US Official Discusses Dialogue Arrangements with Sudan Army Leaders

US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Molly Phee and Saudi Ambassador to Khartoum Ali bin Hassan Jaafar meeting with the Sovereign Council military committee headed by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Hemetti to discuss the dialogue process (SUNA)
US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Molly Phee and Saudi Ambassador to Khartoum Ali bin Hassan Jaafar meeting with the Sovereign Council military committee headed by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Hemetti to discuss the dialogue process (SUNA)
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US Official Discusses Dialogue Arrangements with Sudan Army Leaders

US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Molly Phee and Saudi Ambassador to Khartoum Ali bin Hassan Jaafar meeting with the Sovereign Council military committee headed by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Hemetti to discuss the dialogue process (SUNA)
US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Molly Phee and Saudi Ambassador to Khartoum Ali bin Hassan Jaafar meeting with the Sovereign Council military committee headed by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Hemetti to discuss the dialogue process (SUNA)

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee has discussed with Sudanese army leaders the final arrangements for launching direct talks among different parties in Sudan.

Negotiations seeking to solve the worsening political crisis in Sudan are being sponsored by a trilateral mechanism that includes the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

“Phee and her accompanying delegation met on Tuesday the military committee headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and two council members, Shams El-Din Kabbashi and Ibrahim Jaber Ibrahim,” read a statement released by the Transitional Military Council’s (TMC) media.

According to the statement, the officials met at the Republican Palace in Khartoum. Moreover, the Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Hassan Jaafar, was present at the meeting.

Sudan’s military leaders affirmed their full support for the efforts of the trilateral mechanism facilitating dialogue between the Sudanese parties and for its success.

The Director of the North American Department of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kamal Bashir, said in statements that the meeting affirmed support for the trilateral mechanism in enhancing rapprochement between the Sudanese parties for the success of the transitional period and reaching a consensus leading to the formation of a civilian government.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the details related to the launch of direct dialogue between the Sudanese national parties.

The talks were launched indirectly on May 12 to discuss ways of defusing the crisis that the country has been witnessing since October last year, which triggered the dissolution of the government and imposition of a state of emergency.

Phee posted a tweet saying she and the Saudi Ambassador held a meeting “with the military’s negotiating mechanism to urge real progress towards a civilian-led government and support for the AU-UN-IGAD process.”



Britain Offers to Build Surveillance Towers for Lebanon along Israeli Border

A surveillance tower operated by the Lebanese Army and equipped by the United Kingdom, installed on the border with Syria in 2017 (Directorate of Guidance). 
A surveillance tower operated by the Lebanese Army and equipped by the United Kingdom, installed on the border with Syria in 2017 (Directorate of Guidance). 
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Britain Offers to Build Surveillance Towers for Lebanon along Israeli Border

A surveillance tower operated by the Lebanese Army and equipped by the United Kingdom, installed on the border with Syria in 2017 (Directorate of Guidance). 
A surveillance tower operated by the Lebanese Army and equipped by the United Kingdom, installed on the border with Syria in 2017 (Directorate of Guidance). 

The United Kingdom has formally proposed to Lebanon the construction of surveillance towers along the country’s southern border with Israel, aiming to bolster security and stability in the area and support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

According to an official Lebanese source speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the initiative mirrors similar towers Britain has installed over the past decade on the Lebanese-Syrian frontier.

The Lebanese Army currently maintains a presence alongside UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) deployed in the south. Beirut remains committed to renewing UNIFIL’s mandate and has pledged to station 10,000 troops along the border. However, Lebanese officials argue that Israel’s continued occupation of at least five positions inside Lebanese territory prevents the army from completing its full deployment.

The British offer was conveyed during the visit of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Beirut last Saturday. Well-informed government sources indicated that London proposed extending the network of observation towers it previously erected in northern and eastern Lebanon to the southern frontier with Israel. Under the plan, the towers would be handed over to the Lebanese Army to enhance its monitoring capabilities and reinforce stability in the border region.

According to the sources, Lebanon did not reject the proposal outright but informed the British side that any practical discussions would need to be preceded by efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire, end Israeli violations, and ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied positions. Officials stressed that the border area requires calm, security guarantees, and a clear Israeli pullback before any new measures can move forward amid the current tensions.

The UK diplomatic mission in Beirut did not confirm or deny the information. A spokesperson for the British Embassy said Britain maintains a strong and longstanding partnership with the Lebanese Army and is committed to supporting the Lebanese government’s efforts to build security and stability. The spokesperson emphasized that the UK views the Lebanese Army as the sole legitimate military force of the state.

Since 2012, Britain has provided more than £115 million in support to the Lebanese military, including infrastructure, vehicles, training, equipment, and the establishment of border regiments.

During his visit, Lammy was received at Baabda Palace by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who expressed appreciation for Britain’s continued backing.

According to a statement from the presidency, Aoun welcomed any assistance that could help reinforce stability on the southern border and enable cooperation between the army and international forces.

He also called for diplomatic pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops, provide assurances against renewed aggression, and fully comply with Resolution 1701.