Matthew Dannoun

President Ahmad al-Sharaa held a meeting on Saturday with Interior Minister Anas Khattab and a number of ministry officials to discuss improving the ministry’s performance and efficiency, with the aim of strengthening security and stability in the country. The Presidency said in a statement on its Telegram channel that the meeting, held at the General Secretariat building, focused on the Interior Ministry’s work and on measures to enhance its performance and the services provided to citizens.  It also addressed plans and programs for the coming phase to boost operational efficiency and support security and stability. This meeting follows an earlier one held at the beginning of the month between President al-Sharaa and the Interior Minister, along with several department directors, during which they reviewed the status of fieldwork in the ministry’s units and departments. Source: SANA 

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NNA – Lebanon’s Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal, on Friday received at his Yarzeh office, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren, and the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, with an accompanying delegation. Maj. Gen. Haykal also received Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa. The discussions reportedly focused on the general situation in Lebanon and the broad region. Source: NNA

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani announced the appointment of Dr. Mohammad Katoub as Syria’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Today, we announce the appointment of Dr. Mohammad Katoub as Syria’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW, reaffirming our commitment to closing the dark chapter left behind by the former regime,” Minister al-Shaibani posted on X. The minister expressed Syria’s gratitude and appreciation to the State of Qatar for its continuous support since the beginning of liberation in this complex file. Dr. Mohammad Katoub witnessed several chemical attacks, including the 2013 assault carried out by the Assad regime while he was in Eastern Ghouta. After leaving Syria, he collaborated with international investigation teams on the chemical weapons file and provided support to groups working with victims and survivors. Katoub also engaged in advocacy efforts, delivering briefings before the UN Security...

Fulfilling an election commitment, the Council will provide a mechanism for ongoing community consultation and contribute to the development of the first NSW Government LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy. The Council will also provide ongoing advice to the NSW Government as it delivers on a range of initiatives and commitments designed to promote equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ communities.  The Council is comprised of 16 members, with the aim for membership to reflect the diversity of LGBTIQ+ communities in NSW. Members are appointed as individuals based on their relevant skills, experience, and knowledge. The Council will meet at least four times per year. Should you have any questions regarding the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council, please e-mail Inclusion@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that he will support a full repeal of sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act. Mast told The Hill on Thursday that his position does not oppose the U.S. President Donald Trump administration, which also supports full repeal.  He added that the repeal should include mechanisms to reinstate sanctions if certain conditions are not met. Until recently, Mast had objected to the full repeal of the Caesar Act due to the crimes of the former regime, amid diplomatic and political efforts to push for its abolition. Last week, Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior committee member, renewed their support for lifting sanctions on Syria. U.S. Representative Joe Wilson has repeatedly emphasized that continuing to implement the Caesar Act hinders reconstruction efforts in Syria. Source: SANA 

Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morcos said relations between Beirut and Damascus are entering a “new and promising phase,” with both sides pursuing efforts to handle unresolved issues through official channels and joint committees. Speaking to the National News Agency, Morcos said the government is “turning a new page” with Syria and working to address pending issues. He added that he has formally requested the inclusion of the case of Lebanese photographer Samir Kassab—kidnapped in Syria in 2013—on the agenda of the Lebanese-Syrian joint committee. Kassab, a photojournalist with Sky News Arabia, was abducted by ISIS along with his Mauritanian colleague Ishaq Mokhtar near the town of Andan in northern Aleppo province on Oct. 13, 2013. Relations between Lebanon and Syria have seen renewed diplomatic engagement in recent months, marked by a series of high-level visits aimed at strengthening cooperation and rebuilding bilateral ties. Source: NNA and SANA