Middle East & North Africa

21 October 2022; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid yesterday warned that cooperation between Russia and Iran poses a "serious problem not only for Israel, but also for Ukraine, Europe and the whole world."

In an interview with the Russian-language RTVi channel, Lapid said: "Iran is a dangerous terrorist state and the fact that Russia does business with it puts the whole world in danger."

TEHRAN, Oct 20 (NNN-IRNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry, yesterday, imposed sanctions on a number of British institutes and individuals, for “supporting terrorism and terrorist groups, promoting and instigating terrorism, and hate-mongering and violation of human rights.”

The ministry issued a statement saying, the move was made within the framework of related legal regulations and sanction mechanisms, as well as, a “response in kind.”

TEHRAN, Oct 20 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, yesterday, rejected certain “unsubstantiated claims” about Tehran’s stance towards the conflict in Ukraine, saying, Iran is ready to play a role in ending the crisis.

Making the remarks in a phone call with his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda, Raisi noted that, Tehran is ready to use “all its capacities and potential” to help end the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Iranian presidency’s website.

He stressed that, ever since the eruption of the conflict, Iran’s stance has been opposition to it.

AMMAN, Oct 20 (NNN-PETRA) – Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, and UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, yesterday, discussed means to reach a political solution for the Syrian crisis.

During a meeting in Amman, Pedersen briefed Safadi on the UN-led efforts, to resolve the crisis, as well as, the outcome of talks held in Syria, according to a statement by the ministry.

Safadi stressed Jordan’s support for the envoy’s efforts towards reaching a political solution in Syria, in accordance with the relevant UN resolution.

NEW DELHI, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) in the presence of visiting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in the country's western state of Gujarat.

Mission LiFE follows a three-pronged strategy. First is encouraging individuals to practice simple yet effective environment-friendly actions in their daily lives. Second is enabling industries and markets to respond swiftly to the changing demand. Third is influencing governments to support sustainable consumption.

ANKARA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye rejected Thursday the claim by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that the Turkish armed forces used chemical weapons in its recent operations in northern Iraq.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement that the allegations that chemical weapons are used by the Turkish armed forces are periodically brought to the agenda by circles who want to tarnish Türkiye's fight against terrorism,

20 October 2022; MEMO: Two days after Russia warned it would cut ties with Israel, Defence Minister Benny Gantz reiterated that Tel Aviv would not send weapons to Ukraine, local media reported.

Ukraine, which has been in a war with Russia for eight months, has submitted a formal request urging Israel to send its air defence systems such as the Iron Dome.

20 October 2022; MEMO: Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry welcomed on Wednesday the move by Australia to reverse its decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Quds Press has reported. The ministry expressed its hope to see joint efforts by the international community to find a just solution for the Palestinian cause.

20 October 2022; MEMO: The Tunisian General Labour Union yesterday threatened a regional transport sector strike for three days, the date of which will be set later.

According to a statement by the union, the administrative body for the transport sector will meet on 21 October and it may decide to implement a sectoral strike.

20 October 2022; MEMO: Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has called for a "collective Arab role" to resolve the Syrian crisis and "end the catastrophic situation" in the country.

In a meeting held yesterday with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in the Jordanian capital, Amman, Safadi highlighted that the situation in Syria has become intolerable; given the suffering it causes for the Syrians and the negative repercussions on the region, especially neighbouring countries.