european union

Syrian Refugee File: Mikati Refutes Ongoing Campaigns Against the Government

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati refuted on Monday the “ongoing campaigns against the government regarding the Syrian displaced file” that indicate, in his opinion, “a clear approach aimed at obscuring the truth for populist purposes and hindering the government's work with futile disputes and debates.” He reaffirmed the government's ...

EU "Grant" Parliamentary Session: Karam Affirms 'Strong Republic' Bloc's Participation

Member of the "Strong Republic" bloc (Lebanese Forces), MP Fadi Karam, affirmed that the bloc will participate in Wednesday's parliamentary session dedicated to discussing the one-billion-euro grant from the European Union. “This session differs from its predecessors and falls within the framework of the Parliament exercising its supervisory ...

Rai: EU Position Paves the Way for Criminals

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai lashed out on Sunday at European countries that refuse to “cooperate with Lebanon” in resolving the issue of Syrian migrants, arguing that “they are paving the way for criminals and terrorists.” “The situation in the region requires the presence of a president of the Republic,” said Rai in his homily on ...

De Waele: Repatriation of Syrians Is an Ambition, Not a Plan

The European Union (EU) seems to be on the defensive, especially since the uproar caused by the announcement last Thursday of a one-billion-euro aid package to help Lebanon put up with the burden of Syrian migrants. In a second attempt (the first being yesterday, May 9, on the occasion of Europe Day) to justify the granting of this sum over a ...

UN, EU Officials Condemn Attacks Against UNRWA in East Jerusalem

The UN and the European Union condemned "attacks" on UNRWA in East Jerusalem on Friday, calling on Israel to ensure the protection of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after Israeli demonstrators attempted to set fire to its offices on Thursday. United Nations and European officials Friday condemned attacks against the UN agency for ...

Mikati Seeking Lebanese Political Cover for EU Aid

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri called for a parliamentary session on May 15 to discuss the one billion Euro donation made by the European Union (EU) to Lebanon. The donation aims to alleviate the burden of the significant presence of displaced Syrians in the country and, most importantly, to prevent migrant flows to Cyprus. Extending until ...

EU Provides $125mn for Yemen NGOs, to Bridge $2.3bn Shortfall

The EU on Tuesday announced $125 million for NGOs and UN agencies helping people in Yemen, a day after aid groups appealed for billions to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country. The money is directed at the "most vulnerable in Yemen", the European Commission said after a Brussels meeting on Yemen bringing together donors, UN officials ...

Bassil Warns Against Syrians Replacing Lebanese

The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), MP Gebran Bassil, lashed out at the European Union for offering Lebanon one billion euros in exchange for keeping displaced Syrians, describing the move as an “attempt to replace the Lebanese with Syrians.” At a press conference on Saturday, Bassil stressed that the financial aid offered by the ...

France Estimates 150,000 Russian Soldiers Were Killed in Ukraine War

France estimates that 150,000 Russian soldiers have been killed during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said in an interview published on Friday. Speaking to Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe, Séjourné said Paris estimated total Russian casualties, including the wounded, at 500,000 in the war, ...

Tens of Thousands Rally in Georgia against 'Foreign Influence' Bill

Tens of thousands of Georgians rallied on Wednesday against a controversial "foreign influence" bill after parliament pushed forward with legislation that Brussels warns could undermine Tbilisi's long-standing aspirations for European integration. Mass anti-government protests have gripped the Black Sea nation since April 9, when the ruling ...

EU to Allocate One Billion Euros to Lebanon Until 2027

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has announced a billion euros in financial support for Lebanon, extending until 2027, with the aim of “contributing to the social and economic stability of the country.” This announcement followed a meeting at the Governmental Palace with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, ...

EU Countries Set to Recognize Palestinian Statehood

Several European Union member states are expected to recognize the Palestinian statehood by the end of May. The announcement was made by the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday, on the sidelines of a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh. Addressing the World Economic Forum stage in Riyadh, Josep Borrell reiterated ...