BEIRUT/JERUSALEM -- Lebanon will seek an extension of the ceasefire and press Israel to halt demolition operations in the country's south during upcoming talks in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday.
Lebanon's ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, will represent the country at a U.S. State Department meeting Wednesday, where she is expected to raise the issue of extending the ceasefire, the National News Agency reported, citing Aoun. (Lebanon-Israel-Talks)
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SANAA -- UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg said Wednesday that he discussed with the Houthi group ways to advance the UN mediation process and efforts to move forward negotiations on the release of detainees.
In a statement following his visit to Muscat, Grundberg said he met with senior Omani officials to discuss "the way forward for Yemen's peace process amid evolving regional dynamics," highlighting Oman's "crucial role in supporting dialogue" and stressing the importance of regional support for the UN-led mediation. (Yemen-Houthis-Efforts)
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BAGHDAD -- Iraq's Coordination Framework, an umbrella alliance of Shiite parties and the largest parliamentary bloc, announced Wednesday the postponement of its meeting to nominate a prime minister-designate until Friday.
The alliance said that the delay aims to allow more time for dialogue and to reach a conclusion within the constitutional timeframe, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency. (Iraq-PM-Designate Nomination-Postponement)
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TEHRAN -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that Iran has always welcomed resolving issues through dialogue and agreement and will continue to do so.
In a post on social media platform X, he said breaches of commitments, blockades and threats constitute the main obstacles to genuine negotiations, adding that "world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions," in reference to the United States. (Iran-US-Negotiation) ■
