Sisi meets Lebanese president, U.S. figures in New York

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun has blamed Israel for attempts to split the Middle East along social and religious lines. “In the Middle East Israel is trying to carve up the region into a patchwork of secular and religious entities, quasi-states, in a bid to put together a sectarian puzzle,” Aoun said in an interview with French daily newspaper Le Figaro. He urged Europe to “support Lebanon’s effort to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homes,” and to “contribute more to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees. With Daesh terrorists effectively routed in Syria and Iraq, the emphasis now is on a political settlement, reconstruction of Syria and ensuring the return of Syrian refugees, including from Lebanon.

by egypttoday.com -- CAIRO - President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met Monday with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, currently held in New York. The two presidents discussed means of boosting bilateral relations, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East region. The talks focused on how to end regional crises and alleviate the suffering of the peoples of brotherly countries. Sisi also met the Prime Minister Bojko Borisov and Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg as well as a number of US figures at his residence in New York this evening after his summit with US President Donald Trump. In the same context, for the fifth time within only 24 months, Sisi will meet with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in New York, on Monday, within the few coming hours. On the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 73), the two leaders will set together to discuss the current political situation in the Middle East, the Arab-Qatari dispute, and other issues of mutual interest to both countries.

Egypt is one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East, receiving US$1.3 billion in US military aid annually. Sisi’s first meeting with Trump was held on September 20, 2016, during Trump’s presidential campaign in New York, also on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly then. In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Sisi said he had “no doubt” that Republican presidential nominee Trump would make a strong leader. In April 2017, President Trump welcomed Sisi to the White House for the first time in eight years, pledging close cooperation with the Egyptian leader on counterterrorism operations and praising his leadership of the Middle Eastern nation. “I just want to let everybody know, in case there was any doubt, that we are very much behind President al-Sissi,” Trump said, sitting next to his counterpart in the Oval Office. “He’s done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation. We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt. . . . We have strong backing,” he added.

Trump and Sisi appeared focused on security, and they sought to demonstrate warmth, shaking hands during their brief remarks to reporters. This meeting represented an end to the coldness with which Egypt was treated by former U.S. President Barack Obama, who never invited Sisi to Washington. “Since we met last September I have had a deep appreciation and admiration of your {Trump’s} unique personality, especially since you are standing so strong against terrorism,” said Sisi. “Very strongly and openly you will find Egypt beside you,” he added. In September 2017, Sisi flew to New York to participate in the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72). On the sidelines of the UNGA, President Sisi met Trump and discussed Egypt's efforts to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation as an essential preliminary step to resume negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Trump praised Egyptian President’s efforts in reviving the Middle East peace process between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

Lebanese Director Nadine Labaki's Latest Film Is Up For An Oscar

'Capharnaum', a snap shot of poverty in Beirut, has been nominated for Best Foreign Film Acclaimed Beiruti writer-director, Nadine Labaki — most notable for her work in Where Do We Go Now? (2011) and Caramel (2007) — will be representing Lebanon in the 2019 Oscar's for 'Best Foreign Film'. Her nominated movie and regional hit Capharnaum was just released in cinemas over the weekend and is estimated to bring in an impressive $4,000,000 (approx. Dhs14.7 million), as well as plenty of attention for the country. It is only the second Lebanese film to ever be nominated at the Academy Awards.

The Lebanon-based movie is told by a 12-year-old undocumented boy, who sues his parents for giving him life when they couldn't offer him even a minimal level of care, safety and affection. This emotionally wrought story takes a closer look at Beirut’s slums, while also offering insight into the lives of Lebanese children in poverty. Like the majority of the cast, the film's star and narrator Zain Al Rafeea is a non-professional actor and a Syrian refugee, spotted by Labaki while he played on the streets of Beirut throughout her two years of research in the area.

Lebanon, Brazil to boost trade ties

(MENAFN) Mohamed Choucair, head of the Chamber of Commerce, stressed the significance of eliminate all the difficulties that stand against the process of exporting Lebanese goods to Brazil shop. Choucair said, "The presence of Lebanese businessmen in Brazil, already facilitates the increase in trade between the two countries, but more efforts should be done, to promote Lebanese products in Brazil." Choucair's stated that, during his coference with President of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Rubens Hanoun. The purpose of the meeting was to support and foster bilateral relations between Lebanon and Brazil.

Child dies as migrant boat capsizes off Lebanese coast

BEIRUT, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A group of the maritime Lebanese army rescued Saturday 30 Syrian refugees trying to escape Lebanon illegally off Akkar shore, local media reported. After being rescued, the escaping refugees were transferred to one of the army centers in El Abde, according to Elnashra, an independent online newspaper. Meanwhile, Al Mustaqbal local TV Channel reported that a 7 years old Syrian boy has died while two others were suffocated while trying to escape. Over 1 million Syrian refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, while Lebanon's government estimated the actual number is 1.5 million. Normally, Syrian refugees willing to return to their homeland must register in centers created by Lebanese General Security. The General Security outlined earlier punishments for returnees who violated residency requirements, including lifetime bans on many refugees of returning to Lebanon.

FBI chief meets Lebanese leaders, expresses support to army

by AP -- Lebanon says FBI Director Christopher Wray has expressed support to the Lebanese army during a visit to Beirut. A statement released by the presidential palace in Beirut said President Michel Aoun received Wray on Friday and told him that Lebanon has succeeded in fighting terror groups thanks to U.S. support and that of friendly countries. Washington has been a major supporter of Lebanon's army, and has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance to Lebanon since 2006. The Lebanese army last year captured areas along the Syrian border that were controlled by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida-linked fighters. IS and al-Qaida had claimed responsibility for a wave of bombings in Lebanon over the past years that killed dozens. Lebanese security agencies are still pursuing militants across the country.

Lebanon aims to address housing loans crisis via subsidies: minister

BEIRUT, (Xinhua) -- Lebanese caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said the ministry aims to address the housing loans crisis in the country through subsidies, an independent online newspaper reported. The government will allocate 100 billion Lebanese pounds (66.3 million U.S. dollars) to subsidize part of the interest rate on housing loans valued at 1,500 billion pounds for 5,000 housing units offered by the Public Corporation for Housing (PCH), the minister was quoted as saying by Elnashra. PCH announced on July 8 that no applications for housing loans will be accepted from July 9. The Central Bank of Lebanon usually funds housing loans though PCH and the banks. It provided commercial banks with a fund of 500 dollars in February to subsidize housing loans taken out by Lebanese citizens to buy apartments. The fund, however, was drained within a month. The commercial banks therefore offered housing loans with an interest rate of around six to seven percent compared to three percent for subsidized loans, making people hesitate to purchase real estates.