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G20 Meetings Seek International Cooperation to Combat Corruption

Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso poses with delegations members for a family photo during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Fukuoka, Japan June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso poses with delegations members for a family photo during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Fukuoka, Japan June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
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G20 Meetings Seek International Cooperation to Combat Corruption

Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso poses with delegations members for a family photo during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Fukuoka, Japan June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso poses with delegations members for a family photo during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Fukuoka, Japan June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

The first meeting of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, in Jeddah on Thursday, has urged pursuing international cooperation on global anti-corruption challenges including the cost of corruption and its impact on the global gross domestic product (GDP).

The ACWG met for the first time under the Saudi G20 Presidency this week, following the announcement by the Saudi Control and Anti-Corruption Authority (NAZAHA) that the working group will hold a minister meeting this year.

Chair of the ACWG Dr. Nassar Abaalkhail highlighted the importance of continuing to address corruption and promoting integrity and accountability in order to foster growth.

Abaalkhail asserted that the ACWG will continue to pursue international cooperation on many global anti-corruption challenges including asset recovery, foreign bribery, and beneficial ownership transparency.

The meeting focused on the achievements and next steps looking forward to implementing the Anti-Corruption 2019-2021 Action Plan.

Delegates addressed the use of new technologies to boost integrity, while promoting a comprehensive approach to developing anti-corruption policies. Member countries were encouraged to share their best practices regarding integrity within Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

The G-20 states agreed on the Action Plan in Buenos Aires in 2018. G-20 Members committed to working on the development and implementation of proper mechanisms to adopt G-20 agreements in anti-corruption.

In the framework of this plan, G-20 members will also look forward to developing targeted actions where the G-20 can best add value in promoting international efforts in the fight against corruption.

The ACWG is committed to continuing their work focused on promoting international efforts in the fight against corruption, and during 2020 delegates will continue discussing previous agreements and sharing good practices to foster transparency.

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Lebanon Returns 70 Officers and Soldiers to Syria, Security Official Says

A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)
A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)
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Lebanon Returns 70 Officers and Soldiers to Syria, Security Official Says

A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)
A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)

Lebanon expelled around 70 Syrian officers and soldiers on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they crossed into the country illegally via informal routes, a Lebanese security official and a war monitor said.

Many senior Syrian officials and people close to the former ruling family of Bashar al-Assad fled the country to neighboring Lebanon after Assad's regime was toppled on Dec 8.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based organization with sources in Syria, and the Lebanese security official said Syrian military personnel of various ranks had been sent back via Lebanon's northern Arida crossing.

SOHR and the security official said the returnees were detained by Syria's new ruling authorities after crossing the border.

The new administration has been undertaking a major security crackdown in recent days on what they say are "remnants" of the Assad regime.

Several of the cities and towns concerned, including in Homs and Tartous provinces, are near the porous border with Lebanon.

The Lebanese security official said the Syrian officers and soldiers were found in a truck in the northern coastal city of Jbeil after an inspection by local officials.

Lebanese and Syrian government officials did not immediately respond to written requests for comment on the incident.

Reuters reported on Friday that Rifaat al-Assad, an uncle of Assad charged in Switzerland with war crimes over the bloody suppression of a revolt in 1982, had flown out of Beirut recently, as had "many members" of the Assad family.

Earlier this month, Lebanese caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said top Assad adviser Bouthaina Shaaban had flown out of Beirut after entering Lebanon legally.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Mawlawi said other Syrian officials had entered Lebanon illegally and were being pursued.