UN peacekeepers in Lebanon stay put, despite Israel asking them to move

An armored personnel carrier of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrols along al-Khardali road in south Lebanon on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 05 October 2024
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UN peacekeepers in Lebanon stay put, despite Israel asking them to move

  • UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix: “The parties have an obligation to respect the safety of and security of peacekeepers, and I want to insist on that”
  • UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, operates between the Litani River in the north and the Blue Line in the south

UNITED NATIONS: United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon remain in place — despite Israel asking them to move — and provide the only communications link between the countries’ militaries, the UN peacekeeping chief said on Thursday.
“Peacekeepers continue to do their best to implement their Security Council mandate in obviously very difficult conditions,” UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters, adding that contingency plans were ready for both good and bad outcomes.
The mission, known as UNIFIL, is mandated by the Security Council to help the Lebanese army keep the area free of weapons and armed personnel other than those of the Lebanese state. That has sparked friction with Iran-backed Hezbollah, which effectively controls southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military asked UN peacekeepers earlier this week to prepare to relocate more than 5 km (3 miles) from the border between Israel and Lebanon — known as the Blue Line — “as soon as possible, in order to maintain your safety,” according to an excerpt from the message, seen by Reuters.
“The peacekeepers are currently staying in their position, all of them,” Lacroix told reporters. “The parties have an obligation to respect the safety of and security of peacekeepers, and I want to insist on that.”

 

Lacroix said UNIFIL was continuing to liaise with both countries, describing the mission as “the only channel of communication” between them. The mission was working to protect civilians and support the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.
The UN peacekeepers operate between the Litani River in the north and the Blue Line in the south. The mission has more than 10,000 troops from 50 countries and about 800 civilian staff, according to its website.
Israel’s military told residents of more than 20 towns in south Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately on Thursday as it pressed on with its cross-border incursion and struck Hezbollah targets in a suburb of Beirut.


Trump warns ‘hell to pay’ if Gaza hostages not freed before his inauguration

Updated 1 min 25 sec ago
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Trump warns ‘hell to pay’ if Gaza hostages not freed before his inauguration

  • Trump has vowed staunch support for Israel and to dispense with Biden’s occasional criticism
  • Israel’s retaliatory campaign post Oct. 7 has killed more than 44,000 people in Gaza

WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday warned Gaza militants of massive repercussions if hostages are not released by the time he takes office.
The threat comes after exhaustive diplomacy by outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration that has so far failed to secure a deal that would both end Israel’s war in Gaza and free hostages seized 14 months ago.
“If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!“
Trump has vowed staunch support for Israel and to dispense with Biden’s occasional criticism, but has also spoken of his desire to secure deals on the world stage.
Hamas staged the deadliest ever attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The assault resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Militants seized 251 hostages during the attack, some of whom were already dead. Of those, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 35 the army says are dead.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed 44,429 people in Gaza, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.


Historic Jeddah Program launches Culture Square as new landmark for arts and heritage

Updated 13 min 59 sec ago
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Historic Jeddah Program launches Culture Square as new landmark for arts and heritage

  • Culture Square, which will span 26,000 square meters, will feature two flagship facilities

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Culture’s Historic Jeddah Program has unveiled the Culture Square, an initiative designed to revitalize the historic Jeddah area and establish it as a global hub for arts and heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Situated on the banks of Lake Al-Arbaeen, the project blends the region’s rich history with contemporary innovation, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of enhancing cultural tourism and preserving heritage, SPA added.

Culture Square, which will span 26,000 square meters, will feature two flagship facilities: the Center for Performing Arts and the Digital Arts Museum “TeamLab Without Borders.”

The Center for Performing Arts will offer a range of cultural activities, including theatrical performances, international festivals, and film screenings.

It will also house the headquarters of the Red Sea Film Festival, a state-of-the-art theater with 868 seats, five cinema halls, dialogue spaces, and multi-purpose areas for cultural exchange.

Adjacent to this, the TeamLab Museum spans 10,000 square meters and will showcase 80 interconnected works that merge art, technology, and nature.

At the heart of the development lies the restored Prince of the Sea House, an historic octagonal structure once used as a lighthouse to guide ships, which reflects the area’s architectural heritage and highlights the cultural richness of Jeddah’s past.

Its preservation is part of broader efforts to maintain the character of the historic district while introducing modern elements, such as air purification systems, touchless elevators with UV sterilization, and water recycling technologies for irrigation.


Saudi Arabia, Lithuania sign air transport services agreement

Updated 02 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia, Lithuania sign air transport services agreement

  • Riyadh, Vilnius to work together to develop regulatory frameworks

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Lithuania signed an agreement on Monday to cooperate in civil aviation and air transport services. 

Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the president of the General Authority for Civil Aviation, and Ramunas Davidonis, the Lithuanian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, signed the agreement in Riyadh.

The two countries will work to develop regulatory frameworks for air transport traffic and expand the operational network of their national air carriers.

The cooperation will further enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics center for civil aviation and air transport services, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to position the country as a hub for aviation connectivity to 250 international destinations, serving an expected 330 million passengers annually by 2030.


French President Macron arrives in Riyadh for official visit

Updated 5 min 54 sec ago
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French President Macron arrives in Riyadh for official visit

  • Was eceived at Al-Yamamah Palace by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
  • Two leaders held an expanded meeting for extensive talks

RIYADH: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Monday evening for an official visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Macron was received at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who introduced the French president to Saudi ministers during an official reception ceremony.

The two leaders held an expanded meeting for extensive talks, SPA reported.

Earlier on Monday, upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport, Macron was received by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, along with the Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi and Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh.

Also in attendance were Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, Saudi ambassador to France, and Patrick Maisonnave, French ambassador to the Kingdom.

The visit underscores the strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and France, with discussions expected to focus on water resource sustainability and other key areas of cooperation, SPA added.


Saudi Pro League reveals vision for football growth, global impact

Updated 02 December 2024
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Saudi Pro League reveals vision for football growth, global impact

  • Speakers at World Football Summit highlight rapid progress in both men’s and women’s games in the Kingdom
  • Potential for investment in Saudi football is huge, Al-Hilal head coach Jose Herrera tells Riyadh forum

RIYADH: At the World Football Summit in Riyadh, leaders from the Saudi Pro League gathered to discuss the league’s rapid evolution and its broader vision for football in the Kingdom.
SPL CEO Omar Mugharbe, along with Monika Staab, women’s football technical director for the South Asian Football Federation, and Jose Herrera, head coach of Al-Hilal, shared insights on the league’s transformation, its growing appeal to global audiences, and plans for long-term development in both men’s and women’s football.
“I think it’s important that we continue to open our doors to welcome people to experience things firsthand,” Mugharbe said during a panel titled “Inside the Revolution: unveiling SPL’s transformation,” emphasizing the league’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity.
“The work that is happening across the board when it comes to support, transformation, and development is happening not only with the league but … our approach to transformation is really looking at every single aspect of the game. Once you come and see and experience what’s really happening on the ground, you’ll definitely (have) a completely different opinion and will be a believer,” he said.
Mugharbe’s comments reflect the sweeping changes happening across the league, from improving the standard of football to creating a more open, inviting environment for both fans and international stakeholders.
“Global audiences are starting to see a lot of attraction in terms of media looking at the stadiums,” he added. “I would definitely want to share and support our love for the game, how competitive our league is, and how deeply ingrained football is within our society. Football is definitely a key.”
The discussion then shifted to women’s football, with Staab offering her perspective on the growth of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia in a panel discussion titled “Unraveling the opportunities for women’s football: the need to better understand ground reality for long-term impact.”
“When I arrived here, I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Staab said, reflecting on the enthusiasm and commitment of young female players in the Kingdom.
“These girls should have their opportunity to play football. They love the game. Saudi has just started, and we are doing grassroots programs. And this is important.”
Drawing a striking comparison with the history of women’s football in Germany, Staab noted how quickly Saudi Arabia is advancing. “It took us 40 years in Germany before this happened, and only three years here in Saudi Arabia,” she said, highlighting the impressive progress the country has made in such a short time.
Herrera spoke about the potential for investment in Saudi football, particularly as the league continues to grow.
“If you are an investor and want to invest, do it here. This is the right place,” he said. “We are a league, we are a country that is growing rapidly. My players and all players here have the passion and commitment to the game.”
As the panelists highlighted at the Riyadh summit, the sport is changing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, with a commitment to both domestic growth and global expansion. The country’s infrastructure, investment opportunities, and development of both men’s and women’s football represent a new chapter in its footballing history.
With a strategic vision that focuses on grassroots development, inclusivity, and international collaboration, the SPL is well on its way to becoming a global force in the sport. As Mugharbe, Staab, and Herrera emphasized, the future of football in Saudi Arabia is not just about expanding a league, but also building a sustainable and thriving “football ecosystem” that can compete on the world stage.