One Killed in Syria Strike Blamed On Israel

From the site of two car bomb attacks in Homs, Syria, on April 29, 2014, in this handout released by the Syrian National News Agency (SANA) via (Reuters)
From the site of two car bomb attacks in Homs, Syria, on April 29, 2014, in this handout released by the Syrian National News Agency (SANA) via (Reuters)
TT

One Killed in Syria Strike Blamed On Israel

From the site of two car bomb attacks in Homs, Syria, on April 29, 2014, in this handout released by the Syrian National News Agency (SANA) via (Reuters)
From the site of two car bomb attacks in Homs, Syria, on April 29, 2014, in this handout released by the Syrian National News Agency (SANA) via (Reuters)

A person affiliated with Iraq's Hezbollah Brigades armed group was killed Friday in a strike targeting pro-Iran factions in Syria, a group member said, blaming Israel for the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said a Hezbollah Brigades member was killed, but was unable to verify the strike itself.

The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources on the ground in Syria, said the member's burned-out vehicle was found about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Damascus airport.

The Hezbollah Brigades member said the Israeli raid hit one of the group's premises, killing Abu Haidar al-Khafaji, a senior member of the group.

Another member was reportedly wounded in the attack.

The Observatory said the strike occurred about five kilometres from Sayeda Zeinab, on the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

Its director, Rami Abdel Rahman, said a militant was killed but yet to be identified, and the burnt vehicle was found at dawn near the targeted site.



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
TT

Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”