Abbas Calls for Int’l Coalition Against Annexation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo
TT

Abbas Calls for Int’l Coalition Against Annexation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo

Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary-General Saeb Erekat said that President Mahmoud Abbas instructed the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, to propose to the UN General Assembly the formation of an international coalition against Israeli annexation plans.

Abbas also demanded that an upcoming UN Security Council session be held at the level of foreign ministers instead of the representatives.

The Council will meet on June 24 to discuss Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

Erekat stated that the recent standpoints of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, Russia and China are clear signs that Palestine has been able to gather an international coalition in support of its cause.

"It's necessary to provide an urgent Arab financial aid to help the Palestinian Authority’s treasury overcome the current difficult conditions," Erekat added.

The US wants the annexation plan to be part of the “Deal of the Century” announced by US President Donald Trump, while other countries fully reject the move.

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman met Thursday Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to structure an annexation plan that is acceptable by the US administration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Another meeting is scheduled Sunday in the attendance of Ashkenazi, Gantz, Friedman, Netanyahu, and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin.

Likud Minister Tzachi Hanegbi has warned that trouble would surface if Trump backed off from the plan.

Hanegbi stressed that this is the right time to implement the plan.



Lebanese Arrive in Türkiye Shaken by War, Hope for Quick Return

A smoke plume erupts after an Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the village of Ibl al-Saqi in southern Lebanon on September 30, 2024. (AFP)
A smoke plume erupts after an Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the village of Ibl al-Saqi in southern Lebanon on September 30, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Lebanese Arrive in Türkiye Shaken by War, Hope for Quick Return

A smoke plume erupts after an Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the village of Ibl al-Saqi in southern Lebanon on September 30, 2024. (AFP)
A smoke plume erupts after an Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the village of Ibl al-Saqi in southern Lebanon on September 30, 2024. (AFP)

Some of the hundreds of Lebanese citizens who arrived in Istanbul on Monday after fleeing Israeli airstrikes in the homeland said they were shaken but hoped to return home soon.

Israel has struck targets in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon during a two-week wave of attacks that has killed several Hezbollah commanders and also some 1,000 other people, according to the Lebanese government. Many more have fled their homes.

All Middle East Airlines flights from Beirut to Istanbul were sold out on Monday, the company's website said. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have cancelled their flights to Beirut in the coming days.

"The situation in Lebanon is very bad. The war is increasing dramatically and lots of bombings happen in Beirut. We are hearing the (military) flights all night...in the sky," said Aref Arhad, 33, a Beirut resident who arrived in Istanbul on Monday on a Middle East Airlines flight.

He said he hoped to be able to go back to Beirut in a few days if the situation improves.

Lina Diab, a Lebanese journalist, said the area where she lives was still safe, but she decided to leave as a precaution.

"We don't want to live (with) the stress, so I prefer to come to Istanbul, stay for a while, watch what will happen," she said waiting for luggage. "Hopefully we go back soon to Lebanon."