Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants on Monday filed a complaint through the country's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York with the UN Security Council in response to Israel's repeated violations of its ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

The Lebanese ministry said on social media platform X that between Nov. 27 and Dec. 22, Israel launched over 816 land and air attacks against Lebanon, shelling border villages, booby-trapping homes, destroying residential neighborhoods, and blocking roads.

Such violations have complicated Lebanon's efforts to implement the provisions of UN Resolution 1701, hindering the Lebanese army's deployment in the south and representing a serious threat to international efforts aimed at achieving regional security and stability, the ministry said in the complaint.

Lebanon has continuously shown the utmost restraint and cooperation to avoid falling back into "the hell of war", it said, urging the UN Security Council to take a firm and clear position towards Israel's violations and work to oblige it to respect its obligations.

It also called for strengthening support for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese army to protect Lebanon's sovereignty and help the country restore stability.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on Nov. 27, putting an end to the confrontations that erupted on Oct. 8, 2023.

Despite the agreement, there have been multiple claims of ceasefire violations by both sides. The Israeli army has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, though at a significantly reduced intensity, with some attacks resulting in casualties in southern and eastern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah fired munitions into border areas once, in early December, describing the actions as retaliation for the ongoing Israeli strikes.

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Hong Kong stocks rallied on Friday, as robust performance in the technology and real estate sectors offset weakness in energy and consumer staples, according to a market analyst.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 0.52 percent to 24,186.83 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index jumped 1.16 percent to 4,108.24 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index edged up 0.31 percent to 8,128.25 points.

Despite the positive close, Timothy Pope, a market analyst at China Global Television Network (CGTN), noted that the market relinquished some of its early intraday momentum after briefly surging more than 1.3 percent.

"The Hang Seng closed 0.5 higher, although that was well down from its earlier gains of more than 1.3 percent. Real estate stocks did reasonably well in Hong Kong today, as they did on the Chinese mainland. But apart from that, the picture was a little different. Energy shares were down, along with some consumer staples. Consumer discretionary stocks, like sportswear makers Anta and Li-Ning, performed pretty well, as did the PC maker Lenovo. Innovative pharmaceutical companies were also finding favor with investors. BeOne Medicines gained more than 4 percent," said Pope.

Hong Kong stocks rally as tech, real estate offset energy, staples weakness: analyst