Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, that Lebanon is committed to the continuation of the UNIFIL force, in appreciation of its role and the sacrifices of its personnel.
Aoun stressed, in a statement published by the Lebanese presidency on its Facebook page, today (Wednesday), that “the continuation of the Israeli attacks and occupation of southern villages and towns makes the presence of UNIFIL very important, and that its withdrawal will create a security vacuum and make the region lose international control over what is happening there.”
Aoun praised the social, humanitarian, health, and educational roles played by the international forces, which strengthened their relationship with the people of the south, their trust in them, and their commitment to their survival.
He expressed his hope that the Security Council would respond to Lebanon's request to maintain its operational mission during the coming year, which is scheduled for its withdrawal, especially if Israeli forces withdraw to the international border and the Lebanese army deploys, which will need UNIFIL's humanitarian and logistical services.
For his part, Lacroix described the field situation in the south as complex, in light of the continuing military activities and the population being affected by them, stressing that the goal of the United Nations is to support the stability of Lebanon and the region and restore full Lebanese sovereignty, and that it is still capable of playing a role in this framework.
He explained that the Secretary-General of the United Nations presented to the Security Council options for the continuation of the international presence after the end of UNIFIL’s mandate, which were prepared based on what he heard from the Lebanese authorities, and are still up for discussion.
He stressed the need for Lebanon's voice to be heard and for its positions to be taken into account, including its request to extend the force's mandate for a temporary period, to reach a result that serves Lebanon's security and sovereignty and enhances stability in the region.
The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, confirmed that Operation “Yemen Dawn” is moving towards its ultimate goal of ending the Houthi coup, restoring state institutions, and confiscating weapons and the decisions of war and peace in its hands, in a way that guarantees the rule of law and prevents any armed group from confiscating the will of the people or threatening the security of neighbors and international shipping lines, stressing that there is no going back, no matter the sacrifices.
The Chairman of the Leadership Council said, in a speech to the Yemenis on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the “October 14 Revolution,” that the historical responsibility today is not limited to ending the war only, but also includes the reasons that reproduced it, and building a state in which weapons are not a means of imposing facts by force, and in which the will of an individual or group does not prevail over the will of the people and the rule of law.
Al-Alimi explained that the launch of “Yemen Dawn” came after exhausting opportunities for calm, and the militias’ insistence on continuing the war and expanding their attacks on cities, villages, neighboring countries, and international waterways, adding that the essence of the operation is to restore state institutions, protect citizens, end the coup, and return weapons and the decision of war and peace to the exclusive authority of the state and its constitutional institutions.
The Chairman of the Leadership Council indicated that the Houthi threat is not limited to a specific governorate or region, but rather represents a threat to the security, freedom, and future of Yemenis, north and south, stressing that what is happening in Taiz and Ma’rib cannot be separated from the security of Aden, Hadramaut, and other governorates, and that protecting the security and stability of the south and preserving the rights and aspirations of its people is an integral part of national responsibility.
He added that citizens in areas forcefully under the control of militias “are not the target of (Yemen Dawn) operations, and their security, rights and dignity are among the most important reasons for it,” calling on them to protect their children from recruitment campaigns and not to throw them into the Houthi wars, to stay away from military sites and areas of clashes, and to benefit from the decision of safe return and amnesty announced in accordance with its legal controls.
Al-Alimi spoke in detail about the dangerous developments in Taiz, where he stressed that the state will continue to work with all its capabilities to protect the governorate, reopen its roads, and alleviate the suffering of its residents, expressing his confidence in the steadfastness of its people, and in the determination of the heroes of the armed forces, security, and popular resistance.
The President of the Council announced the issuance of directives to the government, local authorities, and all competent authorities to mobilize available capabilities to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in Taiz, provide food and medicine, assist displaced people and affected families, and work to secure the arrival of supplies and open vital roads.
Al-Alimi appreciated what the armed forces had provided since the launch of Operation “Yemen Dawn” last week, noting that temporary changes on the ground would not deter the state from continuing its responsibilities, with the support of brothers and friends, in ending the threat posed by the militias.
He praised the sacrifices of the people of the southern governorates, the heroes of the Giants Forces, the National Shield, and the other military and security units and the popular resistance, in defense of the state project and the republican system, supporting the besieged Taiz Governorate, and defeating the Houthis.
Al-Alimi renewed the Council’s commitment to “the justice of the southern issue,” and to support what the “South-South” dialogue under the auspices of Saudi Arabia will lead to, leading to a just and comprehensive solution that “addresses the injustices of the past, respects the popular will, and guarantees rights, partnership, and a safe future for all.”
He condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, stressing that its security and stability are closely linked to the security of Yemen and the interests of its citizens, and that the attack on the Kingdom and its civilian facilities represents an attack on the vital interests of the Yemeni people and the stability of the entire region.
Al-Alimi expressed the deep gratitude of the Yemeni people to the Saudi leadership for its firm positions in supporting them, state institutions, the national economy, and the general budget, and contributing to the regularity of services and salaries, relief for those affected, clearing mines, rehabilitating facilities, and implementing development and reconstruction projects.
He also highly appreciated the royal directives to rectify the conditions of Yemenis who are in Saudi Arabia irregularly, and described it as “a humanitarian initiative that affects the lives of millions of citizens, and reflects the depth of fraternal ties and common interests between the two countries and the two peoples.”
The President of the Council pointed out that the “October 14 Revolution” was not only a milestone for ending colonialism, but rather the inauguration of the civil state project, building institutions, expanding education, and enhancing the presence of women and national and social work. He explained that it and the “September 26 Revolution” embodied the will of the Yemenis for freedom and dignity, and the establishment of a state that derives its legitimacy from the people, and in which rights are protected by the force of law.
Internal Security units in the city of Al-Hasakah began their deployment in the streets of the city, on Tuesday, as part of implementing the decision to ban carrying and roaming around with weapons, and to prohibit shooting under any circumstances.
The decision was issued on Monday, restricting the carrying of weapons to official security and military forces while performing their duties, with the aim of enhancing security and stability, protecting citizens, and reducing manifestations of chaos and intimidation of people.
This measure comes in the context of efforts aimed at enhancing public safety and imposing a state of security discipline within the city, which contributes to protecting residents and preserving their security and stability, and after days of tension against the backdrop of riots carried out by gunmen in the city of Hasakah, which called for a security alert.
The decision prohibits non-military or security personnel from carrying and carrying weapons, prohibits shooting “for any reason,” and limits the carrying of weapons to the official security and military forces while performing their duties, stressing that “weapons are exclusively in the hands of the state represented by the official security and military forces while performing their official duties only.”
This deployment comes within the framework of implementing the decision, maintaining security, public order and the safety of citizens, and reducing manifestations of chaos and cases of intimidation of people.
Meanwhile, the people of the villages of Eastern Taban in the eastern countryside of Hasakah called on the relevant security authorities to intensify Internal Security Forces patrols and conduct them regularly on the road between Wadi al-Raml and the village of Taniner, in light of complaints of repeated incidents of robbery and vandalism targeting road users.
The people called on the competent security authorities to strengthen their field presence and intensify patrols on the road, to reduce these incidents, ensure the safety of residents, and secure movement between villages.
