Category: Government Policy

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Abdullah Bou Habib, will leave for Doha to participate in the third session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the invitation of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Earlier, Caretaker Minister Bou Habib received in his office, the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, with whom he discussed preparations for the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Beirut next Thursday.

On the other hand, Bou Habib contacted by phone the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, offering condolences on the passing of his wife.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived today, Monday, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the first stop on his tour in the Middle East aimed at enhancing the chances of reaching a truce between Israel and Hamas and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

After Saudi Arabia, Blinken will head to Jordan and Israel on his seventh visit to the region since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip on October 7.

He is expected to hold new talks with the Saudi leadership regarding the possible normalization of relations with Israel, according to a US State Department official.

Also, Blinken will meet in Riyadh with his counterparts from the Gulf States and Europe to discuss plans for rebuilding the Gaza Strip after the war, according to what the US State Department official said.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, on Monday chaired a meeting at the Grand Serail, devoted to addressing the Syrian displaced file.

The meeting was attended by Caretaker Interior and Municipalities Minister Judge Bassam Mawlawi, acting chief of the General Security, Major General Elias Baissari, UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, UNCHR Representative in Lebanon, Ivo Freijsen, and Prime Minister’s Advisor Ziad Mikati.

Discussions during the meeting reportedly touched on cooperation between Lebanon and UNHCR and ways to address issues related to the displaced Syrian file.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Former prime minister Fouad Siniora met, at his Beirut-based office on Monday, with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Waleed Bukhari.

The pair reportedly discussed the current situation in Lebanon and the broader region, in addition to the Saudi-Lebanese ties.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Sadara parliamentary bloc waved that it would not participate in the session to elect candidates for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the absence of the ‘Taqadum Bloc,’ which has a majority of the seats in the Sunni component, stressing the need to agree on a mechanism and how to address the political blockage in choosing the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji received, in his office today, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, Arshad Al-Salhi, and a number of members of the committee.

The meeting discussed, according to the National Security Advisory, the humanitarian file and the emphasis on supporting the direction of the legislative and executive authorities in consolidating the principles of human rights, in accordance with humanitarian standards that guarantee the protection of citizens and society.

The meeting also discussed the file of the displaced people and the government measures aimed at closing this file permanently, through the combined efforts of the relevant ministries and institutions, in a way that enhances societal peace and supports the government program in this humanitarian file.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Under the patronage of the Chairman of the Episcopal Committee for Media, Bishop Antoine Nabil El-Andary, a seminar titled “The Role of Media in Safeguarding Civil Peace and National Unity” was held on Monday at the Catholic Center for Media in Jal El-Dib. The event witnessed the participation of Caretaker Information Minister, Ziad Makary, President of the National Media Council, Abdel Hadi Mahfouz, President of the Editors Syndicate, Joseph El-Kosseifi, and other senior officials and dignitaries.

In his address, Minister Makary expressed gratitude to the Catholic Center for Media for its national initiatives and efforts towards openness in a country undergoing its most challenging circumstances in all aspects: social, political, security, and constitutional. He emphasized the crucial role of the media in keeping pace with the ongoing developments.

“The media reflects reality; if the situation is good, it reflects beauty, and if it’s grim, it reflects ugliness and danger. Unfortunately, much of the media t
ends towards negativity, as a significant portion of it is commercial and seeks viewership and sensation,’ Makary said, reaffirming commitment to media freedom in Lebanon, considering it the nation’s most precious asset.

Moreover, Makary underscored the need for a new media law that grants more freedom to the press and media, reduces repression, and separates social interaction from media institutions. He mentioned ongoing discussions within a parliamentary subcommittee to draft a law aligned with international standards and technological advancements, aiming to expedite its enactment.

Highlighting the Ministry of Information’s role as a refuge for journalists and a platform to address issues, Makary referenced collaborations with Western entities focused on media protection. He announced an upcoming conference with ARCOM, a French media regulatory authority, to exchange insights on European developments vis-à-vis Lebanon.

In addressing national reconciliation and civil peace, Makary emphasized the central
ity of statehood and the need for citizens to embrace the state’s project. He advocated for bridging the gap between youth and the state, urging a collective commitment to strengthen and protect the state, the ultimate guarantor of Lebanese unity and stability.

In conclusion, Makary asserted that genuine peace rests on the presence of a strong, secular, just, and civil state that prioritizes citizens’ welfare. He emphasized the imperative for collective projects underpinned by a common destiny, affirming that only through such endeavors can Lebanese find unity and peace.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is currently chairing a meeting at the Grand Serail, devoted to addressing the Syrian displaced file.

The meeting is attended by Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, acting chief of the General Security, Major General Elias Baisari, UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, and UNCHR Representative in Lebanon, Ivo Freijsen.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

A government delegation discussed with Iranian officials security preparations and plans to secure the entry of visitors for a visit through Al-Mundhiriya border crossing northeast of Baqubah.

A government source told the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) that a joint government and security delegation held a meeting with the Iranian side at Al-Mundhiriya border crossing, northeast of Baqubah, in the presence of the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Muhammad Kazem Al-Sadiq, the security advisor to the Minister of Interior, and the Diyala Police Chief, to discuss security plans and special preparations to secure ways of visitors to the holy shrines.

He added that the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq and the joint government delegation inspected Al-Mundhiriya border crossing to see the ongoing preparations to receive Iranian visitors to perform the visitation ceremonies to the holy shrines in Iraq.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The MP of the State of Law coalition, Thaer Makhif Al-Jubouri, revealed the reason for the delay in electing the Speaker of Parliament until now.

Al-Jubouri said in a statement to the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA): ‘The Sunni political blocs’ lack of agreement to present a single candidate is the reason for delaying the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, given that each bloc presented a candidate for the position.’

He explained that: ‘After the Federal Court’s decision to consider the first session to elect the Speaker of the House of Representatives valid, no new candidates were presented for the position, and therefore only the five candidates will enter the competition.’

He pointed out: ‘the MP, Salem Al-Issawi is more favorable than Shaalan Al-Karim, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani and the others if the second round of voting on the candidate for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives takes place.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency