Latest news with #dialogue
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
How South Korea aims to ease tensions with North Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to improve strained relations with Pyongyang. Seoul is exploring allowing individual tours to North Korea, which a Unification Ministry spokesperson believes would not breach international sanctions. Tourism is one of the few cash sources for North Korea not targeted by United Nations sanctions over its weapons programmes. To ease tensions, President Lee suspended anti-North Korea loudspeaker broadcasts and halted leaflet campaigns. The president plans to discuss further with top security officials how to resume dialogue with North Korea.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Druze Sheikh Akl in Lebanon calls for Arab and Turkish sponsorship to reassure Syrian people
BEIRUT: Former Lebanese prime ministers Najib Mikati, Fouad Siniora, and Tammam Salam announced during their meeting on Saturday with former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt at his home in Beirut their support for the steps and positions taken by the Syrian state to 'heal the national rift in Syria,' against the backdrop of escalating events in Sweida between the Druze and the Bedouins. The Sunni former prime ministers emphasized 'the need to prioritize dialogue, openness, and tolerance among our Syrian brothers in order to nip sedition in the bud, and to do everything possible to strengthen internal national unity among all Syrian citizens on the basis of citizenship and justice for all.' The attendees praised Jumblatt's stance on the ongoing events. They denounced 'Israel's interference and aggression against Syria, stressing that this interference in Syria's internal affairs is unacceptable and condemned. It aims to fragment and divide the Syrian people, and to incite and turn certain forces and parties against each other, under the pretext of protecting our true Arab Druze brothers from the Bani Ma'rouf in Jabal Al-Arab, who believe that what Israel is doing is the implementation of a malicious, exposed, and unacceptable plan to perpetuate its occupation of the Syrian Golan.' The statement issued by the attendees called for 'the need to initiate an immediate ceasefire and affirm full commitment by all parties to it, to free the kidnapped, lift the siege, and restore public services. They also called for efforts to establish communication, understanding, and tolerance among all Syrian citizens to prevent strife and stop the bloodshed. This should then lead to constructive dialogue among them, based on the unity of the Syrian identity, the principles of citizenship, the unity of the Syrian homeland, the sovereignty of a single, capable, and just state, and the integrity of all Syrian territory.' The attendees stressed 'the necessity of an impartial investigation committee to hold accountable those who instigated the sedition and those who carried out and perpetrated the killings and attacks against peaceful civilians, regardless of their affiliation.' They also denounced 'attempts to exploit the dangerous events in Syria to spread tension and sedition to Lebanon,' affirming that the Lebanese Army and state security agencies will stand guard against these malicious and despicable attempts. Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Heikal visited the Sheikh of the Druze community, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, on Saturday evening, accompanied by Chief of Staff Major General Hassan Odeh. Discussions focused on 'ways to contain the repercussions of the events in Syria on the Lebanese scene and preserve internal security stability,' according to a statement issued by the attendees. Abi Al-Muna called on everyone in Sweida 'to unite under the umbrella of the state.' He said: 'However, this places the responsibility on the Syrian state to reassure its people and instill confidence among the people, so that citizens will surrender their weapons and commands to it. This is a difficult task, but not impossible, and Arab and Turkish sponsorship is essential.' Arab tribes in Lebanon have also taken action to prevent any repercussions from the events in Sweida. A delegation from the Arab Zreikat tribes visited Sheikh Abi Al-Muna and affirmed their 'solidarity with the Druze community and their condemnation of the painful events in Sweida Governorate.' Sheikh Abi Al-Muna described what is happening in Jabal Al-Arab as 'something alien to our customs and traditions, and we are trying to calm our youth so that things do not slide into an absurd confrontation in Lebanon and undermine coexistence.' Sheikh Kamel Al-Daher, on behalf of the tribal delegation, stressed the need to 'quell the strife in the face of those who throw words and money at it, and for the Syrian state, headed by Sharaa, to stop the bloodshed, address the issue, and establish reconciliation, as is our tradition.' Representatives of the Progressive Socialist Party, the largest party under which most of Lebanon's Druze are united, met this morning with representatives of the Arab tribes in the Bekaa and agreed that 'Lebanon should not be a crossing point for any tensions.'
LBCI
4 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Walid Jumblatt urges ceasefire in Sweida, warns Israeli interference fuels sectarian strife
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt stressed the need for a ceasefire in Sweida, followed by dialogue and the development of a clear plan to stabilize security and eventually integrate armed Druze fighters into the police or army. In an interview with France 24, Jumblatt warned that Israeli interference is fueling sectarian strife and placing the Druze in confrontation with all components of Syrian society in a war that will not end. He added that 'Israel protects no one' and even manipulates major world powers, 'but it protects only its own interests.'
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Hungary's Viktor Orban in Budapest
President Sheikh Mohamed met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest during an official visit on Thursday. The two leaders discussed regional and global issues, including the need to support international efforts aimed at strengthening stability and peace around the world. They emphasised the importance of resolving crises and conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, state news agency Wam reported. Sheikh Mohamed stressed the UAE's commitment to enhancing co-operation with Hungary to help advance development goals and promote further progress and prosperity for both countries. He also repeated the UAE's consistent approach of "building bridges of co-operation with countries around the world and continuing to foster productive partnerships based on collaboration and mutual interests", Wam said. Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Orban also witnessed the signing of agreements in areas including data centres and artificial intelligence projects, renewable energy, food and agriculture, family and youth policy, government development, energy storage systems and defence. Mr Orban later hosted a state dinner in honour of the President and the Emirati delegation, which was attended by Hungarian ministers and senior officials.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
State Department says US 'unequivocally condemns' Israeli airstrike in Syria, calls for 'dialogue'
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States does not support recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria and called for "dialogue" between the two Middle East powers. "The United States unequivocally condemns the violence. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire," Bruce announced at a State Department press briefing Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes in the Syrian capital of Damascus struck the country's Defense Ministry headquarters and an area near the presidential palace, killing three and injuring dozens of others, according to reports. The Israeli military said it was intervening to defend the minority Druze population in southern Syria, a community that shares a border with Israel, amid armed skirmishes between local Bedouin Sunni tribes and the recently installed Syrian government. "We are acting decisively to prevent the entrenchment of hostile elements beyond the border, protect Israeli citizens and prevent harm to Druze civilians," Eyal Zamir, chief of the Israeli Defense Forces' general staff, said during a situational assessment at the Syrian border. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday afternoon that an agreement had been reached between Israel and Syria to end the "troubling and horrifying situation." "This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do," he added. "Thankful to all sides for their break from chaos and confusion as we attempt to navigate all parties to a more durable and peaceful solution in Syria," U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack added. When asked Thursday what prompted the Israeli strikes and whether the U.S. suspected any foreign fighters, like ISIS, of being involved in the conflict in Syria between the Bedouins and the Druze, Bruce said there will need to be continued investigation to figure out exactly why this Israeli airstrike occurred. Rubio said Wednesday he believed Israel's strike on the Syrian capital of Damascus was "likely" due to "a misunderstanding." Bruce on Thursday responded to reporters' questions about what U.S. officials meant when they said "confusion" and "misunderstanding" from Israel were what led to their involvement. "This is an ancient rivalry between the Druze and the Bedouins and violence ensued, the Syrians moving to that area to quell and stop that violence. And the Israelis, who see that occurring to the Druze community and their concerns, then entered what they assessed was something larger than what, or even not what it was at all," Bruce said at Thursday's briefing. "The good news is, the story is, it stopped, as within the management of that larger conflict. Again, there's still skirmishes and other issues. … The Syrian government is going to have to lead — obviously, there will be other involvement — but lead in to this de-escalation and to the stability."
