French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Lebanon on Monday, telling President Michel Aoun that he would visit Beirut in the upcoming year. The two met in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. “Talks focused on the bilateral relations between Lebanon and ... Read More »
European powers back U.S. in blaming Iran for Saudi oil attack, urge broader talks
Britain, Germany and France backed the United States and blamed Iran on Monday for an attack on Saudi oil facilities, urging Tehran to agree to new talks with world powers on its nuclear and missile programs and regional security issues. The Europeans issued a joint statement after British Prime Minister ... Read More »
Iran to lay out Gulf security proposal at UN general assembly
Announcement comes as Iran and US fight for diplomatic advantage after Saudi oil attack Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has said he will present a plan for Gulf security at this week’s UN general assembly, as Washington and Tehran fight for diplomatic advantage in the wake of the devastating attack ... Read More »
Pompeo says U.S. mission is to avoid war with Iran but measures in place to deter
The United States aims to avoid war with Iran and the additional troops ordered to be deployed in the Gulf region are for “deterrence and defense,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Pompeo added that he was confident U.S. President Donald Trump ... Read More »
Italy and France agree migrants must be distributed around the EU
The European Union must introduce a new, automatic system of taking in migrants saved from the Mediterranean, the leaders of Italy and France said on Wednesday, as they sought to patch up bruised bilateral relations. Italy has long complained that it has been left alone to deal with the hundreds ... Read More »
Trump threatens Iran after Saudi attack: ‘I don’t want war but US is more prepared than any country’
Iran denies being behind attacks and vows to defend itself Donald Trump has threatened Iran after accusing it of attacking oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, saying the US was “better prepared” than anyone in history if military action was needed. Two days after two facilities in Saudi Arabia were ... Read More »
US Warship Docks in Beirut Port as Sign of ‘Enduring Partnership’ with Lebanon
A US warship docked off the port of Beirut on Saturday in what American Ambassador Elizabeth Richard said was a sign of the “enduring partnership between the US and Lebanon”. Vice Admiral James Malloy, commander of the US Fifth Fleet, was aboard the USS Rampage, which hosted a reception for ... Read More »
Hariri hopes to maintain, lower 7.6 percent deficit in budget
Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Sunday it is important that the 2020 budget maintains or goes below the 7.6 percent deficit-to-GDP ratio and that state spending be directed towards investment. His words came days before he heads to France to meet President Emmanuel Macron. “We need to reach a time ... Read More »
How Tunisia’s presidential election could deliver a populist president
On Sunday, Tunisia is holding the second free presidential election in its history. The Tunisian democracy faces high uncertainty, with a populist candidate, Nabil Karoui, leading in the polls. Among other unprecedented circumstances, the presidential election will precede parliamentary elections set to take place next month. This is due to ... Read More »
Trump says US ‘locked and loaded’ after Saudi Arabia attack, as oil prices soar
US president says he has ‘reason to believe we know the culprit’ of the drone attacks on Aramco plant Donald Trump has said the US was “locked and loaded” and to ready respond to drone attacks on a petroleum processing facility in Saudi Arabia, saying the US knew who ... Read More »