
'Cairo and Ankara agree on the need to end the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon,' Egyptian Foreign Minister says
On Thursday, the Lebanese government adopted the 'objectives' of a U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's roadmap, setting a deadline to restore the state's monopoly on arms by the end of the year.
Abdel Aaty highlighted that relations between Egypt and Turkey are entering a crucial phase of strategic convergence. He noted that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi discussed regional issues with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his visit. Both countries emphasized the importance of addressing the situation in Gaza, opposing Israeli actions, and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian right to establish an independent state.
Meanwhile, amid international criticism, Israel's army prepared to take control of Gaza City to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages, while also distributing humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones.
Egypt and Turkey also expressed their desire for Syria's stability across its entire territory. After a visit to Damascus, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan praised Syria's efforts since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December and expressed interest in deepening ties. Turkey has built close relations with Syria's current authorities, who are working to attract investment for reconstructing infrastructure damaged during the country's civil war.
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Ya Libnan
42 minutes ago
- Ya Libnan
Six soldiers killed — Lebanon must disarm Hezbollah before it's too late
By : Ya Libnan The killing of six Lebanese soldiers in Wadi Zibqin should shock the nation into action. These soldiers were not fighting an invading army—they were dismantling a Hezbollah weapons depot concealed in a residential neighborhood near the Israeli border. Their mission, part of the November ceasefire's disarmament mandate, ended in a deadly explosion that once again exposed the lethal cost of allowing an Iran-backed militia to operate above the law. Funeral of the 6 Lebanese soldiers killed in blast at Hezbollah arms depot near Israel border in South Lebanon According to the Lebanese Army, the soldiers died while dismantling the depot's contents. The fact that such stockpiles exist at all—let alone in civilian areas—confirms that Hezbollah's weapons are not only a threat to Israel but also to Lebanon itself. Every hidden cache is a potential bomb waiting to kill Lebanese soldiers, civilians, and children. Hezbollah is not merely a political party—it is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Canada, the UK, Germany, and several other nations. Its track record includes hijackings, bombings, assassinations, and serving as a proxy for Iran's regional military agenda. By keeping its own armed forces outside the control of the Lebanese state, Hezbollah undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and drags it into conflicts it did not choose. MP Pierre Bou Assi put it plainly: 'Disarming Hezbollah has become an absolute necessity, even by force. Its continued presence poses an existential threat to Lebanon.' He warned that the absence of a functioning state fuels instability and risks plunging Lebanon into civil war. If the state reclaims its authority, Hezbollah will have no choice but to surrender its arms—because disarmament is no longer optional, it is survival. For decades, Hezbollah's arms have dragged Lebanon into wars it did not choose—2006, Syria's war, and repeated border clashes. The group has hidden weapons in Beirut's port, in schools, and in family neighborhoods. Now, six soldiers have paid with their lives to dismantle just one of those arsenals. Lebanon cannot survive as both a state and a battleground for a militia's regional agenda. Either the Lebanese state finally takes full control of all weapons, or Hezbollah's weapons will control Lebanon's fate. The choice is stark, the time is now—and the cost of delay will be measured in more Lebanese lives.


Ya Libnan
2 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Six Lebanese soldiers killed in blast at Hezbollah arms depot near Israel border
At least six Lebanese soldiers have been killed in an explosion while inspecting a weapons depot in a residential neighborhood in southern Lebanon,near the borders with Israel The Lebanese troops were dismantling the Iran-backed group's weapons facility near the Israeli border when the explosion occurred. Beirut is under pressure to disarm Hezbollah under a ceasefire deal signed in November. Six Lebanese soldiers were killed on Saturday as they were inspecting a weapons depot belonging to the Iran -backed Hezbollah group in the southern city of Tyre, the army said. The depot was reportedly part of Hezbollah's military infrastructure, which the Lebanese army has been dismantling in cooperation with a United Nations team as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel . What do we know about the blast? A statement from Lebanon's army said the soldiers were killed 'while an army unit was inspecting a weapons depot and dismantling its contents in Wadi Zibqin,' in the Tyre district near the Israeli border. Investigations were underway to determine the cause of the blast, it added. A military source, requesting anonymity, told the AFP news agency the blast took place 'inside a Hezbollah military facility.' Troops were 'removing munitions and unexploded ordnance left over from the recent war' between Israel and Hezbollah when the blast occurred, the source added. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the explosion as a 'painful incident,' while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam paid tribute on X to the troops who were killed 'while performing their national duty.' Lebanon bears brunt of regional turmoil Lebanon has been caught in the middle of a side conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that began after the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas , which sparked the Gaza war. Israel and Hezbollah exchanged regular fire and attacks across the shared Lebanon-Israeli border for several months. Hezbollah suffered major losses with over 5,000 fighters killed, along with senior commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah . Nasrallah was assassinated last September in an Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah's headquarters in a suburb of Beirut. The smaller conflict was ended by a US-brokered ceasefire in November, under which Lebanon agreed to confiscate all 'unauthorized' weapons in the country. In return, Israel said it would stop offensive operations against Lebanese targets. Hezbollah, Iran push back against disarmament The Lebanese government met this week to order the army to develop a plan to disarm Hezbollah before the end of the year. The Iran-backed group has pushed back against the move. Naim Kassem, Hezbollah's current leader, has rejected calls to disarm, calling them 'US dictates' and a threat to Lebanon's sovereignty. Hezbollah plays a special role in Lebanon as both a major political party and a heavily armed group that's stronger than the national army. This gives it huge influence over the country's government and security. Iran supports Hezbollah financially and militarily, along with Hamas and Yemen's Houthis , to expand its regional power and as a counterweight to Israel and the US in the Middle East. An adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Saturday that Tehran is opposed to Hezbollah's disarmament, according to Iran's pro-government Tasnim news agency. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US, Israel and several other countries, whereas the EU only recognizes Hezbollah's armed wing as a a terrorist group. THe Lebanese Army's warning Commenting on the violent protest by Hezbollah and its ally the Amal movement the Army Command warned citizens against endangering the country's security through reckless actions. It added: 'The Army, while respecting the freedom of peaceful expression, will not allow any breach of security, violation of civil peace, blocking of roads, or encroachment on public and private property. It emphasizes the need for citizens and all parties to act responsibly during this difficult period, and the importance of their unity and solidarity in order to overcome the dangers threatening our country.'


LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
'Last lifelines' are collapsing in Gaza: UN chief
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