English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For May 10/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 06/60-71/:”When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.”

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on May 09-10/2025
May 07, 2008 – The Barbaric Invasion of Beirut and Mount Lebanon/Elias Bejjani/May 07/2025
The Parties of God, the Amal Movements, and the Shiite Generations/Dr. Ali Khalifa/Nidaa Al-Watan/May 09, 2025
Ortagus to visit Lebanon soon to work on consolidating ceasefire
PM Salam meets Hezbollah's Khalil who urges govt. to rebuild war-hit houses
Franjieh: Hezbollah has not ended, disarmament must be through dialogue
Reports: Aoun disappointed with US promises as Hezbollah source says patience not unlimited
Hamas says 'individuals' behind rocket fire at Israel from Lebanon
Syria and Lebanon's moves to centralize power leads to crackdowns on Palestinian factions
Israeli Strikes and Flyovers Escalate Tensions Across Southern Lebanon
Aoun’s Kuwait Visit Marks Key Diplomatic Turn, Says Foreign Minister
Beirut 1945: De Gaulle Is Near/Moncef Ait-Kaci/This Is Beirut/May 09/2025
Tripoli’s Municipal Battle: Power Gaps and Fractured Alliances/Rayan Chami/This Is Beirut/May 09/2025
The Catholic Church in Lebanon Congratulates Pope Leo XIV
No milk, no diapers: US aid cuts hit Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Lebanon’s Ossified Left and Its Stance on Palestine/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/This Is Beirut/May 09/2025
Hezbollah should no longer be above Lebanese law/Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/May 09/2025

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 09-10/2025
Pope Leo Says Church Must Illuminate 'Dark Nights of This World' in First Mass
Iran, US to resume nuclear talks on Sunday after postponement
Araghchi to Visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar Ahead of Trump’s Regional Tour
Israel Intercepts Missile Launched from Yemen
UN committee warns of ‘another Nakba’ in Palestinian territories
Ireland’s RTE urges talks on Israel’s Eurovision participation amid growing pressure
Israel attacks kill 2 Gaza journalists in separate operations
Israel won’t be involved in new Gaza aid plan, only in security, US envoy says
Hamas met Gaza mediators this week but 'no progress'
Palestinian president, Gazans call on Leo XIV to pursue late pope’s ‘peace efforts’
Pakistan launched multiple attacks along India’s western border, India says
Drone strikes hit Port Sudan for sixth straight day: army source
Kurdish PKK says held ‘successful’ meeting on disbanding
India tells X to block over 8,000 accounts, mainly Pakistani
Zelensky Announces European Summit on Saturday to Support Ukraine

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sourceson on May 09-10/2025
Fighting climate change with the power of AI/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/May 09/2025
Building bridges, not walls key to EU-Saudi Arabia ties/Christophe Farnaud/Arab News/May 09/202
India claims Jaish-e-Mohammad leader killed during airstrikes in Pakistan/Bill Roggio/FDD's Long War Journal/May 08/2025
Question: “What does the Bible say about the pope / papacy?”/GotQuestions.org/May 08/2025
Baghdad-Damascus-Beirut: Stability and Investment/Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/Friday 09/05
Ukraine: The Next Phase of War/Amir Taheri/Asharq Al-Awsat/Friday 09/05

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on May 09-10/2025
May 07, 2008 – The Barbaric Invasion of Beirut and Mount Lebanon
Elias Bejjani/May 07/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/05/118016/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WOToQkmfMU&t=72s
May 7, 2008, is forever etched in Lebanon’s collective memory as a criminal day of shame—when murderers, invaders, and mercenary militias serving the Iranian regime launched a barbaric coup against the Lebanese state, its people, and its sovereignty.
Hezbollah, in collaboration with Amal Movement, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), and other armed groups loyal to the Syrian-Iranian axis of evil, invaded the capital Beirut and parts of Mount Lebanon. In this coordinated and premeditated assault, these militias violated the sanctity of the capital, terrorized its peaceful civilians, displaced families, looted properties, tortured innocents, and murdered the defenseless—all under the pretext of resisting “government decisions” that challenged Hezbollah’s illegal military communications network.
This day, now known infamously as the "Black 7th of May," marked a turning point in Lebanon’s modern history—a moment when the mask of so-called "resistance" fell and exposed the true face of Hezbollah: a terrorist militia acting on behalf of Tehran to subdue Lebanon through force and intimidation.
Michel Aoun, the political Iscariot of modern Lebanon, opportunistically justified and later benefited from this criminal invasion. His alliance with Hezbollah paved his path to the presidency in 2016. During his tenure, Aoun dismantled the state from within, surrendered its institutions to Hezbollah’s authority, and contributed to Lebanon’s total collapse—politically, economically, and morally.
The May 7 invasion was not just a military operation. It was an Iranian-led coup attempt against the legitimate Lebanese state. It desecrated Beirut’s freedom, targeted Sunni neighborhoods, occupied media outlets, and left dozens dead. Its goal: to prove that no Lebanese authority—civil or military—could ever stand against Hezbollah without paying a deadly price.
To this day, the invasion’s consequences remain: Hezbollah continues to act as an armed state within a state. Palestinian and Syrian armed elements still operate freely in their camps. The sovereignty of Lebanon remains hostage to Tehran's regional ambitions.
Justice Delayed Is Not Justice Denied
This criminal and barbaric invasion must not be forgotten. The perpetrators—local and foreign—must one day be brought to justice. The Lebanese people, especially those in the diaspora, must continue to demand accountability, justice, and full implementation of international resolutions that uphold Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty.
As the Prophet Isaiah (33:1) warned:
“Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you cease betraying, you will be betrayed.”
What Must Be Done
To ensure May 7 is never repeated, the following urgent measures must be taken:
Full disarmament of Hezbollah and all other Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian militias operating illegally within Lebanon.
Reclaiming all territories currently run as militia-controlled “mini-states,” including Hezbollah’s southern stronghold and armed Palestinian camps.
Immediate implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions—particularly:
Resolution 1559 (2004): Calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.
Resolution 1701 (2006): Demands the cessation of hostilities and prohibits the presence of any armed forces in South Lebanon other than the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.
Resolution 1680 (2006): Urges Lebanon and Syria to delineate their border and establish full diplomatic relations.
The 1949 Armistice Agreement with Israel: Must be revived and fully enforced to restore border stability and end militia cross-border provocations.
Declare Lebanon a failed state under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, enabling international intervention to restore state authority and protect civilians.
Empower UNIFIL with an expanded mandate to enforce disarmament and administrative restoration across all Lebanese territories—not only the South.
A Call to Action
All free and patriotic Lebanese—at home and abroad—must unite to rescue their homeland from occupation, collapse, and sectarian tyranny. We must raise our voices at the United Nations, in international forums, and in the global media to demand an end to Hezbollah’s armed rule and the restoration of Lebanese sovereignty.
May Almighty God protect Lebanon and its people, and may justice prevail.

The Parties of God, the Amal Movements, and the Shiite Generations
Dr. Ali Khalifa/Nidaa Al-Watan/May 09, 2025
(Free translation from Arabic by, Elias Bejjani)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/05/143162/
One of the clearest signs of Hezbollah’s internal decay is the growing and unprecedented dissent within its current leadership—formed in the wake of the proxy war’s toll and Iran’s declining influence in Lebanon. A faction is emerging that leans toward political de-escalation, diverging from another wing still closely tethered to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and fully committed to the path of armed resistance. Then there's the "Hezbollah" of Wafiq Safa—the contractor of dirty business and head of the notorious "Mosquitoes" corps.
Among these various branches is also the "second-generation Hezbollah"—those who fought in Syria and now believe that regional entanglement has damaged the Party. This new generation is gradually detaching itself from the pillars upon which Hezbollah’s parallel state was built: the cult of martyrdom, the mobilization machine, the sanctions-driven economy, and a tightly controlled cultural narrative. Concepts like “martyrdom” and “the axis” no longer resonate with those born after 2006. Instead, they are met with piercing questions: Why do we fight? For whom? And what have we gained? Leaked recordings reveal young members confronting former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah with remarkable candor over the rationale and consequences of past wars.
The Party’s aging leadership—once unified around "the Resistance"—now faces internal questioning that amounts to structural rupture. Hezbollah is no longer one entity, but multiple factions—the parties of God.
Since the early 2000s, Hezbollah ruled its territories through a rigid internal security regime: counterintelligence units, popular committees, and a party-run judiciary. But today, even these mechanisms are showing cracks. Complaints are mounting about corruption within the apparatus itself, and cases of internal violence have begun surfacing. Gunfire between families loyal to the Party or assaults on Hezbollah officials by frustrated residents were once unthinkable—now, they’re becoming part of the landscape.
The erosion of Hezbollah’s organizational coherence—driven by battlefield losses and diminishing financial support—has also damaged its image and weakened its ability to intimidate its social base. The gap between the Party and its constituency is widening.
The Amal Movement, too, is no longer a unified force. It has splintered into "movements," paralyzed by ossified leadership structures and divided by defectors, aging elites, localized fiefdoms, and networks of personal patronage.
A large segment of today’s Shiite generations now belongs to a third category: abstention. They hold no affiliation, show no participation. Faced with the crumbling remnants of two organizations that no longer represent them, many are retreating from public life, focusing instead on emigration or day-to-day survival. This silent withdrawal is likely to alter the political identity of the Shiite community and could pave the way for the emergence—and eventual rise—of liberal, reformist currents outside the orbit of the "Parties of God" and the fractured Amal movements.

Ortagus to visit Lebanon soon to work on consolidating ceasefire
Naharnet/May 09, 2025
U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus told some Lebanese officials who contacted her Thursday over the latest Israeli airstrikes that she would visit Lebanon soon to work on consolidating the ceasefire, Lebanese officials told al-Joumhouria newspaper. A specific date for her visit is yet to be announced, the sources added. Informed sources meanwhile told the daily that “the Lebanese side has lately intensified its efforts with Washington to activate the ceasefire monitoring committee, to make it the necessary tool of communication for halting the Israeli attacks.”
“But the U.S. side that heads the committee did not respond to the request,” the sources added.

PM Salam meets Hezbollah's Khalil who urges govt. to rebuild war-hit houses
Naharnet/May 09, 2025
The relation between Hezbollah and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is not at its best, pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper said Friday. The daily reported that despite the disagreements, ties are not severed and communication and coordination between the two sides are ongoing. According to al-Akhbar, Salam met last week with Political Advisor to Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hussein al-Khalil, who stressed that the reconstruction of war-hit Lebanon and rebuilding the destroyed homes and villages should be the government's priority. The World Bank has granted Lebanon a $250 million loan that will be used to help ease electricity cuts worsened by last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah. The 14-month war that ended in late November also badly damaged other infrastructure in parts of Lebanon. The country was already facing major electricity problems, especially following an economic meltdown that began in late 2019. The fighting also destroyed vast swathes of Hezbollah's strongholds in the country's south and east, as well as Beirut's southern suburbs. Tens of thousands of houses were reduced to rubble in Israeli airstrikes. The World Bank estimated Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction costs at $11 billion.

Franjieh: Hezbollah has not ended, disarmament must be through dialogue
Naharnet/May 09, 2025
Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh said that the so-called Axis of Resistance is not in its best situation today, but added that “it is premature to say that it has ended, even if it has been dealt a very strong blow.”“My only choices are Lebanon’s unity and Arab identity and unified living in a unified country, and it is not in our habits to flip-flop,” Franjieh added, in an interview on Al-Jadeed TV. “When any side weakens, everyone weakens, whether inside a certain sect or inside the country,” Franjieh went on to say, noting that “Israel occupied the five points in south Lebanon after the ceasefire agreement, which gave the impression that it triumphed.”“Our enemies’ bet on civil war in Lebanon is a dangerous and destructive bet and we have always warned against it,” the Marada leader added. moved,” Franjieh added that “that must take place through dialogue, discussions, logic, realism, reassurances and confidence.”
“This is what President Joseph Aoun is doing, and that’s why some are attacking him,” Franjieh said. Noting that “Hezbollah has not ended and is showing flexibility today,” the Marada chief said Hezbollah’s supporters “need to be reassured.”
“We have reached a point when there is a wounded sect, and whether we like it or not it, it is resentful, that’s why the time has come to restore our coexistence,” Franjieh added, calling for “benefiting from the war to unite.”

Reports: Aoun disappointed with US promises as Hezbollah source says patience not unlimited
Naharnet/May 09, 2025
There is a “serious disappointment” in Baabda over the failure of diplomatic contacts to secure serious guarantees from the U.S. regarding Israel’s attacks against Lebanon following the violent airstrikes in the Nabatieh region, prominent political sources said. “President Joseph Aoun failed to obtain any U.S. guarantee yesterday that the Israeli attacks will not be repeated or about reining in the government of extreme right in Israel,” the sources told ad-Diyar newspaper in remarks published Friday. “The U.S. responses were more of the same: ‘We will hold contacts with the other side,’” the sources added. A Shiite Duo source meanwhile warned in remarks to al-Liwaa newspaper that the patience of Hezbollah’s operatives and commanders has started to run out. The warning was confirmed by a “senior Hezbollah commander,” who told al-Liwaa that “the question is no longer ‘if’ Hezbollah will respond but rather ‘when.’”“These remarks are not a threat but rather a realistic warning addressed to the Lebanese state and the countries that are part of the five-party (ceasefire) committee,” the commander added. “Hezbollah still retains an advanced and large missile arsenal that was not used during the last war, and it exceeds in its accuracy and effectiveness what the Israeli enemy had faced in the past,” the commander claimed. “If some are betting on Hezbollah’s discipline and that it does not want to be dragged into an all-out confrontation, they must know that this discipline is not without a time limit and that Hezbollah’s silence does not reflect weakness, but rather awareness of the political, economic and social risks of any new war. But the continuation of this provocative approach will make the resistance’s response a matter of time,” the commander warned. He also warned of a “potential explosion” in the South if “the resistance’s warnings continue to be met with silence or disregard.”

Hamas says 'individuals' behind rocket fire at Israel from Lebanon
Agence France Presse/May 09, 2025
Palestinian militant group Hamas has blamed "individual" actors for firing rockets towards Israel from Lebanon after it handed over several people, saying it was committed to a Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire. Hamas claimed attacks on Israel from Lebanon during more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian group's Lebanese ally Hezbollah that erupted over the Gaza war and largely ended with a November truce. The Lebanese army said Hamas has handed over three suspects after unclaimed March rocket launches at Israel, after the country's top security body last week warned the group against using Lebanon for attacks on Israel."The rocket launching incident was an individual act carried out by a number of young people... in reaction to the genocidal war and massacres committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza," a statement from Hamas representative in Lebanon Ahmad Abdulhadi said. "Hamas did not know about this in advance and did not decide to do this."The statement added that Hamas is "fully committed to the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, and the movement's leadership has informed all Lebanese authorities of this".After the rocket fire on March 22 and 28, Israel responded by bombing south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, strongholds of the Iran-backed Hezbollah which denied involvement in the launches. Abdulhadi said that after the government requested "the handover of the four wanted individuals, the movement responded positively, and we delivered three of them".Coordination is ongoing with the authorities "to complete the remaining steps", he added. Last month, the army said it had arrested several Lebanese and Palestinian suspects in connection with the rocket attacks, and a Lebanese security source told AFP three were Hamas members. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is due in Lebanon on May 21 to discuss extending Beirut's authority to Palestinian camps, which have long been controlled by Palestinian armed factions. The November 27 truce between Israel and Hezbollah was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups. Abdulhadi said Lebanese authorities had not informed Hamas "of any request regarding Palestinian weapons".Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah was to pull back its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River. Israel was to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, but it has kept troops in five areas in the south that it deems "strategic".Lebanese soldiers have been deploying as the Israeli army has withdrawn, and have also been dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. Israel's military still strikes Lebanon despite the truce, mainly targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure but also Hamas members or other allies.

Syria and Lebanon's moves to centralize power leads to crackdowns on Palestinian factions
Bassem Mroue And Kareem Chehayeb/The Associated Press/May 9, 2025
BEIRUT — Lebanon and Syria are cracking down on Palestinian factions that for decades have had an armed presence in both countries and which on some occasions were used to plan and launch attacks against Israel. The crackdown comes as Syria's new rulers under Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are pursuing officials of the former government under Bashar Assad, including those in the ousted president's web of security agencies. Syria's most prominent Palestinian factions were key allies of the Assad dynasty in both war and peace time and closely cooperated on security matters.
It also comes after Iran’s main regional ally, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was weakened after over a year of war with Israel and as Lebanon’s new government vows to monopolize all arms under the government, including Hezbollah and Palestinian factions in Lebanon. On Wednesday, Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa said his government is holding indirect talks with Israel through mediators, who he did not name. He said the aim of the indirect negotiations is to ease tensions after intense Israeli airstrikes on Syria. A crackdown on hardline Palestinian factions, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which took part with Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Gaza, is likely to be welcomed by Israel. A Syrian government official declined to comment on the matter. A Palestinian official who had been in Damascus for more than 40 years, and who recently left the country, said Palestinian factions in Syria were forced to hand over their weapons and the Palestinian embassy will be the only side that Syria's new authorities will deal with. The Palestinian groups would only be limited to social and charitable activities, the official added, who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing for their safety.
‘We are simply guests here’
Palestinian factions for decades have lived in refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria and have been involved militarily both locally and regionally. They closely aligned themselves with the Assads and later with Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose powerful military arsenal grew over the past few decades. Over time, many of the leaders of groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were based in those countries. However, the regional developments of late 2024 that went against Iran’s favor in the Levant began to take shape in recent weeks among the Palestinian factions in Lebanon and Syria.
“No weapons will be allowed in the (Palestinian refugee) camps. The Syrian state will protect citizens whether they are Palestinians or Syrians,” said Syrian political analyst Ahmad al-Hamada, whose view points reflect those of the government. “It is not allowed for Palestinian factions that were arms for Iran and the Assad regime to keep their weapons.”When asked whether the state will prevent any attacks against Israel, al-Hamada said Syria will not allow its territories to be used as a launch pad against any neighbor. Syrian authorities in Damascus this week detained two senior officials of the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad group and briefly detained and questioned the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, FLP-GC, that since its founding had been a key ally of Assad. Another Palestinian official with one of the factions that had been based in Syria said the developments caught them by surprise, and that regardless of who runs the country they are keen to have good relations with Syria’s new rulers and maintain the country’s stability. “We hope that this wouldn’t have happened. But we don’t have a say in this,” the official said, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are still based in the country. “We are simply guests here.”The government in Lebanon, which is trying to expand its army’s influence in the south near Israel, has also been reclaiming dozens of informal border crossings with Syria, which were key arteries for Iran and its allies to transport weapons and fighters over the years. Many of those crossings were held by PFLP-GC militants who have given some of those positions up to the Lebanese army after Assad’s downfall. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who Palestinian factions in Syria oppose, visited Damascus last month for the first time in more than a decade and he is scheduled to visit Lebanon on May 21.
‘Unprecedented times’
After Israel intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon in response to Hamas allegedly firing rockets from southern Lebanon in late March, the Lebanese government for the first time called out the Palestinian group and arrested nearly 10 suspects involved in the operation. Hamas was pressured by the military to turn in three of their militants from different refugee camps. Ahmad Abdul-Hadi, a Hamas representative in Lebanon, was also summoned by the head of one of the country’s top security agencies over the incident and was formally told that Hamas should stop its military activities.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, who is backed by the United States and Arab countries rather than Hezbollah and Iran, has said armed factions should not be allowed to “shake up national security and stability.” His statement has set a new tone after decades of tolerating the presence of armed Palestinian groups in refugee camps which have led to armed conflict in the crowded ghettos. “I think we’re in unprecedented times, politically speaking,” said Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. “The (Lebanese) army is acting out of a political will, with its former chief now the president. There is a strong political thrust behind the army.”A Lebanese government official familiar with the initiative said that Hamas was told to hand over wanted militants and end all its military activity in the country. He added that there is also a plan to gradually give up Hamas' weapons, which coincides with the visit to Lebanon of Abbas, leader of the rival Fatah group.
**Bassem Mroue And Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press

Israeli Strikes and Flyovers Escalate Tensions Across Southern Lebanon
This is Beirut/May 09/2025
Southern Lebanon witnessed a sharp escalation in Israeli military activity on Friday, with intense aerial maneuvers disturbing the region’s airspace. An Israeli drone bombed the town of Majdal Zoun on Friday evening, injuring a civilian, according to the Ministry of Health. In the evening, an Israeli fighter jet dropped a stun grenade in the town of Yaroun, causing no injuries. Israeli fighter jets conducted low-altitude flyovers and dropped a sonic bomb on a stone factory in the town of Kfar Kila, in Nabatiyeh. While the explosion caused no casualties, it triggered panic among the workers on site.
Elsewhere in Nabatiyeh, an Israeli Merkava tank briefly crossed the border and entered the village of Aitaroun, further raising tensions in the already volatile area. Meanwhile, Israeli jets were also seen flying at very low altitudes over the Beqaa Valley, frightening residents in multiple towns. A large number of Israeli surveillance drones were reported over Nabatiyeh, Arnoun and surrounding villages, as well as the capital Beirut. These routine breaches are documented daily by both the Lebanese Army and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Aoun’s Kuwait Visit Marks Key Diplomatic Turn, Says Foreign Minister
This is Beirut/May 09/2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to visit Kuwait on May 11 and 12, in what Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji described as “an event in itself.” In an interview with Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai, Rajji emphasized the symbolic and political weight of the visit, while expressing Lebanon’s gratitude to Kuwait for its pivotal role in brokering the 1989 Taif Agreement—the cornerstone of Lebanon’s post-war civil peace. However, Rajji acknowledged the diplomatic rift that has separated Lebanon from Gulf states since 2021, when countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors and imposed travel and diplomatic restrictions. The fallout was linked to Hezbollah’s dominant role in Lebanon and controversial remarks by former Minister of Information Georges Kordahi criticizing the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. Rajji added that Lebanese authorities are actively preparing for a “promising summer,” underscoring the government’s resolve to prevent any relapse into conflict and to secure long-term stability.
Border Tensions and French Mediation
He pointed to the ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon, citing Israel’s occupation of five strategic positions and its continued military strikes. His comments follow rising tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border, where near-daily exchanges of fire have been reported in recent weeks. Turning to the land border issue with Syria, Rajji said Lebanon had recently received archival maps and documents from France relating to the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border. These were handed over by French ambassador Hervé Magro. “We hope these will prove decisive in the process,” said Rajji, adding that Paris has pledged full access to its archives once Lebanon completes a technical analysis of the documents.
“This is a long process, but it has been set in motion,” he said.
Syria’s Stability Key to Lebanon’s Recovery
Rajji emphasized that Lebanon views the stability of neighboring Syria as essential to its own recovery, militarily, politically, demographically and economically. With Lebanon hosting over a million Syrian refugees and sharing deep economic ties with Damascus, any stabilization in Syria is expected to bring tangible benefits. “When Syria regains its stability, this will reflect positively on Lebanon,” he said, highlighting potential Lebanese involvement in Syria’s reconstruction and the possibility of cross-border investments and trade. On Abbas Visit: Sovereignty, Camps and Palestinian Representation
Addressing the expected visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Lebanon, Rajji, in his interview with Al-Rai, outlined three key principles shaping Beirut’s approach. “First, Lebanon is a sovereign state with the right to assert control over all its territory,” he said. “Second, the Palestinian refugee camps have a special status inherited since 1968 that requires serious treatment. And third, the Lebanese state recognizes only one legitimate Palestinian authority—the Palestinian Authority and the PLO, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.”His remarks come amid renewed national debate over the status of Palestinian camps and political factions in Lebanon, especially in the context of wider regional instability. The visit to Kuwait, the engagement with France and ongoing regional developments signal a renewed diplomatic effort by Lebanon’s government to reassert itself as a stable and sovereign actor amid overlapping domestic and geopolitical crises.
With General Aroldo Lázaro
On Friday morning, Mr. Raggi, met with Major General Aroldo Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to UNIFIL’s role and expressed gratitude for the peacekeepers’ ongoing efforts to preserve stability in the south. Raggi emphasized the importance of allowing UNIFIL to fully carry out its mandate, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He also noted that the mission’s mandate is up for renewal this coming August.
In comments consistent with its interview to Al-Rai, Raggi criticized Israel’s continued military presence in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon. “The threat remains as long as Israel holds these positions and continues its attacks,” he stated.
Despite the challenges, the minister struck a cautiously optimistic tone regarding the months ahead. “Everything is being done to ensure a safe and promising summer,” he said, underlining Lebanon’s top priority: “to prevent the return of war and ensure it never begins again.”General Lázaro, for his part, briefed the minister on recent UN operations in southern Lebanon, particularly efforts to monitor violations of Resolution 1701. He also praised the ongoing cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, describing their partnership as “strong and reliable.”

Beirut 1945: De Gaulle Is Near
Moncef Ait-Kaci/This Is Beirut/May 09/2025
Before becoming the leader of Free France, the founder of the Fifth Republic or the symbolic figure of Gaullism, Charles de Gaulle was an officer stationed in the Levant, where he lived, commanded, observed. Lebanon always held a special place in his worldview—a relationship shaped by history, war and a certain idea of France.
Between 1929 and 1932, Commander Charles de Gaulle was stationed in Lebanon. He served at the General Staff headquarters in Beirut, assigned to the 2nd Bureau, the French Army’s intelligence division. He trained troops, wrote, analyzed and observed. He also discovered a pluralistic country, where religious communities, local traditions and foreign influences coexisted… This stay was very insignificant as it deeply influenced his vision of the Levant.
On July 31, 1931, he delivered a speech at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. Addressing Lebanese youth, he spoke about the principles of statehood, institutions and justice. “You will have to create and nurture a public spirit... No state without sacrifice.” A speech that still resonates today. It already reflected a conviction: Lebanon is not a country like any other. In his eyes, it was a laboratory of balance, a model of coexistence. He would later say, “It is the only place in the world where Islam and Christianity have succeeded in living together, thanks to its political institutions.”
A Complex Vision of Independence
In November 1941, acting in the name of Free France, General Georges Catroux proclaimed Lebanon’s independence. However, the move did not take full effect until 1943, and French troops remained in the country until 1946
Charles de Gaulle’s position on this independence is often seen as ambivalent. He recognized it, under British and international pressure, but intended to maintain close ties between the two countries. “De Gaulle recognized independence, but not as a rupture,” explains Georges Nour, president of the Association for the Preservation of General de Gaulle’s Heritage in Lebanon. “He saw it as a guided independence, in which France would continue to play an active role.”
This role was expressed through language, education, Francophonie, religious ties and military agreements. For him, Lebanon remained a strategic foothold in the region. He also saw the country’s diversity as a strategic strength. “He believed the Lebanese people’s ability to coexist, trade and negotiate made them essential in a changing Middle East,” adds Georges Nour.
A War Within the War
Before the recognition of independence, another episode marked the French presence in Lebanon: the Syria–Lebanon campaign in 1941. For over a month, troops loyal to Vichy France clashed with De Gaulle’s Free French Forces, backed by the British. This battle between two Frances, on Lebanese soil, left its mark. And in May 1945, while Europe celebrated the victory over Nazi Germany, tensions remained. Some accounts mention clashes, repression and skirmishes between French soldiers. But in Gaullist memory, these events occupy a marginal place. “People talk more about the General’s role in recognizing independence than about the tensions that followed,” admits Georges Nour.
The Charles de Gaulle Foundation prefers to emphasize his role as a guarantor of national sovereignty and his desire to maintain a lasting, respectful relationship between France and Lebanon.
An Emerging Arab Policy
Later, in the 1960s, De Gaulle broadened his vision to the entire Arab world. He distanced himself from automatic alignment with the United States, developed a policy of dialogue with Arab countries, criticized Israeli policy after 1967 and positioned himself as a mediator between blocs. This orientation further enhanced his standing across the region, and particularly in Lebanon, where his enduring view of the country—as a place of balance, culture and potential—resonated strongly.
Even today, his name echoes in the streets, on buildings and in memories. But for some, this memory goes far beyond symbolic tributes, “Charles de Gaulle is a Nation, not just an airport, a square, a street or an avenue,” insists Georges Nour, president of the Charles de Gaulle Foundation, remindung people that his legacy is not just engraved on plaques, but lies in a strategic vision, a lasting presence and a political philosophy.
Beyond the myth, this article aims to recount that precise history—that direct relationship and multi-year presence (military, diplomatic, symbolic). Not to freeze an image in time, but to understand a journey. That of a man, an era and the bond between two nations.
Timeline: The Syria-Levant Campaign (1941)
June 8 – July 12, 1941: The Levant becomes a battlefield between Vichy French forces and the Free French.
June 8–13: Australian forces enter Lebanon through Tyre. First clashes take place in Saida and Marjayoun.
June 21: Damascus is declared an open city.
July 9: Damour falls, opening the road to Beirut.
July 14: The armistice is signed. Vichy soldiers must choose: return to France or join the Free French.
Sources: Paul Gaujac, Maurice Albord, J. Le Corbeiller, Éric de Fleurian – Les Tirailleurs

Tripoli’s Municipal Battle: Power Gaps and Fractured Alliances
Rayan Chami/This Is Beirut/May 09/2025
Tripoli gears up for May 11 polls as candidates compete amid fractured alliances, rising tensions and calls for fair representation. © Vyacheslav ArgenbergTripoli district is gearing up for pivotal municipal elections on May 11, with 359 candidates competing across Tripoli city, al-Mina and Beddawi.
In Tripoli municipality, 187 candidates are vying for 24 council seats in what observers call the city’s most fragmented and unpredictable race in decades. Al-Mina sees 69 candidates competing for 21 seats, while Beddawi has 38 candidates contesting its 18-member council. This election marks the first real test of Tripoli’s political landscape following the exit of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the fragmentation of traditional Sunni heavyweights like Najib Mikati, who has stepped back from the elections. Hariri’s Future Movement has distanced itself from the fray, while Dar al-Fatwa has also refrained from endorsing any particular list.
A Struggle for Direction – and Representation
Adding to the complexity is a surge in independent and civil society candidates, though their dispersion across multiple lists threatens to dilute their impact. Yet deeper anxieties are surfacing, as political actors warn that Tripoli’s Christian and Alawite minorities risk being shut out from municipal power altogether. In Tripoli municipality specifically, the 24 seats have traditionally followed a social convention: 1 Maronite, 2 Orthodox and 2 Alawite seats, with the remainder Sunni. But amid the fierce contest between numerous Sunni-dominated lists, fears are growing. Observers warn that voters may cross out minority candidates in favor of Sunni names. The last council was entirely Sunni, excluding minorities, despite public sentiment favoring their inclusion. Figures like MPs Faysal Karameh and Ashraf Rifi have publicly called for safeguarding minority representation, yet even they have done little to ensure that Christian and Alawite candidates win seats this time.
Key Withdrawals Narrow the Race
Two figures who initially considered running have withdrawn from the race. Retired Brigadier General Mohammad al-Fawwal reportedly stepped aside after consultations with MP Karameh, while Ahmad al-Zouq withdrew following a request from MP Rifi. Their withdrawal came after internal disputes among key political players over candidate selections.
Tripoli’s Main Contest: Tripoli Vision Faces Nasij Trablos and Hurras al-Madina
The competition in Tripoli has crystallized around three main lists, all carrying an Islamic character, whether directly or subtly.
Tripoli Vision, headed by Abdelhamid Karimeh, is seen as the most formidable, backed by an alliance between MPs Rifi, Karameh, Taha Naji and Karim Kabbara. The list promotes development for Tripoli and North Lebanon and is considered closest to forming a consensus. The main financial backer behind Tripoli Vision remains al-Ahbash. Facing them is Tripoli’s Fabric (Nasij Trablos), led by Wael Zmerli, featuring a mix of activists and charity workers and backed by MP Ihab Matar and the Omran Association. The third key list is the City’s Guardians (Hurras al-Madina), headed by Khaled Omar Tadmari, which includes figures linked to the October 17 uprising. Sources confirm that it has the backing of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, with two of its candidates directly affiliated with the group, and Tadmari is also close to it.
Other contenders include Saving Tripoli and For Fayhaa (Lel Fayhaa’), led by Samer Dabliz and made up of experts and activists. Another list is Tripoli Women’s Solidarity (Tadamon Nisaa’ Trablos) made up of 13 female candidates calling for increased women’s representation. While all the lists claim to represent the people of Tripoli and field well-educated candidates, there is growing critique that none have introduced a fresh, forward-looking leadership that could truly shift the city’s political direction. Despite competition, sources say there’s a real possibility that the three main lists may blend in the final municipal council lineup.
Al-Mina: Christian Seats at the Heart of the Battle
In al-Mina, the competition has splintered into two major camps, with sectarian balance again a central issue. Historically, al-Mina held seven Christian seats, but the current council only has two. With a large Christian population still residing in al-Mina, efforts are underway in this election to restore at least five to seven Christian seats. Anything less is seen by community leaders as a loss. Two main lists are shaping the contest: Soul of al-Mina (Rouh al-Mina), led by Amer Haddad and reportedly backed by Rifi, and Al-Mina First (Al-Mina Awwalan), led by Fadi al-Sayyed with backing from MP Ihab Matar. Al-Mina, A Beacon (Al-Mina Manara), likely headed by Abdallah Kabbara, is also in the race. The main battle in al-Mina is said to be between al-Ahbash and al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, with a parallel struggle among Christian factions themselves. The proliferation of lists – combined with intense sectarian and political competition – is making the outcome even harder to predict.
Beddawi: A Two-Way Contest
In Beddawi, the race has narrowed to two main lists. New Generation (Ahed Jadid), led by Said Omar Oweik, marks the return of a figure who presided over Beddawi’s municipality 23 years ago and has ties to al-Jamaa al-Islamiya. On the other side is Development and Hope of Beddawi (Enmaa wa Amal Beddawi), headed by current municipal president Hassan Ghamrawi, who emphasizes his list’s reliance on family endorsements and local support rather than partisan affiliations.
Deeper Currents Behind the Race
As Tripoli heads toward the ballot box, the stakes are not only about local development but also about restoring the city’s historical multi-sectarian character. Political actors warn that if Christian and Alawite minorities are again excluded from municipal power, Tripoli risks deepening its internal divides. Public sentiment remains strong in favor of preserving minority representation, but political mechanics and voter behavior could still derail that goal. All eyes are now on May 11, as the outcome promises not only to reshape local power in Tripoli, al-Mina and Beddawi but also to ripple through Lebanon’s broader Sunni political arena at a time of national flux.

The Catholic Church in Lebanon Congratulates Pope Leo XIV
This is Beirut/May 09/2025
The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon extended its congratulations to the new pope, Leo XIV, elected on May 8, 2025, praising him as “a shepherd chosen to lead the Church in these times of challenge and hope.”In a statement, Lebanon’s Catholic spiritual leaders, patriarchs, bishops and heads of religious orders expressed hope that he would continue the work of his predecessors, “proclaiming the Gospel, working for peace, defending human dignity, and promoting Christian unity and interreligious dialogue.”The Catholic Churches of Lebanon also reaffirmed their commitment “to continue, under the guidance of the Vatican, the Church’s mission in Lebanon, the Middle East and the world.”Meanwhile, the Catholic Information Center called on the media to officially adopt the title “Pope Leo XIV,” noting that it is the name chosen by the 267th successor of Saint Peter, elected to succeed Pope Francis.

No milk, no diapers: US aid cuts hit Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Reuters/May 09, 2025
BEIRUT: Amal Al-Merhi’s twin 10-month-old daughters often go without milk or diapers. She feeds them a mix of cornstarch and water, because milk is too expensive. Instead of diapers, Merhi ties plastic bags around her babies’ waists.
The effect of their poverty is clear, she said. “If you see one of the twins, you would not believe she is 10-months-old,” Merhi said in a phone interview. “She is so small and soft.”The 20-year-old Syrian mother lives in a tent with her family of five in an informal camp in Bar Elias in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. She fled Syria’s civil war in 2013 and has been relying on cash assistance from the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR to get by. But that has ended. Merhi and her family are among the millions of people affected by US President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze USAID funding to humanitarian programs. Since the freeze, the UNHCR and the World Food Program (WFP) have had to limit the amount of aid they provide to some of the world’s most vulnerable people in countries from Lebanon to Chad and Ukraine. In February, the WFP was forced to cut the number of Syrian refugees receiving cash assistance to 660,000 from 830,000, meaning the organization is reaching 76 percent of the people it planned to target, a spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the WFP’s shock responsive safety net that supports Lebanese citizens cut its beneficiaries to 40,000 from 162,000 people, the spokesperson added. The UNHCR has been forced to reduce all aspects of its operations in Lebanon, said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR’s country representative, in an interview. The agency cut 347,000 people from the UNHCR component of a WFP-UNHCR joint program as of April, a spokesperson said. Every family had been receiving $45 monthly from UNHCR, they added. The group can support 206,000 Syrian refugees until June, when funds will dry up, they also said. “We need to be very honest to everyone that the UNHCR of the past that could be totally on top of issues in a very expedient manner with lots of quality and resources — that is no longer the case,” Freijsen said. “We regret that sincerely.”
BAD TO WORSE
By the end of March, the UNHCR had enough money to cover only 17 percent of its planned global operations, and the budget for Lebanon is only 14 percent funded. Lebanon is home to the largest refugee population per capita in the world. Roughly 1.5 million Syrians, half of whom are formally registered with the UNHCR, live alongside some 4 million Lebanese. Islamist-led rebels ousted former Syrian leader Bashar Assad in December, installing their own government and security forces. Since then there have been outbreaks of deadly sectarian violence, and fears among minorities are rising. In March, hundreds of Syrians fled to Lebanon after killings targeted the minority Alawite sect. Lebanon has been in the grips of unyielding crises since its economy imploded in 2019. The war between Israel and armed group Hezbollah is expected to wipe billions of dollars from the national wealth as well, the United Nations has said. Economic malaise has meant fewer jobs for everyone, including Syrian refugees. “My husband works one day and then sits at home for 10,” Merhi said. “We need help. I just want milk and diapers for my kids.”
DANGEROUS CHOICES
The UNHCR has been struggling with funding cuts for years, but the current cuts are “much more rapid and sizeable” and uncertainty prevails, said Freijsen. “A lot of other questions are still to be answered, like, what will be the priorities? What will still be funded?” Freijsen asked. Syrian refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon might be forced to make risky or dangerous choices, he said. Some may take out loans. Already about 80 percent of Syrian refugees are in debt to pay for rent, groceries and medical bills, Freijsen said. Children may also be forced to work. “Women may be forced into commercial sex work,” he added. Issa Idris, a 50-year-old father of three, has not received any cash assistance from UNHCR since February and has been forced to take on debt to buy food. “They cut us off with no warning,” he said. He now owes a total of $3,750, used to pay for food, rent and medicine, and he has no idea how he will pay it back. He cannot work because of an injury, but his 18-year-old son sometimes finds work as a day laborer. “We are lucky. We have someone who can work. Many do not,” he said. Merhi too has fallen into debt. The local grocer is refusing to lend her any more money, and last month power was cut until the family paid the utility bill. She and her husband collect and sell scrap metal to buy food.
“We are adults. We can eat anything,” she said, her voice breaking. “The kids cannot. It is not their fault.”

Lebanon’s Ossified Left and Its Stance on Palestine
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/This Is Beirut/May 09/2025
After the French Revolution of 1789, the king conceded some of his powers to Parliament. His supporters sat to his right and his opponents to his left. Forever after, the Right denoted supporters of the ruler and traditions, while the Left meant breaking with the old and yearning for the new. But that was only in theory. In practice, as time passed, the Left became ossified and resistant to change. The Left became a tradition in its own right. Even its revolutionary character became outdated—a fixed set of beliefs. Lebanon’s Left is a case in point.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded at a conference in East Jerusalem in 1964 under Jordanian sovereignty. The organization started recruiting Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, training them, arming them, and launching attacks across the southern border with Israel, inviting Israeli reprisal. Lebanon’s Christian establishment was enraged, saw the Palestinian militias as a threat to the sovereignty of the Lebanese state, and sided with global capitalism against the PLO and the now-defunct Eastern Bloc. Christians thus became Lebanon’s Right.
Meanwhile, many Lebanese Muslims took the side of fellow Muslim Palestinians and their armed factions. These Lebanese connected with the world’s leftist organizations and governments and emerged as the country’s Left.
By the time the Lebanese civil war ended in 1991, the Muslim Left had prevailed over the Christian Right. Since then, it has linked peace with Israel to the establishment of a Palestinian state — a prohibitively high price for a country with Lebanon’s fragile economy.
A Palestinian state became the precondition for Lebanese peace with Israel. Thirty-three years and four wars later, that peace remains elusive. Yet the Muslim Left still demands more of the same: more wars, more boycotts, more support for Palestinians, more instability, and more despair.
None of the ideas of the Lebanese Left today are new, innovative, out-of-the-box, or revolutionary. They are the same old ideas from the 1940s and 1950s: a call on people to suffer more and a promise of an ever-elusive happy ending. The happy ending has never come. Instead, the Lebanese have been moving from one disaster to another, their misery deepening by the day, and their population thinning out.
If Lebanon’s Muslim Left has a rabbit it can pull out of its hat to magically improve the situation, now is the time to do so. If not, continuing to demand Lebanese patience, throwing good money after bad, and clinging to hostility toward Israel are all failed and discredited tactics. The so-called resistance should come to an end.
When it comes to the “Palestinian cause”, the Lebanese have paid their dues, even overpaid them compared to all other Arab populations, including the Palestinians themselves.
Perhaps the truly revolutionary idea now is to reverse 75 years of animosity toward Israel and try something different: peace. Lebanon has tried everything else: Boycott, low-intensity war, full-scale war, you name it. None helped the Palestinians get a state. All deepened Lebanon’s misery and despair.
Since nothing else has worked, it may be time for Lebanon to consider unconditional, immediate, and comprehensive normalization of diplomatic ties and people-to-people peace with Israel. Once friendly relations are established, the 13 disputed border points between the two countries could be easily resolved. Friends, after all, solve problems more easily than enemies. The real revolution in Lebanon today would not lie in adhering to Muslim left-wing or Christian right-wing ideologies. Instead, it would be to try what has not been tried in 75 years: peace and normalization with Israel. Peace may revolutionize Lebanese political discourse, shifting it from slogans about dignity, national pride, resistance, and liberation to a new focus on liberty, economic growth, patriotism, and national interest.
This is what the “Lebanon First” rhetoric should mean: prioritizing peace with Israel, reshaping national priorities, and moving from emotional appeals to practical interests and economics — all revolutionary ideas yet to be tested in Lebanon.
By championing these new ideas, Lebanon’s Christians have become the true revolutionaries. The Lebanese Right now stands where the Left should have been, while the ossified Left — clinging to the status quo and endless war with Israel — has become the new Right, albeit with an Islamist tinge.
But in the end, who cares about Left or Right? What matters most is Lebanon’s national interest, which demands the country’s extraction from an unforgiving regional conflict. Only then will the road to prosperity finally open.
**Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at FDD. He focuses on the Gulf region and Yemen, including on Gulf relations with Iran and Gulf peace with Israel.

Hezbollah should no longer be above Lebanese law
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/May 09/2025
Lebanon, which was once considered the Switzerland of the Middle East, held on to banking secrecy long after the Helvetic country gave it up. Despite the 2019 crisis and the freeze on bank deposits — with all the implications we know — the system maintained this secrecy until the end of April. Then, Lebanon’s parliament finally passed a key reform granting regulatory bodies expanded access to bank account information. This was one of the main conditions set by the International Monetary Fund before it would dispatch its promised financial package. The reform allows government entities such as the central bank to audit customer accounts, including retroactively for up to 10 years, without needing a specific reason.
On paper, this sounds like a positive step for Lebanon. Yet, if we look into the Lebanese model, how the banks have operated and how parallel financial systems are spread, we might want to say: let us wait and see. One cannot forget that the freezing of deposit accounts and the system of “fresh” dollars — US dollars in the Lebanese banking system either in cash or received via international bank transfer after October 2019 — was unilaterally decided by the banks, not by another authority. This system allowed Lebanese banks to distinguish between newly deposited foreign currency and “lollars,” the pre-crisis dollar deposits that are effectively trapped in the system, with access to them heavily restricted.
Even worse, Hezbollah has developed a complete financial system that is unregulated and unsupervised. Will the government apply this expanded capacity to scrutinize Hezbollah and its financial dealings? This also should be a priority.
Just as these banking reforms were achieved through international pressure, one can imagine that the same will apply to requests for information. I have little hope that this will uncover any corruption schemes or lead to anyone being seriously questioned. Even though Prime Minister Nawaf Salam hailed the move as essential to restoring public and international trust and addressing decades of financial opacity, only time will tell.Nevertheless, it is a necessary step toward meeting the reform requirements for the $3 billion IMF bailout agreement. For now, this might be the main goal. It is undeniable that the new Lebanese leadership is asking the right questions and setting the right agenda. Whether it has the capacity and will to implement reforms while promoting an economic relaunch remains to be seen.
While the question of Hezbollah’s surrender of its arsenal is stalling, its parallel financial system should be the target of an official investigation. Any entity conducting regulated financial activities without the proper licenses should be sanctioned and shut down. It is very clear that Hezbollah has a sophisticated business and financial network. This network operates with total impunity, outside of Lebanon’s official banking regulations. It has allowed the Iranian proxy to funnel funds for its military, political and social activities — all despite the country’s economic collapse and international sanctions. The nerve center is the Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, which has been sanctioned by the US but continues to operate undisturbed by the Lebanese authorities. It clearly falls under the scope of regulated activities, as it offers loans and microfinance to Hezbollah loyalists. The new leadership in Lebanon must be aware that this system includes illicit revenue from illegal activities. There have been numerous press reports on Hezbollah’s role in global drug trafficking, money laundering and smuggling. This extends beyond Lebanon’s borders, reaching as far as South America and Africa, where Hezbollah has maintained a key role in the illegal diamond trade. These activities have generated billions and, as the merchandise moves one way, cash moves the other through couriers and “hawala” networks.
Scrutiny should also include tracking the financial flows corresponding to goods and cash provided by Iran. These flows have enabled Hezbollah to develop informal markets in many sectors, such as real estate, pharmaceuticals and smuggled convenience and household goods.
In short, Hezbollah should no longer be allowed to operate above state law. This privileged status is the greatest source of corruption. It is a remnant of the Syrian occupation. This must be stopped, as one cannot expect a genuine tougher stance on banking impunity (despite the new laws) if the state is unable to rein in Hezbollah’s illicit financial activities. This is the breach that must be addressed.
The new leadership in Lebanon must be aware that Hezbollah’s system includes illicit revenue from illegal activities.
This also means that Hezbollah’s social activities, which act as a main lever, must come under state supervision. Clinics, schools and low-cost stores should become a point of focus. This entire parallel system cannot be allowed to continue, as it marks the end of Lebanon. Within the new geopolitical landscape, if the state fails to reimpose its authority, then chaos will soon ensue.
There is no doubt that change will be difficult to implement. Hence, we may fall back into a system that looks positive on paper but is entirely negative in reality. This is why a complete overhaul of the country is needed. The construction of a new Lebanon faces many challenges and probably calls for a new political system that empowers the country’s will.
Yet, for now, the new leadership must find ways to reestablish the country’s sovereignty. This means that the steps taken should not be imposed by the international community, but led and decided from within, for the good of the country. Bringing banks and Hezbollah under the rule of law will be a clear indicator of what is to come.
**Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 09-10/2025
Pope Leo Says Church Must Illuminate 'Dark Nights of This World' in First Mass
This is Beirut/With AFP/May 09/2025
Leo XIV urged the Catholic Church to "desperately" counter a lack of faith in his first homily as pope Friday, a day after the modest cardinal largely unknown to the world become the first US head of the 2,000-year institution. Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost on Thursday became the 267th pope, spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and successor to Argentina's Pope Francis, after a secret conclave by his fellow cardinals in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. In today's world, Leo warned in his homily to assembled cardinals, there are places or situations where "it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied". "Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed," said the new pope, 69, standing at the Sistine Chapel altar with Michelangelo's famed fresco of "The Last Judgment" behind him. The former missionary deplored "settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent" and, in an echo of his predecessor Francis, said people were turning to "technology, money, success, power, or pleasure." "A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society," said Leo in Italian, wearing a white papal robe trimmed in gold as he addressed the seated white-robed cardinals.
In an apparent message to evangelical Christians, Pope Leo also warned that Jesus cannot be "reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman". "This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptised Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism," he said. In an unscripted introduction to his homily in English, he also evoked a need to overcome divisions within the Church, telling his fellow cardinals: "I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me". Many around the world were still digesting the choice of the man sometimes referred to in Rome as the "Latin Yankee" for his decades-long missions in Peru. "A pope from the United States is almost more surprising than an Argentine and Jesuit pope," such as Francis, wrote the Corriere della Sera daily. Francis was the first pope ever named from the Americas.
Missionary in Peru
The Vatican released video images of the moments after Leo's secret election Thursday, showing him praying at a chapel altar and shaking hands and receiving congratulations in a sea of scarlet-robed cardinals. Tens of thousands of well-wishers had cheered Leo for his first appearance at the balcony of St Peter's Basilica -- despite many having no idea who the man before them was. The American, a member of the Augustinian order who spent two decades in Peru and was only made a cardinal in 2023, had been on many Vatican watchers' lists of potential popes, although he is far from being a globally recognised figure. Over the coming days, including during Sunday's midday Regina Coeli prayer and a meeting with journalists at the Vatican on Monday, his actions and words will be closely scrutinised. Waiting outside St Peter's Friday, Argentine tourist Rocio Arguello said "there were so many people from all over the world" who were riveted by Leo's first appearance the day before, including throngs from Spanish-speaking countries. "It was very moving when he also spoke in Spanish," said the 39-year-old woman. "When he came out and spoke both languages, it was lovely."Back in Peru, well-wishers including the bishop of El Callao outside Lima, Luis Alberto Barrera, saluted the Augustinian's engagement in the Andean country. "He showed his closeness and simplicity with the people," Barrera told AFP, calling the new pope a "good missionary". In Chicago, locals celebrated his love of baseball, deep-dish pizza and his working-class South Side neighbourhood in the United States' third-largest city. The Chicago Tribune called him "the pride and joy of every priest and nun" at his local parish, where he went to school and served as an altar boy, while a debate erupted over which of the city's rival baseball teams Leo supported: the White Sox, his brother ultimately confirmed.
Build bridges
In his address to the crowds Thursday, Leo echoed his predecessor Francis with a call for peace and urging a "missionary Church". "Help us, and each other, to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, to come together as one people, always in peace," he said, as world leaders sent pledges to work with him on global issues at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty. Leo faces a momentous task. As well as asserting his moral voice on a conflict-torn world stage, he must try to unite a divided Church and tackle burning issues such as the continued fallout from the clerical sexual abuse scandal. As Cardinal Prevost, the new pope defended workers and the poor and reposted articles online critical of US President Donald Trump's anti-migrant policies. But Trump nevertheless welcomed his election, calling it a "great honour" to have a pope from the United States. With the choice of Prevost, experts said, the cardinals had opted for continuity with the late Francis, a progressive who shook up the Church in his 12-year papacy. Vatican watchers agreed that Prevost's more soft-spoken style should help him as he faces turbulent times on the international stage, acting as a counterpoint to more divisive voices. Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Corriere della Sera that Leo was "a very simple person, intensely kind. He is in the vein of Francis, but less spiky".

Iran, US to resume nuclear talks on Sunday after postponement
Reuters/May 09, 2025
DUBAI: Iran has agreed to hold a fourth round of nuclear talks with the United States on Sunday in Oman, Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said on Friday, adding that the negotiations were advancing. US President Donald Trump, who withdrew Washington from a 2015 deal between Tehran and world powers meant to curb its nuclear activity, has threatened to bomb Iran if no new deal is reached to resolve the long unresolved dispute. Western countries say Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran accelerated after the US walkout from the now moribund 2015 accord, is geared toward producing weapons, whereas Iran insists it is purely for civilian purposes. “The negotiations are moving forward, and naturally, the further we go, the more consultations and reviews are needed,” Aragchi said in remarks carried by Iranian state media.
“The delegations require more time to examine the issues that are raised. But what is important is that we are on a forward-moving path and gradually entering into the details.”The fourth round of indirect negotiations, initially scheduled for May 3 in Rome, was postponed, with mediator Oman citing “logistical reasons.”Aragchi said a planned visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Saturday was in line with “continuous consultations” with neighboring countries to “address their concerns and mutual interests” about the nuclear issue.

Araghchi to Visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar Ahead of Trump’s Regional Tour
This is Beirut/AFP/May 09/2025
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday, his ministry said, days before US President Donald Trump begins a regional tour. Araghchi is due to hold talks with senior Saudi officials in Riyadh before heading to Doha for a conference on Arab-Iranian dialogue, ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement. The Iranian top diplomat later said meetings in Saudi Arabia would cover the latest on the nuclear talks with the United States. "We believe that the sustainability of any possible agreement depends to a large extent on taking into account the considerations and concerns of the countries of the region in the nuclear field and the common interests of Iran and them," said Araghchi in a video carried by local media. Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16 on his first major Middle East trip of his second term. In Riyadh, he is expected to meet leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a source close to the Saudi government told AFP earlier this month.
The visit follows three rounds of US-Iran negotiations over the Islamic republic's nuclear program. A fourth round has been scheduled for Sunday. The talks mark the highest-level contact between the two sides since Washington withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018, during Trump's first term. On Wednesday, Trump said he would decide how the United States would officially refer to the Gulf, after US media reported he might call it the Gulf of Arabia instead of the Persian Gulf. Iran condemned the idea, with Araghchi saying any attempt to change the name would reflect "hostile intent toward Iran and its people".

Israel Intercepts Missile Launched from Yemen
This is Beirut/AFP/May 09/2025
Israel's military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Friday, with AFP journalists reporting explosions heard in the Jerusalem area. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the missile fire, which follows attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels, including a strike on Sunday on Israel's main airport. The Israeli military said in a statement that "a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted" after air raid sirens sounded in several areas. As a result, a flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, had to delay landing at Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport, the airport's authorities said. "Everything is back to normal," an airport spokeswoman told AFP. Yemen's Huthis, who say they act in solidarity with Palestinians, have launched repeated attacks on Israel and on shipping in the Red Sea since shortly after the October 2023 start of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, the Iran-backed group struck the area of Ben Gurion Airport, gouging a hole near its main terminal building and injuring several people, in rare missile fire that had penetrated Israeli air defenses. Israel retaliated against the Huthis by striking the airport in Yemen's rebel-controlled capital Sanaa on Tuesday, as well as three nearby power stations. Israel's strikes, which disabled the airport, followed a US bombing campaign in response to Huthi threats to renew their attacks on shipping in the region. But the United States and the Huthis reached a ceasefire agreement later on Tuesday, with mediator Oman announcing the deal to ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea. The Huthis, who control vast swathes of territory in Yemen, vowed to continue targeting Israel and Israeli ships in the key waterway, saying that the deal with Washington does not include Israel.

UN committee warns of ‘another Nakba’ in Palestinian territories
AFP/May 09, 2025
GENEVA: The world could be witnessing “another Nakba” expulsion of Palestinians, a United Nations committee warned Friday, accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and saying it was inflicting “unimaginable suffering” on Palestinians. For Palestinians, any forced displacement evokes memories of the “Nakba,” or catastrophe — the mass displacement in the war that accompanied to Israel’s creation in 1948. “Israel continues to inflict unimaginable suffering on the people living under its occupation, whilst rapidly expanding confiscation of land as part of its wider colonial aspirations,” warned a UN committee tasked with probing Israeli practices affecting Palestinian rights. “What we are witnessing could very well be another Nakba,” it said, after concluding an annual mission to Amman. During the 1948 war, around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes in what became known as “the Nakba.”The descendants of some 160,000 Palestinians who managed to remain in what became Israel presently make about 20 percent of its population. The UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1968. The committee is currently composed of the Sri Lankan, Malaysian and Senegalese ambassadors to the UN in New York. “What the world is witnessing could very well be a second Nakba. The goal of wider colonial expansion is clearly the priority of the government of Israel,” they said in their report. “Security operations are used as a smokescreen for rapid land grabbing, mass displacement, dispossession, demolitions, forced evictions and ethnic cleansing, in order to replace the Palestinian communities with Jewish settlers.”

Ireland’s RTE urges talks on Israel’s Eurovision participation amid growing pressure
Arab News/May 09, 2025
DUBAI: Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE has invited the European Broadcasting Union for talks on Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, as pressure mounts from dozens of former contestants demanding the country’s exclusion.
RTE’s Director-General Kevin Bakhurst has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the situation of Israeli hostages, emphasizing the need for RTE to remain objective in its coverage of the war. He also pointed to political pressure on Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government. Israel, a Eurovision participant since 1973, is set to compete in this year’s contest, running from May 13 to 17, in Basel, Switzerland, with singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack at the Nova music festival. Earlier this week, in an open letter, 72 former Eurovision contestants called on the EBU to ban Israel and its national broadcaster, KAN, from this year’s contest. They cited the country’s war in Gaza and accused the union of “normalizing and whitewashing” alleged Israeli war crimes.
They argued that Israel’s participation would be inconsistent with the EBU’s decision to ban Russia in 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine. The EBU previously said it acknowledges the concerns but aims to keep Eurovision a positive, inclusive event that transcends politics and unites people through music.

Israel attacks kill 2 Gaza journalists in separate operations
Arab News/May 09, 2025
LONDON: Palestinian journalist Yahya Subaih was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday, just hours after celebrating the birth of his daughter. Subaih was among at least 11 people killed when Israeli warplanes struck a restaurant in the Al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City. Dozens more were injured in the attack, according to local media reports. Another local journalist, Nour Abdu, was reportedly killed while covering an attack early on Wednesday morning at a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City. That strike killed 16 people, according to officials at Al-Ahli Hospital, while strikes in other areas killed at least 16 others. The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned what it described as the “systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists,” and called on the international community to act. In a statement, the office urged global powers “to put serious and effective pressure to stop the crime of genocide, protect journalists and media professionals in the Gaza Strip, and stop the crime of killing and assassinating them.”Subaih, who worked with multiple media outlets, had shared a photo on social media just hours before his death, cradling his newborn daughter. “A little princess has brightened our world,” he wrote. Footage circulating online shows Subaih wearing the same clothes he wore in the photo with his daughter. His death adds to the growing number of media professionals killed in Gaza, which has become the most dangerous place in the world for journalists since Israel’s war on the enclave began on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the Costs of War project by Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the current conflict is the deadliest ever recorded for journalists. More than 170 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began, with some estimates placing the figure as high as 214. The overall death toll from Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has surpassed 52,000 people, most of them women and children, with more than 118,000 injured, according to the territory’s health authorities.

Israel won’t be involved in new Gaza aid plan, only in security, US envoy says
Reuters/May 09, 2025
JERUSALEM: A US-backed mechanism for distributing aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington’s ambassador to Israel said on Friday ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, but he gave few details.Gaza’s residents are facing a growing humanitarian crisis with Israel enforcing a months-long blockade on aid supplies to the small Palestinian enclave in the third year of its war against militant group Hamas. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said several partners had already committed to taking part in the aid arrangement but declined to name them, saying details would be released in the coming days. “There has been a good initial response,” the former Republican governor told reporters at the embassy in Jerusalem. “There are nonprofit organizations that will be a part of the leadership,” he said, adding that other organizations and governments would also need to be involved, though not Israel. Tikva Forum, a hawkish Israeli group representing some relatives of hostages held in Gaza, criticized the announcement, saying aid deliveries should be conditional on Hamas releasing the 59 captives in Gaza.
Trump, who wants to broker a deal that would see Israel and Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations, will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week.Trump had teased a major announcement ahead of the trip. It was unclear if that was what Huckabee announced on Friday. Anticipation has been building about a new aid plan for Gaza, laid waste by 19 months of an Israeli military campaign against Hamas that has destroyed much of the infrastructure and displaced most of its 2.3 million population several times.
“It will not be perfect, especially in the early days,” Huckabee said. “It is a logistical challenge to make this work.”European leaders and aid groups have criticized a plan by Israel, which has prevented aid from entering Gaza since breaking a ceasefire with Hamas in March, for private companies to take over humanitarian distributions in the enclave. Israel has accused agencies including the United Nations of allowing aid to fall into the hands of Hamas, which it has said is seizing supplies intended for civilians and given them to its own forces or selling them to raise funds.
CRITICISM OF AID PLANS
“The Israelis are going to be involved in providing necessary military security because it is a war zone, but they will not be involved in the distribution of the food or even bringing the food into Gaza,” Huckabee told a press conference. Asked whether the supply of aid hinged on a ceasefire being restored, Huckabee said: “The humanitarian aid will not depend on anything other than our ability to get the food into Gaza.”The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday criticized emerging plans to take over distribution of aid in Gaza floated by both Israel and the United States, saying this would increase suffering for children and families. A proposal is circulating among the aid community for a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation that would distribute food from four “Secure Distribution Sites,” resembling plans announced by Israel earlier this week, but drew criticism that it would effectively worsen displacement among the Gaza population. Huckabee said there would be an “initial number” of distribution centers that could feed “perhaps over a million people” before being scaled up to ultimately reach two million. “Private security” would be responsible for the safety of workers getting into the distribution centers and in the distribution of the food itself, Huckabee said, declining to comment on rules of engagement for security personnel.“Everything would be done in accordance with international law,” he said. Mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have not been successful in implementing a second phase of the ceasefire. Israel demands the total disarmament of Hamas, which the Islamist group rejects.Hamas has said it is willing to free all remaining hostages seized by its gunmen in attacks on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and agree to a permanent ceasefire if Israel pulls out completely from Gaza. Israel has said it plans to expand its military campaign in Gaza, which has prompted UN warnings of imminent famine confronting its population. Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023 killed 1,200 people and 251 were taken hostage back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run health authorities.

Hamas met Gaza mediators this week but 'no progress'
Agence France Presse/May 09, 2025
A Hamas delegation held two meetings with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Doha this week but they produced no breakthrough in the search for a Gaza truce, sources close to the group said Friday. "Egyptian officials met twice with a high-level Hamas delegation led by (chief negotiator) Khalil al-Hayya (and) Qatari officials on Wednesday and Thursday in Doha," one source told AFP. A second source said the talks were "serious" but made "no concrete progress". Israel's military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce that saw a surge in aid into the war-ravaged territory and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel announced plans on Monday to expand its military campaign, drawing a chorus of international criticism. Israel's military has said the expanded operations approved by the security cabinet on Sunday would include displacing "most" of Gaza's population. An Israeli security source said there was still a "window of opportunity" for a hostage release deal to be struck to coincide with US President Donald Trump's May 13 to 16 visit to the region. But one of the sources close to Hamas told AFP Friday: "We do not expect an agreement to be concluded" by then. The comment came after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a 45-day truce with hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a relaxation of the devastating aid blockade Israel imposed on Gaza on March 2. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told AFP Wednesday that the group insisted on a "comprehensive agreement" to end the war. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once during the war, sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 52,760 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the United Nations regards as reliable.

Palestinian president, Gazans call on Leo XIV to pursue late pope’s ‘peace efforts’
Reuters/May 09, 2025
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories/CAIRO: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, along with Gaza's Christians and Hamas leadership are calling on the new Pope Leo XIV to pursue the “peace efforts” of his predecessor Francis. Abbas sent “best wishes for the success of Pope Leo XIV in the pursuit of his noble task and maintaining the legacy of the late Pope Francis,” said in a statement released by his office late Thursday after the Vatican announced the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a little known missionary from Chicago, was elected in a surprise choice to be the new head of the Catholic Church, becoming the first US pope and taking the name Leo XIV. Abbas highlighted the “importance of the moral, religious and political role of the Vatican in the defense of just causes,” adding that “the Palestinian people and their right to liberty and independence” should be at the top. In Gaza, the enclave’s tiny Christian community said that they were happy about the election of a new leader of the Catholic Church. They also expressed confidence he would give importance to the war-torn enclave like his predecessor Pope Francis did. Members of the clergy hold mass for late Pope Francis at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City on April 21, 2025. “We are happy about the election of the Pope ... We hope that his heart will remain with Gaza like Pope Francis,” George Antone, 44, head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, told Reuters. The late Pope Francis, who campaigned for peace for the devastated enclave, called the church hours after the war in Gaza began in October 2023, the start of what the Vatican News Service would describe as a nightly routine throughout the war. “We appeal to the new pope to look at Gaza through the eyes of Pope Francis and to feel it with the heart of Pope Francis. At the same time, we are confident that the new pope will give importance to Gaza and its peace,” Antone added.
War in Gaza erupted when Hamas militants launched an attack against southern Israel, in which 251 people were taken hostage and some 1,200 were killed, according to Israeli tallies. Since the abductions, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault on Gaza that has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health authorities there, and reduced much of Gaza to ruins. Hamas, in a statement, congratulated Pope Leo saying that it looked forward to “his continuation of the late Pope’s path in supporting the oppressed and rejecting the genocide in Gaza.”The Holy Family Church compound in Gaza houses 450 Christians as well as a shelter for the elderly and children that also accommodates 30 Muslims, Antone said. Gaza’s 2.3 million population comprises an estimated 1,000 Christians, mostly Greek Orthodox.

Pakistan launched multiple attacks along India’s western border, India says
Reuters/May 09, 2025
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, India: Pakistan’s armed forces launched “multiple attacks” using drones and other munitions along India’s entire western border on Thursday night and early Friday, the Indian army said, as conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors intensified. The old enemies have been clashing since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan on Wednesday that it said were “terrorist camps“ in retaliation for a deadly attack in its restive region of Kashmir last month, in which it said Islamabad was involved. Pakistan denied the accusation but both countries have exchanged cross-border firing and shelling and sent drones and missiles into each other’s airspace since then, with nearly four dozen people dying in the violence. The army also said Pakistani troops had resorted to “numerous cease fire violations” along the countries’ de-facto border in Kashmir, a region that is divided between them but claimed in full by both. “The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs ,” the army said, adding all “nefarious designs” would be responded to with “force.”There was no immediate response from Pakistan to the Indian statement. Islamabad had earlier denied attacking Pathankot city in India’s Punjab state, Srinagar in the Kashmir valley, and Rajasthan state’s Jaisalmer, saying the accusations were “unfounded” and “politically motivated.”
Sirens in Amritsar
A “major infiltration bid” was “foiled” in Kashmir’s Samba region on Thursday night, India’s Border Security Force said, and heavy artillery shelling persisted in the Uri area on Friday, according to a security official who did not want to be named. “Several houses caught fire and were damaged in the shelling in the Uri sector...one woman was killed and another injured in overnight shelling,” the official said. Sirens blared for more than two hours on Friday in India’s border city of Amritsar, which houses the Golden Temple revered by Sikhs, and residents were asked to remain indoors. Ansab, a student at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Jammu city, which was among the places where blasts were heard overnight, said the explosions were “more violent and louder” around 4 a.m. “For two to three minutes it became very loud, windows started shaking as if they will break,” she said, adding the air was “smoggy” later — a mixture of smoke and fog. World powers from the US to China have urged the two countries to calm tensions, and US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday reiterated the call for de-escalation. “We want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible. We can’t control these countries, though,” he said in an interview on Fox News show “The Story with Martha MacCallum.”The relationship between Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan has been fraught with tension since they became separate countries after attaining independence from colonial British rule in 1947. Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region, has been at the heart of the hostility and they have fought two of their three wars over the region.

Drone strikes hit Port Sudan for sixth straight day: army source
AFP/May 09, 2025
PORT SUDAN: Drone strikes hit Port Sudan for a sixth straight day Friday, an army source said, blaming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, at war with the regular army since April 2023. “Our air defenses intercepted some of the enemy drones which were targeting sites in the city,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Witnesses reported strikes across Port Sudan, seat of the army-backed government and the country’s main aid hub. The port city, which had been seen as a safe haven from the devastating conflict between the army and the RSF, has been hit by daily drone strikes since Sunday. The long-range attacks have damaged several key facilities, including the country’s sole international airport, its largest working fuel depot and the city’s main power station. The port city is the main entry point for humanitarian aid into Sudan, and UN chief Antonio Guterres warned the attacks “threaten to increase humanitarian needs and further complicate aid operations in the country,” his spokesman said. More than two years of fighting have killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted 13 million in what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Kurdish PKK says held ‘successful’ meeting on disbanding
AFP/May 09, 2025
ISTANBUL: The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) held a “successful” meeting this week with a view to disarming and dissolving, the Kurdish agency ANF, which is close to the armed movement, announced on Friday. The meeting resulted in “decisions of historic importance concerning the PKK’s activities, based on the call” of founder Abdullah Ocalan, who called on the movement in February to dissolve. The congress, which was held between Monday and Wednesday, took place in the “Media Defense Zones” — a term used by the movement to designate the Kandil mountains of northern Iraq where the PKK military command is located, the agency reported. The PKK will share “full and detailed information with regard to the outcome of this congress very soon,” it said. In February, Ocalan urged his fighters to disarm and disband, ending a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. In his historic call — which took the form of a letter — Ocalan urged the PKK to hold a congress to formalize the decision. Two days later, the PKK announced a ceasefire, saying it was ready to convene a congress but said “for this to happen, a suitable secure environment must be created,” insisting it would only succeed if Ocalan were to “personally direct and lead it.”The PKK leadership is holed up in Kurdish-majority mountainous northern Iraq where Turkish forces have staged multiple air strikes in recent years, targeting the group which is also blacklisted by Washington and Brussels.

India tells X to block over 8,000 accounts, mainly Pakistani
AFP/May 09/2025
WASHINGTON: India has ordered X to block more than 8,000 accounts, the platform said Thursday, adding that it was reluctantly complying with what it described as government-imposed “censorship.”The move appears to be part of India’s sweeping crackdown targeting social media accounts of Pakistani politicians, celebrities and media organizations amid heightened tensions and deadly confrontations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The order, which X said includes demands to block international news organizations and other prominent users, comes a day after Meta banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at New Delhi’s request. “X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees,” the site’s global government affairs team said in a statement. It added that in most cases, the government had not specified which posts from the accounts violated Indian laws, and in many others, it provided no evidence or justification for the blocks.The Elon Musk-owned platform said it disagreed with the demands but it had begun the process to withhold the specified accounts in India. “Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech,” the statement said. “This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information.” The move comes amid fierce fighting between India and Pakistan, two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing a deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-run side of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. Pakistan rejects the charge. At least 48 people have been killed on both sides of the border in escalating violence since India launched air strikes on Wednesday that it said targeted “terrorist camps.”Both countries accused each other on Thursday of carrying out waves of drone attacks. X said it could not make the Indian executive orders public due to legal restrictions, but it encouraged the impacted users to seek “appropriate relief from the courts.” It did not name the affected users, but in recent days the Indian media has reported that the country has blocked the X accounts of Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan’s former prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan. India has also banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading “provocative” content, including Pakistani news outlets. Pakistani Bollywood movie regulars Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam were also off limits in India, as well as a wide range of cricketers — including star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and retired players Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram. Rising hostilities between the South Asian neighbors have unleashed an avalanche of online misinformation, with social media users circulating everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts, falsely linking them to the ongoing fighting.

Zelensky Announces European Summit on Saturday to Support Ukraine
This is Beirut/AFP/May 09/2025
European leaders from the "coalition of the willing", a grouping of countries which have pledged strengthened support for Kyiv, will meet in Ukraine on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Zelensky did not say who would attend or where the summit would take place.Around 30 countries are part of the coalition, led by Britain and France. London and Paris have used the alliance to put pressure on Russia over its three-year invasion of Ukraine, and have suggested members could eventually deploy troops to the country in the event of a ceasefire. Russia has said it will not tolerate any Western military presence in Ukraine once the fighting ends and has warned the proposal could spark war between Moscow and NATO. "We are also getting ready in Ukraine for a meeting with the leaders of the coalition of the willing," Zelensky told a military summit in Oslo via video link on Friday. "We need this coalition, and we need it to be strong enough to guarantee security... Tomorrow, the meetings," he added, without elaborating. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said earlier there would be a meeting on Saturday involving Norway, Zelensky and "the French and British leadership", without elaborating. Finnish President Alexander Stubb's office said he would take part in a "virtual meeting" of the coalition on Saturday, and had been invited by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Neither Britain nor France have commented publically on the gathering. Ukraine has been urging its allies to send troops to its territory once hostilities cease to protect against future Russian aggression. It has also been pressing the coalition to ramp up sanctions pressure on Russia.

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on May 09-10/2025
Fighting climate change with the power of AI
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/May 09/2025
As the effects of climate change accelerate across the globe, threatening ecosystems, economies and communities, it becomes increasingly clear that every available tool must be brought to bear in the effort to confront this crisis. From policy shifts and lifestyle changes to technological innovation, the solutions must be as varied and dynamic as the problems they seek to address. One of the most promising and fast-evolving tools in our arsenal today is artificial intelligence.
While AI has often been more associated with advancements in productivity, robotics and automation, it is also uniquely suited to tackle the multifaceted and data-heavy challenges posed by climate change. AI is not a silver bullet, but it is a potent weapon in the global climate arsenal — capable of revolutionizing how we model, understand and mitigate climate impacts. Ignoring its potential would be a grave oversight.
AI offers unmatched capabilities in terms of processing vast amounts of complex data, identifying patterns, making predictions and continuously improving outcomes based on feedback loops. In the context of climate change, where variables are numerous and interrelated — ranging from atmospheric conditions to energy systems and agricultural cycles — AI can provide insights that are often inaccessible through traditional means. As governments and organizations around the world search for scalable and effective responses to the climate emergency, integrating AI into climate strategy is not just an option, it is a necessity.
One of the most significant contributions AI can make in the fight against climate change is in enhancing climate modeling and forecasting. Traditional climate models are powerful but often limited by the sheer volume and variability of environmental data. AI algorithms, especially machine learning and deep learning models, can sift through terabytes of satellite imagery, weather station data and oceanographic information to detect trends, anomalies and potential future scenarios with unprecedented accuracy.
These capabilities are already being harnessed, with agencies such as the US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration incorporating AI into their climate prediction systems. More accurate forecasting means better preparation for climate-induced disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and floods — ultimately saving lives, reducing economic losses and informing more effective policy decisions.
In the energy sector, AI is proving instrumental in accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. By predicting energy demand, analyzing weather patterns for optimal solar and wind output and managing energy storage systems, AI ensures that renewable energy is delivered more efficiently and reliably. This has been particularly valuable in Brazil, where hydropower and wind energy make up a significant share of the country’s electricity production. AI tools help balance the grid, reduce energy waste and anticipate fluctuations in supply and demand. By integrating AI into its energy infrastructure, Brazil is not only lowering emissions but also improving energy access and stability for millions of people.
Agriculture is another domain where AI can dramatically reduce environmental impact. Agricultural activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through livestock, fertilizer use and land conversion. AI-driven precision agriculture tools can optimize water usage, reduce pesticide application and increase crop yields without expanding land use. In India, a country with a vast and diverse farming population, AI applications are being deployed to guide farmers on optimal planting times, crop rotation and irrigation schedules based on real-time weather and soil data. These interventions not only boost productivity but also promote sustainable practices that align with climate goals.
In the realm of waste management, AI is facilitating smarter and more efficient recycling systems. Traditional recycling processes are labor-intensive and often inaccurate in sorting materials. AI-powered systems, equipped with computer vision and robotics, can sort waste more accurately and at a much faster pace. In the UK, some companies are deploying AI to analyze and categorize waste on conveyor belts in recycling facilities. This not only increases the recycling rate but also ensures that fewer materials end up in landfills, where they can produce methane, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide. Improved waste management also reduces the burden on municipal systems and contributes to a circular economy.
AI is also playing a critical role in environmental monitoring and conservation. From tracking deforestation and biodiversity loss to detecting illegal fishing and monitoring glacier retreat, AI systems provide timely and actionable data. For example, in the Netherlands, an AI-driven algorithm is being used to map concentrations of plastic in oceans and determine the most efficient paths for cleanup vessels. This targeted approach maximizes the effectiveness of cleanup efforts while minimizing fuel use and operational costs. These technologies can be replicated in other regions facing marine pollution crises, improving global ocean health and mitigating the broader environmental impact of plastic waste.
AI can empower both developed and developing nations to build a more sustainable and resilient future.
In many vulnerable regions, particularly in the Global South, AI is enhancing climate resilience by supporting adaptation strategies tailored to local conditions. In several African nations, AI-driven platforms are helping communities better understand and prepare for climate risks such as desertification, water scarcity and extreme weather. These platforms analyze environmental and socioeconomic data to recommend sustainable farming practices, early warning systems and water management strategies.
In countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, where climate variability threatens food security and livelihoods, these AI interventions are empowering local populations with knowledge and tools to adapt effectively. This not only enhances resilience but also promotes equitable access to climate solutions in historically underserved regions.
In conclusion, if harnessed thoughtfully, AI can be a cornerstone of global climate strategy — one that empowers both developed and developing nations to build a more sustainable and resilient future. AI offers powerful and multifaceted tools that can significantly enhance our ability to combat climate change, from improving climate forecasts and optimizing renewable energy systems to transforming agriculture and waste management.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh

Building bridges, not walls key to EU-Saudi Arabia ties
Christophe Farnaud/Arab News/May 09/2025
On May 9, 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made a groundbreaking proposal to place French and German coal and steel production under a shared authority. This vision became the foundation of the EU.
In 1945, few could have predicted that nations once bent on each other’s destruction would come together to form such a strong economic and political union. Yet they did. What became known as the Schuman Declaration sought to make war “not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.” In recognition of this extraordinary achievement, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.
The vision of a united Europe was forged from a conscious decision to base peace and security on cooperation, interdependence and shared institutions, with a strong commitment to multilateralism and the rule of law.
It is especially important to reflect on these origins today, as the world faces a growing number of threats and overlapping crises. At a time when international cooperation turns into global competition, the Schuman Declaration serves as a powerful reminder that peace is not a given — it must be continuously nurtured, defended and re-envisioned through cooperation.
Europe is adapting to this changing world. We are stepping up our security and defense capabilities. We are ensuring the competitiveness of our economy while staying the course of our green transition, alongside our digital transformation.
But no country or power can face today’s challenges alone. This is why strengthening our partnerships with the Gulf region is a priority.
In October last year, we held the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Brussels, which marked a historic moment, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending. This historical event launched a new and more ambitious chapter in our cooperation. It was a clear signal that the EU and the GCC member states are forging a strategic partnership for the 21st century.
Against that backdrop, we are privileged to be Saudi Arabia’s strategic partner as the Kingdom opens up to the world, having embarked on a spectacular social and economic transformation under the Vision 2030 program. This partnership grows stronger every day — solid, productive and expanding. We have found common ground across many sectors, including security, economic cooperation, energy, green transition, tourism, education, the arts and sports.
Over the past year, our bilateral relations have achieved significant milestones. An exceptional number of high-level visits and exchanges between the EU and Saudi Arabia further strengthened our ties.
We have common geopolitical interests. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing major crisis in Palestine and Israel frame the challenges of our shared future. The EU stands ready to play its full part in future peace talks on Ukraine and has welcomed the role played by Saudi Arabia to facilitate a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have joined efforts to reinvigorate the political process toward a two-state solution and established the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia, Norway and the EU. This significant step forward has led to the upcoming international conference in New York in June, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, to rally international support for concrete, coordinated efforts toward a just and lasting peace.
In the economic field, we have laid a strong foundation. With approximately 2,500 European companies now operating in the Kingdom, Europe is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner and its first direct foreign investor. But we want to go further, whether through free trade agreements, sectoral collaborations or expanded dialogue.
A year ago, we launched the European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region. By creating a platform for companies, by companies, our goal has been to foster deeper and more robust economic partnerships. Since then, many joint projects have taken place under its umbrella, deepening our trade collaboration.
Another area in which we have witnessed progress is our security cooperation. Two editions of the EU-GCC Structured Security Dialogue focused on key areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, counterproliferation and counterterrorism. Moreover, through naval operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES, the EU contributes to safeguarding maritime security and ensuring the freedom of navigation in this region, from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.
No country or power can face today’s challenges alone. This is why strengthening our partnerships with the Gulf region is a priority.
Building for the long term means that culture is a priority. Higher education is key. Investing in young people is one of the most meaningful and forward-thinking ways to strengthen our ties. We are proud of the growing partnerships with Saudi universities, from King Saud University and Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah.
I am pleased to see the increasing interest in the EU’s Erasmus+ program, which is now open to Saudi students. I hope this will lead to even more exchanges and shared experiences across our campuses.
More broadly, our shared interest in more cultural exchanges is reflected by the continued success of two of our flagship initiatives, the EU Music Week and the EU Food Festival. To deepen people-to-people exchanges, the EU-GCC Summit also confirmed the goal of a visa-free travel arrangement. The process is complex technically and politically. It will take time. In the meantime, the new rules introduced last year, enabling Saudi nationals to obtain multiple-entry short-stay visas valid for up to five years, are a meaningful step forward.
Our dynamic partnership makes us more resilient, stronger and better equipped to move forward. We have a lot more to do together, for peace and prosperity.
***Christophe Farnaud is the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain and Sultanate of Oman. X: @EUAmbGCC

India claims Jaish-e-Mohammad leader killed during airstrikes in Pakistan
Bill Roggio/FDD's Long War Journal/May 08/2025
The Indian government claimed that Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior leader of the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad and a brother of the group’s founder, Masood Azhar, was killed during India’s retaliatory airstrikes on Pakistan on May 7.
Abdul Azhar is listed by the US government as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and Jaish-e-Mohammad has been implicated in numerous terror attacks in the region, including the kidnapping, murder, and beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
Abdul was purportedly killed in the strike that targeted a religious school in the city of Bahawalpur that is run by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The terror group’s headquarters is known to be based in Bahawalpur.
Masood Azhar, the JeM chief, admitted on May 7 that “10 members of his family and four close associates were killed in India’s missile attack,” according to the Deccan Herald. However, Masood did not name his brother as one of those killed.
India said it struck Pakistani-state-sponsored terrorist camps and headquarters in six different cities in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, the Pakistan-administered region of the disputed territory of Kashmir. India launched the strikes as part of Operation Sindhoor, the country’s response to the April 22 terrorist attack in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
Abdul was added to the US list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists in December 2010. In its designation, the US Treasury Department noted that he was “a senior leader” of JeM who “has urged Pakistanis to engage in militant activities.” Abdul served as a senior military commander in India and as JeM’s “intelligence coordinator.” He was assigned to organize suicide attacks in India, was involved with JeM’s training camps, and participated in the group’s “political wing.”
Abdul took over for his brother, Masood, as the overall leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad for a short period in 2007 after Masood went underground due to international pressure on Pakistan. Masood reassumed his leadership role that same year.
Background on Jaish-e-Mohammed
The US government listed JeM as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in December 2001. Masood Azhar, JeM’s founder, was listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in November 2010 for his involvement in terror attacks and his ties to Al Qaeda and other jihadist groups.
Masood is a veteran jihadist who trained at the same religious seminary as Afghan Taliban founder and former emir Mullah Omar. Masood was captured by the Indian government in 1994 and imprisoned for terrorist activities. He was released from an Indian jail along with Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh in exchange for hostages held in an Indian Airlines flight hijacking in December 1999 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Masood formed JeM after his release from prison.
JeM is supported by Pakistan’s military and Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate because it is hostile to India and wages jihad in Kashmir and Afghanistan. In its 2010 designation of Masood, the US Treasury Department said that “JeM recruitment posters in Pakistan contained a call from Azhar for volunteers to join the fight in Afghanistan against Western forces.”
JeM was implicated along with the Lashkar-e-Taiba as being behind the December 13, 2001, attack on the Indian Parliament building in New Delhi that killed nine people. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a close associate of the Azhar brothers and a JeM member, was behind the kidnapping of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Pearl was later brutally murdered and beheaded. JeM has been responsible for numerous terror attacks in India, including the January 2016 assault on Pathankot Air Force Base in India that killed 17 soldiers and the February 2019 suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force troops. Some of JeM’s top leaders have joined Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, the global jihadist group’s regional branch, which was formed by Al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri in September 2014. Despite JeM’s terrorist activities and close ties to global terrorist organizations, Pakistan has not acted against the group.
**Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD’s Long War Journal.

Question: “What does the Bible say about the pope / papacy?”
GotQuestions.org/May 08/2025
Answer: The Roman Catholic Church’s teaching about the pope (“pope” means “father”) is built upon and involves the following Roman Catholic teachings:
1) Christ made Peter the leader of the apostles and of the church (Matthew 16:18-19). In giving Peter the “keys of the kingdom,” Christ not only made him leader, but also made him infallible when he acted or spoke as Christ’s representative on earth (speaking from the seat of authority, or “ex cathedra”). This ability to act on behalf of the church in an infallible way when speaking “ex cathedra” was passed on to Peter’s successors, thus giving the church an infallible guide on earth. The purpose of the papacy is to lead the church unerringly.
2) Peter later became the first bishop of Rome. As bishop of Rome, he exercised authority over all other bishops and church leaders. The teaching that the bishop of Rome is above all other bishops in authority is referred to as the “primacy” of the Roman bishop.
3) Peter passed on his apostolic authority to the next bishop of Rome, along with the other apostles who passed on their apostolic authority to the bishops that they ordained. These new bishops, in turn, passed on that apostolic authority to those bishops that they later ordained, and so on. This “passing on of apostolic authority” is referred to as “apostolic succession.”
4) Based upon the claim of an unbroken chain of Roman bishops, Roman Catholics teach that the Roman Catholic Church is the true church, and that all churches that do not accept the primacy of the pope have broken away from them, the original and one true church.
Having briefly reviewed some of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church concerning the papacy, the question is whether those teachings are in agreement with Scripture. The Roman Catholic Church sees the papacy and the infallible teaching authority of “Mother Church” as being necessary to guide the church, and uses that as logical reasoning for God’s provision of it. But in examining Scripture, we find the following:
1) While Peter was central in the early spread of the gospel (part of the meaning behind Matthew 16:18-19), the teaching of Scripture, taken in context, nowhere declares that he was in authority over the other apostles or over the church (see Acts 15:1-23; Galatians 2:1-14; 1 Peter 5:1-5). Nor is it ever taught that the bishop of Rome was to have primacy over the church. Rather, there is only one reference in Scripture of Peter writing from “Babylon,” a name sometimes applied to Rome, found in 1 Peter 5:13. Primarily from this, and the historical rise of the influence of the bishop of Rome (due to the support of Constantine and the Roman emperors who followed him), come the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching of the primacy of the bishop of Rome. However, Scripture shows that Peter’s authority was shared by the other apostles (Ephesians 2:19-20) and that the “loosing and binding” authority attributed to him was likewise shared by the local churches, not just their church leaders (see Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Titus 2:15; 3:10-11).
2) Nowhere does Scripture state that in order to keep the church from error, the authority of the apostles was passed on to those they ordained (the idea behind apostolic succession). Apostolic succession is “read into” those verses that the Roman Catholic Church uses to support this doctrine (2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2-5; Titus 1:5; 2:1; 2:15; 1 Timothy 5:19-22). What Scripture DOES teach is that false teachings would arise even from among church leaders and that Christians were to compare the teachings of these later church leaders with Scripture, which alone is cited in the Bible as infallible. The Bible does not teach that the apostles were infallible, apart from what was written by them as Scripture. Paul, in talking to the church leaders in the large city of Ephesus, makes note of coming false teachers. Paul does not commend them to “the apostles and those who would carry on their authority,” but rather to “God and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:28-32).
Again, the Bible teaches that it is Scripture that is to be used as measuring stick to determine truth from error. In Galatians 1:8-9, Paul states that it is not WHO teaches but WHAT is being taught that is to be used to determine truth from error. While the Roman Catholic Church continues to pronounce a curse to hell, or “anathema,” upon those who would reject the authority of the pope, Scripture reserves that curse for those who would teach a different gospel (Galatians 1:8-9).
3) While the Roman Catholic Church sees apostolic succession as logically necessary in order for God to unerringly guide the church, Scripture states that God has provided for His church through the following:
(a) Infallible Scripture, (Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; Acts 17:10-12; Isaiah 8:20; 40:8; etc.) Note: Peter speaks of Paul’s writings in the same category as other Scripture (2 Peter 3:16),
(b) Christ’s unending high-priesthood in heaven (Hebrews 7:22-28),
(c) The provision of the Holy Spirit who guided the apostles into truth after Christ’s death (John 16:12-14), who gifts believers for the work of the ministry, including teaching (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16), and who uses the written Word as His chief tool (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).
While there have seemingly been good (humanly speaking) and moral men who have served as pope of the Roman Catholic Church—some point to Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis I as examples—the Roman Catholic teaching about the office of the pope should be rejected because it is not in agreement with the teachings of the New Testament. This comparison of any church’s teaching is essential, lest we miss the New Testament’s teaching concerning the gospel and not only miss eternal life in heaven ourselves but unwittingly lead others down the wrong path (Galatians 1:8-9).

Baghdad-Damascus-Beirut: Stability and Investment
Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/Friday 09/05
The Iraqi government has turned much of its attention to ensuring the success of the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad. The path from the capital and back has been brimming with political positions and visitors, while decision-makers are seeking to stabilize the country to strengthen investment. Investment is a delicate object built on the binaries of politics and economy, geography and wealth, exports and imports (or more precisely, production across resources and transit routes). For this reason, both political and security stability are necessary prerequisites for a stable flow of public and private capital in a region teeming with wealth beneath the ground and rife with crises above it. Baghdad has a geostrategic vision for transit routes. It sees these routes as a means for connecting the country to the world, positioning itself as the vital corridor between producers and consumers. Accordingly, it has turned to Damascus and Beirut, routes through which its resources can reach the Mediterranean basin and beyond. Here, the government has prioritized interest over positions, moving past the burdens of the past and pursuing political pragmatism that aligns with shifting geopolitical realities that, if they are misconceived, will corner Iraq, and if they are rejected, will isolate it.
In Damascus, the new political leadership understands the importance of its geographic position between Baghdad and Beirut. Tying politics to the national interest grants Syria geostrategic leverage, allowing it to play a role in the region once again. Its location makes it an unavoidable transit country. Thus, investing in geography could steer the new Syria toward stability- an effort being undermined by the rival states that benefit from Syrian instability and from impeding Syria’s efforts to further interests with both its Arab neighbors and more distant European partners. Indeed, there is a reason that Riyadh was the first Arab capital that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited and Paris the first in Europe: both capitals are keen on seeing the sanctions on Damascus lifted and accelerating its political and economic reintegration into the international community.
Tel Aviv is suspicious of Syria’s efforts, meeting them with violence that borders on a declaration of war. Israel has exploited minority concerns, turning them into a pretext for exploiting Syria’s social and tearing its territory apart. The events on the Syrian coast, attempts to create chaos, and the tense situation in the south and in Suwayda could, at the surface, seem to reflect crises between the center and the periphery, between majority and minority. In this regard, the majority has a responsibility to uphold pluralism, while the minority’s responsibility is to integrate into a state that safeguards the rights of all citizens and grants no community privileges over another. Tel Aviv will not offer protection to anyone, nor is it an ally to anyone but its own interests.
Beneath the surface, we find the potential reactivation of the Iraqi oil pipeline to Baniyas, extending to Tripoli. We also find the Gulf states studying the idea of rehabilitating the energy transit routes through southern Syria that had ceased to operate after the occupation of the Golan, or of building new infrastructure. These developments pose a major geoeconomic threat to Tel Aviv, and it is once we see its actions from this angle that the reasons behind its war on Syria’s territorial integrity become clear.
In Beirut, the road to the airport is now open in both directions and air and sea ports are fully equipped to receive visitors. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government has established the security and developed the services needed to ensure the return of Arab brothers and friends to Lebanon. The government is preparing for an economic transition, and one key goal is to transform the ports of Beirut and Tripoli into maritime gateways for Syria, Jordan, and Iraq through geoeconomic partnerships among the three countries. Salam began pursuing this project during his visit to Damascus and will continue to develop it during his upcoming visit to Baghdad.
In his article for Asharq Al-Awsat yesterday (Thursday), “Baghdad Summit: A Step Toward a New Arab Course” the Iraqi prime minister writes that: Amid the major shifts, open-ended conflicts, and complex challenges facing our region, Baghdad hosts a Summit in which leaders will not simply be running through the motions. Rather than a procedural event, Iraq sees this summit as a pivotal juncture and a historic opportunity to reinvigorate joint Arab action, seize the initiative, and position the Arab world as an active player in regional affairs instead of merely being the object of rivalries. Thus, if politics is distilled economics or if economics is distilled politics, then the economy is more than a political tool; it is the fuel behind efforts to reshape states’ political priorities.

Ukraine: The Next Phase of War
Amir Taheri/Asharq Al-Awsat/Friday 09/05
Students of history know that starting a war is always easy; what is difficult is ending it. The current war in Ukraine is no exception.
The trouble is that Vladimir Putin, the man who started this war, also believed he knew how to end it.
More than three years later it is clear that he is as clueless on that score as anyone. That anyone also includes President Donald Trump who sincerely believed he could end the war with a few phone calls to the two Vladimirs who spell their names differently.
With the global public opinion more interested in what may come next rather than what is actually happening, the real story, which in this case means the latest twists and turns in the war, go largely unnoticed.
This war started in a textbook style with Russian tanks and armored vehicles rolling into Ukrainian territory as if in a parade. Many assumed that the juggernaut marked “Z” will soon arrive in Ukrainian capital Kyiv, accept unconditional surrender by Ukrainian leaders, install a new government and restore pan-Slavic brotherhood.
Well, that didn’t happen.
The conflict morphed into a proxy war between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and Russia timidly backed by half a dozen countries including Belarus, Iran and North Korea.
Trump’s return to the White House and a decline in public support for Kyiv in Europe prompted new talk about a negotiated end to the war with Ukraine losing another chunk of territory besides Crimea.
However, what was happening below the radars was different. Starting in early 2023, Ukrainian leaders decided that their best chance of emerging from their national ordeal was to turn the conflict into a war of attrition, which they successfully did by slowing down the Russian juggernaut. They knew that an invader does not have the same level of patience as the defending side and thus is bound to fail to secure the stamina needed for a seemingly endless war.
Despite the great suffering it inflicted on the Ukrainians, 2024 witnessed a major success for them, one that didn’t get the public attention it deserved. Partly helped by the British navy, the Ukrainians succeeded in containing the Russian navy in Azov - a backwater in the Black Sea - by sinking a number of Putin’s vessels, including his flagship.
The next twist in Ukrainian strategy came when President Volodymyr Zelenskiy approved a plan for developing an asymmetric war capacity, using a mixture of guerrilla tactics and technological warfare.
The surprise operation in Kursk didn’t deliver all it had promised in terms of the trio of “capture, cleanse and control” of territory. But it served notice that at least parts of Russian territory in all its vastness could no longer be seen as sanctuary.
Last Monday the same message was delivered with greater vigor when Ukrainian drones knocked Moscow’s four airports out of action for more than 14 hours. An earlier attack on Russia’s giant arms manufacturing complex at Briansk sent a similar message.
At the same time, Ukraine has tried to compensate for manpower shortage, which it shares with Russia, not by hiring North Korean or African mercenaries, but by developing a major drone manufacturing industry.
For the past year or so, Ukraine has been producing over 200,000 drones every month and is set to reach the target of 2.5 million a year before the end of summer.
In comparison Iran, the main supplier to Russia produces no more than 400,000 units a year.
Hundreds of European, Canadian and American techno-wizards are helping turn Ukraine into a vast laboratory for high-tech military hardware, including unmanned vehicles to transport medical personnel and battlefield casualties.
An increasing number of start-ups are also helping Ukraine use Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in developing tactics, suggesting different combinations of weapons and methods and resource allocation. Determined to become a vanguard of military technological research and developments, Ukraine has allocated a third of its defense budgets to the program.
High-tech progress at one end of the spectrum is complemented by classical guerrilla training at the other end. Ukrainians remember that Field Marshall von Paulus’ Barbarossa juggernaut in 1941 swept through their land in just two weeks, but then had to fight an ultimately losing battle for two more years when guerrilla operations against the Nazi invader became a reality.
The current year may still witness history repeating itself with new Ukrainian guerrilla attacks on key Russian infrastructure starting with the $18 billion bridge Putin built to connect Crimea to the Russian mainland.
As a laboratory for developing new weaponry and war tactics, Ukraine may be useful to NATO while pinning down more than half of Russia’s non-nuclear military capacity in an unwinnable war. The temptation to let things unfold as they are may be great, but the fact is that every day people die in this unnecessary, unwanted and unwinnable war.
Thus, an increase in Ukraine’s ability to defend itself should be seen as an argument in favor of a negotiated peace rather than a prolonged war.
Trump should revive his peacemaking bid this time by admitting that while Putin still has more cards to play in this deadly game, Zelenskiy is not as empty-handed as some thought.