Sudan, Russia Discuss Boosting Cooperation on Different Levels

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)
The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)
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Sudan, Russia Discuss Boosting Cooperation on Different Levels

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)
The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)

Russia and Sudan announced their intention to boost cooperation in various political and military fields.

Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo, met in Moscow with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and discussed bilateral relations and ways to promote them.

The Sudanese News Agency said the two sides stressed the need to intensify cooperation and activate the ministerial committees. They called for holding bilateral meetings soon.

Hemedti praised the distinguished relations between the two countries and the coordination at all levels.

He pointed out that the great reception of the delegation and the meetings confirm Russia's interest in Khartoum, noting that Sudan has great potential, which can represent an excellent opportunity for Russian investments.

Movin lauded the distinguished historical friendship with Sudan, declaring a commitment to strengthening prospects for cooperation and increasing joint coordination.

He stressed that his country deals with Sudan following the principles of non-interference in countries' internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Sudanese mothers and fathers joined the protests led by the youth calling for the return of civilian rule.

Thousands of mothers and fathers, primarily elderly, marched in Khartoum and other cities in massive protests against the excessive violence used by the security services to suppress the popular movement.

They gathered in al-Siteen Street, east of Khartoum, under the slogan "We Support You" in support of the demonstrations led by young men and women for months against the measures announced by the army on October 25.

Families of the victims also participated in the protests, carrying the picture of their children killed by the security forces.

The protests were led by top leaders of the Forces of Freedom and Change alliance and other parties, notably the deputy head of the National Umma Party Sarah Naqdallah, the head of the Sudanese Congress Party Omar al-Digair, and the leader of the Communist Party, Mohammad Mukhtar al-Khatib, along with dozens of poets, writers, and artists.

Over 100 women's organizations and union bodies against the regime also joined the protests of the mothers and fathers.

The resistance committees in Khartoum are scheduled to announce Sunday the charter for establishing the people's authority to restore democracy.

The committees said in a press circular that the charter is proposed to establish the people's authority. They held extensive consultations and discussions to overcome the obstacles.

They delayed announcing the charter for further adjustments and revisions, aiming to publish it to the public in the best way possible.



Lebanon Elects Army Chief as New President

The Lebanese Parliament building a day before a session to elect the Lebanese president, in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 January 2025. (EPA)
The Lebanese Parliament building a day before a session to elect the Lebanese president, in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 January 2025. (EPA)
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Lebanon Elects Army Chief as New President

The Lebanese Parliament building a day before a session to elect the Lebanese president, in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 January 2025. (EPA)
The Lebanese Parliament building a day before a session to elect the Lebanese president, in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 January 2025. (EPA)

Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who enjoys US approval and showing the diminished sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel.
The outcome reflected shifts in the power balance in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, with Hezbollah badly pummelled from last year's war, and its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in December.
The presidency, reserved for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, with deeply divided factions unable to agree on a candidate able to win enough votes in the 128-seat parliament.
Aoun fell short of the 86 votes needed in a first round vote, but crossed the threshold with 99 votes in a second round, according to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, after lawmakers from Hezbollah and its Shiite ally the Amal Movement backed him.
Momentum built behind Aoun on Wednesday as Hezbollah's long preferred candidate, Suleiman Franjieh, withdrew and declared support for the army commander, and as French envoy shuttled around Beirut, urging his election in meetings with politicians, three Lebanese political sources said.
Aoun's election is a first step towards reviving government institutions in a country which has had neither a head of state nor a fully empowered cabinet since Aoun left office.
Lebanon, its economy still reeling from a devastating financial collapse in 2019, is in dire need of international support to rebuild from the war, which the World Bank estimates cost the country $8.5 billion.
Lebanon's system of government requires the new president to convene consultations with lawmakers to nominate a Sunni Muslim prime minister to form a new cabinet, a process that can often be protracted as factions barter over ministerial portfolios.
Aoun has a key role in shoring up a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel which was brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.
Aoun, 60, has been commander of the Lebanese army since 2017.