An Israeli incursion into Lebanon would be a “disaster” and would present a double standard for Israel's backers who have criticised Russia for invading Ukraine, Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Friday.
Dr Hussein, who was visiting Washington for this week's Nato summit, also said he had been lobbying western nations to increase pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza.
His comments come amid high tension along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been engaged in an escalating series of strikes in a high-stakes exchange that could result in all-out war between the neighbours.
Hezbollah ramped up operations at the border immediately after its ally Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 in a bid to divert Israel's military focus from the Gaza Strip.
Dr Hussein said many of the conversations at Nato focused on condemning Russia for attacking Ukraine but there was less attention on the possibility Israel might invade Lebanon.
The Israeli war cabinet has approved an operational plan for a military offensive on Lebanon, with officials aiming to push Hezbollah north of the Litani River.
“So imagine that the Israelis are going to attack Lebanon. What are you going to say?” he told reporters at the Iraqi embassy.
Israel's backers are either going “to keep quiet or … support the other side”.
“It would be a disaster for the world. That is also a violation of international law,” he said.
“If we are accepting the principle [of sovereignty] somewhere, it must be valid somewhere else.”
Dr Hussein said he had spoken to western diplomats, particularly those from the US, this week to ask them to do more to compel Israel to end the war in Gaza.
“We are trying to approach our colleagues in the West so that they can put more pressure on the Israeli side,” he said.
The Foreign Minister also gave an update on the plan for US forces to leave Iraq, where they have been leading a counter-ISIS mission since 2014.
The Iraqi government wants the US military out of the country and talks are taking place to cement a timetable.
Dr Hussein said negotiations to “reshape” the US-Iraq relationship are ongoing, and an Iraqi delegation is expected to come to Washington on July 22 for the next stage of talks.
On Iraq's economy, Dr Hussein repeated a long-standing Iraqi desire for US firms to invest more in Iraq, particularly in the energy sector, saying they are taking too long to do so. China and India are now the biggest markets for oil exports.
“The problem with the American companies, the whole decision process [about whether to invest] takes such a long time,” he said.
Asked about the political situation in the US, where it remains unclear whether President Joe Biden will become the Democratic nominee, Dr Hussein said he was in “wait and see” mode.
“Yesterday, I met various individuals from Washington and I was asking them, 'Can you tell me what's going on here?' There are many questions,” he said.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Background: Chemical Weapons
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Rating: 4/5
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Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
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