HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister meets with the newly elected Secretary General of the International Energy Forum

Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today met with the newly elected Secretary General of the International Energy Forum, Eng Jassim Alshirawi, following his appointment, at Gudabiya Palace.

His Royal Highness congratulated Eng Alshirawi on his election as the Secretary-General of the International Energy Forum.

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister noted that Alshirawi’s expertise in the energy sector facilitated his successful election, and wished him success in advancing contributions in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.

His Royal Highness highlighted the importance of international organisations, including those in the Oil and Gas sector, in enhancing the cooperation across all sectors and facilitating development goals to meet desired aspirations.

For his part, Alshirawi expressed his gratitude for His Royal Highness’s support of Bahrainis across various sectors and affirmed his commitment to further the Kingdom’s development.

His Hig
hness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, also attended the meeting.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

CBB Government Development Bond Issue No.36 oversubscribed by 280%


Manama, The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) announces that the issue of the 3-year Government Development Bond has been oversubscribed by 280%.

Subscriptions worth BD 419.294 million were received for the BD 150 million issue, which carries a maturity of 3 years.

The fixed annual coupon rate on the issue, which begins on August 5 and matures on August 5, 2027, is 5.875%.

The Government Development Bonds are issued by the CBB on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This is Government Development Bond issue No.36 (ISIN BH000X4976W9).

Source: Bahrain News Agency

(Update) Bou Habib welcomes UK’s Foreign, Defense Secretaries


Caretaker Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister, Dr. Abdallah Bou Habib, welcomed on Thursday at his ministry office, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and UK Defense Secretary, John Healey, in the presence of the accompanying delegation, and British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell.

Minister Bou Habib expressed his appreciation for the visit of the British delegation, “especially that it comes in the midst of the recent serious developments that Lebanon and the region witnessed, and Israel’s continued aggression.”

Bou Habib underlined ‘the importance of the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 as the main key to restoring calm to southern Lebanon.”

Bou Habib also warned of “the danger of slipping into an all-out war if influential countries close and friendly to Israel do not pressure it to de-escalate and avoid the irresponsible military option.”

The UK ministers expressed their “concern about the possibility of the deterioration of the situation in the region,” and stressed “the necessit
y of a ceasefire in Gaza.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

(UPDATE) Mikati welcomes UK Foreign and Defense Ministers amid regional tension


Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday met with UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and UK Defense Secretary, John Healey, at the Grand Serail.

The meeting was attended by British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, Lebanese Ambassador to the UK, Rami Mortada, former Minister Nicolas Nahas, Ambassador Boutros Assaker, and Ziad Mikati.

During the meeting, Mikati expressed gratitude for the UK’s steadfast support for Lebanon, highlighting that the visit of UK ministers amid these challenging times is ‘a significant gesture of solidarity.’

The PM also noted that he had discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region with his British counterpart in France last Saturday.

Mikati then criticized Israel for violating Lebanese sovereignty and repeatedly attacking civilians in blatant disregard of international laws.

‘A political solution through the implementation of international resolutions, including Resolution 1701, is essential,’ Mikati added, calling on the UK and the international community
to press Israel to cease its aggression.

In turn, UK Foreign Secretary Lammy urged all parties to respect and fully implement UN Resolution 1701, while UK Defense Secretary Healey commended the existing cooperation between the Lebanese and British militaries.

Moreover, Healey advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means, warning that violence would have severe consequences for all those involved.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Army chief discusses developments along southern border with UK Foreign, Defense Secretaries


Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Thursday welcomed at his Yarzeh office, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and UK Defense Secretary, John Healey, in the presence of British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell.

Discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in the country and developments along the southern border.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Mawlawi broaches developments with Jordanian Ambassador


Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, on Thursday received at his ministry office, Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon, Waleed Hadid, with whom he discussed the general situation in the country in light of the latest developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Mawlawi broaches developments with Jordanian Ambassador


Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, on Thursday received at his ministry office, Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon, Waleed Hadid, with whom he discussed the general situation in the country in light of the latest developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Sayyed Nasrallah vows revenge: War entered new phase, ‘Israel’ crossed red lines


Vowing an ‘inevitable retaliation’, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah stressed on Thursday that the war against the Zionist entity and its backers has entered a new phase as the enemies have crossed the red lines.

During a funeral of senior Hezbollah Jihadi commander Fuad Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen), Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that Hezbollah looks for a ‘real and fully considered response,’ warning that the Israeli enemy ‘does not know where the retaliation will come from, whether from the north or the south of Palestine, and whether it will be separate from or simultaneous’ with operations in other fronts.

‘You will laugh a little and cry a lot, as you do not know which redlines you have crossed,’ the Lebanese resistance leader addressed the crowds during the mass funeral.

His eminence also stressed that Iran’s retaliation to the assassination of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh is unavoidable as the Islamic Republic considers the attack which killed the Palestinian leader in Tehran as an ag
gression on its national security and sovereignty.

Sayyed Nasrallah, meanwhile, vehemently dismissed Israeli claims on Majdal Shams incident that killed 12 Druze children in occupied Golan last week. He stressed that Hezbollah’s accurate and internal investigation confirmed that the Lebanese resistance movement was not responsible for the incident.

‘The attack on Dahiyeh is act of war rather than a ‘reaction’ to what happened in Majdal Shams as propagated by the Israeli enemy.’

Sayyed Nasrallah started his speech by extending condolences and blessings over martyrdom of senior Jihadi commander Fuad Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen) in Dahiyeh and Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Elaborating on Tuesday’s Israeli strike on Dahiyeh, Sayyed Nasrallah said that the Israeli enemy hit a residential building, killing seven civilians and wounding dozens others, most of whom were women and children.

‘The enemy’s main target was to assassinate the senior Jihadi commander Fuad Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen),’ he addressed
crowds at Sayyed Shuhada Complex, as he offered condolences and blessing to the families of the martyrs.

‘What happened in Dahiyeh is an aggression rather than an assassination,’ Sayyed Nasrallah said, noting that the attack ‘is part of the US-Israeli war on our region.’

In this context, his eminence said that days before the aggression on Dahiyeh, the Israeli enemy ‘propagated that the attack would be a ‘reaction’ (to the incident in Majdal Shams), this narration is fully rejected.’

‘The Israeli enemy is leading a great misleading and falsification campaign by accusing our martyr (Sayyed Mohsen) of being the ‘killer of children’ in Majdal Shams.’

Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the Israeli enemy was quick to make accusations without providing any evidence.

‘Our accurate internal probe confirms the conclusion that we have nothing to do with what happened in Majdal Shams. We have enough courage to admit if it was our mistake.’

In this context, the Hezbollah S.G. said that the Zionist entity ‘refuses to accep
t that what happened in Majdal Shams would be caused by an Israeli interceptor missile.’

‘Accusations that we are behind what happened in Majdal Shams are unjust and fully rejected, as they are aimed at acquitting the Israeli enemy.’

Open Battle

Sayyed Nasrallah stressed then that the war has entered a new phase, noting that ‘we are in an open battle on all fronts.’

On the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Sayyed Nasrallah wondered: ‘Do they (the Israelis) really imagine that they would kill Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Iran would keep mum?’.

‘We are all in support fronts have entered a new phase, escalation depends on the enemy’s reactions.’

In this context, his eminence stressed that the Islamic Republic ‘considers Haniyeh’s assassination as an attack on its national security and sovereignty.’

Expect Rage and Revenge

Sayyed Nasrallah said the Israelis ‘are now happy that they have crossed a red line,’ referring to hitting Dahiyeh and a senior Hezbollah commander, as well as targeting civ
ilians. However, he warned that they must now expect ‘rage and revenge on all the fronts supporting Gaza.’

Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that assassination of Hezbollah leader doesn’t affect the Lebanese resistance group.

‘Experience shows that the resistance grows and thrives. With any assassination, Hezbollah’s line graph ascends because of its ideological affiliations.’

In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah assured resistance supporters in Lebanon that Hezbollah ‘swiftly fill any vacancy in the organizational structure,’ stressing that the group has ‘a generation of well-trained commanders.’

His eminence also stressed that the only way to deescalate tensions is to halt the aggression on Gaza.

Sayyed Nasrallah said further that Hezbollah fighters will resume on Friday the operations in support of Gaza.

‘Starting tomorrow morning, we will resume our pro-Gaza operations, and this has nothing to do with the retaliation to the assassination of Sayyed Fuad. The enemy and those who back it must await our
inevitable response, God willing.’

‘The decision now is in the hands of the battlefield, we are mulling a real and fully considered response rather than symbolic one,’ Sayyed Nasrallah concluded.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Sayyed Nasrallah vows revenge: War entered new phase, ‘Israel’ crossed red lines


Vowing an ‘inevitable retaliation’, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah stressed on Thursday that the war against the Zionist entity and its backers has entered a new phase as the enemies have crossed the red lines.

During a funeral of senior Hezbollah Jihadi commander Fuad Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen), Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that Hezbollah looks for a ‘real and fully considered response,’ warning that the Israeli enemy ‘does not know where the retaliation will come from, whether from the north or the south of Palestine, and whether it will be separate from or simultaneous’ with operations in other fronts.

‘You will laugh a little and cry a lot, as you do not know which redlines you have crossed,’ the Lebanese resistance leader addressed the crowds during the mass funeral.

His eminence also stressed that Iran’s retaliation to the assassination of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh is unavoidable as the Islamic Republic considers the attack which killed the Palestinian leader in Tehran as an ag
gression on its national security and sovereignty.

Sayyed Nasrallah, meanwhile, vehemently dismissed Israeli claims on Majdal Shams incident that killed 12 Druze children in occupied Golan last week. He stressed that Hezbollah’s accurate and internal investigation confirmed that the Lebanese resistance movement was not responsible for the incident.

‘The attack on Dahiyeh is act of war rather than a ‘reaction’ to what happened in Majdal Shams as propagated by the Israeli enemy.’

Sayyed Nasrallah started his speech by extending condolences and blessings over martyrdom of senior Jihadi commander Fuad Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen) in Dahiyeh and Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Elaborating on Tuesday’s Israeli strike on Dahiyeh, Sayyed Nasrallah said that the Israeli enemy hit a residential building, killing seven civilians and wounding dozens others, most of whom were women and children.

‘The enemy’s main target was to assassinate the senior Jihadi commander Fuad Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen),’ he addressed
crowds at Sayyed Shuhada Complex, as he offered condolences and blessing to the families of the martyrs.

‘What happened in Dahiyeh is an aggression rather than an assassination,’ Sayyed Nasrallah said, noting that the attack ‘is part of the US-Israeli war on our region.’

In this context, his eminence said that days before the aggression on Dahiyeh, the Israeli enemy ‘propagated that the attack would be a ‘reaction’ (to the incident in Majdal Shams), this narration is fully rejected.’

‘The Israeli enemy is leading a great misleading and falsification campaign by accusing our martyr (Sayyed Mohsen) of being the ‘killer of children’ in Majdal Shams.’

Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the Israeli enemy was quick to make accusations without providing any evidence.

‘Our accurate internal probe confirms the conclusion that we have nothing to do with what happened in Majdal Shams. We have enough courage to admit if it was our mistake.’

In this context, the Hezbollah S.G. said that the Zionist entity ‘refuses to accep
t that what happened in Majdal Shams would be caused by an Israeli interceptor missile.’

‘Accusations that we are behind what happened in Majdal Shams are unjust and fully rejected, as they are aimed at acquitting the Israeli enemy.’

Open Battle

Sayyed Nasrallah stressed then that the war has entered a new phase, noting that ‘we are in an open battle on all fronts.’

On the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Sayyed Nasrallah wondered: ‘Do they (the Israelis) really imagine that they would kill Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Iran would keep mum?’.

‘We are all in support fronts have entered a new phase, escalation depends on the enemy’s reactions.’

In this context, his eminence stressed that the Islamic Republic ‘considers Haniyeh’s assassination as an attack on its national security and sovereignty.’

Expect Rage and Revenge

Sayyed Nasrallah said the Israelis ‘are now happy that they have crossed a red line,’ referring to hitting Dahiyeh and a senior Hezbollah commander, as well as targeting civ
ilians. However, he warned that they must now expect ‘rage and revenge on all the fronts supporting Gaza.’

Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that assassination of Hezbollah leader doesn’t affect the Lebanese resistance group.

‘Experience shows that the resistance grows and thrives. With any assassination, Hezbollah’s line graph ascends because of its ideological affiliations.’

In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah assured resistance supporters in Lebanon that Hezbollah ‘swiftly fill any vacancy in the organizational structure,’ stressing that the group has ‘a generation of well-trained commanders.’

His eminence also stressed that the only way to deescalate tensions is to halt the aggression on Gaza.

Sayyed Nasrallah said further that Hezbollah fighters will resume on Friday the operations in support of Gaza.

‘Starting tomorrow morning, we will resume our pro-Gaza operations, and this has nothing to do with the retaliation to the assassination of Sayyed Fuad. The enemy and those who back it must await our
inevitable response, God willing.’

‘The decision now is in the hands of the battlefield, we are mulling a real and fully considered response rather than symbolic one,’ Sayyed Nasrallah concluded.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon