Palestinian-Russian Talks Push for Summit in Cairo

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Reuters file photo
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Reuters file photo
TT

Palestinian-Russian Talks Push for Summit in Cairo

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Reuters file photo
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Reuters file photo

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed with a senior Palestinian official in Moscow Tuesday the latest developments and means to enhance the peace process.

During the meeting, Moscow signaled willingness to support an international gathering in Cairo to discuss the mechanism of reviving the peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel.

On Tuesday, Hussein el-Sheikh, a member of the central committee of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Movement, held talks in Moscow with Russian officials.

In a press statement following his meeting with Lavrov, el-Sheikh said discussions focused on the situation in the region and the upcoming Palestinian elections.

Moscow has welcomed Friday’s announcement from Abbas of the first full parliamentary and presidential elections in 15 years, scheduled to begin in May.

“This agreement is crucial for holding Palestinian-Israeli talks and solve all pending issues based on the two-state solution and in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, bilateral agreements and international law,” Lavrov was quoted as saying.

Palestinian ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal said the meeting tackled the resumption of talks between the Palestinians and Israel, the Russian role in pushing the peace process forward and the national reconciliation.

“We informed Moscow that resuming talks with the Israeli side does not mean immediately returning to the negotiation table. Palestine would only resume talks in accordance to a new mechanism based on an international formula that is not only under the control of the United States,” he said.

Also, the Palestinian side thanked Russia for its help in fighting the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Russian authorities approved to provide Palestinians with 100,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine. Moscow decided to urgently send 5,000 doses as a personal donation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
TT

US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.