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Health Ministry Warns of Cholera Outbreak in Lebanon

Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad (AP)
Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad (AP)
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Health Ministry Warns of Cholera Outbreak in Lebanon

Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad (AP)
Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad (AP)

Caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad warned on Saturday of a cholera outbreak if Lebanon fails to quickly respond to the disease, which he confirmed is still restrained in the rural northern Lebanese region of Akkar.

On Friday, the Health Ministry issued a statement saying a second case of Cholera has been detected in Lebanon, a day after the cash-strapped country confirmed its first case of the illness since 1993.

The Minister said the cholera infections in Lebanon were anticipated - after an outbreak of the illness in neighboring war-torn Syria a month earlier - explaining that it is easily transmissible.

“We must prevent this disease, and the patient may not have symptoms,” he stressed.

Abiad then announced that his ministry established a multilateral crisis cell that will tour the affected areas to see what is happening on the ground and respond to the possible outbreak of the illness.

In a television interview, he explained that the waterborne disease can easily be eliminated by washing hands, adding that it can be controlled provided that safe and clean running water is secured.

He assured that cholera tests are available to monitor its spread, noting that it differs from COVID-19, which is transmitted by air.

The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute warned Saturday of water pollution.

In a statement, it said “the spread of cholera is caused by water pollution, and citizens are asked to take the highest levels and standards of hygiene in food and drinking water.”

Lebanon 24 website said the number of cholera-infected people in Lebanon exceeded by far the two cases, adding that all cases are currently monitored by the Ministry.

“All cases were detected at a camp for Syrian refugees in the Benin region,” sources told the website.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said on Friday that in Syria, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to respond to an outbreak of cholera, worsened by severe, country-wide water shortages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said there have been 14,202 suspected cases of cholera, 884 confirmed cases, and 63 reported deaths across the country as of last Thursday.

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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.