As Quake Death Toll Rises, Arab Leaders Offer Condolences to Syria’s Assad

Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)
Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)
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As Quake Death Toll Rises, Arab Leaders Offer Condolences to Syria’s Assad

Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)
Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)

The death toll from Monday’s devastating earthquakes climbed to 812 in the Syrian governorates of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Idlib Countryside and Tartous, according to the Syrian Health Ministry. At least 1,449 people have also been injured in the quake.

Figures released by the ministry are not final as they don’t include victims residing outside regime-controlled areas.

Condolences have poured in and dozens of nations have offered aid since the pre-dawn earthquake that wiped out entire sections of cities in both Türkiye and Syria.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Syria’s Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday to offer support after the devastating earthquake.

Ahmed Fahmy, spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, said Sisi “expressed his sincere condolences” in the wake of the 7.8-magnitude quake that hit Syria and neighboring Türkiye early Monday.

“President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s solidarity with Syria and its brotherly people in this calamity. He also directed that all possible aid be provided to Syria,” Fahmy said.

Syrian state news agency SANA said that “President Assad thanked Egypt for this position, which reflects the fraternal relations that bind the two brotherly countries.”

Assad on Tuesday also received a phone call from Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik bin Taimur al Said.

During the phone call, the Sultan conveyed the people of Oman’s solidarity with the brotherly people of Syria in the wake of the destructive earthquake.

“The Sultanate will stand with Syria in everything necessary to overcome this ordeal, and will send urgent aid to support the Syrian government’s efforts to overcome the effects of this disaster and provide relief to those affected by it,” said Sultan Haitham.

Moreover, Assad received a phone call from the King of Bahrain.

During the phone call, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa emphasized Bahrain’s solidarity and standing by Syria and its people in this difficult situation.

Assad received similar phone calls from leaders in Algeria and Iran.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.