Arab World

Trump Issues Rare Rebuke to Netanyahu Over Qatar Strikes

This is Beirut 10/09 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu US Secretary of State Qatar

US President Donald Trump gave Benjamin Netanyahu a rare slap on the wrist Tuesday over Israel's strikes against Hamas in Qatar, as he insisted he played no role in the attack by one close US ally against another. Trump said he was not notified in advance of the Israeli attack on the Gulf state, a crucial broker in the negotiations between Israel ...

UN Security Council to Meet Wednesday on Israel's Qatar Strikes

This is Beirut 10/09 09:20 - Reading : less than a minute

Nawaf Salam UN Security Council Qatar

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday in response to Israel's strikes targeting Hamas officials in Qatar, diplomatic sources told AFP. The meeting, scheduled for 3:00 pm in New York (1900 GMT), was requested by Algeria and Pakistan, among others, the sources said Tuesday.

France Set for Disruption as New PM Takes Office

This is Beirut 10/09 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron France Sébastien Lecornu

France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu takes office on Wednesday facing a day of protests that are expected to see transport, education and other services suffer disruptions in a show of grassroots anger against President Emmanuel Macron. The protests, led by a loose left-wing collective called "Block Everything", could be a baptism of ...

Trump ready to match EU tariffs on China, India to pressure Putin

This is Beirut 10/09 00:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United States Donald Trump European Union India China

The United States is ready to broaden tariffs targeting buyers of Russian oil -- if the EU takes similar moves -- to hit at revenue Moscow needs for the war in Ukraine, a US official told AFP Tuesday. Dialing in to talks between United States and European Union officials on Tuesday, President Donald Trump raised the possibility of tariffs between ...

Qatar PM Says Reserves the Right to Respond to Israeli Attack

This is Beirut 09/09 23:23 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Qatar

Qatar’s Prime Minister said Tuesday that the country reserves the right to respond to the Israeli attack on its territory, calling it a “turning point” for the Middle East. “Qatar reserves the right to retaliate against this blatant attack,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said. “We believe today marks a pivotal moment. There ...

Iran Says Agreed New Cooperation Framework with UN Nuclear Watchdog

This is Beirut 09/09 22:53 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Iran IAEA Rafael Grossi Iran Nuclear Program

Iran agreed to a new cooperation framework with the UN nuclear watchdog on Tuesday, after it suspended cooperation following the war with Israel in June. The agreement was signed in Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, who hailed it as "an important step in the right ...

PortraitLecornu: Macron's Discreet 'Loyal Soldier'

This is Beirut 09/09 22:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

France Sebastien Lecornu

Sebastien Lecornu, named Tuesday as France's new prime minister, has served as defense minister for over three years during much of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is seen as a deeply loyal, if discreet, ally of President Emmanuel Macron. Still just 39, Lecornu has been one of the few faces of continuity in the French cabinet at a time of ...

Macron Names Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu New Prime Minister

This is Beirut 09/09 22:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

France Emmanuel Macron Sebastien Lecornu Francois Bayrou

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday named defence minister and his close ally Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister to resolve a deepening political crisis as protests loom in the next days. In choosing Lecornu, 39, to replace Francois Bayrou as the seventh premier of his mandate, Macron has plumped for one of his closest allies ...

Trump Backs Hamas Targeting, Not Israel's Qatar Strike

This is Beirut 09/09 21:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam United States Donald Trump Hamas Qatar

The White House distanced itself Tuesday from Israel's strikes against Hamas in Doha, reiterating President Donald Trump's support for ally Qatar, while declining to confirm if Israel had pre-notified Washington of its attack. While eliminating Hamas was a "worthy goal," a strike in the Qatari capital Doha "does not advance Israel's or America's ...

Israel Forum Says It Is Concerned for Gaza Hostages after Doha Strikes

This is Beirut 09/09 20:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Israeli Hostages Hostages and Missing Families Forum Hamas

The main Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza expressed "deep concern" following an Israeli attack on Tuesday on Hamas's leadership in Qatar, which has been mediating ceasefire talks. "The families of the hostages are following the developments in Doha with deep concern and heavy anxiety. A grave fear now hangs over ...

Germany to Back Ukraine with 'Deep-Strike' Drones

This is Beirut 09/09 20:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Germany Ukraine Russia Defense

Germany will launch a new "deep-strike initiative" to provide Ukraine with "several thousand long-range drones" to help it repel Russia's invasion, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Tuesday. At a meeting of Ukraine's allies in London, Pistorius said Germany was "expanding Ukraine's capabilities to weaken Russia's war machinery in the ...

Global Leaders Condemn Israeli Strikes on Hamas in Qatar

This is Beirut 09/09 18:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Gaza Hamas

Israel’s airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday have sparked widespread regional and international condemnation. The strikes, which hit buildings hosting the Palestinian militant group, prompted strong reactions from governments and organizations worldwide. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the attack as a ...