Day: December 10, 2023

Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, postponed the joint committees' session scheduled for 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Monday, until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

The Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Judge Mahmoud Makki, issued the following statement this evening: 'The General Directorate of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers reports that Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced, by Memorandum No. 26/2023, the closure of all public administrations, public institutions and municipalities tomorrow, Monday, December 11, 2023, in response to the global call for Gaza and in solidarity with the Palestinians and our people in Gaza and the Lebanese border villages.' Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

On the sidelines of his participation in the sixth session of the China-Arab Radio and Television Cooperation Forum, Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Al-Makary signed today a cooperation agreement with the Minister of Radio and Television Administration of the Central Chinese Government, Zhao Chuan, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of radio, television, and audio-visual media through the Internet, and supporting cooperation between media and television production institutions. The agreement allows for mutual cooperation in various media productions, including television series, animation and documentaries, the exchange of news and programs, and cooperation in broadcasting. Both Ministers Makary and Chuan seized the opportunity to emphasize the need to strengthen the relationship between Lebanon and China at all levels. Earlier Sunday, Minister Makary took part in the China-Arab Radio and Television Cooperation Forum held in the city of Hangzhou in China, in the presence of the Deput y Governor of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and several Arab information ministers and senior leaders of Zhejiang Province. In his delivered word on Lebanon's behalf, Makary commended China's valued heritage, saying: 'I am pleased to visit China, this ancient and longest-lived country in history, whose antiquity cannot be described no matter how long we speak about it, and we may certainly need volumes to talk about its leadership in architecture, industry, agriculture, and technology, medicine, language, music, dance, literature, and martial arts.' He added: "I am pleased to visit China and to partake in this conference that strengthens the ties between our two civilizations," highlighting the depth of the relationship between Beirut and Beijing by saying: 'The relationship between my country, Lebanon, and China, is humanitarian in the first place, and goes beyond the standards of interest on which relations between countries are based..." Makary went on, "Ironically, Lebanon is one of the smallest countries in area and least populated, while China is one of the largest countries in terms of area and most populated...We differ in area and population, but we converge in history, ambition, and humanity...The Lebanese and Chinese peoples enjoy a great history, and just as China was famous in ancient times for philosophy and medicine, the capital, Beirut, was famous for its laws. Just as China was the first to discover ink, Lebanon's Byblos was the first to export the letter.' "We want our Lebanon to be more and more present in the heart of China, and we also want China to be more and more present in the heart of Lebanon, especially since it is present in our hearts as Lebanese through its soft policy and flexible diplomacy regionally and in the Arab world," affirmed Makary, thanking China for its distinguished and honorable hospitality and warm welcome. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Mikati contacted today Professor Fadel Adeeb, Associate Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, congratulating him on receiving the title of 'Arab Geniuses' in the technology and engineering category, in recognition of his contributions in the field of wireless sensing and expanding the scope of its technologies. PM Mikati considered that 'this appreciation is a new medal added to the successes achieved by Adeeb throughout his professional and educational career.' "We are proud of the son of Tripoli and the successes he has achieved...This new success is a pride for Lebanon and all the Lebanese," Mikati affirmed. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

An issued statement today by UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti indicated the following: "On Saturday afternoon, a watchtower inside a UNIFIL position in the proximity of Aamra, in southern Lebanon was hit by shelling causing damages to the structure. Fortunately, no one was injured. The origin of the fire is under investigation. Any targeting of UNIFIL positions and any use of the vicinity of our positions to launch attacks across the Blue Line is unacceptable. Attacks against civilians or UN personnel are violations of international law. We remind the parties of their obligations to protect peacekeepers and avoid putting the men and women who are working to restore stability at risk. After over two months of active shelling along the Blue Line the potential for a miscalculation that could trigger a wider conflict is increasing. Restoring stability, through diplomatic channels is a priority to ensure the safety of all civilians who live near the Blue Line as well as peacekeepers. UNIFIL's priority re mains to prevent escalation, safeguard civilian lives, and ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers." Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday reiterated his solidarity with the residents of the clashes-hit Lebanese south. Referring to a recent visit to the South, al-Rahi said: 'We told residents that our solidarity with them includes all their needs and the first outcry that we voice with them is: we don't want a war that would destroy our homes, kill our children and displace us.' 'Heroism is not in igniting war through lethal weapons that have no heart or brain; heroism rather lies in making peace,' the patriarch added. 'War consumes hefty amounts of money for nothing, whereas peace feeds millions of hungry people. War stems from the pride of rulers and their tyrant interests, whereas peace comes from the heart of God,' al-Rahi went on to say. Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, the frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen intensifying exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader conflagration. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

Former MP Mesbah Al-Ahdab received today at his Tripoli home the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, accompanied by an FPM delegation, as part of his development tour in the city of Tripoli on Sunday. The visit was a chance to deliberate on the general situation prevailing in Lebanon, particularly in Tripoli. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon

Caretaker minister of Information, Ziad Al-Makary signed a media cooperation agreement with Minister of the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration, Cao Shumin. The agreement included domains of cooperation in radio and television technology, enhancing the application of new technologies, exchanging and distributing programs and news, and logistical support for media teams in the two countries, in addition to cooperation in governing the administrative policies of media institutions. The two ministers stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between Lebanon and China at all levels. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon