logo
US cannot force Israel to stop strikes, says envoy during visit to Lebanon

US cannot force Israel to stop strikes, says envoy during visit to Lebanon

Indian Express2 days ago
The United States cannot force Israel to stop its military actions, US special envoy Thomas Barrack said during a visit to Lebanon, according to Reuters
Barrack was responding to calls from Lebanese officials who want the US to act as a guarantor to ensure that Israel halts strikes on Lebanese territory. Speaking after a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, he said: 'The US has no business in trying to compel Israel to do anything.'
Lebanon has asked the US to help secure a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and an end to Israeli airstrikes, in return for Hezbollah handing over its weapons.
Last month, the US proposed a four-month roadmap to Lebanese leaders, calling for Hezbollah to disarm fully. In exchange, Israel would stop strikes and pull its troops from disputed areas near the border.
Barrack made it clear that the US is not pressuring Lebanon to act. 'There's no consequence, there's no threat, there's no whip,' he said. He also stated that Washington was not considering sanctions against Lebanese officials if Hezbollah does not disarm.
Barrack, who also serves as US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, is a close adviser to President Donald Trump. This is his third trip to Lebanon in just over a month.
The US plan also includes wider reforms in Lebanon, such as disarming all non-state armed groups, improving the economy, and rebuilding relations with Syria.
Israel and Hezbollah fought a war last year that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. It required both sides to stop fighting, for Israel to withdraw, and for Lebanon to be free of all weapons not held by the state, especially in the south.
While Hezbollah has handed over some weapons in that region, Israel says the group is still active and violating the ceasefire. Lebanon and Hezbollah argue that Israel has broken the deal by continuing to hold five positions on the Lebanese side of the border and by launching strikes on what it claims are Hezbollah targets.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi calls William Ruto a 'real terrorist'
Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi calls William Ruto a 'real terrorist'

First Post

time2 minutes ago

  • First Post

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi calls William Ruto a 'real terrorist'

Mwangi said that he and his allies are 'terrorists' hunters' and they are 'hunting Ruto' read more Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi talks to his wife Njeri Mwangi from a steel caged dock after he was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition over his alleged role in deadly anti-government protests in June, at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu County, Kenya July 21, 2025. Reuters After court appearance, outspoken Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has rejected the government's attempt to connect him to anti-government protests, calling it a weak and desperate attempt to silence dissent. According to a report by Africanews, Mwangi appeared in court on Monday, facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, a case that stems from his alleged involvement in youth-led demonstrations that have taken place across the country for months. The charge sheet accuses Mwangi of illegally possessing three tear gas canisters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Njanja Maina, Mwangi's lawyer, has firmly denied the allegations, dismissing them as fabricated. The Kenya Human Rights Commission has also denounced the case, calling it a 'trumped-up accusation.' Shortly after the hearing, Mwangi was released on bond. Outside the court, he delivered a defiant message to journalists, calling President William Ruto a 'real terrorist.' Mwangi stated, 'Because we are terrorising Ruto's heart and Ruto knows that he's going home, because Ruto is a real terrorist. So we guys are not terrorists, we're terrorists' hunters. We're hunting Ruto to leave power because he's killing us and we're tired of being killed by our government.' According to Africanews, the arrest followed a raid on Mwangi's home over the weekend. During the raid, his wife, Njeri Mwangi, said that security agents seized electronic devices and spoke of terrorism and arson. Many had feared Mwangi would be charged with terrorism. In court, Mwangi distanced himself from organising the recent protests, giving credit to young Kenyans — the 'Gen Z' movement — for leading the charge. 'These kids are saying we want real change and that's why they're protesting. They are so brave that when they leave their homes, they even write obituaries,' Mwangi said. 'So this route tying to personalize the struggle for a better Kenya, about personality, it is very weak.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The protests initially began in mid-2024 after President Ruto proposed a controversial set of tax increases. Since then, demonstrators have broadened their demands to include action against corruption and what they describe as the regime's broken promises to ordinary Kenyans. As activists prepare for fresh demonstrations on August 8 — dubbed 'nane-nane' — Mwangi has made it clear that the fight for a more accountable government is far from over, even as the state seeks to silence its critics through legal pressure.

US Bombs Halted Iran Uranium Enrichment, for Now, Minister Says
US Bombs Halted Iran Uranium Enrichment, for Now, Minister Says

Mint

time2 minutes ago

  • Mint

US Bombs Halted Iran Uranium Enrichment, for Now, Minister Says

(Bloomberg) -- Iran's government confirmed that last month's US military strikes forced it to stop uranium enrichment and said it's open to indirect talks with Washington about the future of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. 'Enrichment has now stopped because damages are serious and severe,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Fox News that aired Monday. 'Obviously we cannot give up our enrichment because it's an achievement of our own scientists, but it's also now a question of national pride.' Iran's right to enrich uranium was a major stumbling block in the last round of talks with the Trump administration that were scuttled by Israel when it began bombing the Islamic Republic on June 13. The US in May hardened its position from accepting low levels of uranium enrichment by Iran to insisting that Tehran dismantle its enrichment capability entirely. Iran says it wants to enrich uranium to the low levels needed for civilian purposes, such as fueling nuclear-power plants. Tehran advanced its nuclear program significantly after Trump quit a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in his first term, triggering concerns in the West that the Persian Gulf nation may try to develop a nuclear weapon. Araghchi's comments came as questions linger over the level of damage caused by a massive bombing raid ordered by US President Donald Trump on three key nuclear sites in Iran on June 22. 'If the goal is to make sure that Iran will never have nuclear weapons, that is achievable,' he said when asked about his country's ability to reach any agreement with the US. 'But if the goal is to deprive Iran from its rights, including the right of enrichment, I think we'll have difficulty.' The Islamic Republic is prepared to provide 'any confidence-building measure needed to prove' that its atomic program will 'remain peaceful forever,' said Araghchi, who also leads Iran's negotiations on its nuclear program. Iran continues to cooperate with the United Nations nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency — and the country's atomic energy organization is currently evaluating the full extent of the damage caused by last month's air strikes, Araghchi said. The US attack came toward the end of Israel's 12-day military assault on Iran that targeted nuclear sites, military generals, critical infrastructure, commercial and residential districts in Tehran, hospitals and a prison housing hundreds of political detainees. More than 1,000 Iranians, mostly civilians, were killed by Israel's strikes. At least 29 Israeli civilians died in Iran's subsequent missile attacks. While the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on June 24, the risk of another confrontation remains high as Israel continues to threaten Iran with further attacks. Tehran insists it will continue its nuclear program as well as support for armed groups that challenge Israeli and US interests in the Middle East. Israel's military campaign against Iran 'is not over,' the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday. In addition to the proposed indirect talks with the US that Araghchi referred to, Iran agreed to hold discussions with France, the UK and Germany on Friday about its nuclear program. Iranian officials are also continuing parallel discussions with their Russian and Chinese counterparts. 'Any settlement for Iran's nuclear program should include enrichment because that's our right and we'll never give it up,' Araghchi told Fox. Iran also will maintain its missile program, which is 'still in very good shape' despite attacks by Israel on Iranian air defenses. 'That's our most reliable means of defense,' Araghchi said. 'I can tell you our missiles are of a deterrent nature, they are for defense, not offense, and I can assure you Iran's missiles will never have a nuclear warhead.' More stories like this are available on

India to resume tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 after 5 yrs
India to resume tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 after 5 yrs

Business Standard

timean hour ago

  • Business Standard

India to resume tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 after 5 yrs

India will start issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 after halting them for five years, Reuters reported, citing the Indian Embassy in China. The development marks a shift in the strained ties between the two countries, which are aiming to improve ties and ease tensions after Galwan clashes in 2020. Chinese media Global Times shared the post made by the Indian Embassy in China on Weibo. Sharing the post on X, it said, "The Embassy of India in China announced via its Sina Weibo account on Wednesday that, starting from July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other required documents to the Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, in South China's Guangdong Province." It further added, "This marks the first time since the suspension in 2020 that India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year hiatus, according to media reports." India suspends visas for Chinese nationals In 2020, India suspended all tourist visas for Chinese nationals in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a notice, stating that all tourist visas to Chinese nationals will no longer be valid. The move came in retaliation after China limited the re-entry of as many as 22,000 Indian students in the country after the Covid-19 pandemic. Breakthrough in India-China ties Earlier in March this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted positive developments in India-China relations. He added that both countries have made positive strides in their bilateral ties and achieved encouraging outcomes. Yi emphasised the need for a cooperative partnership between the dragon (China) and the elephant (India). He stated, "China believes that as the largest neighbors, both countries should be partners in each other's success." He attributed the positive developments between the two countries to a successful meeting held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Kazan, Russia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store