Jordan, Lebanon Committed to Two-State Solution, Reject Plans to Displace Palestinians
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed on Tuesday during talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II the importance of strengthening security and defense cooperation between their countries, especially in the field of combating terrorism and smuggling.
Aoun began an official visit to Jordan on Tuesday, where he met with King Abdullah II at the Basman Palace in Amman.
The two leaders agreed to form a high-level coordination mechanism between their countries in a number of sectors. They discussed ways to boost ties between Jordan and Lebanon, as well as recent developments in the region.
King Abdullah and Aoun expressed their pride in the deep-rooted relations between Amman and Beirut, and the importance of continuing to build on them in service of mutual interests and Arab causes. They stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern.
At the regional level, the leaders reiterated their rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians, and urged stepping up Arab and international efforts to reach just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, reported Lebanon's National New Agency (NNA)
They urged the need to immediately reinstate the ceasefire in Gaza and ensure adequate humanitarian aid reaches all areas of the enclave, said a statement by Jordan's royal court.
King Abdullah also highlighted the danger of the unprecedented Israeli escalation and violence targeting Palestinians in the West Bank, and Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Aoun stressed the need to strengthen security and defense cooperation between Lebanon and Jordan, especially in the field of combating terrorism and smuggling, said a Lebanese presidency statement.
He underlined the importance of boosting economic and trade cooperation and exchanging expertise to promote sustainable development.
The meeting covered the importance of increasing the volume of trade exchange and promoting joint investments, particularly in energy, electricity, and infrastructure sectors.
Discussing the situation in southern Lebanon, Aoun reiterated his country's commitment 'to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, while denouncing the continued Israeli aggression against the southern villages and suburbs of Beirut.'
The president also drew attention to the pressing issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, describing it as a significant burden on both countries that requires a just solution ensuring safe and dignified repatriation.
On Lebanese-Syrian relations following the ouster of the Assad regime, Aoun said Lebanese and Syrian authorities are coordinating to address issues related to the situation on their joint borders.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
26 minutes ago
- Arab News
Egypt's foreign minister discusses Iran nuclear negotiations, Gaza with US envoy
LONDON: Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's minister of foreign affairs, emphasized the need to persist in negotiations between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program during a phone call with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Abdelatty said the negotiations are an important opportunity to achieve calm, avoid escalation, and prevent the region from sliding into greater instability, WAM, the Emirates News Agency, reported. Oman will host the sixth round of negotiations between Iran and the US on Sunday, Oman's foreign minister said on Thursday. Abdelatty and Witkoff, the US president's special envoy for the Middle East, on Thursday addressed Egyptian and US efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. They discussed the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as the flow of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian coastal enclave, according to WAM. The Egyptian foreign minister highlighted the need for a lasting resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that meets the region's aspirations for peace and stability.
Arab News
26 minutes ago
- Arab News
Supporting Syria's entrepreneurs a regional responsibility
Six months after the fall of the Assad regime, and weeks after the formal lifting of US sanctions, there is now an open door for a potential economic and social revival that could reshape Syria's future. But the path ahead remains fraught with challenges, competing interests and proxy battles — and the question of how Syria rebuilds, and which stakeholders lead that process, is more urgent than ever. At the heart of Syria's recovery is its youth — more than half of the population is under 25, a generation defined by years of conflict and deprivation but also incredible resilience. Traditional employment opportunities have collapsed, pushing many young Syrians to seek alternative livelihoods. Entrepreneurship has become not only a means of survival but a vital response to soaring unemployment and widespread poverty. The entrepreneurial spirit among Syrians is unmistakable. In a survey conducted in 2024 by Ahmad Sufian Bayram, a general partner at Blackbox and advocate for entrepreneurship in conflict zones, more than 80 percent of Syrians described entrepreneurship as 'extremely important.' This is a dramatic rise from just 26 percent in 2015. However, only 3 to 5 percent are actively involved in starting or running businesses — a participation rate well below international norms and one that highlights an enormous gap between ambition and opportunity. Despite these challenges, a remarkable wave of startups has emerged, reflecting the urgent needs of Syrian society. Fintech companies like Cashi are revolutionizing digital payments in a cash-strapped economy. Educational technology firms such as Quizat are expanding access to learning in a country where schools have been devastated. E-commerce platforms like are connecting local merchants with customers, fostering commerce in a fractured market. Entrepreneurship has become not only a means of survival but a vital response to soaring unemployment and widespread poverty Khalid Abdulla-Janahi In addition to these sectors, entrepreneurship in agriculture, healthcare and energy is critical. The destruction of infrastructure has left food security, basic health services and energy supply in urgent need of innovation and investment. Startups addressing these challenges not only create jobs but also lay the groundwork for rebuilding essential services. Yet the obstacles are immense. Syria's economy has shrunk to less than half its preconflict size. Nine out of every 10 Syrians live in poverty and unemployment has tripled since the onset of war. Infrastructure remains severely damaged, regulatory environments are complex and often opaque, and logistics chains are fragile. Most pressingly, international sanctions and funding constraints have severely limited access to capital. Many foreign investors and support organizations are either unable or unwilling to send funds into Syria, choking off growth opportunities for startups and limiting their ability to scale. Although the easing of some EU restrictions in February and the partial lifting of US sanctions have sparked cautious optimism, the financing gap remains vast. While some startups have secured small investments — ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 — these amounts fall far short of the capital required for scaling and sustaining businesses in a difficult environment. In a report titled 'The Impact of the Conflict in Syria' issued in February, the UN Development Programme estimated that Syria's economy would need to grow between 5 and 13.9 percent annually to recover to preconflict levels within a reasonable time frame. At current rates, some projections suggest Syria may not regain its pre-war gross domestic product until well into the latter half of the century. Political instability, fragmented governance and ongoing security risks further complicate the investment landscape and business operations. In this challenging context, grassroots initiatives like startup bootcamps, hackathons and mentorship programs — including organizations such as Sanad ScaleUp and Takween — have been critical in nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering resilience. The involvement of the Syrian diaspora and international impact investors is also increasingly being recognized as vital to supporting ecosystem growth. Yet, for the rebuilding effort to be truly sustainable, leadership and investment must come from within the region. While international partners play a valuable role, regional actors have the greatest stake in Syria's success. Efforts led by the Arab world — backed by private capital and focused on creating jobs that strengthen local economies — offer the best chance of sustainable recovery. There are roles for both the private sector and state capital to play, particularly in the case of the Gulf Cooperation Council states that are supporting the interim government. For the rebuilding effort to be truly sustainable, leadership and investment must come from within the region Khalid Abdulla-Janahi While the Gulf states are seeking confidence-building measures, they are also well placed, not only in terms of capital but also in terms of technical assistance, to lend expertise and intellectual capital from their vibrant community of innovators and diverse ecosystem of corporate sponsors, startups and investors who have been developing 'Silicon Wadis' in the Gulf for years. Examples include the Misk Accelerator, the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center and Flat6Labs in Saudi Arabia, Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, Area 2071 in Dubai and the Fazaa Center for Business Incubators and Accelerators across the UAE, and Tamkeen in Bahrain. The establishment of dedicated funds with sovereign and state-owned companies and the support they can offer can also benefit Syria's entrepreneur cohorts. The Arab world has a responsibility that extends beyond economic opportunity. Supporting Syrian entrepreneurs is a strategic imperative for regional stability and peace. While the sanctions were removed on Syria from the outside, the solutions for the future must come from within both Syria and the wider region. The entrepreneurial generation represents Syria's most promising resource for creating inclusive growth, social cohesion and resilience in a postconflict society. Moreover, entrepreneurship serves as an incubator for responsible leadership and bootstrapping in business. It nurtures individuals who are proactive, adaptable and capable of addressing the complex challenges facing Syria. These qualities are essential for guiding the nation through its next chapter. The future of Syria rests with its next generation — and now is the time for those in positions of leadership across the region to empower them to build that future.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Oil Slips from Recent Highs as Market Assesses Middle East Tension
Oil prices fell on Thursday after sharp gains in the previous session as market participants assessed a US decision to move personnel from the Middle East ahead of talks with Iran over the latter's nuclear-related activity. Brent crude futures were down $1.31, or 1.9%, at $68.46 a barrel at 1202 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was $1.32, or 2%, lower at $66.83 a barrel, Reuters reported. A day earlier both Brent and WTI surged more than 4% to their highest since early April. US President Donald Trump said the US was moving personnel because the Middle East "could be a dangerous place". He also said the US would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Iran has said its nuclear activity is peaceful. Increased tension with Iran has raised the prospect of disruption to oil supplies. The sides are set to meet on Sunday. "Geopolitical risk premia tend to fade if there are no supply disruptions. We are still higher than two days ago as some short investors prefer to stay on the sidelines amid the uncertainty," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. On Wednesday Britain's maritime agency warned that increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways. It advised vessels to use caution while travelling through the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Straits of Hormuz, which all border Iran. "For the oil market, the absolute nightmare is a closure of the Strait of Hormuz," Global Risk Management analyst Arne Rasmussen said in a LinkedIn post. "If Iran blocks this narrow chokepoint, it could affect up to 20% of global oil flows," he added. JPMorgan said oil prices could surge to $120-$130 a barrel if the strait were to be shut, a scenario the bank considered to be severe but low-risk. The US meanwhile is preparing a partial evacuation of its Iraqi embassy and will allow military dependents to leave locations in the Middle East due to heightened security risk in the region, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing US and Iraqi sources. Iraq is the second-biggest crude producer after Saudi Arabia in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. A senior Iraqi oil official told Reuters foreign energy firms continue operating normally in the country. Trump has repeatedly said the US would bomb Iran if the two countries cannot reach a deal regarding Iran's nuclear-related activity including uranium enrichment. Iran's Minister of Defense Aziz Nasirzadeh on Wednesday said Iran will strike US bases in the region if talks fail and if the US initiates conflict. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Sunday to discuss Iran's response to a US proposal for a deal. The UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations on Thursday for the first time in almost 20 years, raising the prospect of reporting it to the UN Security Council.
