Ici Beyrouth

Iran Confirms Increase in IAEA Nuclear Inspections

This is Beirut, 14/12 12:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran UN Security Council United Nations USA IAEA

Iran confirmed Saturday that it has allowed watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to increase the number of inspections it carries out into Tehran's nuclear programme, state media reported. "We have increased capacity -- it is natural that the number of inspections should also increase," the official IRNA news agency quoted the ...

UN Envoy Warns Against Syria Collapse at Crisis Talks

This is Beirut, 14/12 11:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

European Union Turkey United Nations USA Syria

A UN envoy on Saturday urged foreign powers to work to avoid a collapse of vital Syrian institutions following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, as diplomats gathered in Jordan for a conference on the crisis. Geir Pedersen, the UN's special envoy for Syria, also backed a "credible and inclusive" political process to form the next government as he ...

Jordan to Host Syria Talks After Damascus Erupts in Celebration

This is Beirut, 14/12 09:55 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Antony Blinken European Union Gulf Israel Turkey USA

Jordan will host US, EU, Turkish and Arab diplomats on Saturday for high-level talks on Syria, a day after celebrations in Damascus and nationwide rejoicing at the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad. Syrians celebrated the day they called the "Friday of victory" with fireworks heralding the fall of the Assad dynasty. More than half a century of ...

Ukraine: Massive Russian Strikes Target Energy Facilities

This is Beirut, 13/12 12:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Kyiv Ukraine USA Russia missiles

Ukrainian energy facilities were targeted on Friday morning in a "massive" missile attack by Russia, Ukrainian authorities announced, as Moscow continues its regular bombardment of such infrastructure, causing power outages across the country during the harsh winter season. Ukraine is also struggling on the front line, retreating for months in ...

G7 Leaders to Discuss Syria Crisis in Virtual Summit

This is Beirut, 13/12 10:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Damascus G7 Turkey USA

G7 leaders will attempt Friday to forge a common approach to the new government of Syria, which has pledged to protect the rule of law after years of abuses under ousted president Bashar al-Assad. Assad fled Syria after a lightning offensive spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which brought a sudden end to ...

Blinken Meets Turkish Counterpart in Ankara

This is Beirut, 13/12 10:01 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Antony Blinken Middle East USA Syria

Mr. Blinken started his meeting with Mr. Fidan at 9:40 a.m. (6:40 GMT) on Friday, according to a U.S. official. He arrived in the Turkish capital on Thursday evening and held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a lounge at Ankara's airport. "Turkey will never show weakness in the fight against ISIS," President Erdogan told ...

US Official Sullivan Says 'Got the Sense' Israel PM Ready for Gaza Deal

This is Beirut, 12/12 19:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Benjamin Netanyahu USA Hostages

Visiting US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared prepared to negotiate a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire. "We're now looking to close a hostage release deal and a ceasefire (in Gaza). It's time to finish the job and bring all of the hostages ...

Russia Vows Retaliation After Ukraine Strikes Military Airfield

This is Beirut, 11/12 21:32 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Kyiv Ukraine USA Vladimir Putin Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia on Wednesday vowed retribution against Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of firing Western-supplied missiles on a military airfield in its southern Rostov region. President Vladimir Putin has previously threatened to launch a hypersonic ballistic missile at the centre of Kyiv if Ukraine did not halt its attacks on Russian territory using US-supplied ...

Aoun and Kurilla Discuss US Support for Lebanese Army and Ceasefire Implementation

This is Beirut, 11/12 20:10 - Reading : less than a minute

Ceasefire Joseph Aoun Lebanese Army USA

Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun hosted US Central Command Chief General Michael E. Kurilla at his office in Yarzeh. The two officials discussed the overall situation in Lebanon and the broader region, as well as strategies for maintaining US assistance to the Lebanese Army. The meeting also covered the progress and implementation of ...

Southern Lebanon: LAF Deploys in Five Positions Around Khiam

This is Beirut, 11/12 19:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Lebanese Army South Lebanon United Nations USA

The Lebanese Army Command announced on Wednesday evening that "Army units have deployed to five positions around the town of Khiam, in the Marjayoun region, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)." According to the official statement, this marks the first phase of the deployment in the region, which coincides ...

Germany and France Urge Restraint as Syria Faces Transition

This is Beirut, 11/12 17:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Turkey USA

As Syria enters a new phase following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, international powers, including Germany and France, are urging regional actors to avoid actions that could hinder a peaceful transition in the country. Germany's foreign minister on Wednesday urged Israel and Turkey not to jeopardize a peaceful transition in Syria ...

Blinken Embarks on Syria Crisis Tour After Assad’s Fall

This is Beirut, 11/12 16:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Antony Blinken Israel Middle East USA Syria

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads Wednesday on an emergency tour after the overthrow of Syria's dictatorship, in a new, last-minute attempt to shape a Middle East legacy after a turbulent year. The top US diplomat of President Joe Biden, who has little more than one month in office, is set to press principles he has outlined for a ...

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