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Toronto Star
10 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Lebanese president calls for Hezbollah to disarm as US pressure rises
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated calls for the militant group Hezbollah to give up its weapons, a day after the group's chief doubled down on its refusal to disarm. Aoun's comments Thursday during a speech marking Army Day in Lebanon came as pressure increases from Washington to disarm Hezbollah.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lebanese president calls for Hezbollah to disarm as US pressure rises
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated calls for the militant group Hezbollah to give up its weapons, a day after the group's chief doubled down on its refusal to disarm. Aoun's comments Thursday during a speech marking Army Day in Lebanon came as pressure increases from Washington to disarm Hezbollah. The U.S. presented Lebanon with 'draft ideas to which we have made fundamental amendments that will be presented to the Cabinet early next week,' Aoun said. Under the Lebanese proposal, there would be an 'immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities' in Lebanon, including airstrikes and targeted killing, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, Aoun said. Lebanon, for its part, would implement the 'withdrawal of the weapons of all armed forces, including Hezbollah, and their surrender to the Lebanese Army,' he said. The comments came after a speech Wednesday by Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem that called the group's weapons 'part of Lebanon's strength' and said 'anyone who demands the delivery of weapons is demanding the delivery of weapons to Israel.' Hezbollah officials have said they will not discuss giving up the group's remaining arsenal until Israel withdraws from all of Lebanon and stops its strikes. Aoun said Lebanon's proposal also calls for international donors to contribute $1 billion annually for 10 years to beef up the Lebanese army's capabilities and for an international donor conference to raise funds in the fall for reconstruction of Lebanese areas damaged and destroyed during last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah. The war nominally ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November calling for Hezbollah and Israeli forces to withdraw from the area south of the Litani River in Lebanon, which would be patrolled by a beefed-up Lebanese army, along with U.N. peacekeepers. The agreement left vague how Hezbollah's weapons and military facilities north of the Litani River should be treated, saying Lebanese authorities should dismantle unauthorized facilities starting with the area south of the river. Hezbollah maintains the deal only covers the area south of the Litani, while Israel and the U.S. say it mandates disarmament of the group throughout Lebanon. Since the the ceasefire took effect, Israel has continued to occupy five border points in Lebanon and carry out almost daily airstrikes that Israel says are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities.
Winnipeg Free Press
40 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas steps down after investigations and protests
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down on Thursday following investigations into his business dealings that prompted protests in the Baltic country 's capital calling for his resignation. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced Paluckas' resignation to the media on Thursday morning. A spokesperson for Paluckas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paluckas, a newly established leader of the center-left Social Democrats, ascended to the role late last year after a three-party coalition formed following parliamentary elections in October. His entire cabinet is now expected also to resign, potentially leaving the country without an effective government weeks before Russia holds joint military exercises with neighboring Belarus. Lithuanian foreign policy is unlikely to change as a result of the government shakeup. Nausėda, who was elected separately, is the country's face on the world stage and has been one of the most stalwart supporters of Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces. Paluckas has recently been dogged by media investigations into his business and financial dealings. Several media outlets published investigations in July regarding Paluckas' past and present ventures and alleged mishandlings, including ones more than a decade ago. The Baltic country 's anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies subsequently launched their own probes. In a devastating blow to his reputation, the media also revealed that Paluckas never paid a significant part of a 16,500 euro fine ($19,039) in connection with a 2012 criminal case dubbed the 'rat poison scandal.' Paluckas was convicted of mishandling the bidding process for Vilnius' rat extermination services while serving as the capital city's municipality administration director. Judges for the country's top court in 2012 ruled that he abused his official position by illegally granting privileges to the company that offered the highest price in the bid. He was also sentenced to two years behind bars, but the sentence was suspended for one year and he ultimately was never imprisoned. The Social Democratic party leader denied any wrongdoing regarding his business affairs, labeling the criticism as part of a 'coordinated attack' by political opponents. He resigned before the opposition could formally launch impeachment proceedings. New coalition talks are expected to start shortly to form a new cabinet.
