Antoine Khoury

Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel voiced strong support Wednesday for Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s recent firm stance on limiting weapons to the Lebanese state, calling it a "courageous" move at a critical time.

Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Ajman Executive Council, presided over the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, where a key decision was made to strengthen the emirate’s presence on the regional and international stage.

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, said it is “unlikely” that the Lebanese army could disarm Hezbollah without sparking a civil war, in an interview with This is Beirut.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a long-standing critic of Hezbollah, said the Middle East cannot achieve “normalization” while the Iran-backed group continues to operate.

Qatar confirmed a meeting will take place Tuesday with Hamas and Turkish officials to discuss a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

Senior Hezbollah official Mohammad Raad on Monday delivered a sharp rebuke of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government, accusing it of bowing to foreign pressure after its recent decision to enforce a monopoly of arms under the state.

Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, warned on Tuesday of renewed turmoil in the Middle East if his government and Israel fail to reach a security agreement. 

Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan urged the release of hostages held by Hamas and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while refraining from explicitly demanding the dismantling of armed groups operating in the enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday there has been progress on a security deal with Syria but an agreement was not imminent.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa departed for the United States on Sunday to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to a statement broadcast by Syrian state television.

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will mark UAE Day on Friday, 19 September, in the presence of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. 

The Middle East Institute (MEI) will host Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in New York City on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in a special conversation with Charles Lister, Senior Fellow and Director of MEI’s Syria Initiative.