Latest from L'Orient-Le Jour
L'Orient-Le Jour
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- Politics
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Slovenia bars 2 far-right Israeli ministers
Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering in what authorities said was a first in the European Union. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be declared "personae non gratae," the Slovenian government said in a statement, accusing them of inciting "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians" with "their genocidal statements." In June, Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand and Norway imposed similar sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir, key coalition partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ben Gvir and Smotrich have drawn international criticism for their hard-line stance on the Gaza war and comments about settlements in the occupied West Bank, the other Palestinian territory. Smotrich, who resides in a West Bank settlement, has advocated for the expansion of settlements and has called for the territory's annexation. "This is the first measure of this nature in the EU," Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said of the ban. On May 21, President Natasa Pirc Musar, in an address to the European parliament, urged the EU to take stronger action, condemning "the genocide" in Gaza. Slovenia was in May among six European countries to say that they "firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza" after Israel announced plans to expand its military offensive in the Palestinian territory. Last year, Slovenia announced it was recognising a Palestinian state after Ireland, Norway and Spain, in moves partly fueled by condemnation of Israel's bombing of Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Nearly 150 countries recognise a Palestinian state.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Deal in Iraq to resume oil exports from Kurdistan
The Iraqi government announced Thursday an agreement to resume oil exports from the autonomous region of Kurdistan (north), after more than two years of interruption due to drone attacks on oil fields. The Kurdistan Regional Government "will immediately begin delivering all oil produced" in its fields to the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) "for export," the government stated in a press release. The quantity must not be less than 230,000 barrels per day, and Baghdad will pay $16 per barrel in advance, according to the statement.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Drone attack targets Tawke oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan
A drone attack targeted an oilfield operated by Norwegian oil and gas firm DNO in Tawke, in the Zakho Administration area of northern Iraq, on Thursday, the Kurdistan region's counter-terrorism service said. The attack is the second on the DNO-operated field since a wave of drone attacks began early this week. DNO, which operates the Tawke and Peshkabour oilfields in the Zakho area that borders Turkey, temporarily suspended production at the fields following explosions that caused no injuries, the counter-terrorism service said. DNO did not immediately reply to a request for comment. This week's drone attacks have reduced oil output from oilfields in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region by between 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day, two energy officials said on Wednesday, as infrastructure damage forced multiple shutdowns. The Ain Sifni oilfield, operated by U.S.-based Hunt Oil, was attacked on Wednesday in the Dohuk region of northern Iraq. Hunt Oil said that none of its team members were injured and its facilities are shut down while it assesses the damage. No group has so far claimed responsibility. However, Iraqi Kurdistan security sources said initial investigations suggest the drone came from areas under the control of Iran-backed militias.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
EU pledges over $600 million to support areas affected by war in Lebanon
BEIRUT — The European Union said on Thursday it is allocating more than $600 million to support areas affected by the 13-month war in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel. The sum is nearly half of its overall budget in Lebanon, which exceeds $ 1 billion. The announcement followed meetings between EU and member state ambassadors with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on July 10, 11 and 17, respectively. In a statement, the ambassadors "underscored the substantial and ongoing support from the EU and its member states to Lebanon, including in areas affected by the conflict across the country." "Beyond humanitarian aid, most of this funding supports essential sectors such as education, healthcare, social protection, water and sanitation, agriculture, while also contributing to economic recovery by creating jobs and supporting the private sector," the statement added. The EU has also allocated "additional funds to mitigate the impact of the conflict on the country's security and stability." These include bolstering the Lebanese Army's capabilities and deployment in the south, clearing debris and unexploded munitions and strengthening border management. "A significant portion of this support is not included in the $600 million package, the statement detailed. The ambassadors also stressed "the crucial role of UNIFIL in maintaining stability and security in the south, a role that will remain indispensable in the future." hey also called on "all parties to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, notably by ensuring the state's monopoly over weapons, and to respect the November 2024 cease-fire mechanism." As every year, the U.N. Security Council is expected in August to decide whether it will renew UNIFIL's mandate. A ceasefire went into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, after 13 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel. However, Israel has continued near-daily strikes in Lebanon and continues to occupy Lebanese territory in southern Lebanon. The truce deal stipulated that Hezbollah withdraws its fighters north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, with only the Lebanese Army and U.N. peacekeepers deployed in the sector. Israel, for its part, was supposed to fully withdraw its troops from Lebanon and cease its attacks. Economic recovery The ambassadors also discussed with Lebanese officials the government's commitment to long-delayed financial, judicial and governance reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy. They welcomed steps taken since the start of the year, including Parliament's approval of a banking secrecy law and the appointment of officials to key judicial and regulatory posts. But the diplomats emphasized the urgent need for Parliament to approve a bank resolution law that meets international standards. They also pressed the government to draft and adopt a comprehensive strategy for distributing financial sector losses – the so-called GAP Law – and sought updates on the draft law for judicial independence and a new media law. Lebanon has been mired in a deep economic crisis since 2019. Restructuring its collapsed banking sector – a key demand of the international community – remains stalled amid a political and financial deadlock, blocking progress on talks with the International Monetary Fund for a much-needed bailout package.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Former prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat refuses to be notified of summons from Judge Bitar
Former public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Ghassan Oueidat refused on Thursday to be notified of a hearing scheduled by investigative judge at the Court of Justice Tarek Bitar for questioning on Monday as a suspect in the case of the double explosion at Beirut's port, which occurred on Aug. 4, 2020. In practice, the judicial police, acting on instructions from the head of the Court of Cassation, public prosecutor's office Jamal Hajjar, went on Thursday to Shehim — the former magistrate's hometown and place of residence in the Chouf — to deliver his summons, a source at the Palace of Justice told L'Orient-Le Jour. Oueidat read the notification without signing it and sent a letter to Bitar through the police officer, in which he asserts that the judge has neither 'legitimacy' nor 'jurisdiction' to question him. To justify his refusal, Oueidat relied on Article 354 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which he interprets as requiring, among other things, that a magistrate accused of a misdemeanor or felony must be tried before a judicial body designated ad hoc. Oueidat had already been summoned on July 11 by Bitar, but did not attend the hearing as the judicial police had not duly notified him. In January 2023, the former head of the public prosecutor's office initiated legal proceedings against Bitar for 'usurpation of authority' and 'rebellion against the judiciary,' after the latter decided, based on a legal study, to resume his investigation by bypassing the judicial deadlock he faced due to a series of appeals filed against him by suspects — which were deemed abusive.
