Arrest warrants issued in Lebanon for two Russians suspected of spying for Israel

BEIRUT: Two Russian citizens who were recently detained in Beirut on suspicion of spying for Israel have been referred to an investigative military judge who issued arrest warrants for them, two judicial officials said Monday.
The two Russians were detained “several weeks ago” in Beirut as they were leaving the country through the capital’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, the officials said. The two judicial officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Islamic leaders, international experts in talks on freedom of expression

RIYADH: Representatives of Islamic fatwa boards, councils, and universities recently joined international law experts, academics, and thinkers to discuss issues related to freedom of expression.

Organized by the League of Islamic Universities, the conference was staged at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

Libya suspends foreign minister after meeting with Israeli counterpart

RIYADH: The head of Libya’s Government of National Unity suspended Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush on Sunday and referred her for investigation after Israel said its Foreign Minister Eli Cohen had met her last week despite the countries not having formal relations.

Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah issued the suspension order following a backlash, with the country’s Presidential Council, which functions as head of state, demanding clarification.

Syria’s Assad’s ruling party shut by protests in rebellious Druze city

AMMAN: Protesters demanding an end to authoritarian rule shut the ruling Baath party headquarters in the southwestern Syrian Druze city of Sweida as protests which entered their second week showed no signs of abating, civic activists and witnesses said.
Youths with welding machines sealed the gates of the building of the party led by President Bashar al Assad, which has been in power since a 1963 coup.

Sudanese paramilitary force backs cease-fire and talks on country’s future

CAIRO: Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said it was open to a long-term cease-fire with the army and presented its vision for a “Sudan Reborn,” an initiative that could revive efforts to hold direct talks between the warring parties.
The statement came as fighting between the RSF and the army enters its 20th week with no side claiming victory while millions have been driven from their homes in the capital and other cities.