Lebanese leaders reach consensus on border demarcation to present to US envoy
President Aoun tells top military officers: Lebanon’s interests are above everything else
Joseph Aoun: It is the state that protects Lebanon, not its sects
Updated 03 April 2025
NAJIA HOUSSARI
BEIRUT: Lebanese leaders have reached a unified position on border demarcation to present to Morgan Ortagus, the US envoy, who is scheduled to arrive in Beirut before the end of the week.
President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, agreed that there “will be no negotiations with the Israeli side regarding (a) prisoner swap or withdrawal from the Lebanese hills still occupied by the Israeli Army,” a source in the government told Arab News on Thursday.
“However, Lebanon is open to discussing disputed land border points,” the source added.
“Regardless of the US envoy’s proposals, the Lebanese stance remains unchanged,” said the source, who clarified that the Lebanese Army “is fulfilling its duties by being deployed south of the Litani River and confiscating weapons in the border area, as acknowledged by the US side overseeing the ceasefire monitoring committee and the UNIFIL forces.”
The source said that the military had made significant progress on the issue, destroying weapons and ammunition seized from Hezbollah sites.
Aoun told top security officials on Thursday that Lebanon’s interests comes above anything else.
He was speaking during a visit to the leadership of the Internal Security Forces and the General Security Directorate.
“We have a great opportunity to seize at all levels, and we must show the people that we are mature enough to build the state and that we will build it,” he said.
The president called on security bodies to “remain unaffiliated with anyone, serve only Lebanon’s interests, and enforce the law,” noting that “the world is ready to help us, but we must first help ourselves.”
Aoun stated: “Lebanon’s interest comes above anything else. It is the state that protects Lebanon, not its sects. Parties and sects prioritize their interests, whereas your duty is to serve Lebanon.
“You must reject any demands or interference that might harm the nation’s interests and prompt people to respect the law, keeping in mind that no request outside the law will be tolerated.”
Also on Thursday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, the highest Maronite religious authority in Lebanon, said the time “has come to unify weapons in Lebanon, as stipulated in the Taif Agreement.”
He also told the Lebanese Editors Syndicate that the military “needs strengthening and support from other nations, but the solution now is diplomatic, as we are incapable of engaging in war, and no one can confront Israel.
“What has the resistance achieved with all its weapons against the Israeli war machine,” he asked, adding “now is not the time for normalization with Israel, as there are other issues that must be addressed first, such as border demarcation and disarmament.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from the five positions it controls in Lebanon.
He was speaking during a visit to an Israeli military site in southern Lebanon — one of the five hills still occupied since the ceasefire declaration in November.
At the site, which is near the Israeli settlement of Margaliot, Katz stated Israel’s presence at the five locations will be determined not by time but by the situation on the ground.
“Only if Hezbollah disarms and withdraws from the border can we discuss the withdrawal of the Israeli Army from these positions, and this matter is being coordinated with the Americans,” he said.
Katz anticipated “an increase in activity among Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, in Lebanon and Syria.”
He stated: “We are working to prevent the arming of Hezbollah and Palestinian organizations. The challenge will begin and intensify.”
Katz claimed that Hezbollah “is not a protector of Lebanon.”
He added: “The Iranians now realize that it is no longer capable of defending them.”
Elsewhere, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle on the main road between Bint Jbeil and Yaroun in the border area.
The drone struck the vehicle from behind, resulting in two injuries, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.
The Israeli military conducted airstrikes around Naqoura and one strike in the town’s center, targeting pre-fabricated homes as replacements for the destroyed houses and facilities.
These pre-fabricated facilities were being used to meet citizens’ needs, serving as a substitute for the municipal building, destroyed by Israel following the ceasefire, said Naqoura Mayor Abbas Awada.
He highlighted that recent aggression occurring in proximity to UNIFIL headquarters falls “under the jurisdiction of the five-member ceasefire monitoring committee and UNIFIL forces.”
Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Authority reported that Israeli strikes destroyed a “newly established civil defense center and damaged ambulances and firefighting vehicles.”
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken proactive measures, with military units removing “engineering obstacles placed by Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory” near Al-Labouna in the Tyre region.
The military also closed an unauthorized dirt road created by Israeli units in the same area.
In an official statement, the Lebanese Army Command affirmed its ongoing commitment to “addressing Israeli violations through close coordination with the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and UNIFIL.”
The Army Command condemned Israel’s “persistent violations of Lebanese sovereignty and targeting of civilians across multiple regions.”
In another development, UNIFIL Western Sector Commander Gen. Nicola Mandolisi conducted his first meeting with Khirbet Selem Mayor Mohammed Rahhal.
Their joint statement highlighted “UNIFIL’s commitment to facilitating the safe return of displaced residents and supporting Lebanese military operations through strategic partnerships with the Fifth Brigade and the Second and Fifth Rapid Intervention Regiments, key components in regional stabilization efforts.”
Hamas official says delegation heading to Egypt to discuss ‘new ideas’ for Gaza truce
Updated 3 sec ago
AFP
CAIRO: A senior Hamas official told AFP on Tuesday that a delegation from the Palestinian militant group had departed for Cairo to discuss “new ideas” for achieving a ceasefire with Israel.
“The delegation will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss new ideas aimed at reaching a ceasefire,” the official said, following Hamas’s rejection of Israel’s most recent offer last week.
Islamist leader killed in Israeli strike south of Beirut: official
Civil Defense said an Israeli drone targeted a car near the coastal town of Damour
Updated 22 April 2025
AFP
BEIRUT: A military leader of Jamaa Islamiya, a Lebanese Islamist group allied with Palestinian Hamas, was killed Tuesday in an Israeli strike south of Beirut, a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
According to the Lebanese Civil Defense, “an Israeli drone targeted a car” near the coastal town of Damour, about 20 kilometers south of Beirut, and rescuers recovered a man’s body from the vehicle.
Gaza’s Christians ‘heartbroken’ for Pope who phoned them nightly
Updated 36 sec ago
Reuters
CAIRO/BEIRUT: Members of Gaza’s tiny Christian community said they were “heartbroken” on Monday at the death of Pope Francis, who campaigned for peace for the devastated enclave and spoke to them on the phone every evening throughout the war.
Across the wider Middle East, Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox, praised Francis’ constant engagement with them as a source of solace at a time when their communities faced wars, disasters, hardship and persecution.
“We lost a saint who taught us every day how to be brave, how to keep patient and stay strong. We lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his,” George Antone, 44, head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, told Reuters.
Francis called the church hours after the war in Gaza began in October 2023, Antone said, the start of what the Vatican News Service would describe as a nightly routine throughout the war. He would make sure to speak not only to the priest but to everyone else in the room, Antone said.
“We are heartbroken because of the death of Pope Francis, but we know that he is leaving behind a church that cares for us and that knows us by name — every single one of us,” Antone said, referring to the Christians of Gaza who number in the hundreds.
“He used to tell each one: I am with you, don’t be afraid.”
Francis phoned a final time on Saturday night, the pastor of the Holy Family parish, Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, told the Vatican News Service.
“He said he was praying for us, he blessed us, and he thanked us for our prayers,” Romanelli said.
The next day, in his last public statement on Easter, Francis appealed for peace in Gaza, telling the warring parties to “call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”
’PEACE IN THIS LAND’
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, the superior of the Latin community, Father Stephane Milovitch, said Francis had stood for peace.
“We wish that peace will finally come very soon in this land and we wish the next pope will be able to help to have peace in Jerusalem and in all the world,” he said.
In Lebanon, where a war between Israel and Hezbollah caused widespread casualties and extensive damage last year, sending millions from their homes, members of the Catholic Maronite community spoke of Francis’ frequent mentions of their plight.
“He’s a saint for us because he carried Lebanon and the Middle East in his heart, especially in the last period of war,” said a priest in the southern Lebanese town of Rmeish, which was badly damaged during Israel’s military campaign last year.
“We always felt he was very involved and he mobilized all the Catholic institutions and funds to help Lebanon throughout the crises that we went through,” said Marie-Jo Dib, who works at a social foundation in Lebanon.
“He was a rebel and I really pray that the next pope will be like him,” she added.
Francis made repeated trips to the Middle East, including to Iraq in 2021 where he learned that two suicide bombers had attempted to assassinate him in Mosul, a once cosmopolitan city where the Daesh militant group proclaimed a caliphate from 2014-17.
He visited the ruins of four destroyed churches there and launched an appeal for peace.
In Syria, Archbishop Antiba Nicolas said he was holding mass at the historic Damascus Zaitoun church when he was handed a slip of paper with the news.
“He used to say ‘dearest Syria’ every time he spoke of Syria. He called on all international organizations to support Syria, the Christian presence and the church in Syria during the crisis in the past years,” Nicolas said.
Arabs mourn death of Pope Francis, advocate of interfaith dialogue and human dignity
A day before his death, Pope Francis called in his Easter message for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages
He was the first pontiff to visit the Gulf when he traveled to the UAE in 2019, where he signed the “Document on Human Fraternity”
Updated 22 April 2025
ANAN TELLO
LONDON: He preferred to be called “Father” rather than “Your Holiness,” and in his simple white cassock, Pope Francis carried a message of humility far beyond Vatican walls. He washed the feet of migrants, embraced the poor and forsaken, and reminded the world that true power lies in service — not ceremony.
From the barrios of Buenos Aires to the marble corridors of the Holy See, Jorge Mario Bergoglio never lost touch with those on the margins. His papacy redefined what it meant to lead the Catholic Church in the 21st century, making space for both tough conversations and tender compassion.
The death on Monday of Francis, the first pontiff from the Global South and a revolutionary force in the modern Catholic Church, came a day after he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet Easter Sunday crowds, despite recovering from a serious illness.
Pope Francis with Al-Azhar’s Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb. (AFP/File)
The passing followed a year of declining health. He twice survived life-threatening pneumonia in 2025 and spent more than a month in hospital before being discharged on March 23. He had continued to speak out on global issues almost until the very end.
Elected on March 13, 2013, following Benedict XVI’s resignation, Francis inherited a church in crisis — from widespread clergy abuse scandals to infighting within the Curia, the Holy See’s administrative body.
He was chosen with a clear mandate to restore credibility and accountability, quickly shifting the church’s tone and priorities. His leadership marked a sharp break from his predecessor’s, steering the church toward greater openness, transparency and engagement with global issues.
As the first Latin American, first Jesuit, and first non-European Bishop of Rome since Syrian-born Gregory III in the 8th century, Francis’ rise from modest beginnings in Argentina symbolized a church increasingly reflective of its diverse global flock.
His background profoundly influenced his pastoral mission. Social justice became a cornerstone of his papacy, with a focus on the poor, refugees and marginalized groups.
“He taught us to live the values of the gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” Cardinal Farrell said in his Monday statement.
Among the most distinctive aspects of Francis’ papacy was his engagement with the Middle East and the Arab world. His leadership was marked by historic outreach to both Muslim and Christian communities, with a persistent focus on peace and human dignity.
A worshipper prays following the news of the death of Pope Francis. (AFP)
In 2019, he made history as the first pope to visit the Arabian Gulf, traveling to the United Arab Emirates. He later visited Bahrain in 2022. Both trips highlighted his commitment to interfaith dialogue, religious freedom and peaceful coexistence, as he met with regional leaders and addressed human rights concerns.
During his visit to the UAE, the pope and Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Mosque, signed the “Document on Human Fraternity.” The agreement pledged a lasting partnership to reject violence and extremism.
Francis’ commitment to peace was further highlighted in 2021 with his historic pilgrimage to Iraq, where he met privately with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, a leading figure in Shiite Islam. This visit marked a significant milestone in interfaith dialogue and reinforced Francis’ efforts for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.
In December 2024, Francis welcomed Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL), to the Vatican, where they discussed mutual cooperation and shared interests.
While his public statements often drew both praise and criticism, they consistently reflected his defense of civilian life and dignity in conflict zones. This advocacy extended to his final days.
On the day before his passing, Francis dedicated part of his Easter message to Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. “I appeal once again,” he said, “for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the release of the hostages … and for access to humanitarian aid.”
Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Christian theologian based in Bethlehem, expressed his sorrow over the pope’s death. “Palestinians, and Palestinian Christians in particular, have lost a dear friend today,” he wrote on X.
Pope Francis with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I. ( Vatican Media/AFP)
He praised the late pope’s “true compassion to Palestinians, most notably to those in Gaza during this genocide,” highlighting his consistent outreach to “the Christian community besieged in Gaza on a constant basis, even from his hospital.”
His empathy extended to those caught in conflict. In 2024, he denounced Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as “immoral” and “disproportionate,” urging an investigation into whether the actions amounted to genocide. The statement sparked diplomatic tensions with Israel, but Francis remained steadfast.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also mourned the pope’s death, acknowledging his “constant” and “persistent” calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
“His voice has contributed to draw the attention to the significant dehumanization of the war in Gaza (and) beyond,” Lazzarini wrote on X. “It was an honor to meet Pope Francis. Deeply grateful for his (and) the Holy See’s support to Palestine refugees (and) UNRWA.”
By consistently advocating for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, Francis left a legacy as a tireless voice for peace and human dignity, in the Arab world and beyond.
At the Vatican, Francis facilitated unprecedented encounters, including a 2014 prayer summit with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. This demonstrated his belief that dialogue and prayer could lay the foundations for lasting peace.
On Easter Sunday, his prayers extended to the Christian communities in Lebanon and Syria, countries “presently experiencing a delicate transition in their history.” He called on the church to “keep the Christians of the beloved Middle East in its thoughts and prayers.”
The death of Francis has been felt deeply across the region, where his leadership and compassion were revered by many.
A nun lights a candle next to a portrait of the late Pope Francis. (AFP)
Yeghia Tashjian, regional and international affairs cluster coordinator at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, told Arab News: “Pope Francis is often considered a great person by many because of his humility, compassion and focus on social justice.”
He added that the late pope’s humble approach was reflected not only in his title, but also in his actions. “I think most of us will remember him as a humble church leader who always preferred to be called ‘Father’ instead of ‘Your Holiness’,” Tashjian said. “I believe this should be an example to many church leaders in the East.
“Most importantly,” he added, “he was not an elitist and was always concerned for the well-being of the people; this is why in his era there was a strong commitment by the Catholic youth to the church, even in Western countries.”
In his reflections on Francis’ legacy, Tashjian also highlighted the Pope’s deep concern for Lebanon and the wider region. He said: “When it comes to Lebanon and the region, it was always in his prayers. He called for a ceasefire during the war and the end of the war in Gaza; he often criticized political leaders for their lack of commitment to peace.
“I think the Catholic world and the rest of the world will miss such a humble leader. I hope he will be an inspiration for religious leaders around the world,” Tashjian added.
Pope Francis signed a landmark accord with Al-Azhar’s Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb. (AFP/File)
Francis also showed concern for the suffering of Lebanese people after the Beirut port explosion, which killed at least 220 people and injured more than 6,000. In August 2024, he met 30 relatives of the blast’s victims in a private audience at the Vatican and expressed his support for their call for “truth and justice which have not yet arrived.
“All of us know that the issues are complex and difficult, and that opposing powers and interests make their influence felt,” he said. “Yet truth and justice must prevail over all else.”
Moroever, Francis consistently championed Lebanon as an example of religious pluralism and a beacon of peace. On Aug. 26, 2024, he reaffirmed Lebanon’s vocation “to be a land where diverse communities live together in concord, setting the common good above individual advantage; a land where different religions and confessions encounter one another in a spirit of fraternity.”
Syrians, too, feel the loss of Francis, seeing him as an advocate for their plight. Camille Otrakji, a Syrian Canadian analyst, told Arab News: “Behind the scenes, Pope Francis sought to ease the suffering of the Syrian people by quietly urging the Biden administration to acknowledge and respond to their prolonged humanitarian crisis.”
Otrakji also cited some of Francis’ powerful symbolic gestures that resonated deeply in the region. “In 2016, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of Muslim migrants, saying ‘we are all children of God’ — a powerful show of support for Syrian and Middle Eastern refugees in Europe.”
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary- general of the Muslim World League, met Pope Francis in 2024 to discuss mutual cooperation. (Supplied)
He highlighted other moments that resonated with regional Christians, including the pope’s correction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Jesus Christ spoke Hebrew. “Pope Francis reminded him that Jesus spoke Aramaic, a language that originated in the ancient region of Syria,” he said.
“In 2015, he signed a treaty that officially recognized Palestine as a state,” Otrakji added.
Arab and Muslim leaders offered their condolences following the Vatican’s announcement of Francis’ death.
On Monday, in a post on X, Al-Issa of the MWL wrote: “Our friendship with the prominent late pontiff had a clear impact on the cooperation between the MWL and the Vatican in serving our shared objectives.
“We commend the late pope for his wisdom, his principled stances, and his positive contributions, particularly concerning the Islamic world and its causes.”
I extend my sincere condolences to the Vatican State and the entire Catholic community on the passing of Pope Francis.
Our friendship with the prominent late Pontiff had a clear impact on the cooperation between the MWL and the Vatican in serving our shared objectives. We commend…
— Mohammed Al-Issa محمد العيسى (@MhmdAlissa) April 21, 2025
Likewise, the Muslim Council of Elders, headed by Egypt’s Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, extended its condolences to “the leaders of the Catholic Church, our Christian brethren, and all advocates of peace and coexistence worldwide.”
The group released a statement on X, saying Francis “embodied a singular example of compassion and becoming a historic religious figure whose enduring humanitarian legacy will inspire future generations.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also offered his condolences, describing Francis as “a voice of peace, love and compassion.”
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed extended his “deepest condolences to Catholics around the world,” writing on X that the pope “dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding.”
A woman prays as she attends a vigil to honour Pope Francis. (AFP)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered a statement on the presidency’s X account, calling Francis’ death “a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace” who called for “dialogue between religions and cultures.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also paid tribute to Francis.
In a statement to Arab News, Muath Alamri, director of the MWL, expressed “deep sorrow” at Francis’ death, calling him “a man of profound humility and wisdom.”
“On behalf of the MWL, I extend our heartfelt condolences to our Catholic friends around the world,” he said. “Pope Francis was a beacon of compassion and a strong advocate for justice and human dignity.”
From the barrios of Buenos Aires to the marble corridors of the Holy See, Jorge Mario Bergoglio never lost touch with those on the margins. (AFP)
Alamri praised the pope’s lifelong dedication to service and interfaith dialogue, saying he “will be remembered for his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue in the region and beyond.”
He added that the late pope’s “work to build bridges between communities, promoting harmony and peace among people of all faiths, was a testament to his noble character and his unwavering belief in the power of mutual understanding and cooperation.”
He leaves a legacy of peace, social justice and interfaith dialogue, profoundly impacting the Middle East and inspiring global communities with his commitment to humanity and reconciliation.
Lawyers denounce ‘fabricated’ Tunisia trial of opposition
Among those sentenced were well-known opposition figures, lawyers and business people. Some have already been in prison for two years while others are in exile or still free
Updated 21 April 2025
AFP
TUNIS: Lawyers and relatives on Monday denounced the hefty sentences handed down to Tunisian opposition figures in last week’s mass trial as “fabricated” and “unfounded,” and said they will appeal.
A court in Tunis in the early hours of Saturday handed down jail terms of up to 66 years to around 40 defendants, including vocal critics of President Kais Saied.
They were accused of “conspiracy against state security” and “belonging to a terrorist group” among other charges, according to their lawyers.
Defense lawyer Samir Dilou said on Monday the trial was “unprecedented in Tunisia” as “it handed the defendants a total of 892 years in prison.”
He said key evidence in the case was still missing, as lawyers had complained that they did not have full access to the case file.
“They still haven’t told us how the defendants conspired against the state,” Dilou told journalists.
He said an appeal could be filed as early as Tuesday.
Among those sentenced were well-known opposition figures, lawyers and business people. Some have already been in prison for two years while others are in exile or still free.
Several were arrested in February 2023, after which Saied labelled them “terrorists.”
Abdennasser Mehri, another defense lawyer, called the trial a “blatant violation of the law.”
“It’s a fabricated, unfounded case with a plan set in advance,” he said. “The scales of justice are broken.”
Dilou said Ahmed Souab, also a defense lawyer, was arrested early Monday after police raided his home.
Local media said he was accused of “threatening to commit terrorist crimes” in a statement made on Saturday after the trial, criticizing political pressure judges were allegedly under.
Online videos showed Souab saying that “knives are not on the necks of detainees, but on the neck of the judge issuing the ruling.”
Souab, a former judge, is expected to remain in detention “for five days and he won’t be allowed to communicate with his lawyers for 48 hours,” Dilou told AFP.
Human Rights Watch said on Saturday the court “did not give even a semblance of a fair trial” to the defendants.
Defense lawyer Dalila Msaddek said the trial was used “to lump together everyone they wanted to get rid of.”
Politicians Issam Chebbi and Jawhar Ben Mbarek of the opposition National Salvation Front coalition, as well as lawyer Ridha BelHajj and activist Chaima Issa, were sentenced to 18 years behind bars.
Activist Khayam Turki was handed a 48-year term and businessman Kamel Eltaief received the harshest penalty — 66 years in prison, according to lawyers.
Some defendants are abroad and were tried in absentia, like French intellectual Bernard Henri-Levy who received a 33-year jail term, lawyers said.
Since Saied launched a power grab in the summer of 2021 and assumed total control, rights advocates and opposition figures have decried a rollback of freedoms in the North African country where the 2011 Arab Spring began.
