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 20, 2017.

Leader visits quake-hit region

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has visited the quake-hit areas in the country’s western province of Kermanshah. Ayatollah Khamenei visited the town of Sarpol-e Zahab and expressed sympathy with the locals. The Leader hailed the Iranian nation’s support and assistance to those affected by the earthquake. Ayatollah Khamenei also urged the government to step up relief efforts. The 7.3 magnitude quake struck Kermanshah province last week, killing at least 437 people and leaving thousands of others wounded. The major tremor hit seven towns and nearly 2,000 villages, with Iranians from across the country rushing to offer help.

Iraq court ruling

Iraq’s Supreme Court has declared Kurdistan’s September secession vote unconstitutional. The court ruling also cancelled all results that came out of the vote. Last month, the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region offered to the central government in Baghdad to freeze the vote’s outcome and hold talks. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi dismissed the freeze offer and demanded annulment. The Kurdish region voted to secede from Iraq on September 25. The secession bid was led by then Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani. The move drew international condemnations, especially from neighboring countries.

Kenya vote upheld

Kenya’s Supreme Court has upheld President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election in a repeat vote last month. In a unanimous vote by six judges, the court dismissed challenges by human rights activists and a politician who argued that last month's election was not conducted according to law. The ruling paves the way for Kenyatta to be sworn in on November 28. Protesters have poured into the streets of the capital Nairobi to voice their anger against the court’s ruling. Opposition leader Raila Odinga was quick to react to the court’s decision, saying it was no surprise. Kenyatta won the re-run election on October 26 after Odinga called on his supporters to boycott the election.

Reacting to anti-Iran resolution

Tehran has slammed the Arab League’s anti-Iran statement, saying it’s riddled with lies and distortions. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the statement was released under pressure by Saudi Arabia. He also said Riyadh is implementing Tel Aviv’s policies by fueling regional tensions and diverting the attention away from the occupation of Palestine which is the main issue facing the Muslim world. Qassemi added that most of the current problems in the Middle East stem from Saudi Arabia’s failed policies. The senior diplomat called on the Saudi regime to stop its war on Yemen and stop pressuring other Arab countries like Lebanon, Qatar, and Bahrain. He said Iran has always sought good ties with all regional nations. On Sunday, the Arab League issued a resolution, condemning Hezbollah and accusing Iran of arming Ansarullah forces in Yemen.

Saudi Yemen blockade

The World Food Programme's Yemen director says the blockade by the Saudi-led coalition has put millions of innocent civilians at risk of more fatalities in the impoverished Arab nation. Stephen Anderson noted that the siege has hampered the delivery of essential aid to people in desperate need. Anderson said it was heartbreaking to see that Yemeni families depend on sustained access to humanitarian assistance. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia shut down Yemen’s ports and borders in response to an Ansarullah missile attack on Riyadh airport. The move has worsened the already dire situation in Yemen with extreme fuel, food and medicine shortages. Several international aid organizations have warned that even with partial removal of the blockade, over three million Yemenis will be pushed into starvation.

Zimbabwe crisis

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is facing impeachment threats after he misses a deadline set by his own party to resign without concession. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party proposed the impeachment motion after meeting on Monday. The draft calls the president “a source of instability” and accuses Mugabe of misconduct and disrespecting the rule of law. Mugabe defied all expectations Sunday night in a televised statement and declared that he will REMAIN in office despite last week’s army takeover. His refusal to quit came amid mounting pressures on him to step down by thousands of Zimbabweans. They include Zimbabwe's war veterans who are leading a court challenge to legalize military action against the embattled president.

Lebanon slams Arab League

Lebanon has condemned the Arab League for describing its government as a partner in acts of terrorism by supporting the resistance movement Hezbollah. President Michel Aoun was speaking at a meeting with the Arab League’s Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Aoun praised Hezbollah’s role in protecting Lebanon’s security, adding that the country reserves the right to defend itself. He referred to Israel’s aggression against Lebanon, saying Beirut will resist the Israeli regime’s plans by all available means. Aoun noted that Lebanon shouldn’t pay the price for regional conflicts. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also slammed the Arab League for designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. He also sarcastically apologized to some Arab states because of Hezbollah’s struggle against Israel. The Arab League on Sunday accused Hezbollah and Iran of interference in regional affairs and spreading terrorism in the Middle East.

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