Month: April 2023

ENHANCED IRAN-IRAQ TIES BENEFICIAL TO BOTH NATIONS, ENTIRE REGION: PRESIDENT RAEISI

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Post date April 30, 2023

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says enemies are not pleased with the improvement of relations between Iran and Iraq, stressing that enhanced mutual ties will serve the interests of the two nations and the entire region. “Iran and Iraq will expand their interactions in proportion with the interests of the two countries in the region. Strengthening and consolidating relations between Tehran and Baghdad will secure the interests of the two nations and will also benefit the region,” Raeisi said in a meeting in Tehran on Saturday with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid as they chair a meeting between high-ranking delegations of the two countries. Raeisi described the visit by his Iraqi counterpart to Tehran as a major step in improving relations and said both sides are implementing agreements, “but nevertheless there are many capacities to boost relations in the political, economic and cultural fields.” The Iranian chief executive stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the economic, energy, transit, transportation, trade exchanges and security sectors and urged both Tehran and Baghdad to accelerate the implementation of the existing agreements. The Iraqi president, for his part, said Baghdad is keen to expand relations with Tehran and said the two sides enjoy diverse capacities to develop economic, political, cultural cooperation and trade exchanges. Leading a high-ranking delegation, Rashid arrived in Tehran on Saturday in his first visit to the neighboring nation since taking office last year. The visit by Rashid, who was elected as the head of the Iraqi government in October 2022, comes in response to an official invitation by President Raeisi. Later in the day, the Iraqi president held a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

General

BOU ASSI TO UN OFFICIALS: THE FATE OF THE LEBANESE NATION IS IN DANGER AS A RESULT OF THE SYRIAN DISPLACEMENT

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Post date April 30, 2023

Member of the “Strong Republic” bloc, MP Pierre Bou Assi, continued his tour in the United States, as his stop yesterday was in New York, where he held meetings with representatives of countries in the United Nations and the Security Council. First, Bou Assi met officials in the office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and then met with representatives of France, the United Arab Emirates, and the Apostolic Nuncio, where he stressed during these meetings the “need to find a solution for the return of the displaced Syrians to their country, and not only by saying that conditions are not conducive today for their return, and he thanked Lebanon for hosting them.” He said: “The fate of the Lebanese nation is in danger as a result of this displacement.” The MP also touched on the issue of the Beirut port explosion, stressing that “it is unacceptable to obscure responsibilities and impunity.” Likewise, he praised the Human Rights Council’s step, pointing out that “this step remains incomplete unless a fact-finding committee is formed to clarify the truth and all the circumstances in the August 4 explosion.” Bou Assi explained to his interlocutors the danger of paralyzing the constitutional institutions, foremost of which is the Presidency of the Republic, and its impact on the political, economic and social stability in Lebanon, calling for “recourse to the constitution and the democratic spirit that has always characterized Lebanon.” In his meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio in New York, Ambassador Gabriel Caccia (who was an Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon), he stressed the danger that threatens the Christian role in Lebanon. Bou Assi is scheduled to meet today with the Lebanese community in New York and New Jersey.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

General

JORDAN TO HOST SYRIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER FOR REGIONAL MEETING ON MONDAY

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Post date April 30, 2023

Jordan will host Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and his regional counterparts on Monday, as various Arab states look to rekindle ties with Damascus. The kingdom will host the foreign ministers of Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria, state news agency Petra announced. The meeting follows a similar gathering held in Jeddah early this month and ‘builds on the contacts that these countries made with the Syrian government’, Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sinan Majali. There was no immediate comment from Damascus. Several Middle Eastern countries have held meetings with Syrian representatives in the past month as Damascus looks to emerge from its decade-long isolation. Ankara said “constructive talks” were held with Syria last week as it looks to repair relations with its southerly neighbour, while Tunisia appointed its new ambassador to Damascus on Thursday. Foreign ministers of the Gulf Co-operation Council and Egypt, Iraq and Jordan met in Jeddah earlier this month, agreeing Arab states must lead the way in brokering a solution to the Syrian crisis. Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011 over the government’s violent crackdown on protests against President Bashar Al Assad’s rule. The protests escalated into a civil war that has claimed more than half a million lives and forced about half of the population from their homes, including millions who fled to neighbouring countries.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

General

THREE INJURED BY GUNSHOTS DURING WEDDING IN IRBID

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Post date April 30, 2023

Saturday, three people, including an 8-year-old child, were wounded by gunshots while they were attending a wedding in the Al-Rayyan area of the Northern Jordan Valley, west of Irbid. Officials said that the incident occurred when the shooter lost control of his weapon while firing in the air. All the injured are in good condition and were taken to Abu Obeida bin Al-Jarrah Governmental Hospital. Investigations are currently underway

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Government Policy

Five People Injured In A Fight North Of Hilla

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Post date April 30, 2023

Five people were injured in a fight in Jableh district, north of Hilla.

A source in the Babylon police said, “Five people were injured due to a dispute, after which sharp tools were used in Jableh district, north of Hilla, before the police intervened and arrested three of them.”/ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Government Policy

Jordan Hosts Tomorrow A Meeting Of Foreign Ministers Of Five Arab Countries On The Syrian Crisis

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Post date April 30, 2023

Jordan will host tomorrow, Monday, a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Iraq and the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Ambassador Sinan al-Majali / according to the Jordanian (Petra) News Agency /: The meeting comes as a continuation of the consultative meeting of the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, which was hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on April 14, 2023, and to build on the contacts that took place. These countries have undertaken it with the Syrian government and in the context of its proposals and the Jordanian initiative to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Government Policy

Death Toll From The Sudan Clashes Rises To 528…An Official Holiday In Khartoum Until Further Notice

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Post date April 30, 2023

The deadly clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces killed 528 people and injured 4,599, according to a report issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Health yesterday, Saturday.

The Sudanese News Agency, SUNA, stated that the report indicated that there is relative calm in most states, except for West Darfur and Khartoum.

The report pointed out that a number of health services centers have been expanded in Khartoum State, and communication with hospitals has improved.

The ministry added that there are arrangements with a number of partners from friendly countries and international and regional organizations working in the field of medical supplies to fill the expected gaps, according to basic lists shared with them.

The armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces entered its third week, and foreign countries rushed to evacuate their nationals, and tens of thousands of Sudanese fled Sudan in search of safety.

The Khartoum state government announced that employees will be granted an official holiday until further notice, in light of the clashes taking place in the Sudanese capital.

Yesterday, Saturday, the General Secretariat of the Khartoum state government issued an administrative note specifying the end of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, as employees were scheduled to go to work as of Sunday.

It said, according to the Sudan News Agency: “With regard to the security conditions in the state of Khartoum and the estimates of the state government, the General Secretariat of the government announces that all workers in the various units of the state will be on an official holiday until further notice.”

The secretariat clarified that this “does not include the crisis management operations rooms and the departments of vital service facilities in the ministries and localities.”

Clashes renewed between the Rapid Support Forces, led by Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, “Hemedti”, and the army forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, despite the truce that was announced between the two parties on Thursday, amid mutual accusations of violating it./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Government Policy

Al Hurr marks Labour Day

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Post date April 30, 2023

Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Free Labor Unions Federation (Al Hurr) organized today a celebration marking the International Workers’ Day (Labour Day), which is observed on May 1.

Addressing the ceremony, the Minister of Labour, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, conveyed the greetings and best wishes of HM the King to all workers in Bahrain. He stressed the significance of the occasion as a tribute to the workers for their enormous contributions in the work and production field.

The minister also conveyed the congratulations of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his appreciation of the workers’ pivotal role in achieving sustainable growth. He affirmed the leadership’s keenness on continuing the efforts to ensure a stable and productive work environment and preserve the labour gains.

The minister said that the International Workers’ Day this year is commemorated in a climate of optimism and hope after the great success of the Kingdom of Bahrain in carrying out the economic recovery plan and transitioning to the sustainable development phase. He pointed out the growth rates achieved by the economic, commercial and industrial sectors thanks to the government’s supportive policies and facilities.

The minister commended Bahrain’s vibrant economy and stability of the labour market, stressing the key and influential role of Bahraini workers in the development march. He underlined the kingdom’s diverse and competitive economy that meets the national aspirations for a more developed labour market and a bigger role for the private sector as the catalyst of production.

The Minister of Labour congratulated the honored workers, wishing them more success in setting an inspirational model for future generations.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Government Policy

Saudi Stock Exchange Main Index ends trading higher at 11,307 points

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Post date April 30, 2023

Saudi Stock Exchange’s main index ended trading higher today, gaining 36.58 points to close at 11,307.77 points.

The total value of trading reported was SAR 5.1 billion, while the total number of shares traded was 174 million.

The Saudi Parallel Market Index (NOMU) ended the day by gaining 9.83 points to close at 21,331.91 points, with a valuation of SAR 25 million and an overall tally of more than 550,000 stocks.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Government Policy

National Guard Commander congratulates HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

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Post date April 30, 2023

National Guard Commander His Highness General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa congratulated National Security Advisor, Supreme Defence Council (SDC) Secretary-General and Royal Guard Commander HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa on being promoted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

HH General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa hailed HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s dedicated efforts in serving the nations, as SDC Secretary General, National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander. He praised HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s achievements for the Royal Guard and the Bahrain Defence Force which enhanced Bahrain’s standing in military, humanitarian and sports arenas, wishing him every success to continue honouring the Kingdom under the leadership of HM the King.

Source: Bahrain News Agency