Category: Key Issues

ABU DHABI: Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, conferred upon Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. This is the highest medal awarded by France and was presented in appreciation of her efforts to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Al Kaabi received the medal from Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of the French Republic to the UAE, at the Embassy’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in appreciation of Al Kaabi’s contributions to reinforcing bilateral ties between the UAE and France across various fields, including culture, literature, cross-cultural communication, and diplomacy.

She expressed her sincere appreciation to President Macron and the French Republic, highlighting the strategic, distinguished and deep-rooted ties between the UAE and France. These bilateral relations are founded on common values that serve humanity, and lead the international community in addressing contemporary issues.

Al Kaabi attributed today’s honour to the
efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in strengthening UAE-France relations. She thanked His Highness for his support and leadership in advancing strategic partnership, driving continuous growth and progress in bilateral ties.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Tripoli: The Prime Minister-designate of the House of Representatives, Osama Hammad, met today, Wednesday, the UN envoy, Abdullah Batili, and the UN delegation accompanying him in Benghazi, according to a government post on its Facebook page.

The government did not provide any details about what happened during the meeting.

Source: Libyan News Agency

ABU DHABI: Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, conferred upon Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. This is the highest medal awarded by France and was presented in appreciation of her efforts to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Al Kaabi received the medal from Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of the French Republic to the UAE, at the Embassy’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in appreciation of Al Kaabi’s contributions to reinforcing bilateral ties between the UAE and France across various fields, including culture, literature, cross-cultural communication, and diplomacy.

She expressed her sincere appreciation to President Macron and the French Republic, highlighting the strategic, distinguished and deep-rooted ties between the UAE and France. These bilateral relations are founded on common values that serve humanity, and lead the international community in addressing contemporary issues.

Al Kaabi attributed today’s honour to the
efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in strengthening UAE-France relations. She thanked His Highness for his support and leadership in advancing strategic partnership, driving continuous growth and progress in bilateral ties.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Tripoli: The two representatives of the Presidential Council, Moussa Al-Koni and Abdullah Al-Lafi, received today, Wednesday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Congolese Abroad, Jean Jacosso, and the African Union Advisor for National Reconciliation, Mohamed Al-Labat.

The meeting discussed developments in the national reconciliation file and preparations for holding the inclusive conference.

Minister Gakuso expressed his hope that the month of Ramadan would be an occasion for reconciliation and tolerance among Libyans, bringing the greetings of the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Nguesso, who chairs the African High-Level Committee on Libya, and the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, to the members of the Presidential Council and conveying their keenness to Continue working on the reconciliation file to successfully complete the remaining arrangements for holding the conference.

Abdullah Al-Lafi reiterated the necessity of holding an inclusive conference in
one of the Libyan cities, with the participation of all parties, to ensure progress in the reconciliation file as it is the key to the solution in Libya.

For his part, Musa Al-Koni stressed the necessity of holding the comprehensive reconciliation conference without postponement and the necessity of continuing work on the reconciliation file.

Source: Libyan News Agency

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix today briefed the Security Council on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006). The Security Council was meeting in closed consultations to discuss the latest report of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the implementation of the resolution.

Deeply concerned by the escalation in the exchanges of fire across, and increasingly beyond, the Blue Line, the Special Coordinator said these repeated violations of resolution 1701 increase the risks of miscalculation and further deterioration of an already critical situation.

‘With prevention and de-escalation at the top of our agenda, our collective focus, advocacy, and pressure must be foremost on urging the parties to restore the cessation of hostilities,’ the Special Coordinator told the Council, adding that there is still space for diplomacy to forge a solution to prevent a larger
conflagration.

The Special Coordinator regretted in particular the impact of the fighting on civilians. ‘I have reminded relevant stakeholders of all parties about their obligation to comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law, namely to protect civilians.’

The Special Coordinator said the current situation puts in focus the dangers that the incomplete implementation of resolution 1701 poses to Lebanon, Israel and the stability of the region at large. ‘It is no longer enough to return to the relative calm and stability that prevailed prior to 8 October. A political process, anchored in the full implementation of Resolution 1701, to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure long-term stability has become necessary,’ she said.

Noting that major obligations under resolution 1701 have remained outstanding and require action by each party, the Special Coordinator said it is imperative to focus anew on the overarching objective of a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to th
e conflict.

She underscored the critical role of an empowered and well-resourced Lebanese Armed Forces to the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and encouraged additional international support to enable the army to carry out its duties to the fullest, including its cooperation with UNIFIL.

She also reiterated the urgency of ending Lebanon’s presidential vacancy to enable the full functioning of the country’s state institutions in this time of crisis.

The Special Coordinator said the unity of the Security Council behind the efforts to maintain Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political stability was also critical.

In conclusion, the Special Coordinator reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to continue standing by Lebanon and its people.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

As UNIFIL marked the 46th anniversary of its establishment today, its leadership renewed calls for all actors to put down their weapons, recommit to Security Council Resolution 1701, and work toward a political and diplomatic solution.

“Resolution 1701 has been challenged by current events, but it remains as relevant and necessary as ever,” said Head of Mission and Force Commander Aroldo Lázaro. “We call on all parties to commit to implementing the resolution in full. Our more than 10,000 peacekeepers continue their critical monitoring, de-escalation, and liaison work, and we stand ready to support a peaceful resolution to the current situation.”

The mission did not hold its yearly ceremony at its headquarters in Naqoura today, as peacekeepers are focused on accomplishing their mission amidst the breaches of the cessation of hostilities in violation of resolution 1701 along the Blue Line. Nonetheless, Lieutenant General Lázaro paid tribute to the civilian and military peacekeepers who have served with the m
ission over the years, including over 330 who have died serving for peace.

“The sacrifice of those who lost their lives here is not in vain,” Lázaro continued. “Our efforts today, in these very difficult circumstances, are a tribute to their memories. Their sacrifice motivates us to continue our work toward de-escalation in the short-term, and peace in the long-term.”

He commended the work of the more than 10,000 military peacekeepers from 49 countries who, alongside their civilian colleagues, and despite relentless and daily exchanges of fire, have stayed their course in monitoring the fast-evolving situation in south Lebanon, maintaining high operational tempo and visible presence, and in assisting local communities.

The United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, with Resolutions 425 and 426 on 19 March 1978. The mission’s mandate was expanded in with Resolution 1701 following the 2006 war.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon