Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Thursday 1 September 2022 21:39:55
US Pressures for Calm in West Bank, Curbs Palestinian Efforts for ‘Full UN Membership’
The United States is pressuring the Palestinian Authority (PA) to stop its request for "full UN membership" and pushing a plan to ensure calm in the West Bank, according to a Palestinian source.
The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US envoy, Hady Amr, arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday, ahead of the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, who will visit Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
The source said that the US focuses on two main issues including blocking the Palestinian movement to obtain full membership at the UN because that would embarrass Washington, which may resort to veto at some point.
The second issue is maintaining calm in the West Bank, pushing forward Israeli facilities, and strengthening the Palestinian economy.
Leaf is supposed to arrive in Tel Aviv first, where she will meet Israeli officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata.
According to the Israeli Walla website, she will head to Ramallah and meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his aides.
On Wednesday, Amr met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who stressed the need for the US to fulfill its promises towards Palestine and support its move to request "full membership" in the UN.
Shtayyeh stressed that the Palestinian people and leadership are facing considerable pressure.
He explained that Israel is escalating its unprecedented repressive measures, including the incursions into al-Aqsa mosque, arrests, extrajudicial killings, and appropriation of land, and there is no political horizon amid the problematic financial situation on the other.
"We seek to revive the political file again by requesting to become a full state membership at the UN in light of the absence of political initiatives to resolve the Palestinian issue," said Shtayyeh, calling on the US not to disrupt these efforts and recognize the State of Palestine.
The premier briefed the US envoy on the progress in implementing the financial and administrative reform agenda and steps taken in various fields to reduce expenditures and face the financial crisis.
He also discussed the financial challenges caused by the illegal Israeli deductions of Palestinian tax revenues and the drop in international assistance.