Middle East Experience

The Lebanese prosecutor probing last summer’s port explosion in Beirut filed charges on Thursday against the caretaker prime minister and three former ministers, accusing them of negligence leading to the death of hundreds of people, Lebanon’s official news agency said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Judge Fadi Sawwan filed the charges against Hassan Diab and former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, as well as Ghazi Zeiter and Youssef Fenianos, both former ministers of public works.All four were charged with carelessness and negligence leading to death over the Aug. 4 explosion at Beirut's port, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands. The explosion was caused by the ignition of a large stockpile of explosive material that had been stored at the port for years, with the knowledge of top security officials and politicians who did nothing about it.The four are the most senior individuals to be indicted so far in the probe, which is being conducted in secrecy. Anger has been building up over the slow investigation, lack of answers and the fact that no senior officials have been indicted.About 30 other security officials and port and customs officials have been detained in the probe so far.Diab, a former professor at the American University of Beirut who became prime minister late last year, resigned a few days after the blast, which leveled the country's main port and destroyed large parts of the city. Diab has continued to function in caretaker capacity while efforts to form a new government has floundered amid political disputes.Diab said his conscience is clear and he is confident of his “responsible and transparent handling of the port explosion file.”In a statement issued by his office later Thursday, he said he is “surprised by this targeting that goes beyond the person to the position. Hassan Diab will not permit the position of the prime ministry to be targeted by anyone.”The blast is considered to be among the largest non-nuclear explosions ever to be recorded.Zeitar was transport and public works minister in 2014, followed by Fenianos in 2016, who held the job until the beginning of 2020. Khalil was finance minister in 2014, 2016 and until 2020.Documents surfaced soon after the explosion showing that at least 10 times over the past six years, authorities from Lebanon’s customs, military, security agencies and judiciary raised the alarm that a massive stockpile of potentially dangerous chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut.President Michel Aoun, in office since 2016, said he was first told of the stockpile nearly three weeks before the explosion and immediately ordered military and security agencies to do “what was needed.” But he suggested his responsibility ended there, saying he had no authority over the port and that previous governments had been told of its presence.Since the material arrived in Lebanon in late 2013, four prime ministers have been in office during the past seven years.Najib Mikati, Tammam Salam and Saad Hariri have reportedly said that they were not aware of the existence of the material at the port. Diab has said was only informed about the presence of the “explosives” days earlier and planned to visit the site. He told reporters earlier this year that he canceled his visit to the port after he was told that the material were fertilizers.Investigators probing the blast had so far focused on personnel at the Port of Beirut. Judge Sawwan said he has set next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as dates for interrogating the four as defendants.Both Khalil and Fenanios were sanctioned by the US in September this year, the first two officials to be subjected to those outside of Hezbollah group.Read more:Massive explosions rock Lebanon’s capital of Beirut; Trump says it was an ‘attack’Beirut explosion: Six sources explain details, shine light on Hezbollah linkOne month after the deadly Beirut port explosion, how is Lebanon coping?
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon judge indicts PM, three ex-ministers over Beirut explosion

On International Human Rights Day, the UAE is taking steps to create a national human rights plan.The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, launched the consultative process for preparing the UAE’s National Human Rights Plan in a virtual media briefing on Thursday.Dr. Anwar Gargash, who is also the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, delivered a speech on the role of the UAE in promoting and developing normative and institutional frameworks for human rights.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Today is International Human Rights Day, which is marked on December 10 every year since its inception by the United Nations in 1948,” the minister said in his opening remarks, adding that the UAE chose this day to launch the consultative process to prepare the national plan for human rights.This year, the UN chose to focus on the global challenges COVID-19 has presented, and this year’s slogan is “Recover Better –Stand Up For Human Rights.”“These are exceptional and unprecedented circumstances in the world, and these conditions are real and have been reflected in the social, economic, and political aspects of all countries of the world,” Gargash said on COVID-19.The UAE has devoted its efforts to cope with this pandemic, the minister said, adding that it had delivered COVID-19 aid to a number of countries.“I think we are emerging from this pandemic with a high degree of competence and optimism,” he said.Consultative processThe UAE is set to launch a national human rights plan by the end of 2021, Gargash said in the press briefing.During the consultative process for preparing the country’s human rights plan, Gargash said the National Human Rights committee will consult with the National Council; relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Justice, civil societies of the UAE; and other relevant bodies.The minister said the consultative process is expected to take about seven months.“The National Human Rights Plan solidifies the efforts made by the UAE government in the context of promoting human rights,” Gargash said.Human rights in the UAE“We have been participating for over 14 years in what is known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva,” Gargash said.The minister said the UAE has done a great deal of work when it comes to human rights.“When it comes issue of women’s rights, the country has expanded and strengthened what is a very positive record on the issue of women’s rights,” he said.The UAE has also had a positive record when it comes to tolerance and the right to practice religious rituals, according to Gargash.When it comes to labor rights, especially in sectors related to domestic workers and construction workers, Gargash said “a lot of work has been done.”“All of these matters are part of a very broad system and they represent a large file of human rights in the UAE,” the UAE minister said. However, he added that he does not claim it is a “comprehensive” human rights file, as he said there are many aspects that could be improved.The post-coronavirus phase requires further strengthening of the UAE’s position on human rights, according to Gargash, whether it’s for citizens or residents.“The general idea is that when we evaluate the consultative process and draw up the National Human Rights Plan, this plan will be like an agenda for the coming years,” Gargash said.The UAE National Human Rights Plan, he said, will be the product of a consultative process in this respect.“The general idea is that we will complete the plan by the end of the third quarter of 2021, preceded by a consultative process and then a technical process before adopting this plan,” he concluded.Read more:UAE ranks 15 in UN’s Global Knowledge IndexUAE supports Saudi efforts to resolve Gulf rift: Gargash
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE launches consultative process for UAE National Human Rights Plan

The US Treasury has imposed fresh sanctions on Thursday targeting five Houthi militia officials.The sanctions imposed on Thursday came after the five Houthi militia officials were implicated in the torture of women and children.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Abdul Hakim al-Khaiwani, the head of the security apparatus of the Houthi militia, Motlaq Amer al-Marrani, the deputy head of the Houthis’ security department, and on Abdul Qader al-Shami, a Houthi official.Read more:US set to designate Iran-backed Houthi militia as terrorist organizationYemen’s Houthis making more lethal drones with Iranian components: ReportArab Coalition destroys two bomb-laden boats belonging to Iran-backed Houthis
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US Treasury imposes sanctions on five Houthi militia officials

Major obstacle falls to Trump administration's Gulf security goals.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Senate fails to pass resolution blocking Trump administration’s F-35 sale to the UAE

The four men, who will likely be tried in absentia, now have 20 days to submit statements or ask to be heard in the case..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Italy charges four Egyptian security agents over Regeni kidnapping, murder

Israel and Morocco agreed on Thursday to normalize relations in a deal brokered with the help of the United States, making Morocco the fourth Arab country to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past four months.As part of the agreement, US President Donald Trump agreed to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, where there has been a decades-old territorial dispute with Morocco pitted against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a breakaway movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the territory.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Trump sealed the agreement in a phone call on Thursday with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, the senior US official said.Morocco is the fourth country since August to strike a deal aimed at normalizing relations with Israel. The others were the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.Under the agreement, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel, grant overflights and also direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis.“They are going reopen their liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv immediately with the intention to open embassies. And they are going to promote economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies,” White House senior adviser Jared Kushner told Reuters.“Today the administration has achieved another historic milestone. President Trump has brokered a peace agreement between Morocco and Israel – the fourth such agreement between Israel and an Arab/Muslim nation in four months.“Through this historic step, Morocco is building on its longstanding bond with the Moroccan Jewish community living in Morocco and throughout the world, including in Israel. This is a significant step forward for the people of Israel and Morocco.“It further enhances Israel’s security, while creating opportunities for Morocco and Israel to deepen their economic ties and improve the lives of their people.”A White House statement on the phone call between Trump and the king of Morocco said Trump “reaffirmed his support for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory.”“And as such the president recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory,” the statement said.With Trump to leave office on Jan. 20, the Morocco deal could be among the last his team, led by Kushner and US envoy Avi Berkowitz, is able to negotiate before they give way to President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration.Much of the momentum behind the deal-making has been to present a united front against Iran and roll back its regional influence.Read more:UAE, Bahrain, Israel and the US ‘change the course of history’The UAE-Israel Abraham Accord is the mother of all dealsAbraham Accord ‘qualitative step’ to achieving regional peace: UAE Minister of State
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel, Morocco agree to normalize relations after US-brokered deal

Elham Khazen has become the first Arab woman to run for the Israeli presidency.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Arab-Israeli woman announces presidential run

The incoming Kuwaiti parliament, following legislative elections December 5, recently witnessed its first battle, an indicatio that its tenure will be heated and marked by the usual clashes between the country’s legislative and executive authorities..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Kuwaiti opposition targets Marzouq al-Ghanim in first battle

Donald Trump has announced Morocco's intention to normalise relations with Israel..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Trump announces Israel-Morocco to normalise relations

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has condemned Iraqi-Kurdish authorities after a violent crackdown on portesters..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Euro-Med rights monitor slams Iraqi-Kurdish authorities for gross violation of protesters' human rights