Latest news with #SecurityCouncilResolution1701
L'Orient-Le Jour
4 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
During a visit with Michel Aoun, Hezbollah insists Israeli withdrawal should be 'priority'
A Hezbollah delegation, led by MP Ali Fayad, was met Monday morning in Rabieh by former President Michel Aoun, where they discussed the cease-fire with Israel and disarmament, emphasizing the party's condition that Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory must precede any other discussion, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA) and al-Manar. During their meeting, the delegation and the former president discussed the "latest developments," at a time when the question of Hezbollah's arsenal is dividing Lebanon's political scene. A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, in Baabda to discuss this issue, which has hardened the positions of the various parties in recent days. According to the NNA, those who took part in the meeting discussed "views on the implementation of the cease-fire agreement provisions," which came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, after 13 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel. The agreement, which notably calls for the group's disarmament, its total withdrawal from south of the Litani and a halt to Israeli violations, is breached daily by Israel, which conducts attacks in Lebanon and continues to occupy five positions along the border. The parties agreed on the importance of "national cohesion" in order to achieve solutions that will maintain the country's stability and security. Fayad calls for a 'unified Lebanese position' At the end of the meeting, Fayad stated, according to al-Manar, that he was "open to a resolution through the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701," which serves as the basis for the truce agreement. "We must respect the sequence of measures as established in the ministerial statement, the inaugural speech, and the Lebanese document submitted to American mediator Tom Barrack," argued the Hezbollah MP, who said that "the first step must be Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories, cessation of hostilities, and release of prisoners — steps that are imperative before addressing any other issues." Denouncing an attempt to "bypass" the truce agreement, he called for a "unified and firm Lebanese position regarding Israeli withdrawal." President Joseph Aoun has in recent months favored dialogue with Hezbollah over the weapons issue. He raised his tone last week in a speech calling on the party and its base to "place their trust in the state," while calling on the party's critics, notably the Lebanese Forces, to avoid "provocations." The Lebanese Forces and their allies, as well as the United States, call for the establishment of a specific timetable for disarmament. Michel Aoun was allied with the party during his term (2016-2022) before ties grew strained between the Free Patriotic Movement – which was founded by the former president – and Hezbollah. The FPM notably strongly criticized Hezbollah's decision to open a "support front" for Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, following the deadly attack by the Palestinian movement in Israel and the start of the Israeli army's violent offensive on the enclave. Relations between the two former allies, who solidified their understanding on Feb. 6, 2006, also became tense due to Hezbollah's support for a presidential bid by Sleiman Frangieh, a well-known opponent of FPM leader and Michel Aoun's son-in-law, Gebran Bassil. After more than two years with the presidency vacant, it was finally Joseph Aoun who was elected in January 2025.
Shafaq News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Hezbollah denies reports of standoff with Lebanese State over disarmament
Shafaq News – Beirut Hezbollah has categorically denied reports that it is preparing for a confrontation with the Lebanese state, following claims broadcast by Saudi-owned channels Al Arabiya and Al Hadath that its military wing had refused to disarm, even if Israel were to withdraw from Lebanese territory. In a statement released Wednesday, Hezbollah's media relations office dismissed the reports as 'fabricated lies,' accusing the two networks of pushing 'suspicious agendas aimed at sowing confusion and destabilizing Lebanon.' The group urged all media outlets to disregard the claims and to consult official Hezbollah channels for its positions. The allegations, attributed to unnamed sources, suggested that Hezbollah had informed Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri that it would not surrender its weapons under any circumstances, and was even prepared to clash with the state if forced to do so. According to the same sources, Speaker Berri relayed to US envoy Tom Barrack that he could not guarantee Hezbollah's disarmament north of the Litani River, an area demarcated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The sources further claimed that frustration is mounting within Lebanon's political leadership over what is seen as Hezbollah's refusal to seize what some officials regard as a critical opportunity to reassert state sovereignty. Senior figures within the presidency and the cabinet are reportedly advocating for a renewed commitment to limit the possession of arms to official state institutions. On Tuesday, Barrack addressed the issue in an interview with Lebanon's Al Jadeed TV, assuring that Lebanon would not be subjected to a second war with Israel, signaling that a diplomatic solution remained possible. He described the disarmament question as part of a phased process with clearly defined deadlines, including one set for August 1. The US envoy characterized his recent meeting with Speaker Berri as 'exceptional,' but cautioned that 'time is running out for everyone, and there is no room for delay,' adding that a window still exists to reach an agreement supported by key regional stakeholders.
Shafaq News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Lebanese President: State must control all arms
Shafaq News – Beirut Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed, on Friday, the state's exclusive authority over all weapons, calling it a cornerstone of national sovereignty. Addressing the Arab and International Relations Council, Aoun urged all political factions to support state institutions amid mounting internal and external threats, arguing that recent regional shifts create new opportunities to resolve long-standing domestic issues—particularly the presence of armed groups operating outside state authority. Decisions on war and peace, he insisted, must remain solely with the Cabinet. On UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Aoun said the Lebanese Army, in coordination with UNIFIL, continues to monitor the area south of the Litani River, except for the five hills occupied by Israel, which he described as 'lacking military value and serving only to hinder full army deployment.' He also condemned ongoing violations of the November 2024 ceasefire, citing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and the Beirut suburbs, as well as Israel's refusal to release Lebanese detainees—calling both actions clear breaches of international law. 📍طريق النميرية — Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS) July 11, 2025 Commenting on regional diplomacy, Aoun noted, 'Peace means no war, and that is Lebanon's goal. But normalization is not on the table.' His remarks came as Israeli military operations intensified along the border. Lebanese media reported a rare ground incursion more than 800 meters into the town of Blida. Separately, drones dropped explosives in Dhahira and Kfarkela, including a stun grenade near civilians. Al-Manar reported drone strikes on an orchard in Dhahira and on a vehicle between Noumayriya and Al-Sharqiya in the Nabatiyeh district. According to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, the strike in Noumayriya killed one person and injured five. 🔴 عاجل | مسيّرة معادية اغارت على سيارة في المنطقة الواقعة بين بلدتي الشرقية والنميرية جنوب لبنان — قناة المنار (@TVManar1) July 11, 2025 These developments come amid near-daily violations of the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on November 27, 2024. As of early July 2025, Lebanese authorities—supported by French officials and humanitarian organizations—have documented nearly 4,000 Israeli violations, resulting in at least 232 deaths and over 530 injuries.
Sharjah 24
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
UAE strongly condemns attack on UN Mission in CAR
Statement In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) underscored the UAE's strong condemnation of these criminal and terrorist acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability. The Ministry reaffirmed that targeting UN and humanitarian missions constitutes a blatant violation of the principles of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, stressing the UAE's full support for the vital role of MINUSCA in promoting security and stability in the Central African Republic. The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim, and to the government and people of Zambia, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured peacekeeper. The Ministry further expressed its solidarity with the United Nations and its humanitarian missions, and the countries contributing to international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the region and worldwide.
Shafaq News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israeli forces pull back after crossing into southern Lebanon
Shafaq News/ An Israeli military unit withdrew on Wednesday morning after briefly crossing into the southern Lebanese village of Blida, according to local media reports. The incursion began when Israeli bulldozers breached the Blue Line— a 120-kilometer boundary set by the UN in 2000 following Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon—and entered the town. Unauthorized crossings by either side constitute a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The bulldozers reportedly began digging a large trench, prompting a state of alert among nearby Lebanese units. They later retreated from the area without reported clashes. In a separate overnight incident, another Israeli unit—accompanied by two armored vehicles and a military bulldozer—breached the technical fence east of Meiss El Jabal village, southern Lebanon, and advanced briefly before pulling back. The developments come amid ongoing Israeli aerial attacks across the country. A drone strike on Tuesday killed two people and wounded a third in Shebaa town, southeastern Lebanon. In recent days, Israel has also conducted air raids on Beirut 's southern suburbs—an area considered a Hezbollah stronghold—drawing condemnation from Lebanese officials, who labeled the strikes a serious breach of the existing ceasefire and warned of the growing risk of broader confrontation.
