Latest news with #NajibMikati
LBCI
23-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Former PM Mikati congratulates Pope Leo XIV on inauguration, highlights Lebanon's ties to Vatican
Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati sent a message of congratulations to Pope Leo XIV following his inauguration as head of the Catholic Church, expressing admiration and support on behalf of the Lebanese people. In the message, Mikati praised the Pope's election as a moment of "hope and renewal" for millions around the world, noting that it holds special meaning for Lebanon's Christian community, which, he said, views the Vatican as a guiding light of faith and spiritual leadership. Mikati emphasized Lebanon's longstanding relationship with the Holy See, describing the country as a land of deep spiritual heritage and religious diversity. He expressed hope that the new papacy would be marked by wisdom and compassion, particularly in fostering interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims. He also commended the Pope's commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity, saying it serves as an inspiration to all who seek harmony and coexistence. Mikati concluded his message by assuring the Pope of Lebanon's continued prayers and support for his mission and leadership.
L'Orient-Le Jour
06-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Turkey intercepts 2,000 booby-trapped pagers bound for Lebanon in September
Turkish intelligence services reportedly intercepted at Istanbul airport 2,000 booby-trapped pagers, three days after deadly explosions in Lebanon of these communication devices used by Hezbollah, revealed Turkish newspaper Sabah. The pagers reportedly arrived from Hong Kong on Sept.16 and were to be shipped to Beirut on Sept. 27. Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly thanked Turkish President Erdogan in Dec. 2024 for the seizure of these devices during his visit to Ankara, according to Turkish media reports. In response to these press reports, Hezbollah's media relations officer, Youssef al-Zein, told the local channel LBCI that "it was Hezbollah who informed the Turkish side of the presence of a shipment of booby-trapped pagers at Istanbul airport, which was destined for Lebanon last September." On Sept.17 and 18, the explosion of Hezbollah's communication devices — the pagers on the first day, and the walkie-talkies on the second — killed at least 40 people, including a child, and injured more than 2,900. In addition to fighters and members ofHezbollah, Israeli attacks claimed the lives of children and healthcare professionals, while blurring the line between military and civilian targets. The day after the pager explosions, The New York Times learned that Israeli agents tricked Hezbollah by selling a customized pager model, AR-924, under an existing and reputable Taiwanese brand, Gold Apollo. 61 packages bound for Lebanon Turkish intelligence services reportedly learned on September 20 that similar devices were going to be shipped from Turkish territory to Lebanon, reports the Turkish newspaper Sabah. Taiwanese company SMT Global Logistics Limited reportedly shipped 61 packages weighing a total of 850 kg on board cargo flight TK6141 from Hong Kong, intended to be transported to Lebanon on board cargo flight TK830 Istanbul-Beirut at 6:50 a.m. on Sept. 27. Upon opening the packages, investigators reportedly found 1,300 units, distributed in 26 boxes, of Gold Apollo 924 R3 GP 450-470 MHz model devices with their charging cables, as well as 710 units of Desktop Charger BC-144N, with cables and batteries. Investigations showed that the chargers contained double batteries inside a metal structure filled with a dark brown liquid flammable substance, which was then injected into the devices. Analysis showed that these explosives could be activated by an electrical short circuit or intense signaling, leading to a deadly explosion. The former Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated by Israel on September 27 in Beirut, considered pagers and walkie-talkies more difficult to control than smartphones. Speaking on September 19, he described the explosion of the communication devices as a " severe blow both in terms of security and human terms, unprecedented in the history of resistance (against Israel), at least in Lebanon."
Nahar Net
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Report: Turkey seized 1,300 pagers en route to Lebanon days after pager attack
by Naharnet Newsdesk 06 May 2025, 14:01 Turkish intelligence services intercepted a shipment of over 1,300 pagers in Istanbul that were en route to Lebanon, just days after an Israeli Mossad operation targeting similar devices held by Hezbollah members, Turkish news outlet Sabah reported Tuesday. According to the report, Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) received information about the shipment and began inspecting ports and airports, eventually discovering that the delivery was scheduled for September 27. The shipment reportedly arrived in Turkey on September 16, one day before a series of pager explosions occurred in Lebanon. It consisted of four pallets sent from Taiwan via a cargo flight from Hong Kong. The 61 boxes, weighing approximately 850 kilograms, were declared as 'food processors' on the shipping manifest. Turkish security forces, accompanied by a bomb disposal unit, opened the boxes and discovered 1,300 pagers, including devices manufactured by Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, alongside about 710 detonators, batteries and cables. The shipment also contained 144 mini handheld blenders, cameras and additional electronic components. The pagers were immediately sent to a lab, where Turkish officials claimed they found 'a highly flammable white explosive substance -- approximately 3 grams (0.1 oz) -- hidden inside the batteries.' Similar material was reportedly found in the associated detonators. The owner of the Istanbul-based company listed as the shipment's recipient was questioned and claimed his firm provides customs consulting services rather than freight or shipping. Turkish media added that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in a December conversation with former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, informing him of the seizure and destruction of the pagers. The Israeli Mossad's so-called 'pager operation' was launched on September 17 over concerns it would soon be exposed. On the operation's first day, Hezbollah members' pagers detonated in Lebanon and Syria. A day later, on September 18, their walkie-talkies exploded as well. According to a Reuters investigation published in October last year, the pagers sent to Lebanon in February 2023 contained miniature plastic explosives embedded in batteries, along with a novel detonation system that was undetectable via standard X-ray screening. The rigged batteries were engineered to appear normal but held only about one-third the energy capacity expected for their size. Experts cited in the report noted that while a standard 35-gram (1.2 oz) battery would typically provide 8.75 watt-hours, the modified battery held just 2.22 watt-hours -- suggesting much of the internal volume was taken up by explosives. On 17 and 18 September 2024, thousands of handheld pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies intended for use by Hezbollah exploded simultaneously in two separate events across Lebanon and Syria, in an Israeli attack nicknamed Operation Grim Beeper. According to an unnamed Hezbollah official, the attack took 1,500 Hezbollah fighters out of action due to injuries. According to the Lebanese government, the attack killed 42 people, including 12 civilians, and injured 4,000 civilians. Victims' injuries included losing fingers, hands and eyes, as well as brain shrapnel. The incident was described as Hezbollah's biggest security breach since the start of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict in October 2023.
Jordan News
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Martyrdom of a Woman and Injuring 3 in Israeli Attack on Southern Lebanon - Jordan News
Lebanese state television reported on Saturday that a woman was martyred and three others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a village in southern Lebanon, following Israeli attacks on towns in retaliation for rocket fire across the border. اضافة اعلان Lebanese President Michel Aoun condemned the "ongoing aggression" against Lebanon, while Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned on Saturday of the "dangers of dragging the country into a new war," after Israel announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon towards its territory. A ceasefire agreement reached on November 27, 2023, ended an open war between the Israeli military and Hezbollah that had lasted for two months, after the latter opened a front against Israel in support of Hamas since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.
National News
14-03-2025
- Politics
- National News
Political meeting at Mikati's Tripoli residence discusses Lebanon's situation in light of Syrian developments
NNA - A broad political meeting was held at the residence of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Al-Mina, Tripoli, to discuss the current situation in Lebanon and the impact of ongoing events in Syria, particularly on northern Lebanon. The gathering was attended by former prime ministers, a number of current and former MPs and ministers, religious leaders, and representatives from professional syndicates and economic bodies. Discussions reportedly focused on the political and security repercussions of the Syrian crisis and its effects on Lebanon's stability and northern regions.
