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UAE Says Israeli Annexation of West Bank ‘Serious Setback’ for Peace

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash. (AFP)
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash. (AFP)
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UAE Says Israeli Annexation of West Bank ‘Serious Setback’ for Peace

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash. (AFP)
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash. (AFP)

United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash warned on Monday that any unilateral move by Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would be a serious setback for the Middle East peace process.

“Continued Israeli talk of annexing Palestinian lands must stop,” he said in a Twitter post.

“Any unilateral Israeli move will be a serious setback for the peace process, undermine Palestinian self-determination & constitute a rejection of the international & Arab consensus towards stability & peace.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said cabinet discussions would begin on July 1 on his plan to extend Israeli sovereignty to territory Palestinians want for their own state.

His pledge is in line with a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump in January for creating a Palestinian state but demilitarized and with borders drawn to meet Israeli security needs, while granting US recognition of Israeli settlements on occupied West Bank land.

The Palestinians have vehemently rejected the plan, which diverges from previous US policy and a 2002 Arab League-endorsed initiative that offered Israel normal relations in return for an independent Palestinian state and full Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

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Critical Hours Ahead in Lebanon’s Presidential Election

In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
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Critical Hours Ahead in Lebanon’s Presidential Election

In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun is moving closer to becoming president ahead of a key parliamentary session to elect a new head of state.

Growing support from lawmakers and the withdrawal of Hezbollah-backed candidate Suleiman Franjieh have boosted Aoun’s chances, raising hopes of ending a 26-month presidential deadlock.

Local and international efforts have intensified to secure Aoun’s election. With at least 74 votes in his favor, he is the frontrunner.

However, the total falls short of what’s needed to amend the constitution, which bars senior officials from being elected unless they’ve been out of office for two years.

Electing Aoun as president depends on securing 86 votes to amend the constitution.

This requires support from lawmakers in the Amal Movement, Hezbollah, and their allies (31 votes) or the Free Patriotic Movement, led by Jebran Bassil (13 votes).

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism ahead of the election session, saying: “For the first time since the presidential vacancy, I feel hopeful. God willing, we will have a new president.”

In a post on the X platform on Wednesday, Franjieh, who is the leader of Marada, said: "Now that the conditions are ripe for the election of a president tomorrow, I am withdrawing my candidacy, which has never been an obstacle in the electoral process."

He added that Aoun "enjoys the qualities that would preserve the standing of the country’s top post."

He hoped "the nation would overcome this stage with unity, diligence and responsibility."

Kataeb MP Elias Hankash said Lebanon needs a president who can revive the country, noting that “no foreign powers are dictating our choices, but the qualifications fit one, two, or three candidates, with Army Commander Joseph Aoun as the frontrunner.”

He added that Aoun enjoys broad international support and consensus but stressed that the constitution must not be used as an excuse to delay the election.

Similarly, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, speaking from Dar al-Fatwa, called for a consensual president who can implement Security Council Resolution 1701, boost the economy, and restore the judiciary.

He described Aoun as the best candidate to achieve these goals and pledged to support him in all voting rounds. Makhzoumi also urged Speaker Nabih Berri to cooperate to protect Lebanon and ensure stability.