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Italian Minister of Interior Affairs Receives MWL Sec-Gen

During the meeting between Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Secretary-General Sheikh Mohammed Issa (MWL Website)
During the meeting between Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Secretary-General Sheikh Mohammed Issa (MWL Website)
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Italian Minister of Interior Affairs Receives MWL Sec-Gen

During the meeting between Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Secretary-General Sheikh Mohammed Issa (MWL Website)
During the meeting between Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Secretary-General Sheikh Mohammed Issa (MWL Website)

Rome– Muslim World League (MWL) aims to pursue positive integration of Muslim communities into their societies and the citizenship they have recognized and committed to, according to MWL Sec-Gen Sheikh Mohammed al-Issa.

Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Secretary-General Issa and his accompanying delegation in Rome on Tuesday.

The two officials discussed a number of topics of common interest including citizenship and positive integration with the promotion of the right of religious freedom guaranteed by law. They also addressed the issue of official recognition of Islam as a religion.

The Italian minister welcomed MWL chief and expressed appreciation for the role undertaken by the MWL in fighting extremism, unifying Muslim communities, and promoting moderation.

Minniti expressed hope that the visit of the MWL chief to Italy will achieve goals that serve humanity, especially after his historic meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican City.

For his part, Issa thanked the Italian minister for his concern over MWL’s role and stressed that the League is keen to spread the values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence.

Later, Sec-Gen Issa held a meeting with Director of Religious Affairs in the Italian Government Maria Yurato where the two discussed several issues of mutual concern.

The two sides also discussed the legal status of several Islamic activities in Italy, and the cooperation between the association and the ministry to unify the Muslim community and improve its representation in the Italian government and civil institutions.

The secretary-general thanked Italian officials for providing the required facilities for a dialogue, hospitality and appreciation, especially in the light of the association’s renewed vision.

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Arab World

Syria, Iraq Agree to Expand Cooperation in Energy, Security and Economy

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein in Damascus on Monday. (SANA)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein in Damascus on Monday. (SANA)
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Syria, Iraq Agree to Expand Cooperation in Energy, Security and Economy

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein in Damascus on Monday. (SANA)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein in Damascus on Monday. (SANA)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Damascus on Monday on his first trip since there since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.

He held talks with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani.

The meeting with Sharaa focused on bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation across various sectors, reported Syria’s state news agency SANA.

The two sides also discussed regional and international developments and stressed the importance of strengthening coordination and consultation between Syria and Iraq in addressing shared challenges.

Talks with Shaibani focused on practical mechanisms to strengthen bilateral relations and advance mutual cooperation across various sectors.

The FMs agreed to establish a high committee for joint coordination, co-chaired by both ministers, to ensure the consistent follow-up and execution of outcomes stemming from bilateral cooperation while streamlining joint initiatives.

The discussions also focused on energy infrastructure, specifically looking into mechanisms for oil transit and grid integration, alongside a project to rehabilitate oil pipelines extending from Iraq to Syria.

They also addressed frameworks for strategic cooperation in the sectors of water management and agriculture, which aims to boost mutual food security, stimulate economic integration, and serve shared bilateral interests.

They explored avenues to upgrade security coordination and intelligence sharing, bolstering regional stability and supporting collaborative efforts to confront mutual security challenges.

Arab World

UN Chief Slams ‘Relentless’ Israeli Settlement Expansion

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)
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UN Chief Slams ‘Relentless’ Israeli Settlement Expansion

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)

UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the "relentless" expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying in a report seen Monday by AFP they are contributing to the territory's worst displacement crisis since 1967.

The secretary-general, in a quarterly report on the West Bank, said an increase in settler outposts was leading to an upsurge in violence and restricting Palestinians' access to their land.

"These developments fuel tensions, further entrench the unlawful Israeli occupation, undermine the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and threaten the viability of a fully independent, contiguous, and sovereign Palestinian State," Guterres said.

He specifically warned against Israeli plans to develop in the so-called E1 area of the West Bank, saying new settlements "would effectively sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank."

"As such, it would have severe consequences for the territorial contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and present an existential threat to the two-state solution," Guterres said.

The report also denounced impunity towards violence by Israeli settlers, pointing out it often occurs in the presence of -- or with the support of -- Israeli security forces.

"Settler violence, access restrictions, demolitions and prolonged security operations have intensified in recent years, resulting in the largest displacement crisis in the West Bank since 1967," Guterres said.

In a joint statement ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on the West Bank, five European members of the council -- France, Britain, Greece, Latvia and Denmark -- condemned settlement activity.

"We call on the Israeli Government to end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces," France's UN envoy Jerome Bonnafont said.

Sports

Iraq to Probe World Cup Failure, Map Overhaul After Winless Return

Players of Iraq line up for a group photo prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Senegal against Iraq, in Toronto, Canada, 26 June 2026. (EPA)
Players of Iraq line up for a group photo prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Senegal against Iraq, in Toronto, Canada, 26 June 2026. (EPA)
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Iraq to Probe World Cup Failure, Map Overhaul After Winless Return

Players of Iraq line up for a group photo prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Senegal against Iraq, in Toronto, Canada, 26 June 2026. (EPA)
Players of Iraq line up for a group photo prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Senegal against Iraq, in Toronto, Canada, 26 June 2026. (EPA)

The Iraqi ‌Olympic Committee said on Monday it will launch an investigation into the national team’s disappointing World Cup campaign and outline measures to prevent a repeat of such poor results in future tournaments.

Iraq’s first appearance at the finals in 40 years was a harsh lesson, with the team losing all three group-stage matches in one of the toughest draws, alongside former champions France, Norway and African powerhouse Senegal.

The scale of ‌the challenge became ‌clear as Iraq exited the tournament ‌without ⁠a point, conceding ⁠12 goals, highlighting the gap to more established footballing nations.

Iraqi Olympic Committee President Aqeel Muftin said a meeting would be held with officials from the Iraqi Football Association to assess the causes of the poor performance and outline a plan for improvement.

"We will ⁠hold a meeting with Football Association officials ‌to examine the reasons ‌behind the team’s decline in results at the World Cup ‌and to develop a strategy for its improvement," ‌Muftin told the Iraqi News Agency, adding that "everyone is saddened” by the outcome.

He said discussions after the team’s return would focus on ensuring the setback is not repeated, with ‌a comprehensive roadmap covering the short, medium and long term to identify weaknesses ⁠and address ⁠them.

Muftin added that the review would be handled by specialized committees tasked with finding solutions to the weak standards of the domestic league and national teams, and laying the foundations for sustained progress.

"This requires the combined efforts of everyone," he said.

He stressed that responsibility for rebuilding the side extends beyond any single body. "The national team does not belong to the Olympic Committee, the federation or the government — it belongs to the nation, and everyone is responsible for supporting it and ensuring its success," he said.