Arab FMs Prepare Final Recommendations Ahead of Summit

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Carthage Palace in Tunis, Tunisia, November 27, 2018 (Reuters)
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Carthage Palace in Tunis, Tunisia, November 27, 2018 (Reuters)
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Arab FMs Prepare Final Recommendations Ahead of Summit

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Carthage Palace in Tunis, Tunisia, November 27, 2018 (Reuters)
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Carthage Palace in Tunis, Tunisia, November 27, 2018 (Reuters)

Meetings of the Arab foreign ministers will kick off on Friday in Tunis to adopt the agenda of the summit and review draft resolutions and final drafts to be submitted to Arab leaders and presidents on Sunday.

“There is a large number of items that include issues of regional crises, including the Palestinian issue, the crises of Syria, Libya and Yemen, Arab national security, and other key files,” Ambassador Khalid Al-Habas, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“The Palestinian issue is a priority as usual, and the Arab position on it is unified and strong,” he emphasized.

He added that there would be also a firm stance on the recent US resolution, which recognized the annexation of the Golan Heights to Israel. The Arab League will underline the importance of international resolutions, which stressed the Arab identity of the Golan Heights that Israel occupied in 1967, the ambassador noted.

The summit will also highlight “the total rejection of interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries related to Turkey and Iran, which will constitute an important message to countries that try to destabilize the security and stability of the region,” he added.

Habas said that the Arab Summit in Tunis would constitute a new addition to the previous Arab summits and would support the aspirations of the peoples, countries, and the Arab League to achieve security and stability and formulate firmer positions on the challenges that have plagued the region for several years.

On the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Tunisia, Habas said it fell within “the context of strengthening Arab solidarity, providing support to Tunisia, and discussing all issues of common interest.”



Lebanon State Media Says Israel Blows Up Houses on Border

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
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Lebanon State Media Says Israel Blows Up Houses on Border

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)

Lebanese state media said the Israeli army on Friday detonated explosives planted inside houses in three border villages that have been battered by the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Hezbollah says it is engaged in fighting Israeli forces in the area, more than a month into an Israeli ground invasion aimed at pushing the Iran-backed group away from the border.

"Since this morning, the Israeli enemy's army has been carrying out bombing operations inside the villages of Yaroun, Aitaroun and Maroun al-Ras in the Bint Jbeil area, with the aim of destroying residential homes there," the official National News Agency said.

Israeli forces also conducted a raid in the nearby town of Bint Jbeil, NNA said, after Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli troops in the flashpoint border region, AFP reported.

Hezbollah said on Thursday it had "ambushed" Israeli ground forces attempting to infiltrate Yaroun.

The group has claimed eight operations since Wednesday targeting Israeli troops on the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras.

Friday's explosions are the latest in a string of similar incidents that have impacted the border area.

According to NNA, Israeli troops blew up buildings in at least seven border villages last month.

Footage verified by AFP on Monday showed massive blasts that ripped through Mais al-Jabal and reduced homes to rubble.

Israel's Channel 12 last month broadcast footage appearing to show one of its presenters blow up a building while embedded with soldiers in the village of Aita al-Shaab.