Syrian Interim Government Calls for Urgent UN Action to Stop Israeli Aggressions
December 14, 2024, 11:51 am

Syrian Interim Government Calls for Urgent UN Action to Stop Israeli Aggressions

توغل اسرائيل

The Syrian Interim Government has urged the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to compel Israel to cease its attacks on Syrian territory and withdraw from the areas it has entered in the north, in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement established in 1974.

In two identical letters addressed to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, sent by the Associated Press on Friday, the Syrian ambassador to the UN, Qusai al-Dahhak, confirmed that he was acting "on instructions from my government" to present these demands.

This marks the first communication from the new Syrian Interim Government to the United Nations. The letters were sent on December 9, just one day after armed Syrian opposition forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad, ending his family’s more than 50-year rule.

In his letter, Ambassador al-Dahhak wrote: "At a time when the Arab Republic of Syria is undergoing a new phase in its history, its people look forward to establishing a state that respects individual freedoms, equality principles, and the rule of law to achieve their hopes for prosperity and stability," referencing the Israeli army's incursions into new areas of the country, including Mount Sheikh and Quneitra Province.

On December 8, the Israeli army managed to assert control over the Syrian side of Mount Sheikh in the Golan Heights with little to no resistance, also deploying forces in the buffer zone along the border with Syria. On Friday, orders were issued for Israeli forces to prepare to remain on Mount Sheikh, which overlooks the capital Damascus, throughout the winter.

The statement continued: "Given the current circumstances in Syria, there is significant security importance to our forces remaining at the summit of Mount Sheikh," emphasizing the need to ensure the readiness of the army at this location despite aerial challenges.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire agreement signed in 1974 has become non-binding following the change of authority in Damascus. While Israeli air forces continue to strike Syrian military targets, the Israeli Defense Minister confirmed on December 10 that the Israeli navy had destroyed the Syrian military fleet, and on December 12, the Israeli army's press office reported that the air force had eliminated over 90% of the ground-to-air missile stockpiles during a series of intensive strikes on Syria.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.