Latest news with #StateAuthority
LBCI
02-08-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
What's on the table in Tuesday's Cabinet session? Lebanon weighs disarmament timeline — the details
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian The countdown has begun for Tuesday's Cabinet session, which will resume discussions on implementing the ministerial statement—specifically the section related to extending state authority over its territory using only its own forces. The key question remains: What formula will the government adopt, and will it set a timeline for exclusive control over weapons? The final version of the proposal has not yet been completed. The Lebanese Presidency is currently working on a draft that merges elements from the ministerial statement, the presidential oath of office, and the president's Army Day speech. The draft is expected to be presented to both the prime minister and the parliament speaker. Among the proposals being considered is a government statement reaffirming its commitment to exclusive control of weapons, with implementation details to be referred to the Higher Defense Council. While the formula is still being developed, ministers affiliated with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are not expected to boycott the session. They believe their participation is essential, given their central role in the issue. Their presence would allow them to register objections, reservations, or comments. Hezbollah is expected to argue that setting a timeline for disarmament is not in Lebanon's interest. The group believes such a move would increase external pressure on the country and that establishing a timeline without reciprocal steps from Israel would amount to political suicide. The Tom Barrack proposal, which is on the session's agenda, outlines a three-phase disarmament plan. Last-minute consultations are expected to intensify. Hezbollah is relying on President Joseph Aoun, who reportedly showed flexibility during a recent meeting with MP Mohammad Raad and acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation, which requires careful handling. Ahead of what is expected to be a tense session, Lebanese officials were surprised by reports that the Lebanon file may have been transferred from U.S. envoy Tom Barrack to Morgan Ortagus. Although Lebanese officials have not officially confirmed the reports, some sources expressed concern about the relevance of discussing the U.S. envoy's proposal in the Cabinet if Barrack is no longer overseeing the file. Other sources noted, however, that Ortagus never fully relinquished the Lebanon file.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Activist Fahmi Reza claims he was barred from entering Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR: Graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza claimed he was denied entry into Sabah upon arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and was sent back to Kuala Lumpur. In a series of Instagram postings, Fahmi shared a notice that appeared to be issued by the Sabah Immigration Department, stating that the barring was made under Section 65(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The Act allows Sabah authorities to deny entry at their discretion. The notice, dated today at 11.30am, was addressed to Fahmi by name. "The State Authority has directed that no pass be issued to you to enter the State of Sabah, and such a pass is required under Section 66 of the Immigration Act 1959/63," the notice read. Late last year, Fahmi was remanded under the Sedition Act after police received reports that he had pasted caricatures involving the image of Tun Musa Aman, who was to be appointed as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah at the time, in several areas, including Kota Kinabalu. A 40-second video that went viral showed Fahmi pasting the caricature in a location in Kota Kinabalu.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Fahmi Reza has been denied entry to Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Controversial graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza has been denied entry to Sabah upon arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here on Thursday (May 29). The 47-year-old shared the incident on Instagram at around 1pm. He stated that he was issued a notice of refusal of entry upon arrival and was subsequently deported to Kuala Lumpur on the next available flight. The letter dated May 29 reads: 'This serves to notify you that pursuant to Section 65 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, the State Authority has directed that no pass be issued to you to enter State of Sabah and such pass required under Section 66 of the same Act.' It was unclear why Fahmi was in Sabah. Late last year, he had gotten into trouble with the authorities for insulting the then incoming 11th Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, through a caricature allegedly depicting Musa that was deemed highly offensive by the Keningau Native Court and had incited anger among the Kadazandusun Murut community.
