Day: September 13, 2024

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday received Minister of Displaced Affairs, Issam Sharafeddine, accompanied by a delegation representing the depositors' associations, at the Grand Serail. Following the meeting, Sharafeddine stated that the discussions focused on the "urgent and implementable demands" of depositors, including a proposal to raise the monthly withdrawal limit to $1,000. He suggested that this could be achieved by drawing a modest amount from the central bank's mandatory reserves for emergency cases, emphasizing the needs of depositors who are sick, hungry, or seeking education for their children. Additionally, the delegation proposed solutions such as "student checks, healthcare checks, and checks for taxes and fees." Sharafeddine expressed optimism, noting that Prime Minister Mikati agreed to prioritize these issues on the Cabinet's agenda. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

Caretaker Foreign Minister, Abdullah Bou Habib, on Friday met with UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, and a delegation from the agency to discuss solutions to the Syrian refugee crisis. Bou Habib reiterated Lebanon's position, stressing the need for the 'safe and dignified return' of Syrian refugees and called on UNHCR to enhance communication with the Syrian government. In turn, Menikdiwela noted a 'positive shift' in Syria's handling of refugee matters, indicating that 30,000 Syrian refugees are expected to voluntarily return from Lebanon in the coming months. For his part, Bou Habib encouraged the continuation of this process, emphasizing that many areas in Syria are now safe for return. Bou Habib separately met with French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, with whom he discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and France's efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. Bou Habib expressed gratitude for France's role in the UNIFIL mandate extension and urged a re evaluation of Europe's approach to the Syrian refugee issue. He also briefed Magro on recent Arab League ministerial meetings in Cairo. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

The 'Islamic Resistance' announced in a statement: "In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, and in response to the massacre committed by the Israeli enemy in the town of Kfar Joz, the Islamic Resistance fighters launched an air attack on Friday, September 13, 2024, with squadrons of attack drones on the enemy's Philon base (the headquarters of the 210th Division's brigades and its warehouses in the northern region) southeast of the occupied city of Safad, targeting the locations of its officers and soldiers, achieving direct hit." Source: National news agency - Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, on Friday questioned Speaker of the House Nabih Berri's intentions, calling for immediate action to resolve the presidential impasse. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Geagea stated, "If Speaker Nabih Berri truly wants to be positive, why not call for an open electoral session with consecutive rounds until a president is elected, without all the other theatrics?" Source: National news agency - Lebanon

The non-governmental organization IDRAAC on Friday held a conference titled 'Where Are We Now? Mental Health in Lebanon After Multiple Crises' at Saint George University Theatre in Ashrafieh, under the patronage of caretaker Health Minister Dr. Firas Abiad. The event gathered mental health professionals, including Saint George University President Dr. Tarek Mitri, Saint George Hospital Director Dr. Marwan Najjar, and IDRAAC President Prof. Elie Karam. In his address, Minister Abiad acknowledged Lebanon's resilience but noted, "Repeated crises gradually erode this resilience." He emphasized that the growing importance of mental health is inevitable as crises multiply, stating, "We all know someone whose mental health has deteriorated due to the daily pressures we face." Abiad expressed relief at the cabinet's recent approval of new hospital rates, particularly for facilities focused on mental health. Moreover, the Health Minister highlighted the public-private partnerships between the Ministry of Health a nd local and international organizations, such as IDRAAC, as vital to providing necessary services amid resource shortages. "Studies like those conducted by IDRAAC ensure effective resource allocation, despite scarcity," Abiad said, calling for collaboration to deliver quality care at minimal cost. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

In a statement issued on Friday, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced: "In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza and in solidarity with their courageous and honorable resistance, at 12:48 pm on Friday, September 13, 2024, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the enemy's Zibdin barracks in the occupied Shebaa Farms with rocket fire, achieving a direct hit." Source: National news agency - Lebanon

An official source at the Ministry of Interior announced a final ruling in reference to Royal Order No. A/60 dated 30/1/1443 AH, which stipulates the termination of the service of General Khalid bin Qarar Al-Harbi, the former Director General of Public Security, and refers him to retirement and investigates him for numerous violations which include seizing public funds for personal gain, and accuses him of committing a number of crimes, including forgery, bribery and abuse of influence, The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has investigated him and referred him to the competent court in accordance with the Criminal Procedures Law. A final ruling was issued against him proving his conviction for the crime of bribery and forgery and punishing him for all the charges by imprisonment for ten years, and paying a fine of SAR1,000,000 to be deposited in the state treasury. Also, the ruling stipulates that his conviction of exploiting his position of influence for personal gain, exploiting governm ent contracts, and embezzlement of public funds are all to be punished by imprisonment for ten years, in addition to confiscating the amounts of bribes he received amounting to SAR10,084,303 and depositing them in the state treasury, obligating him to return the embezzled amounts totaling SAR2,827,000 to the state treasury, confiscating the gifts or their equivalent value and the value of the financial assistance he offered to his relatives as bribes, which is SAR175,000 and depositing them in the state treasury, and confiscating two agricultural lands obtained through the crime, and obligating him to return the amount of SAR584,000 to the state treasury. The Ministry of Interior confirms the keenness of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect public money, combat corruption in all its forms and manifestations, protect society against violators and whoever exploits their positions for gaining personal interests or harming the public interest, and apply the stipulations of regulations agains t the violators. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Six civilians were killed and others were injured on Friday morning in an Israeli shelling of the central and southern Gaza Strip. WAFA correspondent said that the bodies of five civilians were recovered following an Israeli artillery shelling of the Bardweel family home in the al-Mawasi area in the city of Rafah, in the southern Strip. A civilian was also killed and others were injured in an Israeli bombing that targeted a house belonging to the Aqel family on 20th Street Nuseirat refugee camp in the center of the Strip. The occupation's aggression on the Gaza Strip, by land, sea and air, since October 7, 2023, has so far resulted in the killing of 41,118 civilians, mostly children and women, and the injury of 95,125 others. Thousands of victims remain missing; either buried under the rubble or scattered on the roads, as rescue teams face tremendous difficulties in reaching them due to the continued Israeli attacks and the massive amount of debris. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

This incident raises the number of UNRWA staff killed in this conflict to 220. The United Nations Secretary-General stressed in a statement that this incident must be independently and thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability. The continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable, he said. 'Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must be protected and the essential needs of civilians met.'--WAFA Source: National news agency - Lebanon

Israeli reconnaissance drones on Friday conducted intensive low-altitude flights over the city of Tyre and its surrounding regions. Source: National news agency - Lebanon