaborate dayslong
celebrations, seen as both an important social and economic choice that spells
out the future for many families. They include joyful dances and processions
through the streets by massive families in fabric patterns donned by the couple
and their loved ones and heaping plates of food. Weddings can also be a symbol
of resilience and a celebration of new generations of families carrying on
Palestinian traditions, said Randa Serhan, a professor of sociology at Barnard
College who has studied Palestinian weddings. “With every new wedding is going
to come children and it means that the memories and the lineages are not going
to die,” Serhan said. “The couples are going to continue life in an impossible
situation.”
On Tuesday, a procession of cars carrying the couples drove through stretches of
collapsed buildings. Hikmat and Eman waved Palestinian flags with other couples
as families surrounding them danced to music blaring over crowds. Lawwa and Eman,
who was cloaked in a white, red and green traditional dress on Tuesday, said the
wedding offered them a small moment of relief after years of suffering. But Eman
said she was also marked by the loss of her father, mother, and other family
members who were killed during the war. "It’s hard to experience joy after such
sorrow," she said, tears streaming down her face. “God willing, we will rebuild
brick-by-brick.”
Qatar says hopes to push Hamas, Israel to next talks
phase ‘very soon’
AFP/02 December/2025
Gaza talks mediator Qatar said on Tuesday it hoped Israel and Hamas could be
brought to a new phase of negotiations for a peace deal in the Palestinian
territory following their October ceasefire agreement. “We think that we should
be pushing the parties to stage two very, very soon,” Qatar foreign ministry
spokesman Majed al-Ansari said. “That includes, of course, the issues that are
complicating the situation, like the fighters in the tunnels behind the Yellow
Line, like the incidents that take place every couple of days,” he added. The
so-called Yellow Line marks the point to which Israeli troops have withdrawn
inside the Gaza Strip. Dozens of Hamas fighters remain holed up in tunnels
beyond the line, though Israel says it has been targeting and killing them.
Qatar, alongside the United States and Egypt secured a long-elusive truce in
Gaza, which came into effect on October 10 and has mostly halted two years of
fighting between Israel and Hamas. During the first phase of the Gaza peace
plan, initially outlined by US President Donald Trump, Hamas and its allies were
due to return all 48 hostages they held captive, 20 of whom were still alive.
All but the bodies of two hostages remain in Gaza, Ran Gvili and Sudthisak
Rinthalak, but Israel has accused the Palestinian militants of dragging their
feet on handing over remains. Hamas has said the process of retrieving the
bodies has been slow because the bodies have been under the vast piles of rubble
left by two years of war. “As we have always said, the logistical situation in
Gaza would certainly make it difficult to reach this result,” Ansari said,
referring to the return of the bodies. The spokesman added that the return of
the remains should not be a hindrance to reaching stage two. Under the second
phase of the deal, which gained UN backing in November, Israel is to withdraw
from its positions in the territory, an interim authority is to govern Gaza and
an international stabilization force is to be deployed. Hamas is also supposed
to disarm under Trump’s 20-point plan, with members who decommission their
weapons allowed to leave Gaza. The militant group has repeatedly rejected the
proposition.
Pope Leo urges US not to attempt military ouster of Venezuela’s Maduro
Reuters/02 December/2025
Pope Leo urged US President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday not to try
to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro using military force. Leo, the first
US pope, said it would be better to attempt dialogue or impose economic pressure
on Venezuela if Washington wants to pursue change there.
The Trump administration has been weighing options to combat what it has
portrayed as Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed
Americans. The socialist Venezuelan president has denied having any links to the
illegal drug trade. Asked during a news conference about Trump’s threats to
remove Maduro by force, Leo said: “It is better to search for ways of dialogue,
or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure.”The pope, speaking as he flew
home from a visit to Turkey and Lebanon, his first overseas trip, added that
Washington should search for other ways to achieve change “if that is what they
want to do in the United States.”Reuters reported last month that options under
US consideration include an attempt to overthrow the Venezuelan leader, and that
the US military is poised for a new phase of operations after a massive military
buildup in the Caribbean and nearly three months of strikes on suspected drug
trafficking boats off Venezuela’s coast. Leo, answering a journalist’s question,
also said the signals coming from the Trump administration about its policy
toward Venezuela were unclear. “On one hand, it seems there was a call between
the two presidents,” said the pope, referring to a phone call that Trump had
with Maduro last month. “On the other hand, there is the danger, there is the
possibility there will be some activity, some (military) operation.”“The voices
that come from the United States, they change with a certain frequency,” added
Leo. The pope, elected in May and originally from Chicago, is familiar with
Latin America because he spent long years as a cleric in Peru.
Putin warns Europe: If you want war, then Russia will defeat you
Reuters/02 December/2025
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday warned European powers that if they started
a war with Russia then Moscow was ready to fight and that the defeat of European
powers would be so absolute that there would be no one left to even negotiate a
peace deal. Four years into the Ukraine war, the deadliest European conflict in
Europe since World War Two, Russia has failed to conquer Ukraine, a much smaller
neighbor which has been supported by European powers and the United States.
Ukraine and European powers have repeatedly warned that if Putin wins the
Ukraine war then he could attack a NATO member, a claim which Putin has
repeatedly dismissed as nonsense. Asked by a reporter about remarks in the
Russian media that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had cautioned that
Europe was preparing a war against Russia, Putin said that Russia did not want a
war with Europe. “If Europe suddenly wants to start a war with us and starts
it,” Putin said, then it would end so swiftly for Europe that there would be no
one to negotiate with in Europe. Putin used the Russian word for “war.”He also
suggested that the war in Ukraine was not a full-blown war and that Russia was
acting in a “surgical” manner which would not be repeated in a direct
confrontation with European powers. “If Europe suddenly wants to fight with us
and starts, we are ready right now,” Putin said. The Kremlin chief accused
European powers of hindering US.President Donald Trump's attempts to end the war
in Ukraine by putting forward proposals they knew would be “absolutely
unacceptable” to Moscow so they could then accuse Russia of not wanting peace.
Putin said European powers had locked themselves out of peace talks on Ukraine
because they had cut off contacts with Russia. “They are on the side of war,”
Putin said of European powers. Putin also threatened to sever Ukraine's access
to the sea in response to drone attacks on tankers of Russia's “shadow fleet” in
the Black Sea.
Putin meets Witkoff and Kushner for over three hours to
discuss Ukraine peace
Reuters/02 December/2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin met US President Donald Trump’s special envoy
Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in the Kremlin on Tuesday for talks
on a possible way to end the deadliest European conflict since World War Two.
Just before the meeting, Putin warned Europe that it would face swift defeat if
it went to war with Russia, and he dismissed European counter-proposals on
Ukraine as being absolutely unacceptable to Russia. Trump has repeatedly said he
wants to end the war, but his efforts, including a summit with Putin in Alaska
in August and meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have not
brought peace. A leaked set of 28 US draft peace proposals emerged last week,
alarming Ukrainian and European officials who said it bowed to Moscow’s main
demands on NATO, Russian control of a fifth of Ukraine and restrictions on
Ukraine’s army. European powers then came up with a counter-proposal, and at
talks in Geneva, the United States and Ukraine said they had created an “updated
and refined peace framework” to end the war. A smiling Putin told Witkoff he was
glad to see him and asked him about his and Kushner’s walk around Moscow, which
included a stroll across Red Square past the mausoleum of Soviet founder
Vladimir Lenin to the towers of the Kremlin. “It is a magnificent city,” Witkoff
told Putin, along with foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov and Putin investment
envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Both sides had interpreters. The Kremlin talks were
ongoing late into the Moscow night after more than three hours. “Our people are
over in Russia right now to see if we can get it settled. Not an easy situation,
let me tell you. What a mess,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting in Washington,
adding that there were casualties of 25,000 to 30,000 per month in the war. US
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has led efforts to recraft the original
peace plan to account for Ukrainian and European concerns, said Witkoff was
trying to end the war.
Putin accuses Europeans of trying to block peace
Just before the Kremlin meeting, Putin accused Europe of seeking to undermine
Trump’s peace efforts by making proposals that it knew were unacceptable to
Russia. “They are on the side of war,” Putin said of the European powers. “We
can clearly see that all these changes are aimed at only one thing: to block the
entire peace process altogether, to make such demands which are absolutely
unacceptable to Russia.”Putin said Russia did not want war with Europe, but that
if Europe started one, it would end so swiftly that there would be no one left
for Russia to negotiate with. Putin threatened to sever Ukraine’s access to the
sea in response to drone attacks on tankers of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the
Black Sea. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Putin’s remarks showed
he was not ready to end the war. Russian forces control more than 19 percent of
Ukraine, or 115,600 square km (45,000 square miles), up only one percentage
point from two years ago, though they have advanced in 2025 at the fastest pace
since 2022, according to pro-Ukrainian maps. But nearly four years into the
Ukraine war, Russia has failed to conquer Ukraine, a much smaller neighbor that
has been supported by European powers and the United States. Zelenskyy, speaking
in Dublin, said everything would depend on the talks in Moscow but that he was
afraid the United States could lose interest in the peace process. “There will
be no easy solutions ... It is important that everything is fair and open, so
that there are no games behind Ukraine’s back,” he said. Putin sees possible
‘basis for future agreements’Putin has said the discussions so far are not about
a draft agreement but about a set of proposals that he said last week “could be
the basis for future agreements.”Putin has said he is ready to talk peace, but
that if Ukraine refuses an agreement, then Russia’s forces will advance further
and take more Ukrainian territory.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the biggest confrontation
between Moscow and the West since the depths of the Cold War. Conflict first
erupted in eastern Ukraine in 2014 after a pro-Russian president was toppled in
Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution. Russia annexed Crimea and Moscow-backed separatists
battled Kyiv’s armed forces in eastern Ukraine. In video footage released on the
eve of Witkoff’s visit, Putin hailed what his commanders said was Russia’s
capture of the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine as an important victory after
a prolonged campaign. Ukraine’s military told Reuters its forces were still
holding the northern part of the city and had attacked Russian forces in
southern Pokrovsk. US officials have put the casualty toll in the war at more
than 1.2 million killed or wounded. Neither Ukraine nor Russia discloses its
losses. The conflict has also caused widespread destruction in Ukrainian towns
and cities and forced many people from their homes. Since the US draft proposals
emerged last month, European powers have been trying to bolster Ukraine against
what they see as a punitive peace deal that could open Russia to US investment
in oil, gas and rare earths and return Moscow to the G8. Key Russian demands
include a pledge that Ukraine would never join NATO, caps on the Ukrainian army,
Russian control of the whole of Donbas, recognition of Russian control of the
regions of Crimea, Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and protection for Russian
speakers in Ukraine. Ukraine says these would amount to capitulation and leave
it vulnerable to eventual Russian conquest, though Washington has also floated a
10-year security guarantee for Kyiv. Ukraine and European powers view the war as
an imperial-style land grab by Moscow and have warned that if Russia wins, then
it will one day attack NATO members. Zelenskyy says Russia must not be rewarded
for a war it started.
US envoy to meet Putin for talks on ending Ukraine war
Agence France Presse/December 02/2025
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to
hold talks in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the Trump administration's
controversial proposal to end the war in Ukraine. The meeting comes after
Washington said it was feeling confident about the plan, following talks with
Ukrainian negotiators in Florida. "I think the administration feels very
optimistic," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on
Monday. Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was seeking support
from European allies, who fear that the US plan -- drafted without input from
Kyiv or Europe -- reads like a wishlist for Moscow. But Ukraine's negotiator
Rustem Umerov said "significant progress" had been achieved in the Florida
talks, even though more work was needed on "challenging" issues. Zelensky
arrived in Ireland Monday night for an in-person briefing from Umerov after
talks in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron. He was greeted on the tarmac by
Prime Minister Micheal Martin, who posted on social media "Our support for the
people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy remains
unwavering." More than three-and-a-half years into Russia's large-scale
offensive in Ukraine, an AFP analysis of data from the U.S.-based Institute for
the Study of War (ISW) showed that the Russian army last month made its biggest
advance in Ukraine since November 2024. The situation for Kyiv has been further
complicated by a corruption scandal that has rocked Zelensky's inner circle and
forced the dismissal last week of his top negotiator and chief of staff, Andriy
Yermak. "We are expecting a conversation with the president of the United States
on key issues that are quite challenging," Zelensky said in Paris. He said
Russia had stepped up missile and drone strikes on his country to "break" the
will of Ukrainians. "This is serious pressure, not only psychological but also
physical pressure on our population," Zelensky said. Macron said the current
moment "could be decisive for the future of peace in Ukraine and security in
Europe." Zelensky insisted Russia should not receive any concession that "it
could consider as a reward for this war." "The aggressor must pay for the
aggression," he said. Zelensky and Macron spoke by telephone to Witkoff and
Umerov in Florida, the Elysee Palace said, while Zelensky's talks in Paris also
included phone conversations with other European leaders, including British
Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The flurry of communication continued with a call
between Macron and Trump later Monday in which they discussed "next steps in the
mediation efforts" and the French president "particularly emphasised the central
importance of security guarantees necessary for Ukraine", according to the
Elysee.
'Highest' pressure -
Washington's initial 28-point proposal to halt the war would have seen Kyiv
withdraw from territory it still controls in its eastern Donetsk region and the
United States de facto recognise the Donetsk, Crimea and Lugansk regions as
Russian. After talks in Geneva, the United States updated the original
blueprint, but the current contents remain unclear. EU foreign policy chief Kaja
Kallas expressed concern over the planned Putin-Witkoff meeting, saying she
feared "all the pressure will be put on the weaker side, because that is the
easier way to stop this war when Ukraine surrenders."Macron emphasised that
"there is currently no finalised plan on the territorial issues, strictly
speaking. It can only be finalised by President Zelensky". He also hailed new
U.S. sanctions on the Russian energy industry as a "game changer", saying that
in the next weeks he expected pressure on the sector to be "the highest since
the beginning of the war".
Biggest advance in a year
The diplomatic push comes as the war -- which has killed tens of thousands of
civilians and military personnel and displaced millions of Ukrainians -- shows
no sign of easing. Russia claimed on Monday to have captured Pokrovsk, a key
logistics hub that Ukraine had been defending. A Russian missile attack killed
four people and wounded nearly two dozen others on Monday in the central
Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the regional governor said. By the end of November,
the Russian army controlled, fully or partially, 19.3 percent of Ukrainian
territory, according to the analysis of data from the ISW, which works with the
Critical Threats Project.
Trump holds Venezuela meeting as Maduro rejects 'slave's
peace'
Agence France Presse/December 02/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump summoned his top national security officials to the
Oval Office on Monday to discuss Venezuela, as his counterpart Nicolas Maduro
rejected a "slave's peace" amid mounting fears of American military action. The
meeting comes as Trump ramps up pressure with a major naval build-up in the
Caribbean, bombings of suspected drug-ferrying boats, and ominous warnings to
avoid Venezuelan airspace."I will confirm that the president will be meeting
with his national security team on this subject and on many matters," White
House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing when asked by AFP about
reports of the meeting. Leavitt would not say whether Trump would reach a final
decision after months of tensions with Caracas, saying she was "definitely not
going to detail the specifics of the meeting." But she declined to rule out the
possibility of U.S. troops on the ground on Venezuela."There's options at the
president's disposal that are on the table, and I'll let him speak on those,"
Leavitt said.
'Peace of colonies' -
Maduro, who accuses Washington of seeking to topple him, told thousands of
supporters at a rally in Caracas that Venezuela does not want a "slave's
peace.""We want peace, but peace with sovereignty, equality, freedom!" said
Maduro, who danced on stage with flag-waving supporters during the event. "We do
not want a slave's peace, nor the peace of colonies." The United States has
moved the world's largest aircraft carrier and other warships into the region,
and designated an alleged drug cartel run by Maduro as a terrorist group as
tensions mount with Venezuela. Washington says the aim of the military
deployment launched in September is to curb drug trafficking in the region, but
Caracas insists regime change is the ultimate goal. Trump confirmed Sunday he
had recently spoken with Maduro for the first time since returning to office in
January, but would not give details. "I wouldn't say it went well or badly. It
was a phone call," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The New York Times
reported that Trump and Maduro had discussed a possible meeting, while The Wall
Street Journal said that the conversation also included conditions of amnesty if
Maduro were to step down.
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union"
talk show that the United States has offered Maduro the chance to leave his
country for Russia or elsewhere.
Airstrike controversy
The United States accuses Maduro, the political heir to Venezuela's late leftist
leader Hugo Chavez, of heading the "Cartel of the Suns" and has issued a $50
million reward for his capture. Venezuela and countries that support it insist
no such organization even exists. The United States also does not recognize
Maduro as the legitimate winner of last year's presidential election. But
Trump's administration faces growing controversy over air strikes that have
targeted alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern
Pacific Ocean, killing at least 83 people. Trump said Sunday he would "look
into" claims the military conducted a "double-tap" strike that killed two
survivors clinging to a burning boat in the Caribbean in early September. The
White House defended the move, saying that the admiral who leads U.S. Special
Operations Command had ordered the follow-up strike, and that he was acting
lawfully. Admiral Frank Bradley "worked well within his authority and the law
directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the
United States of America was eliminated," Leavitt said.
Trump-backed candidate of Palestinian origin Nasry Asfura leads Honduras poll
The Arab Weekly/December 02/2025
In the final days of the race, the US leader threw his weight behind former
Tegucigalpa mayor. Nasry Asfura has a one-and-a-half-point lead over fellow
right-wing candidate of Palestinian-Lebanese origin Salvador Nasralla. A
conservative candidate backed by US President Donald Trump led Sunday’s
presidential election in Honduras, according to partial results from the
electoral commission. Nasry Asfura had a very slim lead over lead over fellow
right-wing candidate of Palestinian-Lebanese origin Salvador Nasralla, according
to the National Electoral Council (CNE). Asfura, the Conservative National Party
candidate, led Honduras’ closely-contested presidential election with 56 percent
of votes counted, preliminary results showed on Monday, as the gap between the
leading candidates narrowed. A former mayor of Tegucigalpa, 67-year-old Asfura
had 40 percent of the votes counted so far, just 4,100 votes ahead of the
Liberal Party candidate Nasralla with 39.78 percent of the votes. Rixi Moncada,
of the ruling LIBRE party, was third with 19.18 percent . Preliminary data from
Sunday’s election had shown a larger two percent gap between the first and
second candidates, earlier on Monday. Whichever candidate wins a simple majority
will govern the country between 2026 and 2030. The campaign was dominated by
Trump’s threat to cut aid if his favoured candidate, 67-year-old Asfura, who is
nicknamed “grandad,” were to lose. If elected, Asfura will be the second Latin
American president of Palestinian origin after Nayib Bukele, president of El
Salvador. Many Hondurans have fled grinding poverty and violence to the United
States, including minors fearing forced recruitment by gangs, although this
escape route is no longer a viable option under Trump. In the final days of the
race, the US leader threw his weight behind former Tegucigalpa mayor Asfura,
whose campaign slogan was “Grandad, at your service!”That intervention upended a
contest that is still too close to call, in a country plagued by drug
trafficking and gang activity. Eight hours after the polls closed, 42.65 percent
of the ballots had been counted, the election board said. Lawmakers and hundreds
of mayors will also be elected in the fiercely polarised nation, which is also
one of the most violent in Latin America. “If he (Asfura) doesn’t win, the
United States will not be throwing good money after bad,” Trump wrote on Friday
on his Truth Social platform. Trump’s comments marked another brazen
intervention in another country’s politics, echoing threats he made in support
of Argentine President Javier Milei’s party in recent midterms. Before Sunday’s
vote, Trump also made the shock announcement that he would pardon former
Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, of Asfura’s National Party. Hernandez
is serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for cocaine
trafficking and other charges. Some Hondurans have welcomed Trump’s
intervention, saying they hope it might mean Honduran migrants will be allowed
to remain in the United States. But others have rejected his meddling in the
vote. Nearly 30,000 Honduran migrants have been deported from the United States
since Trump returned to office in January. The clampdown has dealt a severe blow
to the country of 11 million people, where remittances accounted for 27 percent
of GDP last year. After voting in the capital Tegucigalpa, Asfura denied that
the planned pardon would benefit him, saying: “This issue has been circulating
for months, and it has nothing to do with the elections.”Presidential hopeful
Moncada, who represents outgoing leader Xiomara Castro’s ruling Libre party, had
portrayed the election as a choice between her and a “coup-plotting
oligarchy”.That is a reference to the right’s backing of the 2009 military
ouster of leftist Manuel Zelaya, Castro’s husband. Pre-emptive accusations of
election fraud, made both by the ruling party and opposition, have sown mistrust
in the vote and sparked fears of post-election unrest. A delay in the release of
Sunday’s results did little to calm nerves. The president of the National
Electoral Council, Ana Paola Hall, warned all parties “not to fan the flames of
confrontation or violence” at the start of the single-round election. Long a
transit point for cocaine exported from Colombia to the United States, Honduras
is now also a producer of the drug. But the candidates barely addressed the
fears of Hondurans about drug trafficking, poverty and violence during the
campaign. “I hope the new government will have good lines of communication with
Trump, and that he will also support us,” said Maria Velasquez, 58. “I just want
to escape poverty.”
Pope Leo criticizes anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe, US
AFP/02 December/2025
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday criticized anti-migrant activists who stoke “fears” of
Islam and said co-operation between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon should be
an example for Europe and the United States. The 70-year-old pope spoke to
reporters on the plane at the end of his visit to Turkey and Lebanon – his first
trip outside of Italy since becoming head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics
in May. Leo said anti-Muslim sentiment was “oftentimes generated by people who
are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another
country, another religion, another race.”
He said his visit to Lebanon was intended to show “that dialogue and friendship
between Muslims and Christians is possible.”Leo said stories he heard during the
trip of Christians and Muslims helping each other were “lessons... that we
should perhaps be a little less fearful.”The US-born pope spent two decades in
Peru as a missionary within the Augustinian order. He has been critical of
growing nationalist sentiment in Europe and the United States and has called for
an end to the “inhuman treatment” of migrants under US President Donald Trump.
He has also exhorted followers to reject an “exclusionary mindset” that he said
had led to nationalism around the world.Leo has said the Catholic Church “must
open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and
race.”
‘We don’t want them’: Trump rages against Somali
immigrants
AFP/December 02, 2025
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump raged Tuesday against Somali immigrants,
saying they should be unwelcome in the United States as he highlighted the long
woes of the African country. Trump’s heated remarks come as a scandal unfolds in
the state of Minnesota where prosecutors say more than $1 billion went to
non-existent social services, largely through false billing by Somali Americans.
In Somalia “they have no anything, they just run around killing each other,”
Trump told a cabinet meeting. “Their country’s no good for a reason. Their
country stinks, and we don’t want them in our country,” he said. Trump has a
long history of deriding minorities and rose to political prominence spreading
false conspiracy theories that former president Barack Obama was born in Kenya
rather than the United States. Trump has often played up fears of the white
majority of losing political and cultural power. “We’re at a tipping point,”
Trump told the cabinet meeting. “We could go one way or the other, and we’re
going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country.” Trump
said that Somali Americans “contribute nothing” and berated Ilhan Omar, an
outspoken Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota who is originally from
Somalia. “Ilhan Omar is garbage. Her friends are garbage,” Trump said. “Let them
go back to where they came from and fix it.” Trump last week ended protections
against deportations of Somalis in place in the United States since 1991, when
Somalia descended into anarchy. Prosecutors are investigating several plots to
steal taxpayer money in Minnesota, including by groups that falsely claimed to
be feeding children during the Covid-19 pandemic. Minnesota, a historically
Democratic-leaning state with a history of welcoming refugees, is home to a
major Somali American community. The scandal takes an added political dimension
as Minnesota’s governor is Tim Walz, a Democrat who was the party’s unsuccessful
candidate for vice president in last year’s election. Last week, Trump
separately ordered a halt to all visa issuance to Afghans after a deadly
shooting in Washington by an Afghan who worked for US intelligence during the
war and was granted asylum after the Taliban returned to power.
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
published
on
December 02-03/2025
How prolonged hunger and famine left irreversible scars on Gaza’s
youngest
ANAN TELLO/Arab News/December 02, 2025
LONDON: Famine conditions in Gaza have eased somewhat since the Oct. 10
ceasefire enabled limited aid deliveries into the enclave. But months of hunger
and trauma had already inflicted profound, and in many cases irreversible, harm.
Although a formal declaration of famine did not come until August, Gazans had
been cut off from adequate, nutritious food for close to two years. The effects,
families say, began long before the crisis was officially classified. “Just two
days ago, we ate meat for the first time in a long while after prices dropped
slightly,” said Maysa Yousef, an artist and mother of four based in central
Gaza. “The last time anyone in my family tasted eggs was last Ramadan (March
2025).” The crisis has reshaped children’s understanding of food.
“Children born during the war do not know sweets, eggs, chicken, fish or fruit,”
Yousef told Arab News. “They have not eaten vegetables or protein, so their
bodies are extremely weak and their ability to focus is almost nonexistent. All
of this is the result of prolonged malnutrition.”A friend’s toddler, she said,
calls all round fruit “koora,” or “ball,” because she cannot identify even the
most common produce. The little girl has never tasted candy, biscuits or fresh
fruit. “She only knows bread and basic canned food. Nothing else.”Yousef, who
lives with her family among the rubble of their former home in Deir El-Balah,
said that “for two full years, we survived mostly on canned food — peas, beans
and processed meats like luncheon.”Compared to the days of famine, “this feels
like a blessing,” she added. However, her children remain deprived of a basic
nutritious diet. The hunger started soon after the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7,
2023, triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. By December that year, international
monitors, including Human Rights Watch, said starvation was being used as a
weapon of war. In March 2024, the first major alerts warned that famine was
imminent. Aid organizations and UN bodies accused Israel of impeding deliveries
of relief goods — claims Israel has consistently denied. By Aug. 22 this year,
the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification estimated that more than
500,000 people had reached catastrophic levels of hunger. The IPC projected the
risks would persist for years, warning more than 132,000 children under the age
of five could suffer acute malnutrition by June 2026. Israel dismissed the
findings, with its foreign ministry accusing the IPC of publishing a
“tailor-made fabricated report to fit Hamas’s fake campaign.” Since 2023, Gaza
has endured a near-total blockade of food, fuel, power and commercial goods,
marking its most extreme embargo since 2007. The territory’s health system has
been shattered by bombardment, displacement and fuel shortages, contributing to
malnutrition-related deaths. As of Sept. 19, the local health authority reported
at least 440 starvation-related deaths, including 147 children.
The real figure is likely far higher. The IPC’s report says malnutrition
frequently contributes to fatalities recorded under other causes such as injury,
infection or delayed trauma recovery. Many deaths in homes, it added, likely go
uncounted due to displacement, a lack of transport and collapsed medical access.
Children have been among the most visibly impacted.
“Our children carry water, search for firewood, and walk long distances just to
get bread if it is available, or to look for flour, canned goods and other basic
necessities,” Yousef said. “Their bodies were not built during the war — they
have been severely weakened and broken down.” Her own young daughter suffers
from malnutrition, persistent headaches and abnormal dental development. “During
the famine, she lost all her baby teeth, and until now, some still have not
grown back, and those that did are deformed or crooked,” Yousef said. UN
officials say progress is fragile and incomplete. “Despite progress, thousands
of children under the age of five remain acutely malnourished in Gaza, while
many more lack proper shelter, sanitation and protection against winter,”
Catherine Russell, executive director of the UN children’s fund, UNICEF, said in
a Nov. 28 statement. “Too many children in Gaza are still facing hunger, illness
and exposure to cold temperatures, conditions that are putting their lives at
risk. Every minute counts to protect these children.” More aid has entered since
mid-October, easing prices and improving meal frequency. The UN says households
are now having two meals per day, up from one meal in July. But access to
produce, eggs, meat and other high-nutrient foods remains limited or is
unaffordable for most families. The IPC noted in its August report that short
periods of minimal food availability cannot restore the body after months or
years of deprivation. Recovery requires sustained surplus calories, protein, and
nutrient-rich foods — as much as 25 percent more than normal intake over
multiple months. Minimum aid levels, it warned, are not sufficient at this
stage. Distribution systems, it added, must change urgently for the most
vulnerable to consistently receive food. US President Donald Trump’s 20-point
plan requires “full aid” to be “immediately sent into the Gaza Strip” as an
initial step to mitigate the famine. Yet the agreement has fallen short of its
targets, as Israel is still accused of limiting the delivery and distribution of
aid. The ceasefire agreement demands that an average of 600 aid trucks enter
Gaza per day. Israel says it is meeting its obligations and blames Hamas for the
shortages, alleging that fighters are diverting deliveries before distribution.
Hamas rejects the claims.
Independent monitors offer a different assessment. The World Food Programme said
in early November that about half of the necessary food assistance was reaching
the population, while local relief agencies reported October deliveries totaled
roughly a quarter of pledged levels. Abeer Etefa, senior spokesperson for WFP,
described a “race against time,” as people “are still suffering from hunger, and
the needs are overwhelming.”Despite a drop in prices since the ceasefire, cash
liquidity remains another barrier, with withdrawal fees of between 20 and 24
percent. “Cash money has become a thing of the past for us,” Yousef said. “We
have practically forgotten it as we are no longer able to hold a single shekel
in our hand. “During the height of the famine, 1 kg of flour cost $50, and later
reached $100 per kg, after we once used to buy 4 kg for just $1. As a mother, it
was unbearable to watch my children sleep hungry. “I worked and walked and
struggled for hours just to secure a single loaf of bread — that was our
greatest challenge. “Imagine having money in the bank but not being unable to
buy anything or manage your life, because not everyone uses banking apps, and
some people refuse to accept payment through those apps.” Humanitarian needs
remain vast. The WFP said it provided food parcels to 1 million people in the
first three weeks after the ceasefire — still some way below its 1.6 million
target. Aid flows are restricted further by the limited number of active border
crossings.
Fuel shortages compound the health crisis. More than 60 percent of households
are cooking by burning debris or waste, according to the UN humanitarian agency
OCHA, heightening infection and respiratory risks. OCHA said in early November
that acute malnutrition among screened children in Gaza had fallen to 10
percent, down from 14 percent in September, but more than 1,000 remained
severely affected. Even if a child survives and receives adequate nutritious
food, they will likely still face long-term health impacts. A January health
study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, found exposure to famine during
infancy and toddler years sharply increases the risk of later-life chronic
diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, cancer and
cognitive disorders. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the
World Health Organization, warned that Gaza is experiencing a health
“catastrophe” that will last for “generations to come.” “If you take the famine
and combine it with a mental health problem, which we see is rampant, then the
situation is a crisis for generations to come,” Ghebreyesus told BBC Radio 4’s
Today program on Oct. 22. With pregnant and lactating mothers among those most
affected by malnutrition, one in five babies are born prematurely or underweight
and one in seven needs emergency neonatal care, according to UN figures.
INNUMBERS
• 132k Children in Gaza who require nutrition treatment over 12 months.
• 9.3k Under-5s who suffered acute malnutrition in October alone.
In August, more than 40 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza were
severely malnourished, according to the UN Population Fund. The UN body warned
that surviving children may face stunted growth, developmental delays, weakened
immunity, and increased risk of chronic disease in adulthood. The risk is also
there for unborn children. Dutch epidemiologist Tessa Roseboom, whose
research tracks the long-term impact of prenatal malnutrition, says famine can
leave a lasting imprint on fetuses.
She told France24 on Nov. 17 that malnutrition may leave epigenetic markers on a
fetus’s DNA that affect how genes function. “The genetic code itself is not
changed, but the expression of the DNA changes,” she said.
She also highlighted that the production of protective maternal enzymes is
impacted during famine, exposing fetuses to elevated stress hormones,
potentially increasing sensitivity to stress in adulthood. This damage is
irreversible, Roseboom said, but it can still be reduced. “Food safety has to
come quickly, prioritizing women and children. “The scientific evidence is
clear. The repercussions will continue for generations, and I’m incredibly
worried about this generation and the next.” UN agencies say treatment demands
will shape the year ahead. In a report covering the month of October, UNICEF
estimated that 132,000 children and 55,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women in
Gaza will require nutritional care over the next 12 months. Taken together, aid
agencies, physicians and researchers warn the crisis has triggered a collapse in
mental and physical health, childhood development, labor participation, and life
expectancy. For Yousef and other parents in Gaza who have struggled to feed
their children, the warnings from health experts make for painful listening.
“One of the most painful moments I’ve lived through in the past two years was
hearing my children say they were hungry — and having to tell them I had nothing
to give them,” she said. “All while we still had money in the bank.”
The plan for Gaza not only fails to acknowledge
Palestinian sovereignty but also goes to great lengths to erase it.
James J. Zogby/The Arab Weekly/December 02/2025
In one week, the Trump administration passed a United Nations Security Council
resolution on Gaza and released a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. Commentators
and critics have noted both similarities and profound differences between the
two initiatives. First, both plans appear to be driven by the simple and
commendable goal of ending ongoing violence. The plans’ problems, however, stem
from initial drafting without the input of either the Palestinians or
Ukrainians. The Gaza plan’s exact origins remain somewhat murky, but the absence
of Palestinian participation is clear. The Ukrainian plan’s origins have been a
subject of some controversy. At first the US claimed it had been developed with
the Russians, based on a Russian draft, before denying any US involvement. They
later “clarified” that it had been a joint US-Russian effort. After pushback
from Europeans and some Republican senators, the US engaged with the Ukrainians,
making some changes which may or may not be acceptable to the Russians.
Herein lies a difference between the two plans. Ukraine is recognised as a
sovereign entity, despite the draft plan’s allowing for violations of Ukraine’s
sovereignty. The plan for Gaza not only fails to acknowledge Palestinian
sovereignty but also goes to great lengths to erase it. It subjects Palestinians
to the whims of Israel and international bodies, led by the US, which will be
positioned to make decisions that will shape the Palestinian people’s future.
Feints toward Palestinian sovereignty remain, a “tip of the hat” to the
Saudi-French Proposal, references to a Palestinian police force, and the idea
that a reformed PA “may” be involved in the future. But these are conditioned on
terms established by others, rather than as rights. It pours cold water on the
giddiness accompanying the Special Session on Palestine that preceded the
opening of this year’s General Assembly when a number of states recognised
Palestinian statehood. Especially concerning in this slighting of the PA is the
lack of acknowledgement by the Gaza plan’s architects that Israel has, for three
decades, done its best to ensure the PA’s failure.
Today, the PA, while still conceptually representing the promise of Palestinian
statehood, is increasingly seen in the West Bank as a subordinate acting on
behalf of Israel rather than an independent self-governing entity representing
Palestinian aspirations.
The Gaza plan’s insistence that the PA reform begs a number of questions. What
exactly are these reforms? Can the PA implement reforms under continuing Israeli
domination of the West Bank? With Israel as one of the parties designated to
establish and measure the metrics of reform, will a compliant PA have the
credibility it needs to govern or be seen as the agent of the true sovereign,
Israel? Finally, while the Ukraine plan’s initial version does include some
constraints on Russia, even before recent reports of still unseen Ukrainian
modifications, there are no such constraints imposed on Israel in the UN Gaza
plan. Even the agreed-upon “ceasefire” remains elusive, with Israel acting with
impunity as the ceasefire’s sole enforcer, bombing Palestinians daily.
Furthermore, Israel still controls access and egress to the portion of Gaza from
which they have withdrawn, and Palestinians remain largely without adequate
shelter, food and medical services as winter approaches. One decisive difference
in the two plans’ development has been the roles played by external forces.
Ukraine has the backing of a near-unified European bloc, coupled with support
from Republicans driven by anti-Russian animus. This tempered even the initial
US 28-point plan. While the Gaza plan had its origins in an Arab draft, and Arab
states and others were able to insert some language in the UN Gaza resolution,
by the time the US and Israel stripped it down and President Trump put his
imprimatur on it, Palestinian rights were gone. It is not too late for Arabs to
demand better terms, for Palestinians to put their house in order creating a
unified national plan of governance for the West Bank and Gaza, and for Arabs
and Palestinians to insist that those nations who have recognised Palestinian
statehood call for reopening the debate on Palestine’s future. If changes are
not made, in short order, we will tragically be right back where we started.
**Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Washington-based Arab American
Institute.
Trump's Stabilisation Plan for Gaza Risks Starting Another
War
Con Coughlin/Gatestone Institute/December 02/2025
"What is the mandate of security forces inside of Gaza? And we hope that it is
peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch
that.... [R]unning around Gaza on patrol with weapons, that's not a situation
that any country would like to get involved in." — King Abdullah II of Jordan to
the BBC, October 27, 2025.
The same is true for an international force, as the world has been witnessing in
Lebanon. For nearly half a century. It is a measure of the Trump
administration's growing desperation to move to the next stage of its Gaza peace
plan that it has even approached the legitimate government of war-torn Yemen to
deploy troops, even though it has proved totally incapable of defending its own
country from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
So while Trump may be celebrating the decision by the UN Security Council to
back his Gaza peace plan, he may soon find that turning it into reality may be
an impossible task so long as Hamas terrorists remain in Gaza.
With extreme terrorist groups such as Hamas already condemning Trump's proposals
for the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire, the White House may struggle to
persuade Arab and Muslim countries to provide the troops needed to establish a
multinational force.
Hamas claims that the ISF that an International Stabilization
Force (ISF) implementing disarmament of the terrorist organisation would make it
a combatant acting on behalf of Israel, a declaration that all but guarantees
the ISF will find itself involved in a violent conflict with the Islamist group.
Donald Trump's hopes of establishing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza could be
fatally compromised by his efforts to create an International Stabilization
Force (ISF) to run the Gaza Strip in place of Hamas terrorists.
As part of Trump's wide-ranging plan to end the Gaza conflict, he has proposed
the creation of a multinational force drawn from a number of Arab and Muslim
states that will be mandated to maintain security in the enclave for an initial
period of two years.
A critical part of the force's mission will be to disarm Hamas terrorists and
end their two-decade-long reign of terror in Gaza. During that time, apart from
brutalising the local population, they used the opportunity to launch a constant
stream of terrorist attacks against Israel, culminating in the invasion of
October 7, 2023. It would be intolerable if Hamas's successor were to do the
same.
The creation of Trump's proposed force has taken a significant step forward
after the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution endorsing Trump's
20-point plan for ending the Gaza conflict and establishing an International
Stabilization Force. The ISF would be responsible for overseeing the
demilitarization of Gaza, including by decommissioning weapons and destroying
terrorist infrastructure.
As part of this process, it would be tasked with ensuring the complete
disarmament of Hamas. However, as King Abdullah II of Jordan pointed out to the
BBC in October:
"What is the mandate of security forces inside of Gaza? And we hope that it is
peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch that...
[R]unning around Gaza on patrol with weapons, that's not a situation that any
country would like to get involved in."
The same is true for an international force, as the world has been witnessing in
Lebanon. For nearly half a century. The resolution's text states that member
states can also take part in Trump's plan for establishing a "Board of Peace",
which would act as a transitional authority to oversee the reconstruction and
economic recovery of post-conflict Gaza.
Trump celebrated the vote as "a moment of true Historic proportion" in a social
media post. "The members of the Board, and many more exciting announcements,
will be made in the coming weeks," Trump wrote. Mike Waltz, the US Ambassador to
the UN, said the resolution, which includes Trump's 20-point plan as an annex,
"charts a possible pathway for Palestinian self-determination... where rockets
will give way to olive branches and there is a chance to agree on a political
horizon.""It dismantles Hamas' grip, it ensures Gaza rises free from terror's
shadow, prosperous and secure," Waltz told the council ahead of the vote. If
only. The UNSC resolution passed despite criticism from both Russia and China,
which have veto powers at the Security Council. The Russian and Chinese
delegations complained that the resolution does not give the UN a clear role in
the future of Gaza. In the event, both countries abstained from the vote.
Nonetheless, even though Trump's Gaza peace plan now has the UN's formal
backing, it is clear that he needs to overcome a number of significant obstacles
for it to work, such as the failure of UNIFIL forces to control Hezbollah in
Lebanon, and not least the fierce opposition the ISF concept has provoked from
Hamas. Responding to the UN vote, Hamas reiterated its insistence that it will
not disarm, arguing that its fight against Israel constituted "legitimate
resistance". Hamas also denounced the formation of a "Board of Peace", claiming
in a statement that, "The resolution imposes an international guardianship
mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject."By
contrast, the Palestinian Authority issued a statement welcoming the resolution,
and said it is ready to take part in its implementation.
With extreme terrorist groups such as Hamas already condemning Trump's proposals
for the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire, the White House may struggle to
persuade Arab and Muslim countries to provide the troops needed to establish the
multinational force.
Hamas claims that authorising the ISF to implement the complete disarmament of
the terrorist organisation makes it a combatant acting on behalf of Israel, a
declaration that all but guarantees the multinational force will find itself
involved in a violent conflict with the Islamist group.Hamas has already made
clear, according to one report, that "The Palestinian people... will not allow
any guardianship or the imposition of any external solutions or equations."
"Separately, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), a group allied with Hamas,
says it considers any attempt to deploy international or other forces in Gaza as
'an aggression' and will deal with it as occupying forces."
Thus, while a number of Muslim-majority countries, including Indonesia,
Azerbaijan and Egypt, have indicated their willingness to support the mission,
they are wary of making any full commitment.
Although many of their leaders have expressed interest in undertaking a
peacekeeping mission in Gaza, they are less enthusiastic about becoming involved
in a full-blown war with Hamas.
If that happened, Trump's attempts to end the Gaza conflict will merely have
succeeded in launching a new phase of fighting in the war-torn area.
The Trump administration, therefore, is likely to face significant difficulties
in its efforts to establish the ISF. Several of Washington's allies, such as the
United Arab Emirates and Jordan, have already declined to contribute militarily
until there is clarity about the precise nature of the mission.
Turkey, meanwhile, which is willing to involve itself in Gaza, has been ruled
out because of its pro-Hamas sympathies.
It is a measure of the Trump administration's growing desperation to move to the
next stage of its Gaza peace plan that it has even approached the legitimate
government of war-torn Yemen to deploy troops, even though it has proved totally
incapable of defending its own country from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. So
while Trump may be celebrating the decision by the UN Security Council to back
his Gaza peace plan, he may soon find that turning it into reality may be an
impossible task so long as Hamas terrorists remain in Gaza.
*Con Coughlin is the Telegraph's Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor and a
Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Trump’s Venezuela push tackles the cocaine cartels — and
Maduro’s illicit regime
RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery/New York Post
In January President Donald Trump’s Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell
held extensive talks with Venezuelan dictator Nicholás Maduro that included
discussions of Venezuela receiving deported illegal immigrants and concluded
with the release of six American prisoners held in Caracas.
Last Friday, eight short months later, Trump announced Venezuelan airspace
“closed in its entirety” and Washington is awash in rumors of impending ground
operations.
And now we have reports that Trump recently told Maduro he’d best flee the
country with his family if he wants to them all to live. As Ron Burgundy might
say, “That got out of hand fast.” Maduro’s authoritarian rule has killed,
tortured and imprisoned thousands of opposition members, overturned legitimate
elections and pillaged both the national treasury and Venezuela’s extensive
fossil-fuel resources; he is a tyrant who won’t be missed by anyone in Venezuela
but his corrupt partners.
And Secretary of State Marco Rubio wants nothing less than the removal of Maduro
and his cronies and the installation of the opposition leaders duly elected in
July 2024.
In his first term, Trump was no friend of Maduro, but his aggressive turn now is
notable.
In theory, this is about homeland security — and more specifically about the
threat of drugs to US prosperity. And very specifically the alleged role that
Maduro and his Interior and Justice Minister, Diosdado Cabello, play as
narcotic-cartel leaders.
Trump routinely points out that fentanyl has killed hundreds of thousands of
Americans and that Maduro runs a cartel that deal illegal drugs.
Yet fentanyl comes into America almost solely through Mexico, and the precursor
agents for making it come to Mexico from Communist China; Venezuelan narco-cartels
deal mostly in cocaine, and they distribute as much to Europe as to the United
States.
The president has declared the fentanyl plague a “national security emergency,”
and certainly a compelling argument can be made for that. But why is his first
target the drug cartels of Venezuela?
Simply put, Venezuela is an easier target than Mexico — America’s closest
trading partner and neighbor — or China — a nuclear armed adversary who might
not take a liking to the US Navy sinking merchant ships carrying precursor
agents.
In support of this effort, Washington has deployed a large number of warships
and servicemembers into the Caribbean — the most at any time in the past three
decades. This includes naval forces (a carrier strike group, destroyers, and
amphibious ships), manned and unmanned air power (both afloat and ashore),
special operators and 4,000 Marines on ships. These forces have been used as a
demonstration of power, but also to affect 20- plus attacks on small boats
allegedly ferrying drugs in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. These kinetic
attacks are a stark departure from nearly 40 years of law enforcement-based drug
operations, where Navy, Coast Guard and other federal assets stopped ships,
searched them and arrested those ferrying narcotics.
This current effort has been heavily criticized for its lack of probable cause
and potential for error, and is focused too much on the cocaine after it’s been
broken down into small shipments.Now we have the rumors of “ground operations.”
Logically, the primary target for this effort would be striking the drugs at
cartel concentration points — factories and warehouses; these targets should be
well understood by US forces by now. An accompanying target set would be the
relevant parts of the Venezuelan armed forces — military airfields, fighter
aircraft and air defense systems — that might oppose US strikes on narcotic
targets: Venezuela has limited number of these weapons, and they are thought to
be poorly maintained systems, but operational safety would dictate that they be
removed. Again, these targets should be well scoped by US forces by now;
striking them will have the added benefit of convincing the Venezuelan military
that this is not a fight they want to play in.
Actual ground operations with US soldiers in Venezuela are not a logical option:
Venezuela is twice the size of California, with a population of 35 million. Yet
ruling out large numbers of boots on the ground would not eliminate the
possibility of special operations, by unique highly trained forces.
The short-term goal should be convincing Maduro to leave, or convincing those
around him to remove him themselves. The longer-term goal is to create the
conditions where those in power, the military and police forces, allow those
legally elected to power to take the presidency — Edmundo Gonzalez or Maria
Corina Machado, who Gonzalez stood in for when she was barred from running.
Donald Trump did not run for president as an agent of regime change anywhere,
but he seems to have decided to pursue this agenda in the most unusual of places
— South America, for the most unexpected of reasons — cocaine distribution.
But if he keeps up the pressure campaign he has started, regime change is likely
what we will be seeing in Venezuela later this month.
**Rear Adm. (ret.) Mark Montgomery is a senior fellow at the Foundation for
Defense of Democracies.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/30/opinion/trumps-push-on-venezuela-looks-to-be-the-safest-first-step-against-the-fentanyl-cartels/
Read in New York Post/Published on 30 November/2025
Trump has finally said what no other world leader is brave enough to admit… and
taken a stand against the greatest threat to Western civilization
Mark Dubowitz/Daily Mail/December 02/2025
President Donald Trump‘s new executive order targeting branches of the Muslim
Brotherhood marks the first serious attempt by any Western leader in decades to
confront the Islamist networks that have embedded themselves across the free
world. While Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia look the other way — or
worse, appease them — the United States has finally taken a step toward
identifying and sanctioning the organizations that fuel radicalization from the
Middle East to Western capitals. And that is precisely why this moment matters.
Because the pattern now unfolding across the West is unmistakable — and the
executive order exposes it.
For years, the radical left in the West insisted that the highest virtue was
‘multi-CULT-uralism,’ the belief that all cultures must be treated as morally
equivalent, even those that openly reject democracy, pluralism and individual
rights. Under this doctrine, Western governments welcomed Islamists into their
societies without asking a single hard question. No vetting. No scrutiny. No
regard for the long-term consequences.
The result is now painfully clear. Across the UK, Europe, Canada and Australia,
Islamist organizations have entrenched themselves in schools, universities,
unions, charities, and political parties. They have become powerful voting
blocs. They have reshaped the civic and cultural life of entire cities. And they
have made those cities hostile — openly hostile — to Jews. Across London, Paris,
Brussels, Berlin, Toronto and Sydney, Jews are told to hide their identities,
avoid certain neighborhoods, or simply leave entirely.
Synagogues require fortress-level protection. Jewish students are hounded off
campuses. Families who believed they were fully at home in the West now live
with a fear they never imagined would return.
And instead of reversing course, Western governments have bent further. Rather
than confront the Islamist networks they empowered, they appease them — adopting
harsher anti-Israel rhetoric, tolerating antisemitic agitation, and pretending
it is all ‘legitimate political expression.’ But Jews, as history never tires of
teaching, are merely the first in line. Christians and non-Islamist Muslims —
particularly those who fled Islamist regimes — are now facing the same pressure.
Women who refuse to veil, Muslims who reject extremism, Christians who speak
openly about their faith: all increasingly find themselves targeted in cities
transformed by the very intolerance Western elites insisted was compatible with
liberal democracy.
This isn’t integration. It’s capitulation.
And now the United States stands on the brink of the same self-inflicted
disaster.
Here at home, the threat comes from two extremes simultaneously: the Zohran
Mamdani–Bernie Sanders Leninist left, which insists Islamists including Hamas
are simply ‘oppressed’ actors who must never be criticized — and the Tucker
Carlson ‘Reich’ right, which has drifted into isolationism, conspiracism,
antisemitism, Holocaust and WWII revisionism as well as the demonization of
Israel. Both sides sanitize the forces that threaten the West. These two camps,
though they claim to despise each other, are creating precisely the conditions
that have already poisoned Europe and threaten Canada and Australia. This is why
Trump’s executive order matters. It is a recognition of reality: that the Muslim
Brotherhood is not merely a political movement but the ideological backbone of
the Islamist project worldwide — one with tentacles reaching into the West. By
designating specific branches, the US can finally begin identifying operatives,
cutting off financing, and countering the influence networks that Europe, Canada
and Australia allowed to metastasize.
No other Western leader has had the courage to take this step.
If America fails to learn from the collapse into Islamist appeasement, the
consequences will be the same: Jews pushed out, Christians intimidated,
non-Islamist Muslims abandoned, and the very fabric of Western society slowly
unraveling.
The question now is whether the United States will seize this moment — or follow
our Western allies into the abyss.
God help America — because the warning signs are already flashing red.
*Mark Dubowitz is the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-15329667/amp/donald-trump-executive-order-muslim-brotherhood-mark-dubowitz.html
Read in Daily Mail/Published on November 27/2025
Building resilient labor markets for a changing world
Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain/Al Arabiya English/02 December/2025
The global labor market is at a crossroads. Technological advances, demographic
transitions, and evolving work patterns are creating new opportunities while
also exposing underlying inequalities.
Globally, the ILO estimates that one in four young people are NEETs (Not in
Education, Employment, or Training), a figure which is particularly acute in
lower income countries. People are also working longer. According to Bain, by
2030, an estimated 150 million jobs will shift to older workers worldwide, while
a large share of the workforce remains in informal employment, lacking social
protection and stable income.
he Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is not immune to these issues.
Informal employment remains prevalent, with nearly two out of every three
workers lacking formal contracts or social protection. At the same time,
although the region has one of the youngest populations in the world, almost one
in three young people are NEETs. A pronounced gender disparity also persists,
with women facing significantly lower participation and employment opportunities
than men.
The MENA region stands at a pivotal moment, with great potential and rising
global influence. At the crossroads of three continents, it is reshaping its
future through ambitious transformation agendas, but its success will depend on
building resilient systems and structures that can sustain prosperity for
generations to come.The challenge is not simply to create jobs but to also build
fair, inclusive, and resilient labor markets that keep pace with change. Meeting
this challenge requires coordinated action on several fronts. Governments must
strengthen social protection systems to cover informal workers and extend safety
nets that enable people to adapt to change. Education and training systems need
to evolve rapidly, ensuring that young people, and older workers alike, gain the
skills demanded by new industries shaped by technology and green transitions. At
the same time, empowering women to participate fully in the workforce is not
only a matter of equity but a driver of economic growth. Businesses, too, play a
critical role by embracing more flexible and inclusive employment models,
investing in reskilling, and ensuring that technological innovation benefits
workers as much as it boosts productivity. Partnerships between the public and
private sectors can accelerate job creation in emerging fields, from digital
services to renewable energy, while also improving job quality across
traditional sectors. No country can face these shifts alone. That’s why
platforms that bring together policymakers, researchers, and business leaders,
such as the upcoming Global Labor Market Conference, are vital for translating
ideas into coordinated action. But what matters most is sustained commitment:
transforming today’s conversations into policies that protect workers, unlock
opportunity, and build labor markets capable of withstanding the tests of the
future.
The choices made now will determine whether change becomes a source of division
or a catalyst for shared prosperity. By investing in people, inclusion, and
resilience, we can ensure that the future of work works for everyone.
The Muslim Brotherhood and ‘Resistance Axis’ … Partners
in Destruction
Nadim Koteich/Asharq Al-Awsat/December 02/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/12/149858/
US President Donald Trump’s designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations of
certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon closes
a chapter that western capitals had avoided for years. The designation is
nothing more than a delayed recognition of what our region already knows and has
repeatedly told the world: The Muslim Brotherhood is not a reformist movement,
but a cross-border organization that uses chaos to survive and threaten Arab and
Muslim countries.
The designation took place on the two-year anniversary of the war on Gaza and
the ensuing repercussions the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation has had on the entire
region, especially in weakening opportunities for comprehensive peace that the
American administration is trying to revive from its deathbed.
Researchers and historians will differ about whether the October 7, 2023, attack
is part of the Palestinian resistance narrative aimed at stopping efforts to
achieve regional peace that would effectively eliminate the need for the
so-called “Resistance Axis”. They may argue that the attack was a strategic
error that destroyed the opportunity for the establishment of a Palestinian
state and striking comprehensive peace with it.
What is certain, however, is that the climate before the October 2023 attack was
paving the way for peace projects in the region, coupled with strategies for
economic normalization and infrastructure integration with Israel, Arab
countries, Europe and India.
Saudi Arabia was not aiming for a bilateral agreement, but seeking a political
and economic turning point that would reshape the entire Middle East based on
economy, development and interests, as well as reining in ideologies. This would
have accorded the Palestinian cause a diplomatic path towards its end goal and
cease the exploitation of the cause by various parties as fuel for constant
mobilization. At the moment, the Al-Aqsa operation has dashed all of these hopes
indefinitely. Riyadh’s position towards peace with Israel has not changed. It
will not go ahead with it without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The
position was reiterated by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and
Prime Minister, in Washington, saying that he prioritizes the stance of the
Saudi people on this file.
What has changed is that the normalization was just a short distance away. Now,
the leaders are no longer working towards peace, but in preventing the
Brotherhood and other armed groups backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards
Corps from sowing chaos in the region and from taking the Palestinian file back
to square one.
Let us recall that Hamas is not an independent Palestinian faction, but a branch
of the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood and its agenda aligns with that of the
regime in Iran. This is a well-known fact that is, however, rarely used in
reading developments in the region.
Whether the perpetrators of the Al-Aqsa Flood wanted it or not, the operation
did not target Israel alone, but it dealt heavy blows to regional efforts that
would have put an end to political Islam.
Under the slogan of reviving the Palestinian cause, the architects of the Al-Aqsa
Flood revived the atmosphere of the Muslim Brotherhood – that of oppression and
despair and investing in anger and amplifying feelings of helplessness that are
employed in political vengeance against their traditional rival: the Arab
national state. For them, the Palestinian cause is not an end in itself, but a
means to destroy relations between the citizen and his state and transform every
government into a suspect accused of treason.
Perhaps what took place in Jordan offers the clearest example of the danger of
this approach. Protests in support of Gaza rapidly turned into calls by the
Islamic Action Front into rallies against the regime in a blunt demonstration of
the Brotherhood’s strategy in using every foreign crisis as a means to destroy
internal stability.
In early 2025, Jordan uncovered Brotherhood cells that had received training and
financing in Lebanon. They were busted as they were making rockets and drones,
and storing explosives that were going to be used in hitting targets inside
Jordan – not Israel – allegedly in support of Gaza. Other Arab countries were
not spared. Despite their humanitarian support for Gaza, they were victims of
incitement by the Brotherhood. Those feeding Gaza were accused of betraying its
people and those who starve it are described as defending it. This may seem like
a paradox, but this is how the Brotherhood thinks. It does not want to save the
Palestinians as much as it wants to benefit from keeping them as fuel for their
projects.
Trump’s executive order, therefore, is not an isolated American action, but
recognition that the Brotherhood is an obstacle in any reshaping of the region.
It becomes a greater obstacle given the close alignment between the Brotherhood
and the Resistance Axis, who despite their clashing ideology, are waging a
battle against one enemy: the stable Arab national state.
A Moment in The ‘Oval Office’
Amal Abdulaziz al-Hazzani/ASharq Al-Awsat/December 02/2025
We were arranged, as journalists dispatched to cover the historic meeting at the
White House, between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President
Donald Trump. Because the F-35 jet deal is tied to defense and security, it was
the focal point of the coverage in American print and broadcast media. Whether
they were opposed or supportive of the idea, everyone was asking and answering
the same question: Would the fighter jet deal impact US national security?
These new generation jets have been enhanced by the integration of artificial
intelligence tools that add to their well-established stealth and detection
capabilities. In recent years, however, the Saudi leadership has become an
increasingly trusted partner of the current US administration. Indeed, Riyadh’s
focus on resolving regional disputes and defusing tensions is perfectly aligned
with the pursuits of President Trump, who constantly boasts of his prowess as a
“deal-maker,” as we have seen with the Gaza deal and elsewhere.
This trust is key to addressing concerns regarding safeguards that keep advanced
weaponry out of the hands of Washington’s adversaries. Saudi arms deals have
always been controversial, notably because of fears of shifting the balance of
power in the region and undermining the military supremacy of Israel, which does
not want competitors nearby. The fact is, however, that acquiring arms does not
necessarily entail using them. Saudi Arabia is not like Israel or Iran. It seeks
to avoid conflict because wars lead to stagnation, obstructing the path to the
future, and hindering progress and innovation.
Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia has long sought to develop its air force, a legitimate
objective. In the 1980s, the Kingdom and the US concluded the AWACS deal, which
was approved by Carter and implemented by Reagan. Before these exceptional
pieces of American military hardware were acquired, King Abdulaziz and Roosevelt
concluded the famous 1945 Quincy security agreement. The recent visit, then, is
part of a long historical trajectory. The other agreements reached during the
visit were not politically controversial, as they revolved around investments in
various sectors. However, they did cover discussions around advanced
semiconductors, which form the backbone of artificial intelligence systems. The
United States itself does not manufacture enough of these chips to meet its
needs, and demand will only increase in the future. Accordingly, it needs
partners- not only Taiwan, which manufactures the best chips in the world and is
currently facing pressure from China.
Saudi Arabia has the space, the energy supply, the financial resources needed to
build data centers, as well as the water needed to cool them, making it an ideal
partner.
During the meeting, I asked the Crown Prince how he expects the partnership with
the United States on these massive projects to evolve (artificial intelligence,
the exploration and refining of newly discovered rare minerals in Saudi
territory, supply chains, and others). The Crown Prince replied that he is open
to seeing these partnerships go as far as possible. These are long-term
investments. They require infrastructure, then operations, manufacturing, and
finally production. One trillion dollars only seems excessive when we fail to
consider the outcomes of these projects, will take a long time to materialize.
It is not a figure on a check awaiting a signature; these are projects that
anticipate the future and the emerging demands of the global market.
For my second question, I asked President Trump about his strategic vision of
the Saudi–American relationship: politically, economically, and in terms of
leadership. He replied that he could not imagine this relationship being better
than it is today. He went on to speak at length about how it benefits both
countries, going so far as saying that Saudi Arabia is a strategic non-NATO
ally.
A large group of Saudi business leaders attended the Saudi–American Investment
Forum, concluding agreements worth about half a billion dollars across various
sectors. However, we must not lose sight of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic and Arab role
and its duty to empower nations afflicted by wars and conflicts. Just as Prince
Mohammed bin Salman succeeded in lifting sanctions on Syria last May,
reinforcing its political stability, this time he asked President Trump to look
into the crisis in Sudan. This effort was, in my view, among the most important
achievements of this visit. The Crown Prince used the positive momentum and the
warmth of the US President to push for peace in Sudan, which has sadly slipped
down the list of political and media priorities because of the Gaza war.
However, what has been happening in Sudan is no less horrific or brutal than
what happened in Gaza. Indeed, it is even worse.
Is everyone pleased with the success of the visit? Certainly not. Some are
angry. They rage in silence, both inside and outside the US. It is difficult to
drive attention from the future to dwell on talk about the past. Even the media
gossip that some journalists might believe to be significant amounts, in truth,
to obsolete chatter. One day, a hundred years from now, when another ruler from
the House of Saud will visit the White House, a journalist will claim that the
descendants of the victims of 9/11 are unhappy with the visit... These are media
games that will continue to be used. However flimsy this rhetoric may be, it is
how the malicious thrive.
Selected Face Book & X tweets
for
/December 02,
2025
Pope Leo XIV
I was deeply moved by my brief visit to the Port of Beirut, where
an explosion devastated not just the area, but many human lives. I prayed for
all the victims, and I carry with me the pain and thirst for truth and justice
of so many families, of an entire country. #ApostolicJourney #Lebanon
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
If you’re Lebanese, now is the time to say thank you #Israel!
IDF promises to unveil which victims Hezbollah Unit 121 assassinated to keep the
truth about Beirut Port explosion under the wraps.
Faouzi Abou
Reslan
Good morning friends, the pope visit to our beloved country injected life into
our state and people, and we appreciate the decoration and behavior of all in
the state from Top to bottom who gave the civilized image to the world. We hope
that such continues to encourage the world to think again that Lebanon is alive,
human, and looking for peace and better living for its people and the region.
God bless Lebanon.
@followers
@highlight
@everyone