Latest news with #AxisOfResistance
LBCI
3 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Samir Geagea urges government to begin disarming Palestinian factions
Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday accused 'the axis of resistance' of actively obstructing a government plan to collect unauthorized Palestinian weapons, warning that any further delays would severely undermine the state's credibility and Lebanon's chances for recovery. "Day by day, it becomes increasingly clear that the so-called Axis of Resistance is pressuring Lebanese authorities to stall and dilute efforts to begin the process of collecting Palestinian arms, which was scheduled to start in mid-June," Geagea said in a statement. "At the same time, they are inciting minor Palestinian factions to reject the handover of weapons under various pretexts publicly." He urged the government to proceed "seriously, transparently, and decisively" with the disarmament of Palestinian groups, beginning in the Beirut camps this month. He called for the plan to be extended to camps in northern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, followed by the south. Geagea also demanded a parallel timeline for the collection of all illegal Lebanese weapons in the coming months. "Any delay or reluctance in this matter will portray the government as unserious, damage the momentum of the new presidential term, and risk dragging Lebanon back into the instability of the last two decades," he warned. Geagea emphasized that the failure to establish a functioning state would leave Lebanon isolated, particularly from its Arab allies, and would hinder its ability to secure the international aid necessary for reconstruction and economic revival. "It is unacceptable for anyone to hold the fate of the Lebanese people hostage to personal whims and ideologies that have repeatedly and catastrophically failed," he said. Geagea also noted that "The president and the government must act swiftly to establish Lebanon as a sovereign state that exclusively holds the right to bear arms and make decisions of war and peace—just like any normal, functioning country."
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Iran rejects Trump's negative portrayal of its country
Abbas Araghchi said they are very interested in promoting a regional understanding about the US-Iran talks. (EPA Images pic) DUBAI : Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday called his country's characterisation by US President Donald Trump as the 'most destructive force' in the Middle East 'deceptive', days after a fourth round of Iran-US nuclear talks. Abbas Araghchi also confirmed a Reuters report that the Iranian deputy foreign minister will meet in Istanbul with British, French and German diplomats on Friday to consult on the parameters of a potential new nuclear deal being negotiated between Tehran and Washington. Iran's foreign minister said the fourth round of Iran-US talks held on May 11 was 'difficult' as they focused on the controversial issue of enrichment, adding he hoped the US side would come with 'more realistic positions' after gaining a better understanding of Iran's fundamental positions. A fifth round of talks is to be announced by Oman's foreign ministry which has acted as mediator since the start of the talks in April. On the first leg of his Gulf visit in Riyadh, Trump drew a stark contrast between what he called the 'constructive vision' of Saudi Arabia and the 'collapse and suffering' he said had been caused by Iranian leaders. Washington has long accused Tehran of 'malign and destabilising activity' in the region, including the support of non-state armed groups such as Yemen's Houthis which fall within the Iran-backed 'Axis of Resistance' to Israel and US influence in the region. 'Unfortunately, this is a very deceptive view. The Iranian nation pursues the same aspirations toward progress and prosperity as other regional countries. It is the US, with its sanctions and threats, which has blocked Iran's path to progress,' Araghchi said. 'Trump turns a blind eye to Israel's crimes and wants to present Iran as a threat to the region,' he said. Iran's top diplomat explained his recent trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar was related to Iran-US nuclear negotiations, saying Tehran keeps its neighbours informed and seeks a regional understanding regarding a potential agreement with the US. 'We are very interested in having a regional understanding regarding these talks and potential agreement that will lead to increased security and improved regional understanding without the interference of any foreign country,' he said.
