G7 Demands Iran Stop Supporting Armed Militias.. in the Middle East
Ministers' discussions on supporting UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces indicate a Western desire to enhance stability in Lebanon as a step to contain the conflict in the region
October 20, 2024, 12:52 am

G7 Demands Iran Stop Supporting Armed Militias.. in the Middle East

مجموعة السبع. صورة تعبيرية.

Defense ministers of the G7 countries held a meeting in Naples, Italy, on Saturday, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The ministers called on Iran to cease providing support to movements such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, emphasizing the importance of supporting UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces in ensuring Lebanon's stability and security.

Italy, which currently chairs the group, put the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine on the agenda, in addition to the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Discussions focused on recent developments in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israel continues its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, amid fears of a large-scale regional war breaking out.

The meeting also addressed the situation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), especially after some of its soldiers were injured by Israeli fire, which sparked a wave of international condemnation. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, during her recent visit to Beirut, considered "targeting UNIFIL unacceptable."

The ministers also discussed the situation in Ukraine, where Kyiv's forces face difficulties as the third winter since the Russian invasion approaches. The G7 approved a program in June to use interest earnings on frozen Russian assets to lend Kyiv $50 billion.

However, there are indications of declining Western support for Ukraine, with the possibility of a radical change in U.S. policy towards Kyiv if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential elections.

This meeting comes at a sensitive time, as tensions escalate in the Middle East with the continuation of Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, and growing fears of the conflict expanding. The G7's focus on these issues reflects an international desire to contain the crisis and avoid comprehensive regional escalation.

Levant-Agencies

Hezbollah and Israel.. Dramatic Escalation and Targeting of Strategic and Sensitive Areas Abdul Razak Al-Mahdi Calls for the Release of Detainees Held by "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham"

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”