BEIRUT: The Lebanese Parliament has decided that the caretaker government headed by Najib Mikati can be handed the powers of the presidency amid the leadership vacuum, according to constitutional principles.

Former President Michel Aoun sent a letter to parliament on Sunday, 24 hours before the end of his term, asking MPs to withdraw confidence in Mikati’s government. He argued that it has no legitimacy and should not assume the duties of the presidency.

AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah on Thursday called for intensified efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
Receiving Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Amman, Jordan’s ruler highlighted the importance of stabilising Syria, especially southern areas of the country, the Jordan News Agency reported.
During their meeting he also noted the need to safeguard Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, while guaranteeing the safe and voluntary return of refugees.

LONDON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Iraq’s prime minister on the formation of a government during a phone call on Thursday.

Blinken told Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani that the US is eager to work with the government that was formed on Oct. 27 to improve respect for human rights, increase economic opportunities, advance Iraq’s energy independence, and address the climate crisis.

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday issued sanctions against an international oil smuggling network it accused of supporting Hezbollah and Iran’s Quds Force, as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Tehran.
The US Treasury Department in a statement said it designated members of the network that facilitated oil trades and generated revenue for Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Quds Force, an arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that operates abroad, both of which are under US sanctions.

AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s security forces in the southern province of Shabwa have busted an Iran-backed Houthi cell responsible for deadly attacks on security and military personnel in the area.

The country’s official news agency SABA reported that the security forces discovered a “terrorist” operation that had planted several roadside bombs and other explosive devices in the province’s capital.

Also uncovered, was a plot to assassinate Shabwa’s governor, officers of the Coalition for the Restoration of Legitimacy in Yemen, and other security and military officers.