united nations

WHO Countries Reach Landmark Agreement on Tackling Future Pandemics

Years of negotiations culminated early Wednesday with countries agreeing the text of a landmark accord on how to tackle future pandemics, aimed at avoiding a repeat of the mistakes made during the Covid-19 crisis. After more than three years of talks and one last marathon session, weary delegates at the World Health Organization's headquarters ...

UN Says Israel Killed 71 Civilians in Lebanon Since Ceasefire

Israeli forces have killed dozens of civilians in Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect late last year, including a number of women and children, the United Nations said Tuesday. The UN rights office reported that Israeli military operations had killed and injured civilians in Lebanon in the four months since the fragile truce between Israel and ...

London Hosts Talks to Find 'Pathway' to End Sudan War

Senior officials gather in London on Tuesday aiming to chart a pathway to peace for Sudan on the second anniversary of its brutal civil conflict, but without the presence of the warring parties. Dubbed the "forgotten war", the conflict which erupted on April 15, 2023 between Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in ...

Aoun Highlights LAF Role and Reform Progress

President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Monday that the Lebanese Army (LAF) is “fully carrying out its responsibilities” in the areas vacated by Israeli forces, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, emphasizing the army’s capability to ensure the safety and protection of Lebanese citizens. Speaking during a meeting at Baabda ...

Iran Says Giving Diplomacy 'Genuine Chance' in Oman Talks with US

Iran said Friday it was giving diplomacy a "genuine" chance in surprise nuclear talks with the United States in Oman, despite mounting pressure from Washington. Longtime adversaries Iran and the United States are set to hold talks on Saturday in Muscat, aimed at reaching a potential nuclear deal. President Donald Trump on Monday made a shock ...

WHO Donation Secures Life-Saving Dialysis Supplies

In a much-needed boost to Lebanon’s strained healthcare system, the Ministry of Public Health received on Thursday a significant donation of dialysis supplies from the World Health Organization (WHO), funded by Ireland and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The shipment will support 24,000 dialysis sessions, helping around 500 ...

US Backtracks on Some Food Aid Cuts: UN

The United States has backtracked on emergency food aid cuts it announced for 14 countries, restoring assistance to six of them, the UN's World Food Program said Wednesday. The UN agency, already struggling with financing woes, said Monday that the United States advised it Washington was eliminating emergency food aid to those 14 poor and ...

France Could Recognize Palestinian State 'in June'

France is planning to recognize a Palestinian state within months and could make the move at a UN conference in New York in June on settling the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday. "We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months," Macron, who this week visited Egypt, ...

UN Chief Says Gaza Transformed Into 'Killing Field'

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that Gaza had become "a killing field," blaming Israel for blocking aid and failing in its "unequivocal obligations" to meet the needs of the Palestinian territory's residents. "More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza. No food. No fuel. No medicine. No ...

President Aoun to ATFL: Time for Reforms and Disarmament

President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing vital reforms and upholding UN Security Council Resolution 1701, during a meeting on Monday with the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL). He also emphasized that structural reforms and the disarmament of Hezbollah are not only international and American demands but also ...

Schenker: Lebanon Must Step Up Efforts to Disarm Hezbollah

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs David Schenker stated that “Lebanon must continue its efforts to disarm Hezbollah.” He also said, “Peace is essential, but it will only last if other measures are taken beforehand.” Speaking on MTV's Sar el-Waet program, which aired on Thursday night, Schenker noted that the ...

UN Accuses Israel of Destabilizing Syria, New Strikes in Damascus

The United Nations on Thursday accused Israel of destabilizing Syria after a wave of strikes on military targets, including an airport, and a ground incursion killed 13 people. A war monitor later reported another two Israeli air attacks. Since Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel has launched an ...