MUSCAT/TEHRAN -- Iran and Oman issued a joint statement on Tuesday affirming their commitment to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that all arrangements relating to the waterway "must fully respect their sovereignty and sovereign rights."
The two countries agreed to continue discussions through a joint working team between their foreign ministries to reach an understanding on the future management of navigation in the strait and the related charging service "costs," read the statement. (Oman-Iran-Hormuz Strait)
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BEIRUT -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday reiterated Lebanon's rejection of the continued Israeli occupation of its territory, stressing that restoring full national sovereignty remains a top priority as a new round of Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli negotiations gets underway.
"We will accept nothing less than the end of the Israeli occupation and the elimination of all forms of external tutelage, because our only choice is national sovereignty," Aoun said during a meeting with Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal and members of the advisory team accompanying the Lebanese delegation participating in talks in Washington. (Lebanon-President-Israeli Occupation)
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GAZA/JERUSALEM -- Dozens of Palestinians protested in Gaza City on Tuesday against Israeli ceasefire violations as the death toll from Israeli attacks exceeded 1,000 since a ceasefire agreement went into effect in October last year.
Participants in the protest raised Palestinian flags and banners written in Arabic, demanding that mediators uphold the agreement and end Israeli violations. (Gaza-Israel-Protest)
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ABU DHABI/CAIRO -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday no country could impose tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz, as he began a visit to Gulf allies following recent "encouraging progress" in U.S.-Iran talks held in Switzerland, local media reported.
"It's an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway. That's existing international law," Rubio told reporters upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. (UAE-United States-Iran) ■
