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Regional, Int’l Powers Welcome Sudanese Political Agreement 

Sudanese Army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (4-L) and commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (3-L), accompanied by leaders of civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Khartoum, Sudan, 05 December 2022. (EPA)
Sudanese Army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (4-L) and commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (3-L), accompanied by leaders of civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Khartoum, Sudan, 05 December 2022. (EPA)
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Regional, Int’l Powers Welcome Sudanese Political Agreement 

Sudanese Army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (4-L) and commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (3-L), accompanied by leaders of civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Khartoum, Sudan, 05 December 2022. (EPA)
Sudanese Army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (4-L) and commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (3-L), accompanied by leaders of civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Khartoum, Sudan, 05 December 2022. (EPA)

Several regional and international powers welcomed the signing of a framework deal between Sudan’s ruling generals and the main pro-democracy group on Monday. 

The deal pledges to establish a new, civilian-led transitional government to guide the country to elections and offers a path forward in the wake of Sudan's stalled transition to democracy following the October 2021 coup. 

The Saudi Foreign Ministry congratulated on Monday the parties for inking the deal, hoping it will help achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people.  

It stressed that the Kingdom continues to support all efforts aimed at establishing peace, security, stability and growth in Sudan.  

It reiterated Riyadh’s backing of the tripartite mechanism aimed at facilitating dialogue and consultations between the parties to the transition, it added. 

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hussein Jaafar described the deal as a “historic accomplishment.” 

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the agreement was a first step that must be followed up with others to complete the peaceful settlement through intra-Sudanese dialogue. 

He added that the Saudi government was working with all parties to push forward the dialogue to meet the demands of the transitional phase and the aspirations of the people. 

“The Kingdom’s position is clear. It supports stability, development and growth in Sudan,” he added. 

The United States and its partners welcomed the agreement and urged all parties to make a concerted effort to finalize negotiations on a new civilian-led government.  

“This is the key to unlocking the resumption of international development assistance and deeper cooperation between the government of Sudan and international partners,” the countries said in a joint statement.  

“We are working with partners to coordinate significant economic support to a civilian-led transitional government to help address the challenges facing the people of Sudan.”  

Participating countries include Norway, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the US. 

Egypt welcomed the agreement, saying it was a “significant and pivotal” step towards consolidating the structure of rule in Sudan. 

The Foreign Ministry expressed Cairo’s complete support to deal and readiness to cooperate with different parties to ensure it is implemented in full to meet the aspirations of the people and bolster Sudan’s role as a backer of peace and stability in the region and Africa. 

It called on the international community to provide “all elements to support the fraternal state of Sudan to allow it to successfully progress through the transition and achieve the interests of its people.” 

Bahrain welcomed Monday’s deal, saying it was a significant step towards ensuring the success of the transitional period. 

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said the agreement was an “important step in building a civilian-led Sudanese government” that would culminate in holding elections. 

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf underscored the Gulf’s firm support to everything that would achieve peace, security, stability and growth in Sudan. 

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Lebanese Govt Approaches Hezbollah Arms File Without Decisions

In this photo, released by the Lebanese Presidency press office, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, center foreground, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, right, head a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency press office via AP)
In this photo, released by the Lebanese Presidency press office, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, center foreground, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, right, head a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency press office via AP)
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Lebanese Govt Approaches Hezbollah Arms File Without Decisions

In this photo, released by the Lebanese Presidency press office, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, center foreground, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, right, head a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency press office via AP)
In this photo, released by the Lebanese Presidency press office, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, center foreground, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, right, head a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency press office via AP)

Lebanon’s government addressed the contentious issue of Hezbollah’s weapons
and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 with no concrete decisions made during the recent cabinet discussions.
Government sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Lebanese Forces bloc demanded that timeline for the disarmament of Hezbollah be set, but there was no response to their demand. Other ministers argued that the matter of exclusive state control over weapons is already addressed in the government's ministerial statement.

Moreover, and in a gesture underscoring its commitment to international cooperation, the government approved the extension of the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), highlighting Lebanon’s “keenness on partnership with the international community to maintain stability.”
It also reported 2,740 Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement was put in place.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, government sources said that President Joseph Aoun has vowed to discuss the matter of setting a timeline to disarm Hezbollah with the relevant parties, and will report the outcome of his consultations back to the cabinet.

Following the cabinet session, Information Minister Paul Morcos reaffirmed the government's commitment to asserting state authority over all Lebanese territory. He underscored the need to bolster the Lebanese Army amid growing security challenges—particularly in the south, where the army continues to carry out its duties despite repeated Israeli aggressions.

The Minister stated that Army Commander General Rodolph Haikal delivered a security briefing during the meeting, outlining ongoing operations and the army's position. Haikal stressed Lebanon’s full commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, in contrast to Israel’s repeated violations, which, he said, hinder the army’s deployment and the extension of state authority in the region.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for the Lebanese Army’s deployment south of the Litani River and the removal of all unauthorized armed groups.

Despite limited resources, Morcos noted, the army “continues to fulfill its duties under difficult conditions”.
Industry Minister, Joe Issa el-Khoury, said after the cabinet meeting at Baabda Palace that ministers of the Lebanese Forces bloc raised the issue of setting a six-month timeline for the handover of all illegal weapons—both Lebanese and non-Lebanese. They proposed beginning the process with the Palestinian refugee camps.
Morco also announced that the Cabinet approved the extension of the UNIFIL mandate in southern Lebanon, stressing the Lebanese state’s commitment to its partnership with the international community in preserving stability.

For his part, President Aoun, at the onset of the session, described his meeting with Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim Al-Thani, in Doha as “fruitful and excellent,” revealing that a Qatari delegation may visit Lebanon next week to discuss the electricity file.
Aoun also thanked the Intelligence Directorate and General Security for arresting members of a cell involved in rocket launches from southern Lebanon. He expressed hope that the cell recently dismantled in Jordan—whose members admitted to receiving training in Lebanon—will be fully unraveled.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, for his part, spoke about his recent visit to Syria. He said four major issues were discussed: securing and eventually demarcating the Lebanese-Syrian border, the case of Lebanese detainees who disappeared in Syria, Lebanese nationals wanted by authorities who are currently in Syria, and the issue of Syrian prisoners held in Lebanon.
Salam underscored that some of the most pressing matters discussed was the return of Syrian refugees back to their homeland, and the need to lift sanctions on Syria in order to facilitate this process.
The visit also included an official request for information related to the Beirut port explosion.