Iran

by Fady Noun | LEBANON - ISRAEL - IRAN

The Paris conference allocated one billion for Lebanon, but only 200 million to the army is guaranteed. French MP to AsiaNews: ‘Countries will give nothing if transparency is not ensured’. Beirut pledges to deploy 8,000 soldiers south of the Litani. Macron's warning: ‘Israel knows from experience that military success is not necessarily a victory in the Land of the Cedars’.

by Fady Noun

Without a ceasefire and full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, Lebanon remains in a political stalemate. Iranian pressure prevents House Speaker Nabih Berry from freeing himself from Hezbollah's grip. Invited to the Vatican for the Synod on Lebanon in 1995 and the one on the Middle East in 2010, the senior Sunni leader tells AsiaNews that he hopes Lebanon will learn from past tragedies, and return to the Arab fold through the Saudi "gateway".

| 14/10/2024
| LEBANON – ISRAEL – IRAN
by Fady Noun

While they may be divided over the conflict between the Party of God and the Jewish State, Lebanese movements and parties are united in defending the country’s territorial integrity. The humanitarian emergency is getting worse as more and more people are displaced, but expressions of solidarity are also multiplying. Political analyst says the Israeli prime minister is trying to cause a religious war within Lebanon, splitting Lebanese society.

| 09/10/2024
| LEBANON – ISRAEL
by Dario Salvi

AsiaNews met with Archbishop Mathieu on the sidelines of the Synod, a few hours before the announcement of his elevation to the rank of cardinal. The appointment shows the pope's "incessant desire" to "weave and strengthen bonds with all peoples." The Iranian people are "welcoming", not just " chadors and beards” as portrayed in the West.

| 07/10/2024
| VATICAN - IRAN
by Dario Salvi

For the parish priest of the small Latin rite community, “the war will not end soon,” now that it involves Lebanon. More than 16,000 children have died in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict out of a total death toll of 41,000. For the small Catholic community, the priority is schooling, even if it has to take place in improvised classrooms in the church itself so as not to lose the year. A day of prayer and fasting for peace will be held on 7 October. Many “only want an end to the violence.”

| 03/10/2024
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE – LEBANON
by Fady Noun

Hezbollah's number two announces the fight will continue. The price is already high: over a thousand dead, incalculable devastation, and a humanitarian emergency; but in reception centres and in the streets, words of resentment against the slain secretary general are rare. France and the United States (which approved Israel’s ground operation) continue to talk about a diplomatic solution that seems still far away.

| 01/10/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Anooshavan Avedian, 62, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading a house church. An appeal court dropped the charges and ordered his release. Advocacy group is pleased about the turn of events but calls for the victim to be "compensated for all he has endured". At least 21 Christians are still in an Iranian prison because of their faith.

| 28/09/2024
| IRAN
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”