This is Beirut 30/01 09:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The M23, a Rwanda-backed armed group, has seized most of Goma, a key city of a million people in the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo. Analysts say their motives combine security and economic interests with the deadly momentum of war. Why did Rwanda and M23 take Goma? Rwanda's President Paul Kagame says its priority in eastern Democratic Republic ...
Salam El Zaatari 30/01 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
In the high-stakes chess game of Middle Eastern politics, a hidden force drives both Israel and Iran toward an eerily similar endgame, an unshakable belief that history is hurtling toward a divinely orchestrated climax. On one side, Israel’s religious circles whisper about the long-awaited Messiah, a figure destined to restore their ancient ...
This is Beirut 30/01 05:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Palestine Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Banks Hamas
Israel and Hamas are due to carry out their third exchange of hostages for prisoners on Thursday, with the release of eight hostages, three Israelis and five Thais, held in the Gaza Strip, as part of the fragile ceasefire intended to put an end to 15 months of war. A fourth exchange is scheduled for Saturday, with the release of three hostages, ...
This is Beirut 29/01 22:48 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The new authorities in Syria announced on Wednesday evening the dissolution of "all armed groups" that had led the offensive against Bashar al-Assad, as well as the dissolution of the army of the former regime, which was overthrown on December 8. "All armed groups, political and civil bodies claiming to represent the revolution are ...
This is Beirut 29/01 21:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who assumed power on December 8 following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, has been appointed "president" for the transitional period, the new authorities announced on Wednesday evening. In announcing the dissolution of the former Parliament and the suspension of the 2012 Constitution, the new ...
This is Beirut 29/01 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Israel Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas
Israel said on Wednesday that 11 more hostages held in Gaza, including five Thais, would be freed over two days this week as part of a fragile Gaza ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had received a list from Hamas of eight hostages to be freed on Thursday, including the Thais, and another three, all men, to be released ...
This is Beirut 29/01 18:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
A plane has crashed in the north of South Sudan killing at least 20 people, leaving only one confirmed survivor, Unity State's minister for information said Wednesday. The aircraft came down near the oil fields in Unity State at around 10:30 am local time (0830 GMT) shortly after taking off for the capital Juba. "The plane crashed 500 metres ...
This is Beirut 29/01 18:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Gaza Hamas Donald Trump Jordan USA
The European Union on Wednesday promised 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion) of financing and investments for Jordan as part of a new "strategic" partnership with the key Middle East ally. "With the current geopolitical shifts and growing crises in the region, strengthening the EU-Jordan partnership is the right decision at the right time," European ...
Natasha Metni Torbey 29/01 16:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Congo Goma Lebanon Lebanese community Fighting
The recent fighting in the cities of Goma and Kinshasa raises deep concerns about the fate of the Lebanese community in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Intense clashes between the Congolese Army and the M23, an armed anti-government militia backed by Rwanda, have reignited, especially near the Rwandan border. On January 26, fierce fighting ...
This is Beirut 29/01 15:36 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Hamas Israel Palestine ceasefire agreement
Two Hamas officials on Wednesday accused Israel of delaying the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to Gaza, as agreed in the ceasefire deal, and warned that it could impact the release of hostages. "We warn that continued delays and failure to address these points (delivery of key aid) will affect the natural progression of the agreement, ...
This is Beirut 29/01 15:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
US Secretary of State Damascus European Union Middle East Saudi Arabia
Syria's new leadership on Wednesday urged Moscow to "address past mistakes" during talks with visiting Russian officials -- the first since former president Bashar al-Assad, a Kremlin ally, was toppled last month. The visit came with Russia keen to secure the fate of two military bases in Syria and after Russian President Vladimir Putin denied ...
This is Beirut 29/01 14:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Israel Benjamin Netanyahu United Nations Golan Syria
Syria's new authorities on Wednesday urged Israel's withdrawal from Syrian territory it occupied in the Golan Heights after president Bashar al-Assad's ousting, during talks with UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, state media reported. During Lacroix's meeting with Syria's foreign and defense ministers, "it was confirmed that Syria is ...