Giorgia Meloni condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza catholic church
"The Israeli raids on Gaza also struck the Church of the Holy Family. The attacks against the civilian population carried out by Israel for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such behavior," Meloni said in a statement.
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L'Orient-Le Jour
18 minutes ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Hussein Hajj Hassan: Hezbollah 'ready for any discussion on Lebanese internal issues'
Hussein Hajj Hassan, a Hezbollah MP and former minister, said Monday that his party was "ready for any discussion on Lebanese internal issues" with the aim of "defending Lebanon against Israeli and terrorist threats, as well as American attempts to destabilize the region." This statement comes as U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is visiting Beirut for the second time in two weeks, at a time when the issue of the disarmament of the party is heightening political debate both in Lebanon and internationally. Hezbollah insists that the fate of its weapons is strictly a matter for internal dialogue, under the aegis of the president and as part of a national defense strategy, rejecting any timeline or commitment imposed from outside. In a speech delivered in the village of Sariane (Bekaa), Hajj Hassan warned against what he called "American sabotage of regional dynamics," stating that this project required "responsible dialogue, if anyone is willing to listen to the disasters being plotted." The U.S. envoy warned: "If Lebanon does not take action," referring to the possible persistence of Hezbollah's arms and a blockage of reforms, "the country will revert to Bilad al-Sham." This phrase, despite a subsequent correction, was widely perceived as a veiled threat of Lebanon returning to "Greater Syria." 'Lebanon has fully respected the agreement' Returning to the cease-fire agreement that ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah last November, the MP emphasized that "Lebanon has fully respected the agreement, while the Zionist enemy has respected nothing." Coming into force on Nov. 27 under the auspices of the U.S. and France, the agreement called for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. However, the Israeli army still occupies five positions on Lebanese territory, regularly conducts ground incursions and carries out almost daily airstrikes. On the Lebanese side, the agreement called for the progressive disarmament of Hezbollah, starting with the area south of the Litani, then across the whole territory, in accordance with U.N. Resolution 1701 — a requirement the party flatly rejects. Israeli attacks on Lebanon over the past eight months have killed more than 270 people. Hajj Hassan also denounced the attitude of "certain" Lebanese political forces, whom he accused of "undermining the official position" of Lebanon in the face of Israel. He called for "joint national action" to "strengthen the state's position, impose a halt to the aggression, and kickstart the reconstruction" of areas devastated by war. The Hezbollah MP also singled out "certain Arab and Islamic capitals," claiming that "their internal conflicts have given the American and Israeli enemies sources of strength," condemning a "normalization [with Israel] tantamount to total submission to the American will on political, security, and economic levels." 10 days ago, President Joseph Aoun ruled out any normalization of ties with Israel, while declaring himself in favor of a peaceful situation with the neighboring country, which still occupies part of its territory. This was the first official Lebanese reaction to comments made by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who said on June 30 that Israel was "interested" in normalization with Syria and Lebanon.
L'Orient-Le Jour
18 minutes ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Barrack at the Grand Serail: Washington cannot give guarantees to Lebanon
American envoy Tom Barrack stated Monday, following a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, that Washington wants to ensure the return of stability to the region, which justified his return to Beirut for the second time in two weeks, but that it cannot "force Israel to do anything," admitting that the cease-fire agreement reached at the end of November to end the war between Hezbollah and Israel "has not succeeded." This agreement, which came into effect on Nov. 27, was brokered by the U.S. and France. It called for a total withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, where they still occupy five positions on Lebanese territory, continue to conduct ground incursions and carry out almost daily airstrikes. On the Lebanese side, it was to lead to the disarmament of Hezbollah, primarily south of the Litani, then in the rest of the country, as stipulated by U.N. Resolution 1701, which served as the framework for the truce agreement — something the party rejects. Israeli attacks on Lebanon over the past eight months have killed more than 270 people. No guarantees, no threats, no sanctions Stating from the Grand Serail that the truce agreement "has not succeeded" and that the United States wants to "resolve" this situation, Barrack, himself of Lebanese origin, said he was present "because President Donald Trump attaches importance to the situation in Lebanon and to restoring stability in the region." "We want to discuss with national actors, the government, to see how we can help," he said, adding he had not taken note of "comments" by Hezbollah regarding the roadmap proposed by Washington and reminding that, for the American administration, the party is "a terrorist organization." "We are trying to help, to use our influence on all parties," he added, stating that disarming Hezbollah was "a Lebanese internal matter." He further stressed that the United States was not there to "threaten" and has no intention of imposing new sanctions on Lebanese officials. "Imposing sanctions is a complicated process, which is not currently being discussed," he stated. However, there are no "guarantees" made to Lebanon, he said in response to a question, stating that the United States "cannot force Israel to do anything." "We are here to help you achieve a better understanding with your neighbors, and not just Israel, but it's up to you and your government to work this out," he said, insisting that Washington "wants to restore stability in the region and not pour oil on the fire." Draft memorandum for the implementation of Lebanon's commitments Arriving Sunday in Beirut, the American envoy was met, before his meeting at the Grand Serail, by President Joseph Aoun. According to the presidency, during this meeting, Aoun gave the diplomat, "on behalf of the Lebanese state, a draft comprehensive memorandum to implement Lebanon's commitments," whether it concerns the modalities of the truce agreement, the swearing-in of the president or the ministerial statement of Nawaf Salam's cabinet. Barrack's meetings are being held in the presence of U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson. According to local media, the American envoy is also expected to meet during the day with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Bishop Elias Audi, Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, as well as former PSP leader Walid Joumblatt. A dinner gathering with several MPs is also planned at the U.S. Embassy. Barrack's visit to Lebanon is part of efforts to consolidate the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. During his previous stay, he received the Lebanese response to an American proposal, notably calling for Hezbollah's disarmament. Lebanon was to receive feedback on this response a few days later, specifically requesting the completion of the disarmament of the party by the end of the year, especially regarding heavy and medium weapons. This new trip was an opportunity to continue dialogue and bring viewpoints closer. According to L'Orient-Le Jour's information, Lebanon intends to clearly commit to a return to the state's monopoly on weapons and will propose to conduct this process "in stages," which would progress as Israel fulfills its part of the deal by withdrawing from southern Lebanon. This position directly contrasts with that of Hezbollah, whose secretary-general, Naim Qassem, called on Friday for officials to "postpone the issue of monopoly on arms."
Nahar Net
3 hours ago
- Nahar Net
What did Barrack discuss with Lebanese officials?
The Lebanese response delivered to U.S. envoy Tom Barrack on Monday 'demanded an end to Israel's violations in return for the removal of arms north of the Litani,' sources told Al-Arabiya television. In remarks to LBCI TV, unnamed sources meanwhile quoted Barrack as saying that 'practical steps are needed from Lebanon in order to activate the work of the ceasefire monitoring committee.' 'There's nothing new in the Lebanese remarks that translates the intentions related to monopolizing arms and Barrack demanded turning the intentions into practical steps,' the sources added. 'Barrack focused in his meetings on the need to move to the executive stage, which includes monopolizing arms in the hand of the state, amid the presence of questions regarding the mechanism that will be adopted,' informed sources told Al-Jadeed television. According to MTV, the Lebanese response to Barrack was, "We're trying to work on the issue and Lebanon wants (Israeli) steps in return."
