Latest news with #MohammedAlRifai
UPI
17-07-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Syria's president accuses Israel of 'trying to drug us into war'
Syrians demonstrate to denounce the Israeli airstrikes and reject armed outlaw militias in Idlib, Syria, 16 July 2025. Photo by Mohammed Al Rifai/EPA July 17 (UPI) -- Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, accused Israel on Thursday of "trying to drag us into war" after the Netanyahu government launched airstrikes on military forces in Damascus. During a televised speech, al-Sharaa said Israel was "once again seeking to transform our blessed land into a theater of endless chaos" as well as "dismantle the unity of our people and weaken our ability to advance the path of reconstruction and progress." "The Israeli entity is using every possible means to sow conflict and strife, ignoring the fact that Syrians, throughout their history, have rejected all forms of separation and partition," he said. "Possessing great power does not necessarily mean achieving victory. A war can be started, but it is not easy to control its results." Al-Sharaa made the speech after Israel had continued to attack southern Syria for a third day on Wednesday. In a statement, the Israeli military said it had struck the entrance of the Syrian military's headquarters in Damascus amid sectarian violence in the Druze province. Israel has said the strikes were meant to protect the Syrian Arab Druze minority and to force al-Sharaa to withdraw his forces from the region, where there have been violent armed clashes between Druze, Bedouin and government forces. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 248 people have been killed in such clashes since Sunday. "We are acting to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the gangs of the regime," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said Wednesday in a statement. al-Sharaa's speech comes after his military forces began to withdraw from the area following mediation talks involving the United States. In a statement on social media on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said they have reached an agreement "on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight." "This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do." During a press conference at the White House with President Donald Trump and Bahrain Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Rubio said the violence in southwest Syria stems from historic rivalries between the tribal groups. "It led to an unfortunate situation and a misunderstanding, it looks like, between the Israeli side and the Syrian side," he said. "So, we've engaged with them all morning long and all night long with both sides. And we think we're on our way towards a real de-escalation and then hopefully get back on track in helping Syria build a country."
UPI
23-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
22 dead, dozens injured after suicide bombing of Syrian church
Emergency services work at the scene of a suicide bombing at Mar Elias Church on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on June 22, 2025. Photo by Mohammed Al Rifai/EPA-EFE June 23 (UPI) -- More than 22 people were killed and another nearly 60 were injured when an Islamic State suicide bomber attacked a church in the Syrian capital of Damascus, officials said. The attack occurred Sunday at the St. Elias Church in the Al-Douweila neighborhood of the capital city. The Syrian ministry of interior said in a statement on X that the suicide bomber entered the church, opened fire and then detonated their explosive vest. Security forces reportedly rushed to the scene and cordoned off the entire area permitting specialized teams to begin their investigation, it said. "These terrorist acts will not deter the Syrian state's efforts to achieve civil peace, nor will they deter Syrians from their choice to unite in the face of all those who seek to undermine their stability and security," Interior Minister Anas Khattab said in a statement on X The casualty toll was initially reported by the ministry of health as nine dead and 13 injured, but the count has steadily climbed in the hours following the attack to 22 killed and 59 injured. Photos published to the health ministry's social media accounts show officials, including Assistant Minister of Health Hussein Al-Khatib, meeting with injured victims of the attack. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch posted graphic photos of the aftermath of the attack, showing blood-strewn floors and what appear to be the remains of bodies. "The arrow of lawlessness was unleashed and struck our souls in the night," it said in a statement. "We pray for the repose of the souls of the martyrs, for the healing of the wounded and for the comfort of the faithful of the Church." United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen condemned the attack in a statement, expressing his outrage at "this heinous crime." U.S. Ambassador to Syria Tom Barrack also offered his condolences. "These terrible acts of cowardice have no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving," he said on X. "We continue to support the Syrian government as it fights against those who are seeking to create instability and fear in their country and the broader region."
Daily Tribune
10-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Waqf property income rises 23% to BD5.4mln last year
A rise of 23 per cent in Waqf property income, reaching more than BD5.4 million last year, was disclosed in Parliament yesterday. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf Minister, His Ex Nawaf Al Maawda, defended the management of the Sunni Waqf Directorate amid questions about unused properties and staff wages. He said 85 per cent of the flats managed by the directorate were currently occupied, with the remaining 15 per cent vacant. 'These are normal figures for any investment,' he told MPs. Employee Responding to a question from MP Mohammed Al Rifai, he added: 'The employee mentioned is not responsible for just one building. He is following up on several projects and also handling maintenance and development.' He said all tenders were opened through an internal committee. 'We deal with all applicants with full transparency,' he said. Lack of detail MP Al Rifai criticised what he described as a lack of detail in the response. 'There are abandoned and unlet properties under the Sunni Waqf,' he said. 'Some are handled by more than one employee even though the sites are near each other, and each employee is paid around BD2,000.' He also voiced concern that some of the properties may be vulnerable to theft. Website In response to a separate question from MP Muneer Suroor, the minister said: 'The Jaafari Waqf Directorate has a website through which all affiliated properties and endowments are displayed.' He said this aimed to make information more accessible and to ensure transparency. He acknowledged difficulties with parking and overcrowding around mosques, saying: 'There is a joint study with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to address these challenges and find solutions suited to each area.'
Daily Tribune
09-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Government land platform secures 10 investment deals
A government-run platform for leasing public land has drawn 10 investment agreements across housing, education, and services, as the Finance Ministry looks to bring in more private sector backing. The Government Land Investment Platform, introduced in April 2022, offers investors a single point of access to details on available sites, allowing them to submit proposals through an online system. The move is part of a push to speed up land development and improve transparency in the process. The Finance Ministry set out its approach in a written response to Parliament after MP Mohammed Al Rifai asked about the steps being taken to attract investment in state-owned land. The ministry said it had put policies in place to encourage private backing, ensuring projects are run efficiently in terms of cost, quality, and timing
