Tag Archives: Syria

World

Iran talks of new power equation to combat warmongering

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

Moscow: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has drawn world attention to a new power equation by stating here on Monday that contrary to US, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia are determined to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Referring to Iran-Russia-China joint military drills, Zarif said it indicates the significant role and efforts of all parties in establishing peace in the region. On December 27, Iran, Russia and China started staging a four-day trilateral naval exercise in the north Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman to share experiences in fight against terrorism and piracy.

IRNA (Islamic Republic New Agency) reports, Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Zarif arrived in Moscow late on Sunday to hold talks with top Russian officials including his counterpart Sergei Lavrov on wide range of issues.

Zarif said the relation between Iran and Russia is in its best historic situation and Iranian officials are determined to consider Russia as a big and important neighboring state acting as a great international power, he said.

“In contrast to those who promote warmongering in the region, Iran and Russia have presented initiatives which are similar to each other aiming to maintain peace in the region”, Zarif said.

IRNA further reports: Referring to US recent attack on Iraqi forces, Zarif said this was just one example of US behavior.

The Iranian foreign minister described Iran-Russia cooperation in Astana format as a successful example of joint cooperation for bringing back peace to Syria. He also expressed the hope for dialogue on regional and international issues linked to Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq and went on to underscore that Russia follows peace initiative while Iran pursues Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) initiative.

It may be recalled, the Iranian president had presented the Hormuz Peace Endeavor HOPE initiative at the 74th UNGA session on 25 September 2019, calling for collective cooperation of the Persian Gulf coastal states to safeguard peace in the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

After that, the Iranian government had sent letters to the southern Arab states in the Persian Gulf to seize the opportunity to reduce tensions with Iran and provide free maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The move shows how serious Iran is in ending differences with its neighbors, Zarif said, adding the presence of the US and its allies in the Middle East is the main source of tensions there like the events that are taking place in Iraq and Lebanon these days.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that Javad Zarif will leave Moscow for Beijing in the second leg of his regional tour. In China, he will discuss bilateral issues including the July 2015 nuclear deal.

World

Lebanon reaffirms partnership with the US and joint commitment to fight terrorism

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

The US Secretary of State R Pompeo met Lebonese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Washington DC on Thursday, 15 August 2019 and reaffirmed U.S. support for Lebanon’s security & stability. Pompeo raised strong concerns regarding Hizballah and reiterated that U.S. sanctions against Hizballah members and its supporters will continue.

Washington, D.C: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday, 15 August 2019, thanked the U.S. Government’s continued support to Lebanon and especially of the Lebanese Armed Forces and national security forces and reaffirmed Lebanon’s partnership and joint commitment to the fight against terrorism.

Hariri was addressing media persons jointly with the US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.

Hariri confirmed to the commitment to continuing the negotiation process led by the US Ambassador Satterfield on behalf of the U.S. Government concerning Lebanon’s land and maritime borders. The proposal was communicated to the President of the Republic and the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon and to him, he added saying they consider the process to be viable and will continue to support constitutional next step leading up to a final decision in the coming months, hopefully September.

Equally, there is a continued support for the CEDRE Conference and Capital Investment Plan, which are essential to the revival of the Lebanese economy. We are dedicated to advancing these initiatives which will bolster security and stability for Lebanon and the region, Hariri said.

The US Secretary of State Pompeo told media persons thay during his conversation with Hariri, he reiterated the United States commitment to a bright future for the people of Lebanon. As part of that commitment, the US will continue to support the credible state institutions inside of Lebanon. They are essential to preserving Lebanese security, stability, and sovereignty, and they are essential to making sure that the needs of all of the Lebanese people are met, Pompeo emphasised.

They are also essential to an effective response to the many political, economic, and humanitarian challenges in Lebanon. This is a region that is threatened by Iran and is a nation threatened by its proxy Hizballah, and we welcome the Prime Minister’s courageous commitment to keep taking full responsibility for Lebanon’s defense, Pompeo added.

The US also welcomes Hariri’s commitment to undertake the ambitious and necessary reforms that will unlock future international assistance for Lebanon’s economy, Pompeo observed. He also went on to welcome the commitment made to providing refugees, especially the more than 1 million that have come from Syria into Lebanon. “You’ve provided them shelter from the repressive and depraved Assad regime, and we appreciate that, Pompeii said adding “we look forward to continuing to make further progress on our partnership.”

Pompeo also appreciated the Lebanese prime minister’s statement about the commitment to make progress towards the resumption of productive expert-level discussions for the handful of remaining points with respect to the Blue Line and the initiation discussions on the Israel-Lebanon maritime border. “We are prepared to participate as a mediator and facilitator in the maritime discussions, and we do hope that we will soon see substantive discussions on these important issues, the resolution of which would be greatly beneficial to Lebanon and to the broader region”, Pompeo said.

World

Chemical attack in Syria: US, France announce joint response

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

Washington/Paris: President Donald J. Trump and French President, Emmanuel Macron, have announced a strong, joint response following reports of a chemical attack last weekend by the Syrian government and it’s allies, including Russia, on the suburb of Douma in Syria dominated by the Opposition, where rescuers reported at least forty-two dead, including women and children.

World

Iraq’s liberation from Daesh: Australia’s strike aircraft will begin returning home in January

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

Canberra: Australia’s six F/A-18F Super Hornets will return home in January marking the end of Australia’s successful air strike operations in Iraq and Syria.

Australian Minister for Defence, Marise Payne

Australia’s Minister for Defence, Marise Payne, said Australia had reviewed our contribution with our Iraqi and Coalition partners following the announcement of Iraq’s liberation from Daesh by Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi earlier this month.

“The battlefield success against Daesh means our own Operation OKRA has now reached a natural transition point and our strike aircraft will begin returning home early in the New Year,” Minister Payne said.

“Since October 2014, our Hornet pilots and support personnel have made a significant contribution in support of the Iraqi Security Forces and I commend all the ADF personnel who have contributed over this period for their dedication, skill and professionalism.”

“Australia’s Air Task Group has made a valued contribution to coalition operations against Daesh that is highly regarded by the US, Iraq and coalition partners.”

The strike aircraft deployed as part of the Air Task Group conducted more than 2,700 sorties against Daesh targets in both Iraq and eastern Syria.

Australia’s E-7A Wedgetail and KC-30A refuelling aircraft will continue to support counter-Daesh coalition operations. Australia will also continue its training mission, which involves around 300 personnel at Task Group Taji and around 80 personnel in a Special Operations Task Group.

“Australia is committed to supporting the Iraqi Security Forces as it clears the remaining pockets of Daesh fighters in rural areas and ensuring the long-term stability of Iraq,” Minister Payne said.