Iranian FM Urges Lebanese Officials to Elect New President

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gestures after his joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, in Beirut, Lebanon October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Aziz Taher/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gestures after his joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, in Beirut, Lebanon October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Aziz Taher/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
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Iranian FM Urges Lebanese Officials to Elect New President

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gestures after his joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, in Beirut, Lebanon October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Aziz Taher/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gestures after his joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, in Beirut, Lebanon October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Aziz Taher/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian urged all Lebanese parties to reach an understanding regarding the election of a president, stressing that the Lebanese leaders should decide on this matter.

Abdollahian arrived Thursday in Beirut coming from the Syrian capital, Damascus. He is on an official visit to Lebanon during which he will meet with several Lebanese officials.

He expressed delight at being in Lebanon, insisting that "Iran only wanted the good for Lebanon."

“I expect regional and international countries to support Lebanon economically and commercially,” he added.

The Iranian official also noted that during previous talks with Saudi officials, he heard what he described as “positive and constructive statements about support for Lebanon.”

He further called on all the countries to back Lebanon.



EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
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EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)

The European Union on Monday condemned new Israeli measures to tighten control of the West Bank and pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, AFP reported.

"The European Union condemns recent decisions by Israel's security cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. This move is another step in the wrong direction," EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists.


Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The atrocities unleashed on El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region last October were a "preventable human rights catastrophe", the United Nations said Monday, warning they now risked being repeated in the neighbouring Kordofan region.

 

"My office sounded the alarm about the risk of mass atrocities in the besieged city of El-Fasher for more than a year ... but our warnings were ignored," UN rights chief Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

 

He added that he was now "extremely concerned that these violations and abuses may be repeated in the Kordofan region".

 

 

 

 


Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League strongly condemned decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to impose fundamental changes on the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and signed agreements, SPA reported.

In a statement, the Arab League said the measures include facilitating the confiscation of private Palestinian property and transferring planning and licensing authorities in the city of Hebron and the area surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque to occupation authorities.

It warned of the serious repercussions of these actions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The statement reaffirmed the Arab League’s firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.