This is Beirut - UN Security Council

Can Bashar al-Assad Be Judged for His Crimes?

Natasha Metni Torbey, 20/12 11:41 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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War crimes, crimes against humanity, the use of chemical weapons against civilians… The accusations directed at former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad raise pressing questions, particularly following the fall of his regime on December 8: can he be brought to justice? If so, through what legal mechanisms? And what about the status he enjoys in ...

Turkey, Iran Leaders at Muslim Summit in Cairo

This is Beirut, 19/12 19:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The leaders of Turkey and Iran called on Thursday for unity in Syria at a summit of eight Muslim-majority countries after the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad. Turkey historically backed Assad's opponents, while Iran supported his rule. The gathering of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as the ...

UN Warns Syria’s War Isn’t Over

This is Beirut, 18/12 09:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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A UN envoy has warned that Syria's protracted conflict "has not ended yet", even as victorious Islamist-led rebels stepped up contacts with governments that deemed ousted president Bashar al-Assad a pariah. The United Nations' special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said on Tuesday "there have been significant hostilities in the last two weeks, ...

Iran Confirms Increase in IAEA Nuclear Inspections

This is Beirut, 14/12 12:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran confirmed Saturday that it has allowed watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to increase the number of inspections it carries out into Tehran's nuclear programme, state media reported. "We have increased capacity -- it is natural that the number of inspections should also increase," the official IRNA news agency quoted the ...

UN General Assembly demands immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza

This is Beirut, 12/12 16:29 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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The UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Israel. The resolution -- adopted by a vote of 158-9, with 13 abstentions -- urges "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire," and ...

UN General Assembly to Vote on 'Unconditional' Ceasefire in Gaza

This is Beirut, 11/12 09:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The UN General Assembly will vote Wednesday on a draft resolution that seeks an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture after the US previously vetoed a similar action in the UN Security Council. In addition to calling for "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire," the draft resolution seeks "the immediate and unconditional ...

Rojava, Syria's Kurdish Enclave Under US Shield

Michael al-Andary, 10/12 12:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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People of Kurdish descent make up the majority of the population of northeastern Syria. The Kurdish enclave, often called Rojava, is home to an estimated 2 million Kurds, making it the country’s largest ethnic minority. Rojava encompasses three cantons: Kobane in the middle, Cizre to the east and Afrin in the west. In the past, the three ...

Denial and an 'Ultra-Divine Victory'

Michel Touma, 02/12 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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In psychology, denial is a well-known defense mechanism used to cope with failures and setbacks. It is therefore not surprising that Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, confidently asserts — along with his party’s leadership and supporters — that the two-month-long conflict with Israel brought about a victory “greater” ...

Iranian FM Vows Full Support to Syria in Meeting With Assad

This is Beirut, 01/12 16:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Damascus on Sunday to deliver a message of support to Syria's government and armed forces, days after rebels launched a swift offensive capturing Aleppo, the coutry’s second largest city, and other localities. Araghchi is said to have assured Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ...

EU: We Will Support LAF, UNIFIL and the Lebanese

This is Beirut, 29/11 14:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing a wide range of tools to support the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), so that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 can be “effectively and fully implemented on the ground.” The EU viewed the ceasefire agreement as “a major achievement, which the ...

Le Drian Welcomes Election Date and Hopes for Tangible Outcomes

Bassam Abou Zeid, 28/11 19:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The announcement came as Le Drian was meeting with the Quintet ambassadors (United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar) at the Pine Residence, shortly before heading to Parliament. Berri invited Le Drian to observe part of the legislative session, during which Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun’s term was extended. Aoun is ...

Le Drian's Mission: Swift Presidential Election or Negative Consequences

Bassam Abou Zeid, 28/11 08:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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A French diplomatic source disclosed that the visit of French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, following the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, is aimed at pushing for the swift election of a president. Any delays in this process would reflect poorly on Lebanon in the eyes of the international community, which is closely monitoring the ...

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