Gargash Meets Hemedti, Pledges UAE Support for Sudan

 UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash speaks during a press conference in the UAE (AP)
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash speaks during a press conference in the UAE (AP)
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Gargash Meets Hemedti, Pledges UAE Support for Sudan

 UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash speaks during a press conference in the UAE (AP)
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash speaks during a press conference in the UAE (AP)

The United Arab Emirates has stressed its full commitment to support Sudan’s development projects. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash arrived on Monday to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, in a two-day visit.

Gargash met with Deputy Head of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as “Hemedti”, along with a number of ministers in the transitional government. He said his country is aware of the current conditions Sudan is going through, stressing the necessity of joining efforts of friendly and brotherly countries to support it during this stage.

Following his talks with Sudanese Finance Minister Ibrahim el-Badawi, Gargash affirmed the UAE government’s persistence to develop relations with Sudan.

“The UAE is fully committed to Sudan’s success and to its economic and regional take-off to be able to play its natural role as one of the biggest and most important Arab countries,” Gargash told reporters.

He pointed to the firm historical ties and common interests between the UAE and Sudan, especially their geostrategic and economic relations.

The UAE Minister said his visit comes as part of a series of exchanged visits between officials from both countries to discuss various economic and political issues. He is scheduled to meet a large number of Sudanese officials to discuss means of bolstering bilateral cooperation. He also expressed pride in the Sudanese community in the UAE, which amounts to about 100,000 people, praising their contributions to his country’s experience. Badawi, for his part, said Gargash’s visit comes in the framework of UAE officials’ interest in supporting the great transformation in Sudan, adding that their meeting tackled developments of relations and means of cooperation in various fields.

Gargash also held talks with Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador al-Siddiq Abdul-Aziz, tackling means of boosting bilateral relations. According to the foreign ministry, the two sides discussed regional and international issues of common concern and developments in the Arab and North African regions.



Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
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Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)

Lebanon on Monday condemned attacks on the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) stationed in its south, including last week's rocket strike in which four Italian soldiers were lightly injured.

The 10,000-strong multi-national UNIFIL mission is monitoring hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area hit by fierce clashes between the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah party and Israeli forces.

Since Israel launched a ground campaign across the border against Hezbollah at the end of September, UNIFIL soldiers have suffered several attacks coming from both sides.

"Lebanon strongly condemns any attack on UNIFIL and calls on all sides to respect the safety, security of the troops and their premises," Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said during a conference in Rome.

Bou Habib spoke before attending a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Anagni, southeast of Rome, along with other colleagues from the Middle East, which was set to discuss conflicts in the region.

Bou Habib added: "Lebanon condemns recent attacks on the Italian contingent and deplores such unjustified hostilities."

Italy said Hezbollah was likely responsible for the attack carried out on Friday against its troops in UNIFIL.

Beirut's foreign minister called for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 with a ceasefire that has faced challenges and violations over the years.

"Lebanon is ready to fulfil its obligations stipulated in the above-mentioned resolution," Bou Habib said.

"This literally means and I quote: 'There will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon'."

Hezbollah, militarily more powerful than Lebanon's regular army, says it is defending the country from Israeli aggression. It vows to keep fighting and says it will not lay down arms or allow Israel to achieve political gains on the back of the war.