French President Macron Will Travel to Lebanon on January 17

 French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members for the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2025. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members for the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2025. (Reuters)
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French President Macron Will Travel to Lebanon on January 17

 French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members for the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2025. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members for the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2025. (Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Lebanon on January 17, Macron's office said on Tuesday, more than a week after Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun as head of state.

"With this visit, the head of state wishes to underline France's unwavering commitment to supporting Lebanon, its sovereignty and its unity," said a statement from the French presidency.



Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
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Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)

Sudan’s transitional Sovereign Council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has pledged to press on with the war until the entire country is “liberated,” and vowed to eradicate what he called “the militia, their agents, and collaborators.”

He accused “colonial powers” of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with money, weapons, and mercenaries.

Speaking in Mauritania on Tuesday, Burhan said the fighting would not cease until “every inch desecrated by these criminals” is reclaimed.

He vowed to continue military operations until “all cities, villages, and rural areas in our beloved Sudan are freed,” according to a statement from the Sovereign Council’s media office.

Burhan said his country’s ties with domestic and foreign parties depend on their stance toward the ongoing war.

Burhan is on a tour of African nations, including Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Mauritania. Observers say the trip aims to restore Sudan’s African Union membership, suspended after the October 2021 coup, and rally support against the RSF.

Speaking in Mauritania, Burhan vowed to defeat the RSF, accusing them of crimes under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, generally referred to as Hemedti, and called for unity to end his influence.

“Our message is on the battlefield, not through words, until these criminals are eliminated,” he said.

Burhan insisted peace is only possible if the RSF and their allies are removed. “We support peace, but only if these Janjaweed and their mercenaries no longer exist,” he stated.

He described the conflict as a “battle for dignity,” saying it is a fight to protect the honor and homes of Sudanese citizens.