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Iran’s FM: Lebanese Presidential Elections Are an Internal Matter, We Support Consensus

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Iran’s FM: Lebanese Presidential Elections Are an Internal Matter, We Support Consensus

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)

From Beirut, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian declared on Friday an agreement to reopen the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Riyadh and Tehran in the coming days. The top diplomat expressed his belief that dialogue between the two nations could positively impact the region and Lebanon.

He also stated that influential political forces in Lebanon possess the capacity to elect a president for the country.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran’s support for a consensus and agreement among the Lebanese.

The minister’s statements came during a press conference held yesterday at the end of his two-day visit to Beirut, during which he met with several officials, lawmakers, and Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.

Amir-Abdollahian also visited the border town of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon, accompanied by Hezbollah officials and lawmakers, where he toured the border area.

At the presser, the minister announced an agreement to reopen the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Riyadh and Tehran. He also mentioned preparations for a visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Syria in the near future.

“We believe that influential Lebanese political forces have the capability and necessary efficiency to complete the political process and elect a president for the republic,” stated Amir-Abdollahian.

“We support consensus and agreement among the Lebanese, and Iran will welcome any distinguished Lebanese figure who reaches the presidency through consensus,” he added.

Amir-Abdollahian stressed that “Iran did not and will not interfere in the Lebanese election of a president, and when the Lebanese agree on any person, Iran will support it strongly.”

He added that “electing a president for the republic is an internal Lebanese matter, and it is up to the Lebanese to decide for themselves.”

Amir-Abdollahian also emphasized that Iran prioritizes openness and communication with neighboring countries and that the recent positive developments between Iran and Saudi Arabia are beneficial not only for the two countries but for the entire region.

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Arab World

Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
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Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said on Wednesday that Canada had amended its economic sanctions on Syria ‌to ease ‌restrictions related ‌to the ⁠import and export ⁠of goods, investment activities and the provision of financial and other ⁠services, according to Reuters.

"The amendments also ‌remove ‌24 entities and ‌one individual from ‌the Syria Regulations to reduce barriers to economic activity and ‌to enable transactions with state-affiliated entities ⁠in ⁠key sectors critical to Syria’s recovery," Anand said in a statement.

Arab World

Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
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Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)

The UN’s top envoy for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, has informed the Security Council that despite active United Nations engagement, the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State have failed to make progress on the first steps of the agreed political roadmap, including establishing a mechanism to select the board of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) and advancing electoral legislation.

Briefing the Council in New York on Wednesday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General said: “Their inability to use their agreed mechanism and follow-on unilateral actions has further eroded their credibility."

Tetteh added that Libyan public perceptions reflect a growing belief that the bodies are “unable or unwilling” to deliver.

She told Council members that she has begun consultations with key actors on an alternative two-step approach aimed at restoring momentum. Should a smaller group of Libyan representatives fail to agree on the roadmap’s milestones, she warned, a broader convening would be required. “We cannot wait indefinitely,” she emphasized.

The UN envoy also issued a stark warning about escalating tensions within Libya’s judicial system.

She said “contradictory, parallel judicial decisions put into jeopardy the unity of the legal and judicial systems,” cautioning that the situation “is a red line that if crossed can undermine the unity of the state.”

She urged Libyan leaders to refrain from further escalatory steps and called on the Council to hold accountable those taking actions that threaten to fracture the judiciary.

Tetteh also warned that transnational criminal networks continue to expand, turning Libya into a major transit hub for drug trafficking and sustaining illicit economies linked to corruption and armed groups.

Arab World

Damascus, in Cooperation with Baghdad, Foils Plot to Smuggle Drugs Abroad

Quantities of Captagon prepared for smuggling abroad- SANA
Quantities of Captagon prepared for smuggling abroad- SANA
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Damascus, in Cooperation with Baghdad, Foils Plot to Smuggle Drugs Abroad

Quantities of Captagon prepared for smuggling abroad- SANA
Quantities of Captagon prepared for smuggling abroad- SANA

Syrian authorities said they have thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of drugs out of the country.

The Syrian Narcotics Directorate said on Wednesday it seized approximately 400,000 captagon pills, weighing about 65 kilograms, during an operation in Homs province in central Syria.

The drugs would have been smuggled to other countries, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported. Two suspects were arrested on suspicion of managing a drug-trafficking network operating across borders.

The operation was carried out in coordination with Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control, SANA quoted a Syrian Interior Ministry statement as saying.

Earlier this month, the Syrian Narcotics Directorate conducted a joint security operation with the Iraqi authorities targeting an international drug-trafficking network, and seizing about 300,000 Captagon pills. Two people were also arrested.