US meets Syria's top diplomat, urges action to protect Druze minority
WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday confirmed meeting Syria's top diplomat and called on the interim authorities to take action on concerns, as violence flares against the Druze minority.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani last Friday raised his new country's flag at the UN headquarters, marking a new chapter after the overthrowing in December of longtime ruler Bashar Assad.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirmed that US representatives met the Syrian delegation in New York on Tuesday.
She said that the United States urged the post-Assad authorities to 'choose policies that reinforce stability,' without providing any assessment on progress.
'Any future normalization of relations or lifting of sanctions... will depend on the interim authority's actions and positive response to the specific confidence-building measures we have communicated,' Bruce told reporters.
The demands were in line with those set out in December by the United States, then led by president Joe Biden, and include protecting minorities and preventing a role in Syria by Assad's ally Iran.
Since the Islamist fighters toppled Assad, sectarian clashes have repeatedly flared.
The spiritual leader of the Druze community on Thursday alleged a 'genocidal campaign' after two days of violence left 102 people dead.
'We urge the interim authorities to hold perpetrators of violence and civilian harm accountable for their actions and ensure the security of all Syrians,' Bruce said of the violence against Druze.
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Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
Gaza subjected to forced starvation, top UN official says
LONDON — The UN's humanitarian chief has said people in Gaza are being subjected to forced starvation by Israel. In an interview with the BBC, Tom Fletcher said he believed this had led to a change in the international response to Gaza. Asked if his assessment of forced starvation amounted to a war crime, he said: "Yeah, it is. It is classified as a war crime. Obviously, these are issues for the courts to take the judgement on, and ultimately for history to take a judgement on." Fletcher also expressed regret for saying recently that 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours in Gaza if aid was not allowed in -- a claim the UN later drew back -- and acknowledged a need to be "precise" with language. Israel began to allow limited aid into Gaza last week, after an almost three-month blockade had halted the delivery of supplies such as food, medicine, fuel and shelter. It also resumed its military offensive two weeks after imposing the blockade, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. Israel said the steps were intended to put pressure on the armed group to release the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Since the easing of the blockade, scenes of chaos have broken out at aid distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — a US- and Israeli-backed group. The UN, which refuses to cooperate with the GHF, said 47 people were injured earlier this week after crowds overwhelmed one of the centers. Fletcher said: "We're seeing food set on the borders and not being allowed in when there is a population on the other side of the border that is starving, and we're hearing Israeli ministers say that is to put pressure on the population of Gaza." He said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should "absolutely" disavow a statement made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — who had said people in Gaza would be "totally despairing understanding that there's no hope and nothing to look for", and would be looking to relocate to begin a "new life in other places". "We would expect governments all over the world to stand for international humanitarian law, the international community is very, very clear on that," Fletcher said. He called on Netanyahu to ensure that "this language, and ultimately, this policy... of forced displacement, isn't enacted". Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct of the war. On Tuesday, the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said: "Israeli strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas." Her remarks followed an intervention by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who declared he "no longer understands" Israel's objectives. Earlier this month, the leaders of the UK, France and Canada called on the Israeli government to "stop its military operations" and "immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza". In response, Netanyahu accused them of siding with Hamas. On 14 May, Fletcher called on the UN Security Council to act to prevent genocide in Gaza. Asked why he had made that statement, he referred to reporting from colleagues on the ground in Gaza. "What they're reporting is forced displacement. They're reporting starvation, they're reporting torture, and they're reporting deaths on a massive scale," he said. Fletcher said in the cases of Rwanda, Srebrenica and Sri Lanka, "the world had told us afterwards that we didn't act in time, that we didn't sound a warning". "And that's my call to the [UN] Security Council and the world right now, 'will you act to prevent genocide?'" Fletcher came under strong criticism from Israel after he claimed 14,000 babies in Gaza would die in 48 hours if aid was not allowed into the Strip. The Israeli Foreign Ministry accused Fletcher of ignoring Hamas's atrocities and echoing their propaganda. "It's not humanitarian work, it's blood libel," the ministry said at the time. Fletcher said: "At the point when I made those comments, we were desperately trying to get that aid in. "We were being told we couldn't get it in, and we knew that we'd probably have a couple of days, a window to get as much aid in as possible, and that was being denied, and we were desperate to get that in. And so yes, we've got to be utterly precise with our language, and we've clarified that." Asked about his claim – repudiated by Israel — that thousands of lorries were waiting on the border to enter Gaza, Fletcher repeated that he especially needed to be "careful and really precise". He agreed there was a risk of being seen to hype the situation, but he added: "I'm not going to stop speaking up for the need to save these lives in Gaza, to save as many survivors as possible. That's my job, and I've got to do it better, and I will do it." He said mediation and negotiation was the way to resolve the crisis in Gaza and repeated his call for Hamas to release the Israeli hostages being held by the militant group. "We all want to see those hostages freed and back with their with their families," he said. "I don't know now what the aim of this war is anymore. I think it has clearly gone beyond just the hostage releases. There's a lot of talk about finishing off Hamas. "And clearly, as many people have said, there can't be a part for Hamas in the new equation, the new governance of Gaza and the Palestinian territories." Fletcher rejected Israeli claims Hamas was stealing large amounts of food aid. "I don't want to see any of that aid getting to Hamas. That matters to us because these are our principles, neutral, impartial, independent. Its in our interest to stop that aid getting to Hamas and ensure it gets to civilians." "As a humanitarian, my interest is just in getting as much of that aid in as possible, as quickly as possible, and saving as many lives as we're allowed to do in the time we have." Fletcher is also dealing with crises in Ukraine, Sudan and Syria, among others, and said the world was facing a "profoundly dangerous" moment. "The Security Council is polarized, divided," he said. "That means it makes it much harder for us to end conflicts; the conflicts we're dealing with are more ferocious, there's more impunity, and they're lasting longer. "It's getting harder and harder to end wars and we humanitarians... deal with the consequences." Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 54,249 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,986 since Israel resumed its offensive, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. — BBC
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan among dozens of countries joins China's new global mediation group
ISLAMABAD: Dozens of countries, including Pakistan, on Friday joined China in establishing a global mediation-based dispute resolution group, with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar hoping to play an 'active' role in the mission. Dar was among representatives of more than 30 countries, from Indonesia to Belarus to Cuba, who signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong to become founding members of the global organization. Beijing has touted the organization as the world's first intergovernmental legal body for resolving disputes through mediation, saying it will be an important mechanism in safeguarding the principles of the United Nations charter. It also positioned Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in Asia. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dar said Pakistan values China's steadfast support for multilateral efforts, which aim to bridge East and West, and North and South, bringing together developed and developing countries to foster a global community with a shared future. 'Pakistan and China have always shared the view that multilateralism is the centerpiece for international peace, stability, and development,' he said. 'The creation of IOMed today reaffirms this ideal, offering new opportunities and fresh hopes to build a more inclusive, more just and more equitable world. Pakistan will continue to be an active voice in this noble mission.' The new body, headquartered in Hong Kong, aims to help promote the amicable resolution of international disputes and build more harmonious global relations. The support of developing countries signaled Beijing's rising influence in the global south amid heightened geopolitical tensions, partly exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. Wang said China has long advocated for handling differences with a spirit of mutual understanding and consensus-building through dialogue, while aiming to provide 'Chinese wisdom' for resolving conflicts between nations. 'The establishment of the International Organization for Mediation helps to move beyond the zero-sum mindset of 'you lose and I win,'' he said. Hong Kong leader John Lee said the organization could begin its work as early as the end of this year. The ceremony was attended by representatives from some 50 other countries and about 20 organizations, including the United Nations. Yueming Yan, a law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the new organization is a complementary mechanism to existing institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. 'While the ICJ and PCA focus on adjudication and arbitration, IOMed introduces a structured, institutionalized form of alternative dispute resolution — namely, mediation — on a global scale,' she said. Although many details about the new body are yet to be clarified, it could open the door for greater synergy between formal litigation or arbitration and more flexible methods like mediation, she said. Shahla Ali, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the International Organization for Mediation would have the capacity to mediate disputes between states, between a state and a national of another state, or in international commercial disputes. 'Conventions can provide opportunities to experiment with new approaches,' she said, noting rising interest in mediation globally as a means to resolve investor-state disputes. Dar said peace and security as well as global prosperity can be promoted and preserved through strict adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, faithful implementation of UN Security Council resolutions as well as international law. 'Pakistan has established an International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC) to promote commercial and investment dispute resolution and judicial efficiency. We look forward to collaborating with the Secretariat of IOMed and IMAC of Pakistan,' he added.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
China establishes global mediation body in Hong Kong
HONG KONG: China signed a convention on Friday setting up a global mediation body in Hong Kong, which aims to be comparable to organizations such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Beijing has taken a more proactive approach in international affairs in recent years, expanding its influence in global bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization — especially as the United States has taken the opposite direction under President Donald Trump. The move is also being seen as an attempt to shore up Hong Kong's reputation as a leading place to conduct business, after Beijing's imposition of a wide-ranging national security law in 2020 shook confidence in the impartiality of the city's legal system. Initiated by Beijing, the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Convention (IOMed) was co-signed by 31 other 'like-minded' countries ranging from Serbia and Pakistan to Papua New Guinea and Venezuela. 'The birth of IOMed will help transcend the zero-sum mentality of 'win or lose', promote the amicable resolution of international disputes, and build more harmonious international relations,' said China's foreign minister Wang Yi, who presided over the signing. Hong Kong's government said IOMed will be the first intergovernmental body dedicated to mediation, while Wang said it would 'fill a gap in the field.' Mediation is when a neutral third party intervenes into a dispute to help two sides negotiate a jointly acceptable resolution to a conflict, as opposed to, for example, political bargaining or litigation. The body will mediate disputes between countries, between countries and individuals from another country, and between private international entities. IOMed 'is on a par with' the United Nations' ICJ and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, said the Hong Kong government. One of the latter's more well-known rulings was in favor of the Philippines against China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Beijing refused to take part in the proceedings and has ignored the judgment. Paul Lam, Hong Kong's secretary for justice, wrote in an article that IOMed's establishment came as 'hostile external forces are attempting to de-internationalize and de-functionalize' Hong Kong. IOMed will start operating by the end of this year or early 2026.
