Macron stresses need to continue support for Lebanon, protect it from ‘external interference’

Macron stresses need to continue support for Lebanon, protect it from ‘external interference’
France’s President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with his Lebanon’s counterpart Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda on Jan. 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Macron stresses need to continue support for Lebanon, protect it from ‘external interference’

Macron stresses need to continue support for Lebanon, protect it from ‘external interference’
  • Macron said: “Keeping Lebanon shielded from external interference is a prerequisite for the ongoing implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which was a diplomatic success”
  • Macron also announced plans to organize an international conference during Aoun’s visit to France in a few weeks to “mobilize funding for Lebanon’s reconstruction”

BEIRUT: French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the importance of “continuing to support Lebanon in asserting its sovereignty over all its territory.”
Macron was speaking from Beirut’s Presidential Palace on Friday, where he met with President Joseph Aoun.
Macron said: “Keeping Lebanon shielded from external interference is a prerequisite for the ongoing implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which was a diplomatic success.”

He pledged to “continue supporting the army in its deployment in the south and working with Lebanon to demarcate its (land) borders along the Blue Line.”
Macron’s visit comes a week after Aoun was elected, ending a 26-month period without a president for his country and following Israeli assaults that have weakened Hezbollah militarily and reshuffled Lebanon’s political landscape.
During a joint press conference, Macron told Aoun: “You have ended the political vacuum that Lebanon experienced, and you are putting Lebanon on the path to recovery. You are the hope, and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam embodies this hope. The Lebanese’s election of you confirms their demand for change and the revival of Lebanon.”
Macron also announced plans to organize an international conference during Aoun’s visit to France in a few weeks to “mobilize funding for Lebanon’s reconstruction.”
He said: “We will work on rallying the international community to support Lebanon in all sectors. UNIFIL’s work must be strengthened to enable it to fulfill its mission.”
Aoun stressed the close links between the two presidents’ countries, saying: “In the heart, mind, daily language, living history, and creative culture of every Lebanese, there is much of France.”
The new president also urged his guest to “testify to the entire world that the Lebanese people’s confidence in their country and state has returned, and that the world’s trust in Lebanon must fully return, because the real and authentic Lebanon has made its comeback.”
Macron landed in Beirut on Friday morning accompanied by a delegation which included French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The French president met Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the airport and praised “the mission undertaken by Mikati over the past years to serve everyone in Lebanon, especially during the significantly difficult stage resulting from the last war.”
Macron also laid a wreath on the unknown soldier’s tombstone next to Lebanon’s National Museum and visited Gemmayze, where he was briefed on restoration work in that area, which was severely damaged in the Beirut Port explosion four years ago.
Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres began his visit to Lebanon on Friday by heading to UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, where he delivered a speech which contained several warnings to Israel and Hezbollah.
“The continued occupation by the Israeli army inside the UNIFIL area of operations, and the conduct of military operations in Lebanese territory, are violations of resolution 1701 and pose an ongoing threat to your safety and security. They must stop,” he said.
“The UN peacekeepers have uncovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since Nov. 27, the date on which the agreement went into effect.
“The presence of armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Lebanese army and the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces between the Blue Line and the Litani River significantly violates resolution 1701 and jeopardizes Lebanon’s stability,” he continued.
Guterres met the commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, and was briefed on the challenges faced during the Israeli army’s war against Hezbollah. He also inspected the Blue Line and addressed the international forces there, describing them as “the peacekeeping frontline” and praising their “courage and resilience in the face of attacks through the Blue Line.”
He said: “You showed the importance of the blue helmets in deterring violence, supporting de-escalation, and protecting civilians. Your contribution has been crucial in restoring stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line. Thanks to your efforts, to a great extent, we are in a period of relative calm that requires support.
“This is a critical opportunity to support the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and deliver lasting security for the people of Lebanon and Israel.”
He added: “You have our full support to implement any adjustments that may be necessary during this phase. We will continue to work closely with the countries contributing to UNIFIL troops to ensure that you receive enhanced capabilities, including mine clearance and the disposal of unexploded ordnance, to enable you to resume patrols and monitoring missions.
“These capabilities, along with the operational methods within the framework of your mandate, are vital to restoring freedom of movement and access across UNIFIL’s area of operations.”
Guterres also stressed that the same messages would be conveyed to the Lebanese officials with whom he is scheduled to meet on Saturday.
He continued: “All parties have an obligation to ensure the safety of our personnel. The inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times. Attacks against peacekeepers are absolutely unacceptable. They violate international law and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.
“The Lebanese Armed Forces, as the sole guarantor of Lebanon’s security, are deploying in greater numbers in southern Lebanon, with the support of UNIFIL and members of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism.
“Your strong support and close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces will be essential to supporting a lasting cessation of hostilities and achieving the intended objective of Resolution 1701. We urge the international community to enhance its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
Regarding the formation of a new government for Lebanon, and paving the way for its vote of confidence in parliament despite the absence of the two Shiite blocs — Amal Movement and Hezbollah — in the parliamentary consultations on its formation, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam met speaker Nabih Berri, who had boycotted the consultations last Wednesday.
Following the meeting, Salam said: “There is a consensus from all blocs and independent MPs on the need to quickly revive the country and work on its recovery. Everyone is ready to cooperate positively. There are no obstacles or disruptions from any party. There are only two options: consensus and consensus. Disruptions and failure are not options.
“No one will obstruct, and no one will allow the government formation to fail, so that recovery can begin,” he continued. “Berri and I are on the same page. I will remain in constant contact with him until the government is formed.”
Salam did not discuss his plans for the government, but said he has “a preliminary vision … that I will present to Aoun.”


Lebanese boy chokes to death at school attempting viral TikTok ‘one-bite challenge’

Lebanese boy chokes to death at school attempting viral TikTok ‘one-bite challenge’
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Lebanese boy chokes to death at school attempting viral TikTok ‘one-bite challenge’

Lebanese boy chokes to death at school attempting viral TikTok ‘one-bite challenge’
  • 12-year old dies trying to eat croissant in a single bite, inspired by online videos of people eating various types of food in one go
  • He attempted the challenge at Jannat Al-Atfal School

BEIRUT: A Lebanese schoolboy choked to death at school while attempting a food challenge that has gone viral on video-hosting platform TikTok.
Lebanese media reported on Friday that 12-year-old Joe Skaff died as he tried to eat a croissant in a single bite. He was said to have been inspired by the online “one-bite challenge” in which people post videos of themselves cramming various foods into their mouths to eat them in one go.
He attempted the challenge at Jannat Al-Atfal School in Keserwan, north of Beirut but began to choke on the pastry and was unable to breathe.
The school said: “With hearts filled with grief and sorrow, we mourn the death of our dear son and sixth-grader Joe Skaff. Today, during the first break, Joe was exposed to a sudden tragic accident where he suffocated while eating.”
Teachers and a licensed school nurse tried to help the youngster and clear the blockage before an ambulance arrived to take him to hospital but “attempts to save him were unsuccessful.”
The school added: “Joe was a special child with a bright personality and great kindness, and he was loved by his peers and all members of our school community.”


Aid agencies: Will take $80bn and 40 years to rebuild Gaza Strip

Aid agencies: Will take $80bn and 40 years to rebuild Gaza Strip
Updated 17 January 2025
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Aid agencies: Will take $80bn and 40 years to rebuild Gaza Strip

Aid agencies: Will take $80bn and 40 years to rebuild Gaza Strip

Rebuilding homes and infrastructure after Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza could take 40 years and cost more than $80 billion, aid agencies said on Friday.

The war has transformed the enclave into a rubble-strewn wasteland with blackened shells of buildings and mounds of debris. Major roads have been plowed up. Critical water and electricity infrastructure is in ruins. Most hospitals no longer function.
The full extent of the damage will be known only when the fighting ends on Sunday and inspectors have full access. The most heavily destroyed part of Gaza, in the north, has been sealed off and largely depopulated by Israeli forces in an operation that began last October.
Using satellite data, the UN estimates that 70 percent of structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, including over 245,000 homes.

Before anything can be rebuilt, the rubble must be removed — a staggering task in itself.
The war has littered Gaza with over 50 million tonnes of rubble, about 12 times the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza. With over 100 trucks working full time, it would take 15 years to clear.

“I can’t think of any parallel, in terms of the severity of damage, for an enclave or a country or a people,” said Corey Scher of the Shelter Cluster, an international coalition of aid providers led by the Norwegian Refugee Council.

The first target for aid is the health sector, with more than 80 percent of Gaza’s health facilities damaged or destroyed.

The World Health Organization said on Friday it would start by bringing prefabricated hospitals into the enclave and medically evacuating over 12,000 patients, a third of them children.


South Sudan declares nighttime curfew after looting in capital

A puncture repair artisan prepares to receive customers in Juba. (Reuters)
A puncture repair artisan prepares to receive customers in Juba. (Reuters)
Updated 17 January 2025
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South Sudan declares nighttime curfew after looting in capital

A puncture repair artisan prepares to receive customers in Juba. (Reuters)
  • The riots followed the alleged killing of South Sudanese people by members of Sudan’s military and allied groups in the city of Wad Madani in Sudan’s Al-Jazira region

JUBA: South Sudan’s police imposed a nationwide curfew from 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Friday after a night of deadly rioting in the capital over the alleged killing of South Sudanese people by the army and allied groups in Sudan.
In a broadcast on state television, police chief Abraham Peter Manyuat said the curfew would continue until further notice from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily to try to restore security and prevent the destruction of property.
“The police will not tolerate any violations,” he said.
The police said in a statement that at least three people had been killed and seven wounded on Thursday night in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, some by bullets and machetes, when youths in several suburbs looted and vandalized shops of Sudanese people.

BACKGROUND

Police said at least three people had been killed and seven wounded on Thursday night in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, some by bullets and machetes, when youths in several suburbs looted and vandalized shops.

In Aweil, near the border with Sudan, three houses belonging to Sudanese people were burned, the police added.
On Friday, shops in many Juba suburbs were closed as police and other security forces tried to relocate Sudanese people to safer areas due to fears rioters could attack them.
The riots followed the alleged killing of South Sudanese people by members of Sudan’s military and allied groups in the city of Wad Madani in Sudan’s Al-Jazira region.
On Tuesday, the Sudanese army condemned what it called “individual violations” in Al-Jazira after human rights groups blamed it and its allies for ethnically targeted attacks against civilians accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces.
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Sudan’s ambassador over the alleged killings earlier this week, and President Salva Kiir Mayardit called for calm.
“We mustn’t allow anger to cloud our judgment or turn against Sudanese traders and refugees currently residing in our country,” his office said in a statement.

 


Macron says two French-Israelis among first hostages to be freed by Hamas

Macron says two French-Israelis among first hostages to be freed by Hamas
Updated 17 January 2025
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Macron says two French-Israelis among first hostages to be freed by Hamas

Macron says two French-Israelis among first hostages to be freed by Hamas
  • “Our fellow citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are on the list of 33 hostages to be freed,” Macron said
  • The French president is set to meet with the families of the two Franco-Israeli hostages “very soon“

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said that French-Israeli citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are in the first group of hostages due to be freed by Hamas following a ceasefire with Israel.
Macron’s announcement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel is expected to begin on Sunday.
“Our fellow citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are on the list of 33 hostages to be freed in the first phase of the Gaza accord,” Macron said in a social media post.
“We remain mobilized without pause to ensure their return to their families,” he wrote.
The French president is set to meet with the families of the two Franco-Israeli hostages “very soon,” according to his entourage.
Yahalomi, who turned 50 in captivity, was kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz kibbutz.
His 12-year-old son, abducted separately, was released in November 2023 during the first truce.
Kalderon, 54, was kidnapped along with his son and daughter from Nir Oz kibbutz. The two children were released in the November 2023 truce.


UN says Sudan war turning ‘more dangerous’ for civilians after Al-Jazira attacks

UN says Sudan war turning ‘more dangerous’ for civilians after Al-Jazira attacks
Updated 17 January 2025
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UN says Sudan war turning ‘more dangerous’ for civilians after Al-Jazira attacks

UN says Sudan war turning ‘more dangerous’ for civilians after Al-Jazira attacks
  • The “Sudan conflict (is) taking more dangerous turn for civilians,” UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said
  • On Thursday, the US treasury department announced sanctions against army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan

PORT SUDAN: The United Nations human rights chief warned Friday that the war in Sudan is becoming “more dangerous” for civilians, following reports from rights groups of army-allied militias carrying out ethnic-based attacks on minorities in Al-Jazira state.
The “Sudan conflict (is) taking more dangerous turn for civilians,” UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said on social media platform X, adding that “there is evidence of... war crimes and other atrocity crimes.”


The Sudanese army, at war with rival paramilitaries since April 2023, led an offensive this week on Al-Jazira state, recapturing its capital Wad Madani from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Rights groups said on Monday that at least 13 people including two children were killed in ethnically-targeted attacks against minority communities in the agricultural state.
Though the RSF has become notorious for alleged ethnic-based violence, reports have also emerged of civilians being targeted on the basis of ethnicity in army-controlled areas.
On Thursday, the US treasury department announced sanctions against army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, accusing the army of attacking schools, markets and hospitals, as well as using food deprivation as a weapon of war.
It came a week after the US also slapped sanctions on RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, accusing his group of committing genocide.
Responding to recent reports from US officials of the Sudanese army using chemical weapons in Sudan, spokesperson of the UN human rights chief Ravina Shamdasani said Friday that due to limited access, the UN “has not specifically documented” such practices during the war.
At a briefing on Friday, Shamdasani described the reports as “very worrying,” adding that “they do require further investigation.”
She said what the UN has documented is “the use of extremely heavy weaponry in populated areas,” including air strikes on marketplaces.
Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas, with the RSF specifically accused of ethnic cleansing, systematic sexual violence and laying siege to entire towns.
The war has killed tens of thousands, uprooted over 12 million and pushed the country to the brink of famine, creating what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
In its latest reports, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that over 120,000 people have fled the ongoing violence in the southern Sudanese states of Blue Nile, White Nile and Sennar to South Sudan since early December 2024.