Damascus reaches out to Moscow to renew ties on new grounds
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- LBCI
Kremlin slams Trump's threat to hike tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases
The Kremlin on Tuesday criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to raise tariffs on India if it does not stop buying Russian oil, which the West says helps fund Moscow's military offensive on Ukraine. "Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trading partners," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, criticising calls to "force countries to sever trading relations" with Russia as "illegitimate." AFP
Nahar Net
3 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Hezbollah MP says group will not sign disarmament decision
by Naharnet Newsdesk 05 August 2025, 16:01 As cabinet convened Tuesday to discuss a thorny and controversial plan to disarm Hezbollah under heavy U.S. pressure, Hezbollah and its ally Amal were reportedly trying to postpone the discussion after overnight protests that Hezbollah said were "spontaneous". Supporters of the group had roamed the streets of the capital and its southern suburbs on motorbikes, in a show of defiance reflecting their rejection of Hezbollah's disarmament. Hezbollah MP Ali Al-Moqdad told Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik that Hezbollah will not sign a decision that would end sovereignty and completely erase a large portion of the Lebanese people. "Is this session necessary for Lebanon, or for the Israelis and Americans?" he asked. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have both vowed to disarm Hezbollah. Hezbollah and ally Amal MPs gave twice their confidence to Salam's government and backed President Aoun in a second round of voting last January. Al-Moqdad said the presidential inaugural speech mentioned the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories in south Lebanon and the halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon before Hezbollah's disarmament. "Solving domestic crises should be done between the Lebanese without any external pressure," he added. Under a ceasefire deal reached in late November, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters back north of the Litani river and Israel was required to fully withdraw its troops from the country, but has kept them in five locations in south Lebanon that it deems strategic. Whether Hezbollah must first disarm or Israel must first withdraw remains a chicken and egg situation. Israel has kept up regular raids on Lebanon since the truce, mostly saying it is striking Hezbollah targets, and has threatened to keep doing so until the group has been disarmed. Hezbollah has demanded that reconstruction of areas destroyed during the war begin, and that Israel stop its attacks, withdraw from five areas it occupies and release Lebanese prisoners, before discussing the fate of its weapons, which it considers a matter of domestic defense strategy.
Lebanese Army
6 hours ago
- Lebanese Army
Meeting of the LAF Commander with the General Staff and the Commanders of Major Units and Independent Battalions
Friday, 01 August 2025 On the occasion of the LAF's 80th anniversary, the LAF Commander, General Rodolph Haykal held an exceptional meeting in Yarzeh, attended by the General Staff, commanders of major units and independent battalions, and several officers. He discussed the latest developments on both the local and regional levels, as well as matters concerning the military institution, and provided them with the necessary guidance amid the difficult circumstances Lebanon is facing. During the meeting, General Haykal congratulated the officers on LAF Day, affirming that the military institution continues to perform its role effectively at this stage, as it has in all previous stages. This success is attributed to all its personnel, regardless of their ranks or positions. He highlighted that the LAF remains always ready to give and sacrifice amid ongoing challenges, especially the increasing violations and attacks by the Israeli enemy against Lebanon's sovereignty and security, which have resulted in martyrs, wounded soldiers, and destruction. He stated, 'We are proud of our martyrs and wounded who have made great sacrifices for the homeland.' He also stressed that the LAF's efforts are currently focused on preserving stability and civil peace, securing and protecting the northern and eastern borders, preventing smuggling operations, and confronting external threats. He pointed out that communication with the Syrian authorities regarding border security is ongoing, as this is crucial for the stability of both countries. He stated: "The LAF has conducted a broad and significant deployment in South Litani Region, in close coordination and cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). However, the Israeli enemy still occupies several positions following its recent aggression against our country. This ongoing occupation remains the sole obstacle to the full deployment of our military units. The people of the South have shown full cooperation with the LAF, and its command maintains continuous communication with the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (Mechanism)." He also emphasized that the LAF closely monitors any activity by terrorist groups and actively works to apprehend their members. He concluded by expressing his deep appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices of the soldiers.
