عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

The Quad Affirms Support for Stable, Peaceful Sudan

Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Abdalla Hamdok - AFP
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Abdalla Hamdok - AFP
TT
20
TT

The Quad Affirms Support for Stable, Peaceful Sudan

Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Abdalla Hamdok - AFP
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Abdalla Hamdok - AFP

The UK, US, UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a Quad statement on Thursday urging signatories of the political agreement in Sudan, signed on 21 November 2021, to live up to the commitments they made.

In its joint statement, the Quad welcomed the political agreement signed between military chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, saying it's a first step to resolving Sudan’s political challenges and returning its to its transition to democracy based on the 2019 Constitutional Document.

"We urge signatories to live up to the commitments made in the political agreement," the joint statement read.

It also hailed the recent release of political detainees, and the establishment of a committee of investigation to ensure that those responsible for violence against protestors are held accountable.

"We acknowledge the commitment to lifting the state of emergency in the near future and urge that it be fulfilled expeditiously. We encourage the early progress towards the formation of a civilian government comprised of independent experts," the statement added.

"We also urge early progress towards the political declaration and partnership framework promised in the 21 November agreement, and stress the importance of inviting all components of the 2019 civilian-military partnership to participate in this dialogue process. We also stress the importance of the early publication of a credible roadmap towards elections in late 2023 or early 2024."

The UK, US, UAE and Saudi Arabia further affirmed their collective and individual support for the people of Sudan and their aspirations for a democratic, stable and peaceful nation, saying that the ongoing protests demonstrate the depth of the Sudanese people’s commitment to transition.

"Protecting them from violence should remain a priority," the four countries stressed.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom reaffirm our readiness to support all those working for the democratic transition in Sudan. A genuine partnership between all stakeholders for the remainder of the transitional period, leading to free and fair elections, will help Sudan reach political stability and economic recovery. We will continue to show solidarity with all those working towards achieving this transition. We also fully support the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) in implementation of its mandate."

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said the situation in Sudan "confirms the fragility and danger of democratic transitions in many cases," noting that this is why she believes that "the Sudanese people need continuous support from the international community."

"Washington has been extensively involved in calling for the release of all political prisoners, noted Zeya, adding that the US has spotted true potential and a step forward in the agreement that’s been reached," she affirmed.

"Nevertheless, the US must also truly respect the will of the Sudanese people and insist on accountability for human rights violations such as the killing of many protesters. Moreover, the US is calling for the release of all detained leaders and political prisoners as well as the restoration of power to a genuine civilian government leading the democratic transition."

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Lebanon to Seek US Guarantees in Response to Proposal

US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)
US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)
TT
20
TT

Lebanon to Seek US Guarantees in Response to Proposal

US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)
US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)

Lebanon plans to seek assurances from Washington on the implementation of any future deal involving Hezbollah’s disarmament, Lebanese political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat, ahead of a visit by US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack early next week.

The question of US guarantees tops Lebanon’s concerns, which are shared not only by Hezbollah but also by the Lebanese state, the sources said.

The issue is central to the discussions of a tripartite Lebanese committee that includes representatives of President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, meeting regularly at the presidential palace to draft a unified response to a US proposal.

In parallel, the Quintet group - comprising the US, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar - met at the US embassy in Beirut to discuss the situation, local media reported.

Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari was absent from the talks, reportedly due to travel.

According to the sources, Barrack’s visit is not solely to receive Lebanon’s response to the US proposal, but also to hold further consultations with the country’s top leaders.

The US paper outlines a phased plan prioritizing the disarmament of Hezbollah, delineation of Lebanon’s land border with Syria, and the implementation of long-delayed financial, economic, and administrative reforms.

“Lebanon views the proposal as the basis for negotiations, not a surrender document,” the sources said, noting that the primary demand to be raised will be related to binding US guarantees.

They cited the bitter experience that followed the previous ceasefire deal, after which Israel allegedly continued attacks, held on to five disputed points in southern Lebanon, and hindered the return of displaced residents—all while international aid for reconstruction failed to materialize.

“The committee is meeting almost daily,” one source said. “There is consensus on the need for an Israeli withdrawal from occupied points and an end to violations as a prerequisite for any deal. These are sovereign principles Lebanon will not abandon.”

Despite Hezbollah’s public resistance to disarmament, sources described the group’s current stance as “constructive.”

Hezbollah is said to be engaging in discussions through the state’s official channels, with party officials expressing concern over the absence of international guarantees and the risk of being sidelined politically once it gives up its arms.

“There are internal concerns that Hezbollah could be pushed out of political life, especially after talks around electoral law reforms,” one source said.

These fears are compounded by delays in international aid, reconstruction plans, and continued Israeli violations—issues that have persisted since the ceasefire in November.

On Wednesday night, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated the party’s rejection of “any threat of force or foreign meddling,” and insisted that Hezbollah would not “surrender land or weapons to the Israeli enemy” or compromise on its rights.

Qassem also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire more than 3,700 times, while the international community “watches silently, calling only for concessions.” He said Hezbollah would continue to resist, as it has done for decades.

A senior Hezbollah lawmaker said the group remains open to cooperating on strengthening the Lebanese state and restoring its authority across the country—provided Israel withdraws from disputed southern points and halts its ongoing violations.

MP Ali Fayyad, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, said the group “has consistently shown a positive willingness to cooperate in all matters related to state-building, institutional reform, and improving operational capacities to help achieve the desired stability.”

Speaking on Thursday, Fayyad added: “This includes supporting the state in extending its authority over all Lebanese territory and enabling it to carry out all its duties—chief among them the protection and defense of the people and sovereignty.” However, he warned, “None of this will be possible unless national efforts unite to achieve a key condition: Israel must withdraw from the five occupied positions it still holds, end its continued violations, and respect Lebanese sovereignty.”

Fayyad’s comments came amid a broader debate on the future of Hezbollah’s weapons and its role within the state.

Opposition lawmaker Fadi Karam from the Lebanese Forces party slammed Hezbollah’s rhetoric in a post on X.

Addressing Hezbollah’s Qassem, he wrote: “Your weapons have destroyed Lebanon and continue to give Israel an excuse to remain on our land. You’ve tied Lebanon to Iran. And now you claim that handing over your weapons to the Lebanese Army means handing them to Israel? That’s delusional and only exposes Lebanon to new wars.”

The statements reflect widening divisions over Hezbollah’s future role and the path toward national sovereignty and stability, as Lebanon grapples with US-led proposals aimed at de-escalating tensions and launching long-delayed reforms.