Arab Delegation Visits Russia Monday

The Kremlin in Moscow (EPA)
The Kremlin in Moscow (EPA)
TT

Arab Delegation Visits Russia Monday

The Kremlin in Moscow (EPA)
The Kremlin in Moscow (EPA)

The Arab League said a delegation of the Contact Group on Ukraine would start a visit Monday to Moscow to meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, then head to Poland to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The delegation will include Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, and Sudan.

The Group held a virtual coordination meeting at the ministerial level last Saturday to prepare for the visit to Moscow. The schedule includes visiting Warsaw the following day to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The meeting of Arab officials with the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine comes about a month after the Arab League recommended forming an Arab Contact Group on Ukraine at the ministerial level to follow up and conduct the necessary consultations.

The Group was also assigned with contacting the concerned parties hoping to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

During an emergency meeting at the level of delegates held at the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo last February, the Council expressed “great concern” over the developing events in Ukraine and “their serious military and humanitarian consequences.”

The organization, which held an emergency meeting at Egypt’s request, said it supports “all efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy to preserve the security and safety of peoples in this important region of the world.”

It also emphasized the need for continued cooperation and coordination between Arab countries to maintain the security and safety of the Arab communities currently in the region, facilitate the crossing of those wishing to cross to neighboring countries, and maintain the security and safety of members of Arab diplomatic missions.

The meeting stressed the importance of respecting the principles of international law and the UN Charter and supporting efforts to ease tension in Ukraine.



Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
TT

Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.