UN Security Council

UNIFIL Uncovers Tunnel Network and Weapons in South Lebanon

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) forces have uncovered an extensive network of fortified tunnels near the towns of Tayr Harfa, Zebqine and Naqoura, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti announced on Thursday. Tenenti said the network included “a number of bunkers, artillery pieces, multiple rocket launchers, as well as hundreds of ...

Haykal Wraps Up UK Visit as Britain Reaffirms Support for Lebanese Army

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal concluded a two-day official visit to the United Kingdom, during which he participated in the annual meeting of the Dragon Group, a British strategic dialogue initiative bringing together military chiefs from the Middle East. Held in Edinburgh on August 4 and 5, this ninth edition of the meeting ...

The Four Phases of Barrack's Roadmap for Sovereignty and Disarmament

A key and sole item on the Cabinet’s session agenda that kicked off at 3:00 PM at the Presidential Palace in Baabda:  the proposal submitted by US envoy Tom Barrack. The full text of the proposal - a seven-page memorandum - was published Thursday morning by the local media outlet Nidaa al-Watan, ahead of the ministerial meeting. In the ...

The Shebaa Question: Sovereignty, Strategy, and the Price of Peace

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Ahmad al-Sharaa as Syria’s president, the political landscape has dramatically shifted. Long-held narratives have unraveled, and entrenched positions reversed, including those concerning territory, borders, and the disputed Shebaa Farms. No longer using Shebaa as a pretext for resistance under ...

Security Council to Meet on Gaza Hostages: Israeli Ambassador

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on the hostages in Gaza, Israel's ambassador said Sunday, as outrage built over their fate in the war-torn enclave, where experts say a famine is unfolding. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Monday said he wants the issue of hostages held in Gaza at the "front and center" ...

Iran Sets up New Defense Council After War With Israel

Iran's top security body has approved the creation of a new defence council, state media reported on Sunday, more than a month after a ceasefire ended a 12-day war with Israel. "The Supreme National Security Council approved the establishment of the National Defence Council," state television said. The new body -- which will be ...

African Union says Does 'not Recognise' Sudan Parallel Govt

The African Union said on Wednesday it would not recognize a "so-called parallel government" in Sudan, urging its members to follow suit. A bitter two-year civil war in Sudan has pitted the government against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which announced it was forming a government and appointed a prime minister on Saturday. The AU's Peace and ...

President Aoun Begins Official Visit to Algeria

President Joseph Aoun began a two-day official visit to Algeria on Tuesday, highlighting the long-standing solidarity between the two countries and expressing Lebanon’s gratitude for Algeria’s consistent support during times of crisis. Speaking upon his arrival at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, President Aoun recalled ...

Kuwait Sanctions Hezbollah’s Al-Qard Al-Hasan

In a significant move aligning with international counterterrorism frameworks, Kuwait has officially imposed sanctions on Hezbollah, its financial arm Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, and three individuals of Lebanese, Tunisian and Somali nationalities. The decision was announced Monday by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Committee for the ...

Iran says Will not Halt Nuclear Enrichment Ahead of European Talks

Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear program including uranium enrichment despite the "severe" damage caused by US strikes to its facilities, the country's foreign minister said ahead of renewed talks with European powers. Iran is scheduled to meet Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday, to discuss its nuclear program, with Tehran ...

Ukraine Proposes Fresh Peace Talks With Russia Next Week

Kyiv has proposed to Moscow a new round of peace talks next week, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, after negotiations stalled in early June. Two rounds of talks in Istanbul between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to result in any progress towards a ceasefire, instead yielding large-scale prisoner exchanges and deals to return the ...

How Effective Is UNIFIL?

With its mandate set to expire on August 31, 2025, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is once again facing scrutiny over its effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. Enlarged under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in 2006 to prevent the presence of armed groups south of the Litani River, UNIFIL has struggled to enforce its ...