Lebanon’s Interior Minister: Security Will Remain Maintained after Oct. 31

Lebanon’s Caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam al-Mawlawi with Grand Mufti of the Republic, Abdul Latif Derian (NNA)
Lebanon’s Caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam al-Mawlawi with Grand Mufti of the Republic, Abdul Latif Derian (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Interior Minister: Security Will Remain Maintained after Oct. 31

Lebanon’s Caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam al-Mawlawi with Grand Mufti of the Republic, Abdul Latif Derian (NNA)
Lebanon’s Caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam al-Mawlawi with Grand Mufti of the Republic, Abdul Latif Derian (NNA)

Lebanon’s Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam al-Mawlawi, affirmed on Friday that security is maintained in Lebanon and will remain preserved even after Oct. 31, when the term of President Michel Aoun ends.

Mawlawi also stressed that Lebanon constantly coordinates efforts with Arab countries to combat drug trafficking.

Mawlawi’s comments came during his meeting with Grand Sunni Mufti of the Republic, Abdul Latif Derian, congratulating him on the anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday.

“His Eminence has stressed that Lebanon should remain stable, both on the security and political levels, to reach economic and financial stability,” Mawlawi said, vowing keenness to maintain security.

The minister admitted that the situation in the crisis-hit country is complex, but praised the “unifying positions of the Grand Mufti”, which he said bring all the Lebanese together under coexistence and national interest.

Asked about the presidential elections and maintaining security during that delicate stage, the minister explained that electing a president must take place within the constitutional timeframe and that the matter is up to the members of the parliament.

Mawlawi stressed that security is under control and will remain so, especially after Oct. 31, vowing to work around the clock to ensure stability in the country.

In response to a question about the coordination with Arab countries, especially after the arrest of drug smugglers, he said there is permanent coordination with Arab countries, and that work is underway to control drug trafficking.

He stressed that Lebanon should not be a source of harm to the Arab countries.



UN: Almost No Food Has Reached Northern Gaza for More than 40 Days Because of Israeli Siege

 Displaced Palestinians fleeing Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip walk on the main Salah al-Din road on November 17, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas . (AFP)
Displaced Palestinians fleeing Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip walk on the main Salah al-Din road on November 17, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas . (AFP)
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UN: Almost No Food Has Reached Northern Gaza for More than 40 Days Because of Israeli Siege

 Displaced Palestinians fleeing Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip walk on the main Salah al-Din road on November 17, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas . (AFP)
Displaced Palestinians fleeing Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip walk on the main Salah al-Din road on November 17, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas . (AFP)

The UN humanitarian office says thousands of Palestinians in areas of northern Gaza under siege by Israeli forces are struggling to stay alive because there have been virtually no food or humanitarian aid deliveries for more than 40 days.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric delivered the grim report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs known as OCHA on Tuesday.

“OCHA reports that all attempts by the UN to support people in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and parts of Jabaliya – all of which remain under siege – have been either denied or impeded,” he said.

So far in November, Dujarric said OCHA reports that 27 out of 31 planned humanitarian missions were rejected by Israel and the other four were severely impeded. That means they were prevented from accomplishing all the critical work they set out to do, he said.

“The result is that bakeries and kitchens in North Gaza governorate have shut down, nutrition support has been suspended, and the refueling of water and sanitation facilities has been completely blocked,” Dujarric said.

An Israeli ground and air offensive in the north has severely restricting access to its three hospitals which are desperately short of medical supplies, blood and fuel, he said.

Israel blocked attempts by UN partners to send in an international emergency medical team to help, he said.

On Sunday, Dujarric said, OCHA supported a mission led by the UN World Health Organization that was able to deliver 10,000 liters of fuel to Kamal Adwan Hospital and transfer some 17 patients, three unaccompanied children and nearly two dozen caregivers to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Food and medical supplies were also supposed to be delivered to Kamal Adwan but Dujarric said, “our partners say the team was forced to offload the food at an Israeli military checkpoint before reaching the hospital, and only some of the medical supplies could be delivered to the facility.”

Asked whether the UN believes Israel is trying to force the estimated 75,000 Palestinians in northern Gaza to move south by denying the aid deliveries, Dujarric replied: “I can’t speak to the intentions of the Israeli government and the Israeli policy. We’re just seeing the result of it and trying to deal with it.”