WHO Says Pandemic Situation in East Mediterranean 'Not Getting Better'

Pupils arrange their books following the reopening of their school, in Baghdad, Iraq. (Reuters)
Pupils arrange their books following the reopening of their school, in Baghdad, Iraq. (Reuters)
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WHO Says Pandemic Situation in East Mediterranean 'Not Getting Better'

Pupils arrange their books following the reopening of their school, in Baghdad, Iraq. (Reuters)
Pupils arrange their books following the reopening of their school, in Baghdad, Iraq. (Reuters)

A World Health Organization (WHO) official has expressed concern over the coronavirus pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Fourteen countries in the region have reported a high increase in their daily coronavirus infections and related-deaths, warned Ahmed al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

“The situation is not getting better and the direction many countries are going towards is worrying,” he said during a virtual press conference.

WHO officials and UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Ted Chaiban participated in the online event.

Jordan, Iraq and Iran reported the highest numbers of new cases, while Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan registered the greatest number of COVID-19 deaths.

There are several factors that contribute to the increase in the number of new cases, Mandhari noted, including the “concerning” fast spreading new variants.

However, he stressed, people’s non-compliance to the preventive measures, such as social distancing, wearing masks, hygiene, respiratory etiquette, avoiding crowded places and opening windows, are all other major reasons.

As Ramadan and Easter approach, Mandhari warned “there is a danger of seeing (further) increases in the cases as was the case at the end of last year during the holidays.”

“We realize that these are important occasions that deserve to be celebrated, but we urge you to protect yourselves and others,” he added.

Commenting on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution campaigns in the region, he remarked that 12 countries have already received the vaccine doses as part of the global COVAX agreement, the most recent of which were Egypt and Yemen.

He complained about the global shortage in the vaccine, which led to delays in providing tens of millions of doses.

“We remain concerned about the inequity in the provision and distribution of vaccines across the region,” he stated, noting that many rich countries have already received a large number of doses that surpass their needs.

He urged these countries to send some of the surplus to those that need them, so that everyone - especially in countries with limited resources in the Eastern Mediterranean - has access to vaccines.

Mandhari pointed out that COVAX cannot deliver vaccines it does not have or compete with rich countries that buy millions of doses directly from manufacturers.

Chaiban, for his part, reiterated Mandhari’s comments and stressed the need to provide COVAX with more vaccines.

“There is a global demand for the vaccine faced with global shortage, and this limits the its capacity,” he said.



Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between its main backer Iran and Israel.

"I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump... that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack said, responding to a question on what the US position would be on any involvement by Hezbollah in the war.

Barrack met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace and Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

Hezbollah has condemned Israel's strikes on Iran and expressed full solidarity with its leadership.

Hezbollah on Thursday expressed support for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following threats by Israeli leaders that he could be killed.

In a statement, Hezbollah said that “threats to assassinate (Khamenei) are foolish and reckless, and will have disastrous consequences.”

But the group has stopped short of making explicit threats to intervene.

Israel's defense minister said Thursday that Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist" after an Israeli hospital was hit during an Iranian missile attack.

"Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed -- he personally gives the order to fire on hospitals. He considers the destruction of the state of Israel to be a goal," Israel Katz told journalists in Holon near Tel Aviv. "Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist."

Killing Khamenei would "end the conflict" between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.