Middle East Experience

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the announcement that full diplomatic ties will be established with the United Arab Emirates has ushered in a “new era” in Israel’s relations with the Arab world.In a nationally broadcast statement delivered on Thursday, Netanyahu said the “full and official peace” with the UAE would lead to cooperation in many spheres between the countries and a “wonderful future” for citizens of both countries.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Among Arab nations, only Egypt and Jordan have active diplomatic ties with Israel. Egypt made a peace deal with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994.President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel.Read more:Israel, UAE reach historic US-brokered peace dealCoronavirus: UAE companies to collaborate with Israeli companies on COVID-19Israel annexation freeze ‘significant diplomatic achievement’ by UAE, says FM Gargash.Trump tweeted a statement from the countries, acknowledging the deal. He then told reporters in the Oval Office that it was “a truly historic moment.”“Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates,” he said.The recognition grants a rare diplomatic win to Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition while efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians have made no headway. Israel and the UAE also have been among Trump’s closest foreign allies.For Israel, the announcement comes after years of boasting by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government enjoys closer ties to Arab nations than publicly acknowledged. Netanyahu has sought to build settlements on lands sought by the Palestinians and embraced a Trump proposal that would allow him to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank while granting Palestinians limited autonomy in other areas.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘full peace’ with UAE to being cooperation

Several senior foreign officials have rushed to Beirut since the deadly Aug. 4 explosions, with top US, French and Iranian officials landing on Thursday.US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale arrived early Thursday, making his first trip to the destroyed streets of Beirut neighborhoods. Hale said that the FBI would participate in the investigations into the cause of the blasts, which have killed nearly 200 people so far and injured more than 6,000.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Speaking to reporters in the Gemayzeh neighborhood, Hale revealed that the FBI would “soon join Lebanese and international investigators at the invitation of the Lebanese … to help answer questions that I know everyone has” about the explosions.Hale also said that Lebanon needed to end “dysfunctional governments and empty promises.”Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced his resignation earlier this week after a number of ministers stepped down, risking his government’s collapse.The US diplomat will meet with Lebanese officials on Friday to discuss the border dispute between Lebanon and Israel and the need for the quick formation of a transparent government. Hale is also expected to touch on the reconstruction of the Port of Beirut, according to official sources.French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly also went to Beirut and visited the destroyed port.Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif landed in Lebanon late Thursday.In a phone call with Iran’s president on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Iran needed to halt its external interference in Lebanon. Macron also said that Tehran needed to support the quick formation of a new government in Lebanon.Via Hezbollah, Iran exerts significant influence in Lebanon, and the militia has exercised its will in public and state institutions.Hezbollah and its allies formed Diab’s now-resigned government.German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday that the international community had a great in Lebanon’s stability.But he said that a government needed to be formed that was able to fight corruption.Before the explosion, Lebanon already had the third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio, with an estimated $90 billion in public debt.Read more:Lebanon financial rescue plan may be ditched, $30B needed to rebuild economy: SourcesBeirut explosion: Cost of damage exceeds $15 billion says President AounLebanon’s sinking economy set to plunge further after Beirut port explosion: Report
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Senior foreign officials rush to Lebanon after Beirut explosions, ahead of new govt

Saudi Arabia has conducted over 4 million COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) cited the Ministry of Health as saying on Thursday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.At the beginning of the pandemic, the Kingdom was conducting about 1,000 tests a day. The ministry said that that number now exceeds 67,000.Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries in the world to provide laboratory testing for the coronavirus, and has so far launched 50 specialized labs and units across the country, according to the health ministry.The country has continued to intensify testing and field testing has been carried out by special teams from the health ministry around Saudi Arabia.Designated Tetamman centers were launched to test individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms, such as shortness of breath or a fever, without having to schedule an appointment.The Taakkad centers were also set up to test individuals who do not have any symptoms at all or have only mild symptoms but wish to be tested.Drive-thru testing centers have also been launched across the Kingdom to ensure that more tests are conducted so that the coronavirus is better contained, the ministry said.Read more:Coronavirus: MERS experience helped Saudi Arabia fight COVID-19, health ministry saysCoronavirus: 43 pct of schools don’t have handwashing resources, says UNCoronavirus: Riyadh Health Summit call to share digital data in COVID-19 fight
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Over 4 million coronavirus tests conducted in Saudi Arabia so far, says ministry

The death toll from last week’s massive explosion in Lebanon’s capital has risen to nearly 180, with an estimated 6,000 people injured and at least 30 missing, the United Nations said Friday.The explosion has affected operations at six hospitals, up from an initial three, and damaged more than 20 clinics in the parts of Beirut worst hit by the blast, the UN’s humanitarian affairs agency said in its report.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“A preliminary rapid assessment within a 15-kilometre radius of the explosions, has revealed that, out of 55 medical facilities, only half are fully operational and around 40 per cent have suffered moderate to serious damage and need rehabilitation,” the report said.It still wasn’t known what caused the Aug. 4 fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut’s port. But documents have emerged in the wake of the explosion that show the country’s top leadership and security officials were aware of the chemicals being stored in the city port.The blast has changed the face of the capital and forced the government to resign. Lebanon’s Parliament on Thursday approved a state of emergency in Beirut in its first session since the tragic explosion last week, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger and political uncertainty.Read more: Beirut explosion: Lebanese community ships 138 tonnes of glass to Beirut from UAESome 120 schools, used by 50,000 students, have been damaged. More than 1,000 of nearly 50,000 residential units were severely damaged, the UN report said.At east 13 refugees, including at least two Palestinians, were among those killed and more than 170,000 residents’ apartments were damaged, according to the UN report.Despite damage to the silos in the Beirut port, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said food shortages are not expected.The blast struck Beirut in the midst of a crippling financial and economic crisis, and the UN predicted people may have difficulties restoring or fixing their homes. But at least 55 percent of buildings assessed were rented, which may allow people to move elsewhere, the UN said.According to the world body the Beirut port is operating at 30 percent capacity and the Tripoli port in the country’s north, at 70 percent . That is allowing for food and goods to continue to flow. The World Food Program is bringing in a three-month supply of wheat flour and grains.The agency said however it is concerned about a surge in coronavirus cases, particularly as social distancing is relaxed during the widespread volunteering to help those affected by the blast and protests against the government and political elite.The government resigned on Aug. 10 and the Cabinet remains in caretaker capacity. Protesters are demanding officials be held accountable for the blast.Read more:Far from home, yet so close: Lebanese abroad haunted by Beirut explosionWhy Lebanon’s president refuses an international investigation into Beirut explosionsHezbollah was taking Beirut ammonium nitrate to produce weapons: Source
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Beirut explosion death toll rises to 178 with 30 people still missing: UN

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to return to Beirut on Sept. 1 to follow up on the reconstruction efforts after the catastrophic blast which destroyed parts of the Lebanese capital last week, French Defense Minister Florence Parly said Friday.Parly, speaking after a tour of the French helicopter-carrier Tonnerre which arrived earlier in the day in the devastated port of Beirut, also called on the Lebanese to form a government capable of taking “courageous decisions.”For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.She described the ship as a “floating city” which can provide all kind of medical and technical support, including a hospital, search and rescue equipment, construction materials and also transporting a shipment of flour.The government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab, which has the backing of the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, resigned in the wake of the explosion.Read more:Beirut explosion death toll rises to 178 with 30 people still missing: UNBeirut explosion: French President Macron shines in Lebanon amid political unrest
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Macron plans to return to Beirut on September 1: French defense minister 

The Iraqi government is under pressure to reveal the fate of persons unaccounted for and those detained in secret prisons.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: In dramatic move, Iraqi PM visits prisons in response to protester appeals

Ankara’s bid to warm the pandemic-hit economy has backfired, forcing a policy reversal that threatens to aggravate popular grievances and heighten political risks for Erdogan.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Economic policy reversal fraught with political risks for Erdogan

Egyptian authorities have begun measures to transfer dangerous materials stored at airports near populous areas to prevent a catastrophe similar to the devastating Beirut port explosion.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt takes action against ‘dangerous’ materials after Beirut explosion

President Ashraf Ghani said the council, announced late on Thursday, would "empower women", promote their rights at home and implement Afghanistan's international commitments on women's rights.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Afghanistan forms new women's council ahead of Taliban talks

ABC News described Robert Trump's condition as "very ill," citing unidentified sources. The nature of the illness was not known.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Trump's younger brother hospitalized in New York