Chinese FM calls for more efforts to solve refugee crisis in Mideast

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BEIRUT, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China advocates more actions to curb the deterioration of a refugee crisis in the Middle East and find a solution as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday. Wang made the remarks at a press conference after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil in Beirut during an one-day visit to Lebanon. He noted that refugees are not migrants, and the international community should strive to create appropriate conditions, through seeking a more swift solution to hot-button issues, for the refugees to return to their homes. Bassil said Lebanon is under huge pressure in hosting refugees, mostly from Syria, adding that the world should understand and support Lebanon's legal requests on the refugee problem.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Lebanon is currently hosting 1.03 million Syrian refugees who fled their war-torn country since the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad started in March 2011. Earlier in the day, the Chinese top diplomat held a meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun, during which both expressed willingness to expand the bilateral cooperation. Aoun praised the Belt and Road Initiative by China, adding that Lebanon expects to see the revival of the ancient Silk Road. He said Lebanon is ready to actively participate in the initiative in a bid to boost economic and cultural exchanges. The president also hailed what China has done for the stability of Lebanon and the Middle East, and welcomed China, Lebanon's largest trade partner, to invest more in the region. Wang said he believed all parties and religions in Lebanon would continue dialogue and negotiations to keep national unity and maintain security and stability, thus providing useful experiences in how different civilizations could coexist peacefully. Wang said, in light of the good momentum in Sino-Lebanese economic and trade relations, China is willing to enhance the bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

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The consecration by Cardinal Rai will take place at Fatima on Sunday

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by catholicherald.co.uk

The head of the Maronite Church is to consecrate Lebanon and the whole of the Middle East to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a pilgrimage to Fatima. The act of consecration by Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai will take place during a Eucharistic liturgy on Sunday, according to Fides news agency. It will mark the culmination of “Lebanon Day” at the shrine, which will begin late on Saturday with the recitation of the Rosary and a candlelit procession. Fides said Patriarch Rai has already consecrated Lebanon and the Middle East to the Immaculate Heart but at a Marian shrine in Harissa, Lebanon, rather than at Fatima. The Portuguese shrine is marking 100 years since Mary first appeared to three children on the site. Pope Francis canonised two of the seers last month. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, re-consecrated England and Wales to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in February. The consecration was first made by Cardinal Bernard Griffin in 1948. Pope Francis, meanwhile, consecrated the whole world to the Immaculate Heart within months of his election as Pope, following the example of Pope Pius XII and St John Paul II.

Political Leaders Meet in Baabda, Agree on Political-Economic Vision

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by naharnet - Political parties represented in the government convened in a consultative meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Palace in Baabda at the invitation of President Michel Aoun. A closing statement said the conferees agreed on "continuing the implementation of the Document of National Accord (Taef Accord), especially in terms of harmonizing between preserving our democratic, pluralistic system and devising a clear vision with a specific timeframe for a full transition to a complete civil state.” The conferees said such a plan should start with “consolidating equality and equal (Christian-Muslim) power-sharing before moving to the formation of the national commission for the abolition of sectarianism.” The leaders also agreed on “preserving the country's structural foundations especially in terms of demography and geography, and holding onto Lebanon's social fabric.” “We will confront any attempt to naturalize any non-Lebanese group on Lebanon's soil and we will work on preventing any internal migration whether from the rural areas or through the transfer of personal status records across regions,” the statement added.

The conferees also stressed the need to “approve administrative decentralization as soon as possible and preserving the civil state.” On the economic front, the political leaders said Lebanon needs to implement “a comprehensive economic plan, approve a state budget, secure economic growth, create jobs, achieve balanced development, create a productive economy, protect domestic markets and production, forbid monopoly, encourage individual initiatives, and benefit from Lebanon's grand fortune which includes its innovators, intellectuals and civil society.” “The government is required to follow up on this plan through a ministerial committee aimed at providing the necessary infrastructure for the rise of the national economy, such as providing 24/24 power supply, protecting Lebanon's water resources, creating dams, cleaning river streams, and utilizing oil resources through finalizing the legal framework for land and offshore drilling,” the statement added. The conferees also called for “expediting the process of providing high-speed internet for the cheapest possible prices, devising a public transportation plan, and securing the necessary funds for wrapping up the file of those who were displaced during civil war.”

As for reform, the country's political leaders underscored the importance of “endorsing transparency in the work of state institutions, reactivating public administration through restructuring it with competent and specialized appointments, helping the judiciary immunize its independence, activating the work of inspection authorities to fight corruption, and modernizing and implementing laws especially those pertaining to the judiciary, investment and commerce.” “These points represent a host of national goals on which all Lebanese agree and their success would be a success for the whole country, that's why they must be pursued and implemented through a unified national will,” the conferees concluded.

The meeting was attended by Speaker Nabih Berri, PM Saad Hariri, Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh representing leader of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblat, Head of the Free Patriotic Movement and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Syrian Social Nationalist Party leader and State Minister of Parliament Affairs Ali Qansou, Head of the Lebanese Democratic party and Minister of the Displaced Talal Arslan, Head of the Tashnag party Hagop Pakradounian, MP Mohammed Raad representing Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea. Franjieh's visit to Baabda was the first since Aoun's election as president in November 2016. He had boycotted the binding parliamentary consultations to name a new premier as well as the latest presidential iftar banquet. The meeting comes a few days after the agreement on an electoral law that will govern the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2018. The meeting was widely criticized by opposition parties mainly Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel. He said the “opposition should have been invited to the meeting as well.” Lebanon Baabda

Qatar Adds Lebanon to Countries Exempt from Visa Requirements

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by naharnet - Qatar on Thursday added Lebanon to its list of countries whose citizens are exempt from visa requirement to enter the Gulf country, Lebanon's National News Agency said. A memo issued by Qatar's Airport Passports Department said “the Lebanese nationality has been added to the list of nationalities that are granted instant tourist visas upon arrival.” The memo was signed by the director of the Airport Passports Department, Mohammed Rashed al-Mazroui. The development comes amid an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Qatar and several Gulf countries that has seen Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt sever all links with Qatar over accusations that Doha supports extremism.

Lebanese man detained after returning from Israel

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BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanon's state news agency says the military has detained a Lebanese national crossing into the country from Israel. The National News Agency says a 31-year-old Lebanese national crossed the militarized border on Thursday to return to Lebanon after leaving to Israel 17 years ago. Israel withdrew from its occupation of south Lebanon in 2000. The two countries are technically still at war. Hundreds of Lebanese nationals fled with the retreating Israeli forces, facing accusations of collaboration. The NNA says the Lebanese national left his family in Israel to return to his country of birth. He handed himself over to the military for questioning. The Israeli army confirms that a short while ago a suspect was identified crossing the border and forces are now searching the area.

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Saudi king ousts nephew, names son as heir in succession shake-up

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By AFP -

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia`s King Salman ousted his nephew as crown prince on Wednesday and installed his son Mohammed bin Salman, capping a meteoric rise for the 31-year-old that puts him one step from the throne. The young prince already wielded huge power before he became heir, spearheading a sweeping economic and social reform programme for the ultraconservative kingdom. His rise comes at a crucial time for Saudi Arabia which is in a battle for regional influence with arch-rival Iran, bogged down in a controversial military intervention in neighbouring Yemen and at loggerheads with fellow US Gulf ally Qatar. Prince Mohammed is now "de factor ruler of the kingdom," said Andreas Krieg of the Defence Studies Department at King`s College London. "The king needed to strengthen his son`s position amid the current turmoil in the region," Krieg said. Mohammed`s youth is a novelty for a country that is used to ageing leaders -- King Salman is 81 and his predecessor King Abdullah died in 2015 aged around 90.

His rapid ascent over the past two years has symbolised the hopes of the kingdom`s young population, more than half of which is under 25. Saudi television channels showed the bearded Mohammed bin Salman kissing the hand of his ousted cousin Mohammed bin Nayef and kneeling in front of the older prince, who patted his shoulder to congratulate him. "I am going to rest now. May God help you," the former crown prince said, to which his replacement replied: "May God help you. I will never do without your advice."The king called on governors and other princes to pledge allegiance to his new heir and ordered a ceremony -- routine on such occasions -- after night prayers on Wednesday at a royal palace in Mecca. Many ordinary citizens tweeted their allegiance, but support for Mohammed has not been unanimous. A royal order said his appointment was endorsed by 31 of 34 members on the Council of Allegiance, which decides on succession issues. The king accompanied his son`s elevation with measures to woo the many Saudis who work for the government, either as civilian or military personnel.

The enticements come as the kingdom`s war in Yemen drags on and citizens for the first time pay taxes, imposed after oil prices fell. Salman ordered the reinstatement of all civil service benefits cut in a controversial move as part of an austerity package late last year. He also extended the end-of-Ramadan Eid Al-Fitr holidays until July 9 for civil servants. As deputy crown prince, the new heir to the throne already held multiple posts. He is the main champion of the kingdom`s Vision 2030 reform plan to bring social and economic change to the oil-dependent economy of a country where women`s rights are among the most restricted in the world. One Saudi, Sultan al-Asimi, 33, said in Mecca that Mohammed`s appointment sends a message of "hope and trust about the future of the country". The Saudi stock market seemed to agree. It closed 5.5 percent higher on news of Mohammed`s appointment as well as word that the exchange had moved closer to joining a major global index. Mohammed is also defence minister with overall responsibility for the kingdom`s military intervention in Yemen. Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia leads a coalition supporting the Yemeni government against Shiite rebels who control the capital Sanaa. The coalition`s bombing campaign has drawn repeated criticism from human rights groups for the high number of civilian casualties.Saudi Arabia`s intervention in Yemen in March 2015 signalled a more aggressive foreign policy, emphasised again this month when the kingdom and its allies imposed an embargo on neighbouring Qatar. They accused Doha of supporting extremists, a charge it denies.

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