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Lebanon looming "social explosion"

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister has called for the release of international financial aid, warning that his country is just days away from a social explosion. In a meeting with foreign envoys, Hassan Diab said the international community must help save Lebanese from death and prevent Lebanon from its demise. He said Lebanese are on the verge of catastrophe and withholding funds for not having a formal government in Lebanon threaten lives. Lebanese are grappling with spiraling devaluation and painful shortages. The country has plunged deeper into what the World Bank calls one of the world's worst economic crises since the 1850s. The international community has pledged aid, but on the condition of the formation of a new government. Lebanon has been without a formal government since the deadly Beirut explosion last August.

ICRC Yemen warning

In an exclusive interview with Press TV, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross has painted a dire picture of the humanitarian situation in Yemen due to the Saudi-led war and blockade. Maurer said the restriction on Yemen’s imports have significantly compounded the situation since the country is dependent on foreign trade and aid. He expressed frustration at the widening gap between needs and response because of war and displacement in Yemen. The ICRC chief said the war in the impoverished country has gone on for too long and those affected need to return to income generating activities. Saudi Arabia launched a devastating war and imposed an all-out blockade on Yemen in 2015 to reinstate a friendly regime there. Around a quarter of a million of Yemenis have died, including from some indirect causes such as lack of food.

Nile mega-dam tensions

Ethiopia has slammed the Arab League for its unwelcome meddling in a lingering dispute with Egypt and Sudan over a mega-dam on a tributary of the Nile River. In a letter to the UN Security Council, the Ethiopian foreign minister said the Arab League is known for its unconditional support for Egypt on the issue of the Nile. Demeke Mekonnen warned that such an approach risks undermining the relations between the African Union and the Arab League. Tensions escalated after Egypt slammed Ethiopia’s renewed filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam situated on the Blue Nile. The dam has sparked an almost decade-long diplomatic stand-off between Addis Ababa and downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia says the project is crucial to its development, but Cairo and Khartoum fear it could restrict their citizens’ access to water.

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