Hezbollah Denies Placing Obstacles to Lebanese Government Formation

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem speaks in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of southern Beirut on May 13, 2016. AFP file photo
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem speaks in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of southern Beirut on May 13, 2016. AFP file photo
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Hezbollah Denies Placing Obstacles to Lebanese Government Formation

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem speaks in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of southern Beirut on May 13, 2016. AFP file photo
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem speaks in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of southern Beirut on May 13, 2016. AFP file photo

Hezbollah deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said Friday the party has placed no obstacles to the formation of a new government, adding that it will accept any agreement between President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri on the lineup.

“Hezbollah will be cooperative with any lineup, when submitted,” Qassem said in an interview with a radio station, adding that the party supports forming a cabinet as quickly as possible.

He pointed out that the main obstacle to the move is local, ruling out foreign interference.

He called for solving the dispute between the president and the premier-designate, and denied that Hezbollah had discussed with any party its alleged demand for a veto power in the new cabinet.

Iran or others have nothing to do with Hezbollah’s position on the government, he said.

Regarding a French initiative to end Lebanon’s cabinet stalemate, Qassem said President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to resolve the country’s main problems has been activated, but has no clear vision.

Meanwhile, Jaafarite Mufti Ahmad Qabalan called for a salvation cabinet instead of a confrontational government.

The same position was echoed by Amal Movement, which called for a national salvation government capable of implementing political reforms through the Taef Accord.



Egypt, Türkiye Agree to Establish Joint University in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
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Egypt, Türkiye Agree to Establish Joint University in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X

Egypt and Türkiye have agreed to collaborate on the establishment of a joint university in Cairo in implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Ankara on September 4.

President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council (YOK) Erol Ozvar said Thursday that the two countries are keen to consolidate collaboration in different areas, including education.

During a visit to Cairo, Ozvar described the agreement to establish the university as “one of the most crucial steps taken by both states in recent years.” He indicated that a mutual council will be formed to oversee the process, with the names of the council members to be announced in due course.

Ozvar revealed that he held discussions with the Egyptian education minister, Mohamed Ayman Ashour, to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Ozvar also noted that they discussed the possibility of holding an annual forum between Turkish and Egyptian universities. “By bringing together universities from both countries in both Türkiye and Egypt, these gatherings would provide a platform for rectors and faculty members to share ideas, experiences, and best practices,” he said.