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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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Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council Urges Hamas to Hand Over Suspects in Rocket Attacks

Lebanese Army personnel at the site of an Israeli strike targeting a militant group leader south of Beirut last week (AFP).
Lebanese Army personnel at the site of an Israeli strike targeting a militant group leader south of Beirut last week (AFP).
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Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council Urges Hamas to Hand Over Suspects in Rocket Attacks

Lebanese Army personnel at the site of an Israeli strike targeting a militant group leader south of Beirut last week (AFP).
Lebanese Army personnel at the site of an Israeli strike targeting a militant group leader south of Beirut last week (AFP).

A senior Lebanese source has revealed that authorities will demand Hamas to hand over remaining individuals implicated in recent rocket attacks launched from Kfartebnit and Qaqaiyat al-Jisr—two towns located north of the Litani River, overlooking southern Lebanon—toward the Israeli settlements of Metula and Kiryat Shmona. The suspects are also believed to have stored rockets and launchers in a warehouse raided by the Lebanese Army, which seized several of the weapons, some prepared for imminent use.
The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that this demand will top the agenda of the first meeting of the Supreme Defense Council, scheduled for Friday and to be chaired by President Joseph Aoun.
The Council is also expected to discuss the security situation in southern Lebanon amid Beirut’s unilateral commitment to the ceasefire agreement, contrasted by what it views as Israel’s noncompliance. The session will further address recent incidents in which local residents blocked UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) from entering certain villages, citing the lack of coordination with the Lebanese Army. Additional topics include logistical, administrative, and security preparations by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities ahead of the first round of municipal elections in Mount Lebanon this coming Sunday.
According to the source, the Lebanese Army’s intelligence directorate has, under judicial supervision, compiled a list of wanted Hamas members based on interrogations with detained suspects involved in the rocket attacks.
The source did not rule out the possibility that the suspects may have sought refuge in Palestinian refugee camps, particularly Ain al-Hilweh in southern Lebanon, where Hamas may be protecting them in neighborhoods controlled by extremist factions.
The source argued that Palestinian weapons have lost their original purpose of defending against Israeli attacks and are now largely used for internal conflict and endangering nearby communities.
Disarming Palestinian groups inside the camps, the source said, aligns with the insistence of both Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government that all arms remain under the state’s authority. The matter is also expected to feature prominently in upcoming talks between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Lebanese officials during his mid-month visit to Beirut.
On broader security concerns, the source noted that Lebanon is stepping up containment measures around the camps to prevent the militarization of nearby towns, especially those close to the Litani River.
Regarding Sunday’s Israeli airstrike on a warehouse in Beirut’s southern suburb, the source confirmed that the Lebanese Army had received no prior warning through the United States. Instead, Lebanese officials learned of the strike via media reports. This prompted Aoun to make urgent calls to several countries, including the US and France, which are considered guarantors of the ceasefire agreement. Subsequent information reportedly disproved Israel’s stated justification for the attack.