Category: 2. Middle East

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani warned Tuesday that Israel’s violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement is sow regional chaos and instability.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Damascus, al-Sheibani added that the Israeli attacks on Syria threaten not only Syria but the entire region and represent a flagrant violation of international law.

Al-Sheibani explained that…

The EU on Tuesday ordered a review of its cooperation deal with Israel and Britain halted trade talks with it as European nations took a tougher line over the Gaza war.

France renewed its commitment to recognise a Palestinian state, a day after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily hit back at Britain, France and Canada for threatening action over his country’s military offensive and blockade of Gaza.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said “a strong majority” of the 27 member…

Back in Cannes for the first time in 15 years, dissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi spoke to AFP about how he feels “alive” thanks to filmmaking and the danger of continuing to work in the Islamic republic.

Imprisoned twice and until recently subjected to a travel ban, Panahi also said he was not afraid of the consequences of showing “It Was Just an Accident” in Cannes.

The answers have been translated by AFP from the original Persian and edited for clarity:

Q: Your new film “It Was Just…

Pakistan and Egypt discussed on Tuesday developments in the Middle East, particularly the “alarming” situation in Gaza, where Israel has renewed its offensive, and urged the international community to ensure “consistent and timely delivery of badly needed” humanitarian assistance to the people of the besieged enclave, Anadolu reports.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi,…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Washington supports efforts to help the new Syrian government succeed, warning that failure could lead to war and regional instability, Anadolu reports.

“We want to help that government succeed, because the alternative is full-scale civil war and chaos, which would, of course, destabilize the entire region,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“In fact, it is our assessment that, frankly,…

The Sudanese army said Tuesday that the capital Khartoum is now “completely free” of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), following months of intense warfare, Anadolu reports.

“We announce today the full clearing of the entire state of Khartoum from any presence of the Al-Dagalo militia and the purification of our national capital from the stain of the rebels,” army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah said in a recorded statement.

“We confirm that the…

Austria on Tuesday criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statement declaring plans for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports.

“International law is clear. Gaza must remain Palestinian territory. Forced displacement is unacceptable,” Austria’s Chancellery said in a statement.

The statement came ahead of a planned phone call between Chancellor Christian Stocker and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“International law…