WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, November 10, 2017.

Australia asylum policy

The United Nations Human Rights Committee harshly castigates Australia’s asylum policy in a report, demanding Canberra shoulder its responsibilities toward refugees it keeps in offshore detention centers. The expert panel expressed serious concern about the conditions and abuses in the immigration processing facilities on Manus Island and Nauru. The report pointed to instances of assault, sexual abuse, and suspicious deaths at the facilities that also house children. The UN entity urged Australia to end its practice of sending asylum seekers to isolated outposts, immediately close all such centers, and transfer refugees to the mainland or another safe country. The panel also blasted Australia for closing down the Manus Island center, and cutting water, power and food supplies to 600 asylum seekers there. People in Melbourne also held a protest against the government's treatment of refugees.

Lebanon premier fate

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun voices concern over the circumstances of Sa’ad Hariri, days after he resigned as the country’s Prime Minister. Aoun urged clarification of the matter in a meeting with foreign ambassadors and representatives of the UN, EU and Arab League in Beirut. Meanwhile, leader of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, demanded Hariri return from Saudi Arabia. The prominent politician hinted that Hariri’s stay in Saudi Arabia could be against his will. Several sources have alleged that the premier has been kept under house arrest by Saudi forces. Riyadh has denied the reports. Hariri resigned in a live television broadcast from Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Every political group in the country, including Hariri’s own Future Movement, has since asked him to return to the country and uphold the system.

Iran denounces Israeli nukes

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says his country has been making efforts for a Middle East free of nukes and weapons of mass destruction over the past several decades. Zarif said the efforts have not been fruitful so far, because of Israel’s US-backed aggressive policies to attain nuclear weapons. He noted that Iran has proven its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation through meeting its obligations under the international deal clinched with P-5+1. The top Iranian diplomat was speaking at an international security conference in Uzbekistan. EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini was also in attendance. She said the European Union will make sure that all signatories to the Iran deal continue to fully implement it. Her comments come in the wake of the US push to derail the accord, despite international confirmation of Iran’s compliance.

Saudi in open war on Lebanon with Hariri arrest: Nasrallah

The leader of Lebanon’s resistance movement says Saudi Arabia has declared war against Lebanon by forcing the Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri to resign. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri did not write even a word of his statement. The Hezbollah leader said the resigned premier is being held under house arrest in Riyadh and must be allowed to return to his country as soon as possible. He said Riyadh has started to openly and directly interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs and believe they can choose the country’s next prime minister. He condemned Saudi Arabia’s quote blatant interference in Lebanon and humiliating treatment of Sa’ad Hariri. He said Saudi Arabia has asked Israel to attack Lebanon and has already paid Tel Aviv billions of dollars for that purpose. However, he said that is very unlikely because it knows the high cost of the move.

Dubious resignation

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has once again called for the country’s resigned Prime Minister to return from Saudi Arabia where Saad Hariri announced his decision to step down. Aoun made the demand during a meeting with the Saudi envoy. The Lebanese president stressed that Hariri’s surprising resignation is unacceptable. In another meeting with representatives of the UN, the EU and the Arab League, Aoun expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding Hariri’s move to resign. Lebanese lawmaker, Sleiman Frangieh, also called on Hariri to return. Several sources have alleged that Saudi Arabia is holding Hariri with restricted freedom– a claim the Kingdom has denied.

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