Tunisian judge sentences opposition leader Ghannouchi to a year in absentia

TUNIS: A Tunisian judge on Monday sentenced opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, a critic of President Kais Saied, to a year in absentia on charges of incitement, his lawyer Monia Bouali said.
Ghannouchi, 81, has been in prison since last April, after police arrested him from his home on suspicion of plotting against state security.
Ennahda party leader Ghannouchi decided this month to refuse to appear before the judiciary, rejecting what he said were fabricated political trials.


Bahrain and Qatar to resume flights as of May 25

DUBAI: Flights between Bahrain and Qatar will resume as of May 25, Bahrain News Agency reported on Monday.

The resumption of flights between Bahrain and Qatar “comes within the framework of the brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries and peoples, and in a manner that achieves” their common aspirations,” BNA said.



Kuwait urges UNESCO to fulfill its commitment to  institutions in Palestine, Sudan

PARIS: Kuwait on Monday called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to make every effort to guarantee that the organization’s decisions and obligations to educational and cultural institutions in Palestine and Sudan are carried out.

This came in a speech by Kuwaiti Permanent Representative to UNESCO Dr. Adam Al-Mulla during the 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris, Kuwait News Agency reported



UN secretary-general praises Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, US for helping to secure Gaza truce

DOHA: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, and the US for their roles in the reaching of an agreement on a ceasefire between the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza, and Israel, the Qatar News Agency reported on Monday.

Guterres welcomed the agreement and urged all parties to respect its provisions.

The secretary-general conveyed his deep condolences to the families of those killed in the violence, noting that the hostilities led to unjustified human suffering.



Lebanon’s central bank chief expected to be no-show in Paris court

BEIRUT: Riad Salameh, the governor of Lebanon’s central bank, Banque du Liban, is not expected to appear as scheduled before a European financial investigation at a Paris court on Tuesday.

He was summoned by French Judge Aude Buresi two weeks ago. It is thought the session was scheduled to bring charges against Salameh over allegations that he accumulated a fortune in European accounts, including cash and real estate, through a complex system of financial arrangements and the embezzlement of large amounts of Lebanese public funds.