عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

De Mistura Visits Rabat to Discuss Disputed Western Sahara

UN special envoy for the Western Sahara region Staffan de Mistura. AFP
UN special envoy for the Western Sahara region Staffan de Mistura. AFP
TT
20
TT

De Mistura Visits Rabat to Discuss Disputed Western Sahara

UN special envoy for the Western Sahara region Staffan de Mistura. AFP
UN special envoy for the Western Sahara region Staffan de Mistura. AFP

UN special envoy for the Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura arrived in Morocco on Friday to hold talks with Moroccan officials on advancing the political process in the disputed region, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Observers see that de Mistura’s visit aims to discuss the disputed Western Sahara issue, which has been on hold since the resignation of the former UN envoy, Horst Kohler.

“It is also his intention to visit Western Sahara in the course of this trip,” the spokesman said during a news briefing.

“During this phase of the engagement, the personal envoy intends to remain guided by the clear precedents set by his predecessors,” Dujarric added.

In a question on whether de Mistura is looking to have new roundtable with the four parties, he responded, “I think he is… what he's looking for is how we can move forward the dialogue within the context of the relevant Security Council resolutions.”

Responding to another question regarding de Mistura’s visit not including Algiers and Mauritania, the spokesman said, “This is what we're announcing right now. If we have more as the trip continues, we will share that with you.”

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Lebanon Will Extend Army’s Control over Whole Country, Aoun Says as he Meets Macron

France's President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Macron (R) and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun shake hands after a press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on March 28, 2025. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Macron (R) and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun shake hands after a press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on March 28, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20
TT

Lebanon Will Extend Army’s Control over Whole Country, Aoun Says as he Meets Macron

France's President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Macron (R) and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun shake hands after a press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on March 28, 2025. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Macron (R) and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun shake hands after a press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on March 28, 2025. (AFP)

Lebanon is determined to build its army and extend its control over the whole country to end a cycle of violence, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday following an Israeli strike on Beirut.

"We reject any attack on Lebanon or any suspicious, malicious attempt to return Lebanon to the cycle of violence," Aoun told a joint press conference with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

"I call on Lebanon’s friends to act quickly to stop the deterioration and help Lebanon implement international resolutions," Aoun said.

"What is happening increases our determination and commitment to build our country and army, and extend our control over all of our lands."

Israel on Friday carried out its first major airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs in months, retaliating for an earlier rocket launch from Lebanon in the most serious test of a shaky ceasefire deal agreed in November.

Macron said that there was no activity justifying Israel's "unacceptable strikes on Beirut" and that he would call US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the attacks.

Macron said the renewed tensions "mark a turning point."

"The framework agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel was not respected today by Israel unilaterally and without us having either information or proof of the triggering event," he added.

Macron and Aoun met to discuss economic reforms and efforts to stabilize Lebanon.

France will continue to be at Lebanon’s side to help it preserve its sovereignty and guarantee its security, Macron vowed.

"This is what we want to do alongside you in the south. This is also what we want to do on the border with Syria, where the situation is also extremely delicate," he said.