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Arab World

Lebanon Takes Decisive Stand on Neutrality, Urges Hezbollah to Comply

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)
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Lebanon Takes Decisive Stand on Neutrality, Urges Hezbollah to Comply

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)

In the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Lebanese officials have taken a unified and firm stance to distance the country from regional escalation. The leadership moved swiftly to contain any fallout, stressing that Lebanon must not be drawn into a new conflict.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, while condemning the Israeli strikes and accusing Tel Aviv of crossing “red lines,” issued a statement notably free of any threats or promises of retaliation. This restraint marks a shift from the group’s more assertive stances in past regional confrontations.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday cut short his visit to the Vatican and returned to Beirut. In a statement, he condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them a direct threat to regional stability and international efforts to preserve peace in the Middle East.

He urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent Israel from achieving its “clear and dangerous” objectives.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed the president’s concerns, describing the Israeli action as a “blatant violation of international law and Iran’s sovereignty.” Speaking after a high-level security meeting with key ministers and the army commander, Salam stressed the importance of maintaining internal stability amid rising regional tensions.

According to sources speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Lebanese government conveyed a “firm and final” message to Hezbollah through the army leadership: Lebanon must not be dragged into a broader conflict.

The state condemned the Israeli strikes but rejected any response that would endanger national stability. Government sources indicated that Hezbollah appears to be adhering to this directive, at least for now.

A source close to Hezbollah confirmed that the group would not initiate any action against Israel in response to the Iran strikes, framing the situation as an international issue in which Lebanon should not interfere. “If Lebanon is attacked, the state is responsible,” the source said.

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri also condemned the Israeli assault, warning of its potential to destabilize the region and urging the international community to take a firm stand “before it’s too late.”

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Arab World

Egyptian President Urges UN Security Council Reforms for Africa's Larger Role

In this photo, provided by Egypt's presidency media office, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, front right, greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Egyptian Presidency Media Office via AP)
In this photo, provided by Egypt's presidency media office, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, front right, greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Egyptian Presidency Media Office via AP)
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Egyptian President Urges UN Security Council Reforms for Africa's Larger Role

In this photo, provided by Egypt's presidency media office, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, front right, greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Egyptian Presidency Media Office via AP)
In this photo, provided by Egypt's presidency media office, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, front right, greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Egyptian Presidency Media Office via AP)

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday reiterated calls for structural changes in the UN Security Council to grant Africa a larger role in shaping global decisions.

El-Sisi made the plea for a “more pluralistic” world order at a conference of the Russia-Africa partnership held in Cairo, which was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and ministers from more than 50 African countries along with representatives from several African and regional organizations.

“The voice of Africa should be present and influential in making global decisions given the continent’s human, economic, political and demographic weight,” el-Sisi said in a statement read out by his foreign minister at the plenary session of the conference.

According to The Associated Press, he added that international financial institutions need to undergo similar reforms to ensure Africa an equitable representation.

Since 2005, the African Union has been demanding that Africa be granted two permanent seats with veto powers in the Security Council, arguing that such reforms would contribute to achieving peace and stability on the continent, which has been struggling with wars for decades.

The Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not changed from its 1945 configuration: 10 non-permanent members from all regions of the world elected for two-year terms without veto power, and five countries that were dominant powers at the end of World War II are permanent members with veto power: The United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

In his statement, el-Sisi said that the Russia-Africa ministerial conference will develop a plan to consolidate the partnership ahead of next year’s summit of heads of state.

“We remain a reliable partner for African states in strengthening their national sovereignty, both politically and in matters of security, as well as in other dimensions,” Lavrov said at the plenary session. “We’re committed to further unlocking the existing enormous potential of our practical cooperation.”

Arab World

Türkiye, Hamas Discuss Reaching 2nd Phase of Gaza Peace Plan

Destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Türkiye, Hamas Discuss Reaching 2nd Phase of Gaza Peace Plan

Destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 18, 2025. (Reuters)

Türkiye's MIT intelligence agency chief met Hamas' ​negotiating team head Khalil Al-Hayya on Saturday and discussed necessary measures to be taken for proceeding to the ‌second phase ‌of the ‌Gaza ⁠peace ​plan, ‌Turkish security sources said.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said MIT chief Ibrahim Kalin met the ⁠Hamas delegation in Istanbul ‌within the scope ‍of the ‍Gaza ceasefire agreement, ‍and they discussed steps to be taken to prevent what they ​said were Israel's ceasefire violations.

They also discussed ⁠measures to be taken to resolve existing issues for proceeding to the second phase of the plan, the sources also told Reuters, without giving details.

Israel retained control of 53% of Gaza under the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan, which involved the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza and of Palestinians detained by Israel.

The final hostage remains to be handed over are those of an Israeli police officer killed on October 7, 2023 fighting Gazan militants who had invaded Israel.

According to the plan, Israel is to pull back further in the second phase as a transitional authority is established in Gaza and a multinational security force is deployed, Hamas is disarmed, and reconstruction begins.
 

 

 

 

Arab World

Lebanon: 1st Phase of Plan to Confiscate Weapons South of Litani River to End Within Days

A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)
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Lebanon: 1st Phase of Plan to Confiscate Weapons South of Litani River to End Within Days

A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)

The first phase ​of the plan to confiscate weapons south of the Litani ‌River ‌will ‌end ⁠in ​a "few days," ‌Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a ⁠statement on Saturday.

A ‌US-backed ceasefire ‍agreed ‍in November ‍2024 required the disarmament of Hezbollah, beginning in areas south ⁠of the river, the area adjacent to Israel.

The committee overseeing the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, known as the “mechanism,” convened on Friday its 15th meeting in Naqoura, the second to include civilian representatives, with renewed focus on the return of residents to their homes on both sides of the border.

The statement issued after the meeting highlighted the importance of the return of residents on both sides of the border to their homes, and said Lebanese and Israeli representatives reaffirmed their commitment to continue efforts to support stability and work toward a permanent halt to hostilities, according to the US Embassy in Beirut.

Earlier this month, two civilian representatives, one Lebanese and one Israeli, joined the committee’s meetings in the first direct talks between the two countries in decades. The committee is led by the United States and includes representatives from France and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday the US hoped talks between Lebanese authorities and ⁠Israel would lead to a strong Lebanese government and see Hezbollah disarmed.

"We are hopeful that talks between Lebanese authorities and Israelis will create outlines and a ⁠way forward that prevents further conflict," Rubio told a press conference.

Lebanon is facing mounting pressure from the United States and Israel to accelerate the disarmament of Hezbollah under a plan approved by the government as part of implementing the ceasefire agreement.

The Lebanese army is expected to complete the first phase of the plan in the border area south of the Litani River by the end of the year.