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Inflaming the Scene.. Iranian Parliament Speaker: Khamenei is the Pillar of the Lebanese People
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The Iranian official's statements reveal Tehran's strategy to exploit the current crisis in Lebanon to expand its influence, ignoring Lebanese sovereignty and national interests

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf sparked a new wave of controversy in Lebanon with provocative statements, just two days after causing an uproar about negotiations with France regarding the Lebanese situation.
Qalibaf stated in a press interview today, Sunday: "The main pillar of the Lebanese people is the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian officials and people." He added, speaking about the situation in the region: "The strategic defeats suffered by the Zionist entity on the ground have made the situation extremely difficult for Israel."
In a statement that sparked more controversy, Qalibaf thanked "all Lebanese citizens and officials who showed him love during his visit to Lebanon," surprisingly adding: "But we must not forget that we are all soldiers in the service of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Qalibaf's previous statements had provoked angry reactions in Lebanon, where caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his surprise at the Iranian official's talk about Tehran's readiness to negotiate with France regarding the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in southern Lebanon.
Mikati emphasized that "the issue of negotiating to implement UN Resolution 1701 is exclusively handled by the Lebanese state," stressing that "everyone is required to support it in this direction, not to seek to impose new guardianships that are rejected in all considerations."
It's worth noting that Qalibaf visited Beirut on October 12, where he renewed his country's support for Hezbollah and the Lebanese people. He offered to provide aid to Lebanon on the condition that it be transferred through a direct relief bridge between Tehran and Beirut, under government supervision.
On the other hand, many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, and Egypt, have provided and continue to provide relief aid to Lebanon during the past period, while Iran has so far refrained from sending any aid to the country that has been subjected to violent Israeli raids for weeks, leading to the displacement of more than a million Lebanese from their homes.
These statements and developments raise questions about the extent of Iranian intervention's impact on Lebanese sovereignty and regional stability, in light of the current crisis Lebanon and the region as a whole are going through.
Levant-Agencies
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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