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Abe to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Plays Crucial Role in Middle East Peace

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Reuters)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Reuters)
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Abe to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Plays Crucial Role in Middle East Peace

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Reuters)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Reuters)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed that Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in peace and stability in the region and Tokyo supports the internal reform efforts pursued by the Kingdom.

“We are therefore seeking to bolster the strategic partnership between the two countries,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat as Osaka prepares to host the G20 summit on Friday and Saturday.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, is heading Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the summit.

Abe said that he has worked closely with the Crown Prince in bilateral cooperation, as well as on regional and international affairs.

He noted that Tokyo had hosted the third Japanese-Saudi Vision 2030 ministerial meeting on June 17. The discussions underlined the importance of cooperation in various fields, including economy, human resources and cultural exchange.

At the G20 summit, the PM said that he was looking forward to exchanging ideas with Crown Prince Mohammed on how to bolster bilateral ties and cooperation.

Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2020 G20 summit.

Abe told Asharq Al-Awsat that he had held two telephone calls with Crown Prince Mohammed in 2019 and “we are cooperating closely to ensure the success of the Osaka meeting so that we can hand over the presidency of the summit to Saudi Arabia.”

Turning to the situation in the Middle East, Abe said it has become “more complicated” in recent years due to the stalled peace process and war in Syria.

Japan is standing in a neutral position in regards to religion, sect and history and it boasts good ties with all countries in the Middle East. This unique position allows it to exchange ideas with the United States in order to achieve peace and stability in the region, he remarked.

On his visit to Tehran earlier this month, the PM noted that tensions were rising in the Middle East due to Iran, urging the need to avoid armed conflict because peace and stability in the region will lead to prosperity throughout the world, including Japan.

Abe said that he wants Tokyo to play an important role in easing tensions in the region, which is why he made his trip to Iran.

Iran must play a “constructive” role for peace and security to prevail in the region, he stressed. It must respect the nuclear.

The road to easing tensions is riddled with many challenges and Japan will continue its cooperation with concerned parties to achieve this goal.

Addressing the attack on a Japanese oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf while he was visiting Iran, Abe described the development as a “serious threat” to peace and prosperity in his country. He strongly condemned the attack, saying Tokyo will continue to gather information with relevant countries to ensure safe marine navigation in the area.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.