Day: February 24, 2023

Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Joseph Aoun, on Friday welcomed at his Yarzeh office a US Congress delegation of the Democratic and Republican parties, in the presence of US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea. Members of the delegation praised “the professionalism of the Lebanese Army and its good use of US aid, which strengthens its operational readiness, its cohesion, and its ability to maintain the security and stability of Lebanon despite the difficult circumstances.’ The delegation further emphasized “the need to continue cooperation and continue to provide assistance to overcome the current stage.” For his part, General Aoun affirmed that “the US support plays a fundamental role in enabling the Lebanese Army to continue to carry out its missions, and to alleviate the difficulties of the prevailing crisis.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Association of Banks of Lebanon (ABL) decided in a statement “to temporarily suspend its strike for a period of one week upon the request of Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and in view of the deteriorating economic situation.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday welcomed in the presence of Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, and Caretaker Minister of Environment, Nasser Yassin, members of the two Lebanese rescue teams responsible for providing support and assistance to the Turkish and Syrian states after the devastating earthquake. Both teams included members of the Lebanese military, civil defense, Beirut firefighters, and the Lebanese Red Cross. On this occasion, the Prime Minister said: “I’m aware of the difficult conditions through which you worked in Turkey, yet despite the great sadness caused by this disaster, and the death of many victims, you have shown a spirit of solidarity and support. (…) The same goes for the team that went to Syria. We are beyond proud of you in all circumstances and appreciate all your sacrifices.” “Our hope is to remain united, not only in times crises, but in all times, and this is a message I address to all politicians,’ Mikati added. In addition, Mikati successively met with President of the land transport sector, Bassam Tleiss, the President of the Lebanese University, Bassam Badran, and the leader and founder of the Talal Abou Ghazaleh group,

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Three students were killed and two injured at dawn on Friday after a truck hit their four-wheel drive GMC on the eastern lane of the highway — after Hamat Tunnel towards Chekka. Two of the accident victims have been identified to hail from Hasbaya. The corpses of the deceased and the two injured students have been transferred to the region’s hospitals. The driver fled with his truck to an unknown destination. The truck’s license plate, which was found at accident’s scene, is Syrian. Meanwhile the security forces have launched an investigation for further details about this horrific accident

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

10:00 am Gathering in Sidon – Al-Bawaba Al-Fawqa, to launch the “Wafa’a March” organized by the National Committee to Honor Martyr Marouf Saad, marking the 48th anniversary of his martyrdom. 11:00 am Press conference by the Students’ Committee in Lebanon, and the opening of its third annual conference under the title of “Students to Adopt the Nation” 2023 at the Child and Mother Care Association’s Theater – Verdun.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Judicial Council has postponed the follow-up session of Sobhi Fakhri and his wife Nadima Gerges’s murder trial till April 28, our reporter said on Friday.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The following is a joint op-ed by the Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, and Japan marking one year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: ‘Today marks a year since the brutal, unjustified and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. In that year, thousands of innocent Ukrainian people have been killed, and millions forced from their homes. We, the Embassies of Australia, Denmark, Japan and the United Kingdom will tonight light up our shared Embassies’ Complex here in Beirut in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. We do so because our countries share not only a common building, but common values: respect for the principles of the UN charter, for territorial integrity and for human rights. As such we stand, in unwavering solidarity with Ukraine. The Ukrainians are defending their right, our right, and the right of everyone to live in freedom. We commend and support their bravery in the face of such aggression. Russia cannot and will not succeed. Russia has consistently underestimated Ukraine. Russia planned to seize Ukraine in three days. 365 days later, Ukraine continues to liberate territory and push back Russian forces. This gives hope for Ukraine’s long-term ability to withstand Russia’s aggression. It is imperative for a lasting peace that Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and the UN Charter must be respected. Russia’s invasion has led to global suffering, with impacts felt here in Lebanon and across the world. Food insecurity has hit the poor the hardest. The Lebanese people should not have to bear further hardship because of Russian expansionist ambitions. One year ago, Lebanon was the first country in the Middle East to speak unequivocally against Russia’s actions and in support of the UN Charter. In doing so Lebanon stood amongst friends, and with the majority of the international community. We raise the Ukrainian flag today in support of the Ukrainian people and their brave fight against Russian aggression. We, good neighbours in Beirut from four countries and three continents, stand together in support of Ukraine and the values it is defending so bravely and which we, like Lebanon, share.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

1:00 pm Press conference by the Depositors’ Cry and the People’s Cry Associations at the Press Club headquarters – Chevrolet intersection – former Alfa Building, in the presence of international specialists and lawyers.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Three persons have been reported dead and seven injured in six road accidents within the last 24 hours, the Traffic Management Center said on Friday.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The European Union said Thursday it is temporarily easing sanctions on Syria to speed up aid deliveries to the country two weeks after a devastating earthquake. Aid organisations will no longer need to seek permission from EU member state governments before sending supplies and services to sanctioned entities in Syria, the European Council representing the bloc’s countries said in a statement. The measure will last for six months and was taken “in view of the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in Syria exacerbated by the earthquake”. The massive 7.8-magnitude quake on February 6 has killed more than 42,000 people in Turkey and more than 3,600 in Syria. The EU pointed out that it and its member states are at the forefront of donors of humanitarian aid to conflict-torn Syria, having contributed a total 27.4 billion euros ($26 billion) to that country and to refugee-hosting neighbours such as Turkey since 2011. Post-quake, the EU provided 3.5 million euros for urgent humanitarian needs in Syria. Syria’s government and businesses linked to it have been under EU sanctions because of Damascus’s violent repression, making European aid contributions tricky. The EU sanctions, imposed in 2011, target 291 individuals and 70 entities for asset freezes and a travel ban. The change made Thursday means “the EU has waived the need for humanitarian organisations to seek prior permission from EU member states’ national competent authorities to make transfers or provide goods and services intended for humanitarian purposes to listed persons and entities”, the statement said. The UN’s World Health Organization said Wednesday it was taking advantage of a post-earthquake pause in sanctions to move badly needed health supplies and equipment into war-torn Syria. But activists and emergency teams in Syria’s northwest have decried the UN’s slow response to the quake in rebel-held areas, contrasting it with the planeloads of humanitarian aid that have been delivered to government-controlled airports

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon