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Italian PM visits personnel engaged in UNIFIL mission in Lebanon

BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions, especially UN Resolution 1701, approved in 2006 to resolve the war between Israel and Hezbollah that same year.

He also emphasized the need for Israel to implement these resolutions fully and to cease its attacks on Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Mikati made the remarks as he received visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Beirut.

British minister discusses Gaza with Arab League chief, Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo

LONDON: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit held talks in Cairo on Thursday with the British minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Tariq Ahmad, about the conflict in Gaza.

Aboul Gheit thanked the UK for its “supportive vote” this week in favor of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, his spokesperson Gamal Roshdy said.

Arab League chief highlights need for Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Fatah delegation

CAIRO: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has emphasized the importance of pursuing all possible avenues to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.

He spoke as he welcomed a high-level delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo.

The talks followed the delegation’s separate meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Aboul Gheit also stressed the importance of prioritizing a ceasefire and facilitating the delivery of aid to Gaza.

World court orders Israel to take action to address Gaza famine

THE HAGUE: Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel to take all the necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies arrive without delay to the Palestinian population in Gaza.
The ICJ said the Palestinians in Gaza face worsening conditions of life, and famine and starvation are spreading.
“The court observes that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine (…) but that famine is setting in,” the judges said in their order.

‘Utmost importance’ for Israel, Lebanon to restore calm: US

WASHINGTON: The White House called Thursday on Israel and Lebanon to put a high priority on restoring calm after new deadly border crossfire and Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah.
“Restoring calm along that border remains a top priority for President Biden and for the administration and it has to be of utmost importance, we believe, as well for both Lebanon and Israel,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

UN ‘deeply disturbed’ by strikes on Lebanon rescue workers

BEIRUT: The United Nations on Thursday said it was “deeply disturbed” by attacks on health care facilities, a day after several strikes blamed on Israel killed 10 emergency rescue workers in southern Lebanon.
“The tragic events of the past 36 hours have resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries in south Lebanon. Up to 11 civilians were killed in a single day, including 10 paramedics,” said Imran Riza, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon.

Nine people die in crash during Iran holiday season

TEHRAN: Nine people were killed in a car crash in northeastern Iran on Thursday, the worst single accident since the start of the Persian new year holiday, state media reported.
Police say 585 people have died on the roads since the start of a holiday season that runs from 19 March to 1 April, and sees many Iranians travel to visit family.
The latest accident in Semnan province east of the capital Tehran saw two vehicles crash and catch fire, reported IRNA state news agency quoting the emergency services.

Jamaa Islamiya, Lebanese militants allied to Hamas

BEIRUT: Jamaa Islamiya has a much lower profile than other militant groups in Lebanon, but the escalation of strikes over the border with Israel is pushing it into the spotlight.
Formed in the 1960s, Jamaa Islamiya claims to have carried out operations with Palestinian militant group Hamas in southern Lebanon and said seven affiliated rescuers were killed in an overnight Israeli strike.

Palestinian PM Mustafa forms cabinet, calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa formed a new cabinet on Thursday in which he will also serve as foreign minister, making an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza a priority, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
Mustafa, an ally to President Mahmoud Abbas and a leading business figure, was appointed premier this month with a mandate to help reform the Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.