Middle East Experience

Georgieva said the IMF was negotiating over a budget proposal that would address Lebanon's banking sector and..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: IMF calls for ‘comprehensive’ reform programme in Lebanon

Complex and dangerous operation grips residents after Rayan fell 32 metres down an empty shaft in Chefchaouen..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Moroccan rescuers close in on five-year-old boy trapped in well

The UN Security Council issued a veiled criticism of Hezbollah on Friday without naming the Iran-backed group, calling on all “Lebanese parties” to disassociate themselves from external conflicts.“The members of the Security Council called upon all Lebanese parties to implement a tangible policy of disassociation from any external conflicts, as an important priority, as spelled out in previous declarations, in particular the 2012 Baabda Declaration,” a statement from the Security Council said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Baabda Declaration was adopted by the Lebanese government under former President Michel Sleiman and called for abstaining from intervening in any conflicts outside of Lebanon’s borders.Hezbollah has publicly admitted and boasted about its participation in the Syrian war, propping up the Assad regime for years since the fighting broke out.The group, which dubs itself as a resistance to Israel and to so-called American projects in the region, is also believed to be aiding Yemen’s Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq.The Security Council also condemned the repeated attacks against UN peacekeepers in the Hezbollah strongholds of south Lebanon.Members of the Security Council said justice was needed against the “perpetrators of those incidents in accordance with the Lebanese law and consistent with Security Council resolution 2589 (2021).”Separately, the members of the Council called for “a swift, independent, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation” into the Beirut blast in August 2020.Hezbollah and its Shia allies, Amal Movement, have been blocking all efforts by the lead judge tasked with investigating the explosion.Meanwhile, Lebanon continues to suffer from one of the worst economic and financial collapses in history, according to World Bank officials.Hezbollah and Amal blocked cabinet meetings for nearly three months over their opposition to the Beirut Port blast investigations.“As the Lebanese population is facing dire needs and has expressed legitimate aspirations for reforms, elections and justice, the members of the Security Council urged expeditious and effective decisions by the Government to initiate measures, including the swift adoption of an appropriate budget for 2022 that would enable the quick conclusion of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” the Security Council said. “Moreover, they reiterated with urgency the need to implement previously outlined, tangible reforms which are necessary to help the Lebanese population.”Billions of dollars of aid have been pledged to Lebanon for years but are contingent upon reforms to combat corruption and mismanagement. Lebanese officials have not implemented promised reforms.Parliamentary elections are slated for May, with presidential elections to take place after.“The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of holding free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections as scheduled on May 15, 2022, ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women as candidates and voters in the election.”They also called on the government to enable the Supervisory Commission for Elections to carry out its mandate, “notably by providing it with adequate resources and initiating the process of nominating candidates.”Read more:Lebanon’s former PM Hariri declares boycott of elections, stepping away from politicsTop US lawmakers call on Biden to ‘reconsider’ support for Lebanon energy deals
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UN Security Council issues veiled criticism of Lebanon’s Hezbollah

The Biden administration on Friday restored some sanctions relief to Iran’s atomic program as talks aimed at salvaging the languishing 2015 nuclear deal enter a critical phase.As US negotiators head back to Vienna for what could be a make-or-break session, Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed several sanctions waivers related to Iran’s civilian nuclear activities. The move reverses the Trump administration’s decision to rescind them.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The waivers are intended to entice Iran to return to compliance with the 2015 deal that it has been violating since former President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed US sanctions. Iran says it is not respecting the terms of the deal because the US pulled out of it first.Iran has demanded the restoration of all sanctions relief it was promised under the deal to return to compliance.Friday’s move lifts the sanctions threat against foreign countries and companies from Russia, China and Europe that had been cooperating with non-military parts of Iran’s nuclear program under the terms of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.The Trump administration had ended the so-called “civ-nuke” waivers in May 2020 as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran that began when Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018, complaining that it was the worst diplomatic agreement ever negotiated and gave Iran a pathway to developing the bomb.As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden made a US return to the nuclear deal a priority, and his administration has pursued that goal but there has been little progress toward that end since he took office a year ago. Administration officials said the waivers were being restored to help push the Vienna negotiations forward.“The waiver with respect to these activities is designed to facilitate discussions that would help to close a deal on a mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA and lay the groundwork for Iran’s return to performance of its JCPOA commitments,” the State Department said in a notice to Congress that announced the move.“It is also designed to serve US nonproliferation and nuclear safety interests and constrain Iran’s nuclear activities,” the department said. “It is being issued as a matter of policy discretion with these objectives in mind, and not pursuant to a commitment or as part of a quid pro quo. We are focused on working with partners and allies to counter the full range of threats that Iran poses.”A copy of the State Department notice and the actual waivers signed by Blinken were obtained by The Associated Press.The waivers permit foreign countries and companies to work on civilian projects at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power station, its Arak heavy water plant and the Tehran Research Reactor. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had revoked the waivers in May, 2020, accusing Iran of “nuclear extortion” for continuing and expanding work at the sites.Critics of the nuclear deal who lobbied Trump to withdraw from it protested, arguing that even if the Biden administration wants to return to the 2015 deal it should at least demand some concessions from Iran before up front granting it sanctions relief.“From a negotiating perspective, they look desperate: we’ll waive sanctions before we even have a deal, just say yes to anything!” said Rich Goldberg, a vocal deal opponent who is a senior adviser to the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies.One senior State Department official familiar with the waivers maintained that the move is not a “concession” to Iran and was being taken “in our vital national interest as well as the interest of the region and the world.” The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.Read more: US Iran envoy criticized for ‘parroting Iranian propaganda’ about women in stadiums
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US grants sanctions relief to Iran as nuke talks in balance

Roads leading up to the city of Harad have been declared an area of military operation until further notice by the Arab Coalition, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki in a statement carried by SPA said, “any movements on these roads will be targeted.”“The Arab Coalition Command also requests Yemeni citizens not to be near these roads for their own safety,” the statement said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Arab Coalition has been conducting targeted strikes in areas where Iran-backed Houthis have a presence.Ahead of conducting these strikes, civilians are warned not to approach or gather around the sites in the interest of civilian safety. The coalition routinely stresses that the operations are conducted in line with international humanitarian law.The Iran-backed militia frequently target civilian areas and energy facilities in the Kingdom with explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles.Lately, the Houthis have attempted attacks against the UAE. The first reported incident on January 17 claimed three lives and caused damage to an oil facility owned by ADNOC.Two other attacks in January and February were thwarted without damage or loss of life.In light of these attacks in the UAE, the country has received global support by means of condemnation or with additional military support.The US on February 2 said that the UAE would receive a warship and state of the art fighter jets to combat future Houthi attacks.Meanwhile, France on Friday said that they will “reinforce” the UAE’s defense systems, including deploying Rafale jets.Read more:UK accused of neglecting citizen detained by Houthis in Yemen since 2017Arab Coalition strikes in Yemen destroy nine ‘military vehicles,’ casualties reportedUS approves potential weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition says roads leading to Yemen’s Harad within military operations

Saudi Arabia has recorded a decrease in COVID-19 transmissions with 3,013 cases and three virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health.This brings the total deaths caused by the virus to 8,953, while the critical case count was 1,056 as of February 5.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Saudi Arabia recorded its first omicron case in early December, thought to have come from an undisclosed north African country. The total number of cases in the Kingdom has now reached 705,637.Meanwhile, 4,824 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, adding to the total recovery tally of 662,819.So far, the Kingdom has administered 58,221,514 vaccine doses. Health authorities continue with the Kingdom’s vaccination plan in an effort to get the majority of the population vaccinated.A booster shot is now required to reflect an ‘immune’ status in the country’s Tawakkalna app for those over 18 who had their second vaccine dose more than eight months ago.An ‘immune’ status is required to enter certain public places, use public transport, and enter government buildings in the country.Meanwhile, from February 9, Saudi Arabia’s citizens who wish to travel outside the Kingdom are required to take a third shot (booster dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine.Read more:COVID-19 deaths in US cross 900,000 after omicron surge strains healthcare systemSaudi Arabia allows booster shot for individuals immediately after COVID-recoverySaudi Arabia mandates booster shot for citizens traveling out of the country
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia marks further drop in COVID cases with 3,013 new infections in 24 hours

The Islamic State is a shadow of its former self. But it’s likely to keep adapting and enduring, even after the U.S. raid that killed its top commander..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Leader’s Death Is Another Blow for ISIS, but It’s Hardly the End

Refueling and regular Rafale fighter jet observation missions would take place solely over UAE territory, French officials said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: France offers air defence support to UAE to thwart Iran proxy threat

Saudi Arabia marked a momentous first-time participation at the Winter Olympic Games since its start in 1924, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.As the 24th winter games kicked off in Beijing, China, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee was present along with the Kingdom’s delegation of participants.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US was also present, among other officials.“Filled with pride as I witness the first ever Saudi Winter Olympics Team at the opening ceremony in Beijing today! They inspire us by proving that there is no limit to their ambition,” wrote the Saudi ambassador on Instagram.The Saudi Arabian flag was raised at the ceremony by Faiq Abdi, who is representing the Kingdom in the Alpine Skiing competition.The opening ceremony was held at Beijing’s national stadium known as the "Bird's Nest," under strict measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. It marks the first time for the same country to host both the Summer and Winter games.Read more: Beijing Winter Olympics: COVID-19 cases on the rise as Games openPutin heads to talks with China’s Xi to bolster ties amid Ukraine tensionsIOC fumes over plans for biennial soccer World Cup, says will have negative impact
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia marks first participation in Winter Olympic Games held in China

Berri, whose Shia Amal Movement is a close ally to Iran-backed Hezbollah, said that he would not accept the postponement of the 2022 general election..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon Hezbollah bloc says committed to National Accord Document