Strategic Border Crossing Reopens Allowing UN Aid to Reach Opposition-Held Northwest Syria

 A worker unloads boxes of humanitarian aid in a World Health Organization warehouse in Sarmada, in northern Syria on September 19, 2023. (AFP)
A worker unloads boxes of humanitarian aid in a World Health Organization warehouse in Sarmada, in northern Syria on September 19, 2023. (AFP)
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Strategic Border Crossing Reopens Allowing UN Aid to Reach Opposition-Held Northwest Syria

 A worker unloads boxes of humanitarian aid in a World Health Organization warehouse in Sarmada, in northern Syria on September 19, 2023. (AFP)
A worker unloads boxes of humanitarian aid in a World Health Organization warehouse in Sarmada, in northern Syria on September 19, 2023. (AFP)

A United Nations aid convoy reached opposition-held northwest Syria Tuesday after a vital border crossing from Türkiye reopened following an agreement with the Syrian government.

The 17-truck convoy carrying among other things, medicine, food supplements, stationery supplies and medical equipment crossed into Idlib through the strategic border-crossing of Bab al-Hawa Tuesday afternoon.

Last month, the UN reached an agreement with Syria's government to reopen the crossing, used to deliver 85% of aid to Syria's northwestern Idlib province, where the majority of its 4.5 million residents live in poverty after being internally displaced during Syria's conflict, now in its 13th year.

The deal was agreed on after the UN Security Council failed to authorize two rival resolutions on July 11 to renew the border crossing's authorization. The United States, United Kingdom, and France were key advocates of the UN aid delivery, whereas Syria's key allies, Russia and China, called for delivering aid to opposition-held areas through Damascus instead.

The UN has been exclusively using two northern crossings to deliver aid to opposition-controlled areas since July 9, making it extremely challenging because of poor infrastructure and route length. In August, the UN sent 195 trucks loaded with aid to the opposition enclave.

“UN aid is the artery for the citizens of northwestern Syria. Without it, there would be a humanitarian disaster in the area,” Mazen Alloush, an official on the Syrian side of the border crossing, told The Associated Press. He said he hoped more convoys would reach the area in the coming weeks

The United Nations did not immediately comment on the aid delivery.

The Syrian conflict started as an uprising against President Bashar Assad in 2011 and was met with a harsh crackdown that plunged the country into years of civil war, killing nearly half a million people and displacing half of the country’s pre-war population of 23 million.



China Says Willing to Work with Syria, Upgrades Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in eastern Hangzhou city, in this handout picture released by Sana on September 22, 2023, Syria. SANA/Handout via REUTERS
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in eastern Hangzhou city, in this handout picture released by Sana on September 22, 2023, Syria. SANA/Handout via REUTERS
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China Says Willing to Work with Syria, Upgrades Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in eastern Hangzhou city, in this handout picture released by Sana on September 22, 2023, Syria. SANA/Handout via REUTERS
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in eastern Hangzhou city, in this handout picture released by Sana on September 22, 2023, Syria. SANA/Handout via REUTERS

China and Syria will upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership, following a meeting between China's President Xi Jinping and Syria's Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou on Friday.

"In the face of an unstable and uncertain international environment, China is willing to continue to work with Syria in the interests of friendly cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice," Xi said in a video clip posted online by state broadcaster CCTV.

The Syrian president is in China to advance efforts to bring to an end more than a decade of diplomatic isolation under Western sanctions and to boost commercial ties with the world's second-largest economy, as Syria desperately needs foreign investment.

Western sanctions on Syria have been steadily tightened since the early days of a civil war that began in 2011 with a crackdown on protests and went on to kill hundreds of thousands of people and displace millions. Assad's government, backed by Russia and Iran, now controls most territory and has reestablished ties in recent years with Arab neighbors that once backed his opponents.

Assad is set to attend Saturday's Asian Games opening ceremony with more than a dozen other foreign dignitaries, in his latest bid to return to the world stage. Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and was welcomed back into the Arab League in May.

“In the face of the unstable and uncertain international situation, China is willing to work with Syria to firmly support each other ... and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice,” Xi said.


Palestinian PM Says Oslo Accords Have ‘Vanished’

A Palestinian man stands in front of damage caused by an Israeli raid on Jenin city and its camp. (AFP)
A Palestinian man stands in front of damage caused by an Israeli raid on Jenin city and its camp. (AFP)
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Palestinian PM Says Oslo Accords Have ‘Vanished’

A Palestinian man stands in front of damage caused by an Israeli raid on Jenin city and its camp. (AFP)
A Palestinian man stands in front of damage caused by an Israeli raid on Jenin city and its camp. (AFP)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh appealed for strong international support to overcome political and financial challenges, enhance reform efforts, and advance development plans.

He made these remarks during the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) donors’ meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

"It is clear to all of us that the Oslo Accords have vanished in all aspects: security, political, legal, and financial," he said, calling on the international community to protect the two-state solution.

He accused the Israeli government of working systematically to undermine the establishment of the Palestinian state and push the Palestinian Authority to the brink of collapse through its daily incursions into the villages, cities, and camps, as well as its policies that are based on murder, arrests, and destruction.

The Israeli government is illegally withholding Palestinian funds, in addition to making unmonitored deductions from electricity, water, and sewage bills, added Shtayyeh.

He went on to say that the "systematic piracy of Palestinian funds has now topped $800 million annually, exceeding our annual deficit by $200 million, which has affected our ability to fulfill our obligations and pay public sector salaries in full."

Meanwhile, international aid has decreased significantly, as it has dropped from 30 percent of the budget to only three percent, he continued.

The PM briefed the meeting on the progress made in implementing the reform agenda.

He said that the government is about to finalize the 2024-2029 development plan, which is based on a set of goals that include strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian people, gradually breaking away from dependency on Israel by expanding Palestinian economic production and diversifying the trade relationship, in addition to strengthening and improving services in public institutions.

The Palestinian government is suffering from an ongoing financial crisis, which it says is the worst since its establishment due to Israel's continued deduction of Palestinian tax funds, the repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis, and an unprecedented decline in foreign support.

For the second consecutive year, the Palestinian government cannot pay total salaries to civil and military servants, an indication of the ongoing financial crisis expected to worsen as the Israeli government deducts more of the PA’s "clearing" tax revenue funds.

For years Israel has been deducting sums of money from the clearance at a rate exceeding 200 million shekels per month, including the prices of electricity purchased by distribution companies and Palestinian local authorities from the Israel Electricity Company, the costs of water and sewage, and an allowance for medical referrals.

Finance Minister Shukri Bishara called on the international community to pressure Israelis to stop these deductions, restore financial rights fully, resolve pending issues in line with international law, and carry out the main amendments in the Paris Agreement.

The minister said during the same meeting that the sharp decline in the donor countries' support was compounded by a doubling in the Israeli deductions.

Bishara went on to say that the year 2023 was challenging for the PA because of the Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities, incurring huge losses in the economy and causing the GDP to slow down to 2.7 percent from 3.9 percent last year.

He further demanded the amendment of the Paris Agreement, saying that it has become a way to control 65 percent of returns and to keep the Palestinian economy dependent on Israel.


Two New Candidates Run for Presidential Election in Egypt

A banner depicting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seen outside a polling station during the referendum on draft constitutional amendments (File photo: Reuters)
A banner depicting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seen outside a polling station during the referendum on draft constitutional amendments (File photo: Reuters)
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Two New Candidates Run for Presidential Election in Egypt

A banner depicting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seen outside a polling station during the referendum on draft constitutional amendments (File photo: Reuters)
A banner depicting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seen outside a polling station during the referendum on draft constitutional amendments (File photo: Reuters)

Two new figures, opposition activist and head of Egypt's liberal Constitution Party (al-Dostour) Gameela Ismail and Chairman of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party Farid Zahran, have announced they were running for the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt.

Ismail informed her party of her decision to enter the presidential race in response to a request from its supreme body. She has called for an extraordinary general assembly on October 4 to vote on her candidacy.

On Wednesday, Egypt's National Election Authority (NEA) announced that it had completed the "logistical procedures" for the upcoming elections, emphasizing it will maintain an equal distance from all candidates.

NEA executive director Ahmed Bendari stated that the Authority will guarantee the full rights of all candidates who meet the nomination requirements.

Zahran announced that his party held an urgent meeting to review its stance on the upcoming presidential election, as NEA is set to announce its timetable on Monday.

The meeting was attended by 134 members out of the party's total 143.

According to a party statement, "after a ten-hour meeting, 75 percent of members voted in favor of Zahran running for president, 15 percent objected, and 10 percent abstained."

The Civil Democratic Movement, an opposition coalition comprising 12 parties and public figures, seeks to agree on a single candidate.

If Gameela Ismail runs for the presidency, she will become the first Egyptian woman to do so.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has not announced his intention to run for another term.

To date, five political figures, including head of the Wafd Party Abdel-Sanad Yamama, former MP and member of the Wafd Party's Higher Council Fouad Badrawi, head of the People's Republican Party Hazem Omar, chairman of the Democratic Peace Party Ahmed el-Fadaly, and former MP and former head of leftist al-Karama Party Ahmed Tantawi have said they have plans to run in the upcoming elections.

Egyptian expert Abdel Moneim Said told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egyptian parties are taking the elections seriously and should continue efforts to agree on one candidate.

During a press conference, the National Election Authority laid down rules stipulating that a candidate for the presidency must be endorsed by at least twenty parliament members or supported by no less than 25,000 citizens who have the right to vote in at least fifteen governorates.


UNIFIL: Full Implementation of UN Resolution 1701 is Shared Responsibility

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro arriving at the ceremony (UN)
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro arriving at the ceremony (UN)
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UNIFIL: Full Implementation of UN Resolution 1701 is Shared Responsibility

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro arriving at the ceremony (UN)
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro arriving at the ceremony (UN)

The full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 is a shared responsibility, and the parties' commitment is necessary to advance towards a long-term solution, announced UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) celebrated the International Day of Peace in Naqoura, south Lebanon, in a ceremony attended by Lebanese political representatives, including Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, local authorities, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), security forces, UN officials, and members of the international community.

Lazaro and LAF representative Brigadier General Mounir Shehade laid wreaths at the cenotaph in memory of the over 300 UNIFIL peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving in south Lebanon since 1978.

Earlier this month, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2695, extending UNIFIL's peacekeeping mandate for another year.

The resolution reaffirms UNIFIL's authorization to conduct its operations independently while continuing to coordinate with the Government of Lebanon regarding Lebanese sovereignty.

"As our name says, we are peacekeepers – we keep the peace, but we do not bestow it," Lazaro told the crowd.

"We keep the peace that the parties have each given space for, have each worked to maintain in their ways. But whenever it is threatened, UNIFIL is there, ready to help."

The UNIFIL head emphasized the mission's strong partnership with the Lebanese government and armed forces.

"We are here at the invitation of the Lebanese government, who have been our hosts for over forty-five years," he said.

"We coordinate closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, conducting patrols with them and on our own, to help the government someday exercise its authority over this beautiful country."

He also stressed the importance of restraint and UNIFIL's role in decreasing tensions.

Lazaro noted: "The danger of miscalculation remains, a danger that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities and lead us to conflict."

He asserted it was important for the parties to bear this in mind and to use UNIFIL's liaison and coordination mechanisms to deconflict situations and decrease tensions.

"The full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 remains a shared responsibility, and the parties' commitment is necessary to advance towards a long-term solution."

Military staff officers were awarded the UN Peacekeeping Medal during the ceremony for participating in the mission's work. As is customary, white doves were released at UNIFIL's cenotaph to symbolize peace.

The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981.

It is dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence and is an occasion during which all promote tolerance, justice, and human rights.

Each year, on this day, the UN invites all nations and people to honor a 24-hour cessation of hostilities and to commemorate the day through activities that promote peace.


Cyprus Calls on the EU to Rethink Syrian Safe Zones for Eventually Repatriating Syrian Migrants 

02 September 2023, Cyprus, Limassol: The store window is shattered as protesters attack a hair salon belonging to a migrant. (dpa)
02 September 2023, Cyprus, Limassol: The store window is shattered as protesters attack a hair salon belonging to a migrant. (dpa)
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Cyprus Calls on the EU to Rethink Syrian Safe Zones for Eventually Repatriating Syrian Migrants 

02 September 2023, Cyprus, Limassol: The store window is shattered as protesters attack a hair salon belonging to a migrant. (dpa)
02 September 2023, Cyprus, Limassol: The store window is shattered as protesters attack a hair salon belonging to a migrant. (dpa)

Cyprus has formally called on the European Union to re-evaluate which areas of Syria can be declared safe and free from armed conflict so that Syrian migrants can eventually be repatriated there, the Cypriot Interior Ministry said Friday.

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou was the sole official to raise the issue during July’s informal gathering of his EU counterparts in Spain. No other EU nation has taken a formal position on safe zone re-evaluation, the Interior Ministry told The Associated Press.

Cyprus is fronting the re-evaluation bid because it says its proximity to the region has now made it a prime destination for Syrian migrants.

Ethnically divided Cyprus, with a population of nearly a million in the southern, internationally recognized part where migrants seek asylum, says migrants now comprise 6% of its population – much higher than the average in other EU member countries.

War-torn Syria has for the past 12 years has been designated as an unsafe country where indiscriminate violence poses a real risk to the safety of its citizens. The threat makes them eligible for international protection status which enables them to live and work in third countries.

The government of Cyprus is proposing that the EU initially re-examines whether conditions on the ground in Syria – or parts of the country – have changed enough for Syrians to be safely repatriated.

The practicalities of how such repatriations would take place could be decided at a later stage. One possibility would be to start repatriations of Syrians who hail from the declared safe zones, according to the Cypriot Interior Ministry.

Some 40% of 7,369 migrants who have applied for asylum in Cyprus in 2023 until the end of August are Syrians.

The European Union Agency for Asylum says there’s “no real risk” to civilians from indiscriminate violence in only one of Syria’s 13 regions – Tartus. In another four, including Latakia, Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, indiscriminate violence isn’t “at a high level.”

The United Nations refugee agency says it’s not currently either “facilitating or promoting refugee return” to Syria, noting that refugees have the right to return to their homeland “at a time of their own choosing.”


Tunisia Frees Cartoonist after His Arrest over Drawings Mocking PM

Policemen stand guard in Tunis. (Reuters)
Policemen stand guard in Tunis. (Reuters)
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Tunisia Frees Cartoonist after His Arrest over Drawings Mocking PM

Policemen stand guard in Tunis. (Reuters)
Policemen stand guard in Tunis. (Reuters)

Tunisia's public prosecutor on Friday released the cartoonist Tawfiq Omrane, after he was detained for hours over drawings mocking the prime minister.
Omrane is well known for publishing satirical cartoons featuring President Kais Saied, who seized almost all powers two years ago after he shut down Tunisia's elected parliament.
"They interrogated me on suspicion of insulting the prime minister. They showed a drawing that they considered offensive", Omrane told Diwan FM Tunisian radio.
Omrane pledged that he would continue his satirical drawings.
Ahmed Hachani is the prime minister, appointed last month to replace Najla Bouden.
Many Tunisians see free speech as a principal reform won after the 2011 revolution that toppled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Activists, journalists and politicians have warned this freedom is under threat.
"Omrane's arrest reinforces authorities' efforts to suppress critical voices of the president," said Amira Mohamed, a senior official at the country's Journalists' Syndicate.
Kais Saied strongly criticized state TV in a speech this week, including the arrangement of headlines in a bulletin, in a move that the Journalists Syndicate said was "blatant interference".
Saied rejects accusations of targeting freedoms and has said he will never be a dictator.


Palestinian President Calls for Salvaging Two-State Solution

Palestinian President during his speech at the UN General Assembly (AFP)
Palestinian President during his speech at the UN General Assembly (AFP)
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Palestinian President Calls for Salvaging Two-State Solution

Palestinian President during his speech at the UN General Assembly (AFP)
Palestinian President during his speech at the UN General Assembly (AFP)

The Palestinian President called on the United Nations General Assembly to undertake the necessary arrangements to convene a peace conference, which may be the "last opportunity to salvage the two-state solution."

Abbas asserted Thursday the need to "prevent the situation from deteriorating more seriously, threatening the security and stability of our region and the entire world."

Speaking at the 78th session of the General Assembly, Abbas stated that Israel is systematically destroying the two-state solution, calling on the UN to take deterrent measures against Israel until it fulfills its obligations.

He pointed out that Palestine would persist in pursuing accountability and justice at the relevant international bodies against Tel Aviv because of the continued Israeli occupation of the land and against everyone who had a role in the catastrophe.

- Commemorating the Nakba

Abbas also called to criminalize the denial of Palestinian Nakba and designate May 15 of each year as an international day to commemorate its anniversary and the lives of about 950,000 Palestinians who were killed in massacres committed by Zionist gangs and whose villages were demolished and who were forcibly displaced from their homes.

Abbas urged UN Member States, each in its national capacity, to take practical steps based on the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and international law.

He also called on the states that have yet to recognize Palestine to declare their recognition and for Palestine to be admitted to full membership in the UN.

- A Yemeni warning

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, warned against any complacency from the international community or dealing with the Houthi militia as de facto authorities, which will lead to eradicating this behavior.

He emphasized that such an approach will perpetuate repression and the violation of public freedoms.

"We reaffirm the need to have the right guarantees for peace ... pursuant to the Saudi initiative," based on justice and fairness, he continued.

Any peace agreement or trust-building measures should be targeted towards alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people.

- Lebanese Challenges

The proceedings of the General Assembly continued until late Wednesday night, during which Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivered his speech.

Mikati looked forward to the Lebanese Parliament exercising its sovereign rule by electing a president in the coming period, a head of state around whom the Lebanese would unite and who would enshrine the return of the republic.

He emphasized Lebanon's unique cross-border challenges with neighboring Syria, criticizing the international community's inability to find sustainable solutions to the displacement of Syrian refugees.

The Prime Minister argued that one of Lebanon's primary challenges was filling the presidential void, along with instituting reforms needed to achieve economic recovery, ease the financial crisis, and promote institutional and political stability in the country.

"Twelve years into the Syrian crisis, Lebanon is still bearing the burden of successive waves of displacement, with far-reaching economic and social repercussions on all aspects of life, thus threatening Lebanon's very existence," he said.

Mikati also issued renewed criticism of Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon, daily violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and its violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

- Iran's Nuclear Program

Meanwhile, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi informed reporters in New York that relations with the US could progress if President Joe Biden's administration showed a willingness to return to the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) of 2015.

Raisi considered that the first step would be easing sanctions.

The President stated that US officials have reached out through several channels expressing their desire for dialogue, but Iran believes tangible actions should back this.

Iran's nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes and is used in agriculture and the oil and gas infrastructure, he asserted, denying reports suggesting that Iran has increased enrichment levels.

When asked about IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Raisi confirmed they had spoken in Tehran earlier in March, stressing that his country cooperates with the agency.

He condemned the European countries' (E3) announcement to maintain sanctions on Iran, originally scheduled to end in October, under the 2015 nuclear deal.

- Illegal Migration

Italy's far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said she will not allow the country to become "Europe's refugee camp" after thousands of people seeking refuge landed on its shores.

- Libya's ordeal

The Libyan Minister of Youth of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Fathallah al-Zeni, also delivered a speech on behalf of the Head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, who apologized for not participating due to the floods that struck the eastern regions of Libya.

Zeni indicated that Libyans and the world woke up on Sunday, September 10, to a terrible scene and a major disaster in Derna, as thousands died or went missing.

He emphasized that the size of the disaster exceeded all local capabilities.


Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Fighter in Northern West Bank Raid 

A bullet hole is seen in a shop window following an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp, West Bank, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP)
A bullet hole is seen in a shop window following an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp, West Bank, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP)
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Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Fighter in Northern West Bank Raid 

A bullet hole is seen in a shop window following an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp, West Bank, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP)
A bullet hole is seen in a shop window following an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp, West Bank, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP)

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian militant during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the seventh person killed this week as President Mahmoud Abbas sought to revive statehood talks amid efforts to further integrate Israel into the Middle East.

The militant Islamic Jihad group claimed the 18-year-old as a member. In a statement, they said he was shot while confronting Israeli soldiers who raided the village of Kafr Dan near the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

The Israeli military said soldiers opened fire at suspects who shot at and hurled an explosive device at its forces during a weapons search operation in Kafr Dan. "A hit was identified," it said in a statement.

Violence in the West Bank violence has surged for over a year, with stepped up Israeli military raids, increased settler assaults on Palestinian villages and a spate of Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis.

On Tuesday, three Palestinians were killed during a military raid on Jenin, among them a 15-year-old who was shot by Israeli special forces after he discovered them as he was leaving his grandfather's house, according to rights group Defense for Children International - Palestine.

Israel occupied the West Bank, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state, in a 1967 Middle East war. It has since built Jewish settlements there that most countries deem illegal.

The expansion of settlements under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government have strained ties between the Israeli leader and President Joe Biden, who met in New York this week for the first time since Netanyahu returned to power in December.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, President Abbas said Middle East peace was achievable only when Palestinians achieve "their full rights." He called on the UN to convene a peace conference to "salvage the two-state solution."


Yemen’s Alimi at UN: No More Concessions to Houthis

The President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Yemen’s Alimi at UN: No More Concessions to Houthis

The President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), strongly warned against his country going back to a time of slavery due to the Houthi group’s influence.

He emphasized the need for long-lasting peace based on established agreements and made it clear that there would be no new compromises with the Houthi group that controls northern Yemen.

Alimi’s warnings at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York came as the Houthis showcased in Sanaa their military power on the anniversary of taking over the capital.

Their leaders proudly talked about their missiles and drones, claiming that they could threaten all parts of Yemen and nearby regions.

Alimi stated that hopes are renewed with the resumption of Saudi and Omani efforts to compel Houthis to respect popular, regional, and international will.

He stressed that the goal of any sustainable peace efforts must involve broad partnership without discrimination or exclusion, aiming to establish a brighter future for Yemen.

The PLC chairman emphasized that his leadership and the Yemeni government have no further concessions to make, expressing skepticism about the intentions of the Houthi group, which he believed could be foreseen for decades to come.

Alimi warned against his country becoming a hub for exporting terrorism.

“Any leniency from the international community or compromising the legal status of the state, or even dealing with militias as an established authority, would inevitably turn the suppression and violation of public freedoms into an inescapable behavior,” said Alimi.

He also pointed to the group’s disregard for all previous deals, including the Stockholm Agreement.


US Urges Libyans to Form a ‘Unified Army’

The US delegation during the meeting of the Libyan commander-in-chief (US Embassy)
The US delegation during the meeting of the Libyan commander-in-chief (US Embassy)
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US Urges Libyans to Form a ‘Unified Army’

The US delegation during the meeting of the Libyan commander-in-chief (US Embassy)
The US delegation during the meeting of the Libyan commander-in-chief (US Embassy)

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander General Micheal Langley and the US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland reiterated the call for the formation of a unified government in Libya, asserting that the military—east and west—can jointly support relief efforts in flood affected areas.

The US officials met with the chairman of the Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, and reiterated Washington's support for Libyan flood relief efforts.

"The United States stands with the Libyan people in their calls for national unity in the wake of the tragedy in eastern Libya."

Later, Langley addressed with the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, Mohammed al-Haddad, the Libyan people's response to the devastation caused by Storm Daniel, and asserted that the strongest defense Libya has is unity.

They discussed how the East and West military can jointly support relief efforts in flood-affected areas and how the United States can help.

Langley said that the efforts towards military reunification, starting with a joint east-west force, are vital to secure the peace and stability that the Libyan people deserve.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Thursday that more than 43,000 individuals have been displaced due to the recent devastating floods in eastern Libya, namely Derna.

The organization warned that the shortage of water supply is reportedly prompting many displaced residents to leave Derna, which suffered the most extensive damage in the region, and to relocate to other municipalities.

It added that a lack of water supply is reportedly driving many displaced people out of Derna, noting that urgent needs include food, drinking water and mental health and psychosocial support.

Furthermore, senior analyst of the Crisis Group Claudia Gazzini interviewed the former mayor of Derna, Abdelmonem al-Gaithi, sacked after the floods. Gaithi asked the international community to support the creation of a global technical commission of inquiry to determine what happened in the city.

In addition, the spokesman for the Libyan Commander-in-Chief, Major General Ahmed al-Mismari, denied any hostility towards journalists.

Mismari told Asharq Al-Awsat that some journalists are causing chaos during rescue operations, insisting on conducting interviews during rescue operations, which prompted authorities to order them to stay away from the area, given concerns about the spread of diseases.

He denied claims that international rescue teams were banned from entering Derna, highlighting that the army welcomes everyone providing humanitarian and medical aid.

He condemned "the political exploitation" of the Derna disaster.