Israeli strike hits vehicle at Beirut southern entrance: state media
According to the NNA, 'an enemy drone targeted a car on the Khalde highway' south of Beirut.
The Israeli army said it 'eliminated a terrorist responsible for smuggling weapons and advancing terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops, on behalf of the Iranian Quds Force,' the foreign operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
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Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Iranian president due in Pakistan today on state visit to strengthen ties
ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian will arrive in Pakistan today, Saturday, on a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, the Pakistani foreign office said. Pakistan and Iran enjoy close ties and have signed several pacts in trade, energy and security in recent years. However, the two countries have also been at odds over instability along their shared porous border but have always been quick in moving to ease tensions each time. In May, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over an attack in the disputed Kashmir region. His visit was followed by another by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Iran, where he had met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is Pezeshkian's first official visit to Pakistan as the Iranian president, according to the Pakistani foreign office. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including FM Araghchi, senior ministers and other high-ranking officials. 'During his stay, President Pezeshkian will meet with the President of Pakistan, H.E. Asif Ali Zardari, and hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Shehbaz Sharif,' the foreign office said on Friday. Tensions surged between Pakistan and Iran in January last year when both countries exchanged rare, tit-for-tat airstrikes on what they said were militant hideouts on each other's soil. Late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi had later traveled to Pakistan on a three-day visit in April to de-escalate tensions and strengthen bilateral relations. The two sides had also signed memorandums of understanding in the fields of trade, science technology, agriculture, health, culture, and judicial matters. The bilateral ties initially witnessed a thaw during FM Araghchi's visit to Pakistan this year and further warmed up after Islamabad voiced its support of Tehran during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, which began after Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Pakistan remained engaged in talks with regional partners like Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and Qatar to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after Iran conducted retaliatory strikes on Israel and a US base in Qatar, raising fears the conflict could draw in other regional states. 'The visit [by Iranian president] is expected to further strengthen the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran,' the Pakistani foreign office said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hezbollah Prepares for Cabinet Arms Talks with Candid Aoun Meeting
Hezbollah sought to ease tensions ahead of a high-stakes Lebanese cabinet session next Tuesday by dispatching its parliamentary bloc chief, MP Mohammad Raad, to meet with President Joseph Aoun on Thursday night—just hours after Aoun publicly and explicitly called for the exclusive possession of weapons by the state for the first time. The cabinet meeting, set to convene at the Baabda Presidential Palace, aims to resume discussions on enforcing the ministerial statement's clause affirming state sovereignty across Lebanese territory—using solely official security and military institutions. That debate began during a cabinet session on April 17, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office. Sources familiar with the political maneuvering told Asharq al-Awsat the real challenge lies not in holding the session or reaffirming the principle of exclusive state arms—already enshrined in the ministerial agenda—but in establishing a clear timetable for disarmament and securing its approval by the government. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underscored that point in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the Lebanese Army on Friday, saying: 'There will be no salvation for Lebanon without serious efforts to place all arms under the sole control of our army. Stability can only come through extending the state's authority over all Lebanese territory, in line with the Taif Agreement and our government's ministerial statement.' The Lebanese presidency did not officially acknowledge the meeting between Raad and General Aoun, while Hezbollah's media outlets offered a brief account, describing it as a 'candid discussion on many files' and 'positive, pending further developments.' No agreement emerged from the meeting on a binding mechanism, according to sources speaking to Asharq al-Awsat. Instead, it opened the door for continued high-level dialogue between Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Salam—raising the likelihood that ministers from Hezbollah and its ally Amal movement may attend Tuesday's session, even though no final decision has been made. Political contacts in Beirut are now focused on formulating proposals that would help the cabinet avoid internal friction while also satisfying international demands. One such suggestion, according to sources, involves reaffirming the government's commitment to the exclusive possession of weapons—already included in the ministerial declaration—while deferring implementation details to the Supreme Defense Council and the army. Various domestic political forces are said to be involved in refining this compromise. 'These proposals aim to prevent the session from becoming a flashpoint for open confrontation between the state and Hezbollah,' the sources said. 'There is broad recognition—especially among the country's top three leaders—that this moment calls for safeguarding stability and preserving the space for dialogue.' Sources close to Parliament viewed the mere occurrence of the meeting between Raad and Aoun as a 'positive' sign that major escalation was not imminent. 'It opened a channel to dispel mutual concerns,' one MP told Asharq al-Awsat, noting that Aoun began his public comments on disarmament by aligning himself with key Lebanese demands that Hezbollah itself shares. These include the Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, halting violations of the ceasefire agreement—such as targeted assassinations—and launching reconstruction efforts and prisoner releases. Hezbollah, in turn, sees the meeting as part of its ongoing dialogue with Aoun, particularly in light of his recent speech urging movement on the disarmament issue. According to sources close to the group, Hezbollah agrees with Aoun's remarks but insists that other points warrant further discussion—especially given continued Israeli aggression and occupation of Lebanese land. Addressing such sensitive matters publicly, they argue, weakens Lebanon's position under international pressure. 'We need unity, not fragmentation,' one Hezbollah source said. 'This is a time to consolidate our strength, not expose our internal divisions.' Hezbollah has long argued that it has met its obligations under the ceasefire deal, including withdrawing from south of the Litani River, exercising restraint over Israeli violations, and refraining from joining Iran's military operations—underscoring that its weapons serve a local, not external, role. The group also highlights its role in Lebanon's political process, saying it has cooperated constructively on reform efforts and consistently supported dialogue. Lebanese officials have privately acknowledged mounting international pressure—particularly from the United States and Israel—to implement a disarmament plan with a clear timeline. While Israel continues to carry out airstrikes, US envoy Thomas Barrack recently delivered a paper of demands to Beirut that went beyond the existing ceasefire terms. He offered no guarantees but promised to present the document to Israeli officials once Lebanon accepted it. Aoun confirmed on Thursday that the Lebanese authorities are committed to 'disarming all armed groups, including Hezbollah.' In doing so, he revealed the contents of Lebanon's demands and sought to reassure Hezbollah's base by incorporating its concerns into the official memo—while asserting that the state remains the sole negotiator in resolving the crisis. He also called on Hezbollah to fulfill its responsibilities in that regard.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Barrack Hails ‘Opportunity' to Find Solution to Hezbollah Arms Ahead of Beirut Visit
US envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack has declared that the opportunity is ripe to address the crisis over Hezbollah's arsenal, sending a pointed message ahead of his scheduled arrival in Beirut. His statement comes as Lebanon's leadership continues to struggle to agree on a unified response to Washington's list of demands, amid an uncompromising stance from Hezbollah, whose Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group's commitment to resist American and Israeli pressure. A committee appointed by President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held another meeting at the Presidential Palace without agreeing on a final draft of Lebanon's reply to the US proposal. The committee is set to convene again before Barrack's anticipated arrival on Monday. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri stressed the Lebanese leadership's determination to maintain a unified position. 'Barrack came to us with a proposal, and we must respond. We are working to ensure our position is unified, especially among the three presidents, while taking Hezbollah's stance into account, as Barrack requested,' Berri said. He confirmed that Hezbollah has yet to provide a definitive answer. Committee sources described intense regional and domestic consultations aimed at overcoming remaining obstacles, citing 'cautious optimism' over the prospects of consensus. Barrack is expected to arrive in Beirut on Monday to discuss the Lebanese response to Washington's proposal, which calls for the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons remain exclusively in the hands of official security institutions, alongside commitments to administrative, financial, and political reforms. On the eve of his trip, Barrack posted on X: 'Lebanon's hope awakens!!! The opportunity is now. This is a historic moment to supersede the strained confessionalism of the past and finally fulfill Lebanon's true promise of the hope of 'One country, one people, one army.' As Potus has consistently shared with the world, "Lebanon is a great place, with great people. Let's make Lebanon Great again.' Hezbollah Sets Conditions Hezbollah and the Lebanese state have found some common ground in demanding American guarantees before implementing any agreement. While Hezbollah has shown limited flexibility, it has insisted that any progress hinges on Israel fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire agreement reached last November. These obligations include Israel withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territory, ending air, sea, and land violations, releasing detainees, allowing displaced residents to return, and launching reconstruction efforts in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanese sources familiar with the talks, Hezbollah has previously discussed certain details of surrendering its arsenal, including handing over heavy missiles and drones and transferring medium-range missiles back to Iran. However, the group insists that any such steps be contingent on Israel's implementation of the ceasefire deal.
