Lebanese Foreign Minister Warns: Risk of Lebanon Becoming a "Second Gaza"
The Lebanese Foreign Minister's warning of Lebanon turning into a "second Gaza" highlights the urgent need for immediate international action to curb Hezbollah and end its dominance over Lebanese sove
September 23, 2024, 11:36 pm

Lebanese Foreign Minister Warns: Risk of Lebanon Becoming a

جنوب لبنان يشهد موجة نزوح كبيرة

In a dangerous development threatening to turn Lebanon into a full-scale war zone, Hezbollah's military adventures have caused hundreds of civilian casualties, prompting Lebanese Foreign Minister Bassam Mawlawi to warn of the risk of his country becoming a "second Gaza." This highlights the heavy price Lebanon is paying as a result of Hezbollah's reckless policies.

Since Monday morning, the Lebanese border has witnessed the most intense Israeli raids since the start of the war in Gaza, with about 300 raids carried out on towns in the south and Bekaa. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, this bombardment has killed 182 people and injured 727 others, including children, women, and paramedics.

Reports from human rights organizations indicate that Hezbollah bears significant responsibility for endangering civilians by deploying its military sites in residential areas, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

In a reaction showing disregard for civilian lives, Hezbollah launched rocket salvos and drones towards civilian areas in northern Israel, injuring five Israelis and causing property damage. The escalation by the party confirms its inability to protect Lebanon and its residents, and reveals its own agenda that has nothing to do with Lebanese national interests.

Experts in Lebanese affairs view Hezbollah's continued dragging of Lebanon into wars it cannot handle as an existential threat to the Lebanese state and undermines chances for peace and stability in the region.

In light of this dangerous escalation, international observers have called for the need to implement UN resolutions, especially Resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon, including Hezbollah. These observers emphasize that the continued presence of weapons outside the state framework poses a direct threat to Lebanese sovereignty and exposes the country to countless risks.

The question remains: How long will the Lebanese people continue to pay the price for Hezbollah's military adventures? And is it time to put an end to the organization's dominance over Lebanese sovereign decision-making?

Levant-Agencies

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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.