Energy Minister Joe Saddi to L'Orient-Le Jour: No magic solution to Lebanon's electricity problem
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Nahar Net
an hour ago
- Nahar Net
Salam visits Jordan, says Israel 'more isolated' than ever
by Naharnet Newsdesk 19 August 2025, 15:04 Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday during a visit to Jordan that Israel will get more and more isolated in the world amid the measures it is carrying out in the West Bank and Gaza. Jordan's Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan said during the meeting that his country supports Lebanon and backs its sovereignty, security and stability, lauding a decision by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah and extend the state's authority over the entire Lebanese territory. "We are faced with two projects: the first, which we strive for, is based on extending state sovereignty to reach stability, prosperity and strength. The second seeks to deepen conflicts," Hassan said. Lebanon has been grappling with the thorny issue of disarming Hezbollah, with the cabinet tasking the army last week with developing a plan to do so by the end of the year. The decision angered Hezbollah and its allies, who believe Israel's military should first withdraw from the five hilltops it has occupied in southern Lebanon since the end of its 14-month war with Hezbollah last November and stop launching almost daily airstrikes in the country. Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's secretary-general, has vowed to fight efforts to disarm the group, sowing fears of civil unrest in the country. Hassan agreed with Salam that Israel is becoming isolated "due to the policies of savagery and extremism it pursues." The comments of the two prime ministers come after recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing support for the idea of an expanded "Greater Israel". The term Greater Israel refers to a biblical interpretation of the nation's territory during the time of King Solomon, encompassing not only the present-day Palestinian territories of Gaza and the occupied West Bank, but also parts of modern Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Arab nations slammed Netanyahu 's comments, calling the remarks a threat to their sovereignty at an especially tense time for the region.
Nahar Net
3 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Aoun stresses importance of UNIFIL's presence in south
by Naharnet Newsdesk 19 August 2025, 14:21 President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday warned against ending the United Nations peacekeepers' mandate in the country's south, after the U.N. Security Council began debating extending their mission. The annual mandate renewal this year comes after Lebanese authorities, under heavy U.S. pressure, have committed to disarming Hezbollah by year end, following a November ceasefire deal that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities between the Iran-backed group and Israel. Israel and the United States, which wields a veto on the Security Council, have reportedly opposed the renewal. "Any timetable for the mandate of UNIFIL that is different from the actual needs will negatively impact the situation in the south, which still suffers from Israeli occupation," Aoun told force commander Diodato Abagnara, according to a presidency statement. The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon has been deployed since 1978 to separate Israel and Lebanon and counts some 10,000 personnel from around 50 countries. The Security Council on Monday began debating a resolution drafted by France to extend the force for a year with the ultimate aim of withdrawing it. Aoun said Lebanon "has begun contacts with Security Council member states, and brotherly and friendly countries, to ensure the extension" of UNIFIL's mandate. He cited Lebanon's need for the force to help "maintain security and stability in the south" and to support the army following the government's decision to increase troop numbers there to 10,000 personnel. Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah was to withdraw from near the Israeli border, while the Lebanese Army was to bolster its deployment there. Abagnara said on X that UNIFIL's "close coordination" with the Lebanese Army was "key to help restore stability." Last week, UNIFIL said that with its support, the army had deployed to more than 120 positions in the country's south. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to strike Lebanon, saying it will do so until Hezbollah is disarmed. Israeli forces also occupy five areas of the south that Israel deems strategic. The text of the draft resolution would extend UNIFIL's mandate until August 31, 2026 but "indicates its intention to work on a withdrawal of UNIFIL." A vote of the 15-member Security Council is expected on August 25, before the force's mandate expires at the end of the month.
Nahar Net
3 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Barack and Ortagus leave for Israel after Lebanon's visit
by Naharnet Newsdesk 19 August 2025, 17:05 U.S. envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus left Beirut for Tel Aviv to discuss what Israel is required to do after the Lebanese government's unprecedented decisions on arms monopolization, diplomatic sources said. In his meeting with Barrack, President Joseph Aoun 'insisted on the need to reassure the Shiite community, especially after the political crisis caused by the government's latest decisions' on Hezbollah's disarmament, the sources told Al-Jadeed television. 'Barrack meanwhile appeared to have responded to Hezbollah's concerns through clinging to the ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal,' the sources said. Speaker Nabih Berri for his part insisted in his meeting with Barrack on 'guaranteeing that Israel will abide by the ceasefire and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory, which was agreed to by Barrack,' the sources added. 'The army commander is meanwhile keen on the military institution and will not entangle it in political or sectarian crises, that's why he is carefully finalizing the (disarmament) plan ahead of sending it to Cabinet, after which it will be implemented after winning political unanimity,' the sources said.
