China's top diplomat meets UAE supreme national security council secretary-general

China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Ali Mohammed Hammed AI Shamsi, secretary-general of the Supreme National Security Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said China and the UAE are comprehensive strategic partners.

China is ready to work with the UAE to strengthen confidence, make joint efforts, maintain high-level exchanges, unlock the full potential of bilateral cooperation, promote people-to-people ties, and push bilateral relations to a higher level, Wang said.

Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, China and the UAE have maintained close communication, Wang said, adding that the conflict has recently turned toward dialogue, but whether lasting peace can truly be achieved still depends on joint efforts from all parties.

Wang said three priorities should be upheld at present. First, relevant parties should commit to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and effectively implement the recently signed memorandum of understanding. Second, normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be restored as soon as possible to keep the "lifeline" of regional development unimpeded. Third, countries in the region should draw lessons from repeated turmoil in the Middle East, rebuild mutual trust and explore a new regional security architecture suited to the evolving situation.

China is ready to continue supporting the UAE in playing a constructive role in promoting long-term peace and stability in the region, Wang said.

Shamsi said UAE-China relations enjoy a long history and are of historical and strategic significance. The UAE regards China as its most important partner and sincere friend, and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, expand cooperation in various fields and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

The UAE highly appreciates China's image as a responsible major country, Shamsi said, expressing sincere thanks to China for its positive role in promoting a political settlement of the Middle East conflict.

The UAE is willing to maintain coordination with China, support efforts to realize lasting regional peace through diplomatic channels, and safeguard the security of international shipping as well as the industrial and supply chain, he said.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said China and the UAE are comprehensive strategic partners.

China is ready to work with the UAE to strengthen confidence, make joint efforts, maintain high-level exchanges, unlock the full potential of bilateral cooperation, promote people-to-people ties, and push bilateral relations to a higher level, Wang said.

Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, China and the UAE have maintained close communication, Wang said, adding that the conflict has recently turned toward dialogue, but whether lasting peace can truly be achieved still depends on joint efforts from all parties.

Wang said three priorities should be upheld at present. First, relevant parties should commit to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and effectively implement the recently signed memorandum of understanding. Second, normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be restored as soon as possible to keep the "lifeline" of regional development unimpeded. Third, countries in the region should draw lessons from repeated turmoil in the Middle East, rebuild mutual trust and explore a new regional security architecture suited to the evolving situation.

China is ready to continue supporting the UAE in playing a constructive role in promoting long-term peace and stability in the region, Wang said.

Shamsi said UAE-China relations enjoy a long history and are of historical and strategic significance. The UAE regards China as its most important partner and sincere friend, and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, expand cooperation in various fields and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

The UAE highly appreciates China's image as a responsible major country, Shamsi said, expressing sincere thanks to China for its positive role in promoting a political settlement of the Middle East conflict.

The UAE is willing to maintain coordination with China, support efforts to realize lasting regional peace through diplomatic channels, and safeguard the security of international shipping as well as the industrial and supply chain, he said

China's top diplomat meets UAE supreme national security council secretary-general

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported that the latest ceasefire announced for Lebanon on June 19 appears to be largely holding, spokesman for the UN secretary-general Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday at a press conference, calling for protecting civilians and creating conditions that allow displaced families to return home with dignity.

Sporadic exchanges of fire and military reconnaissance activities have been reported, but a large number of displaced Lebanese families have begun returning to their homes, according to UNIFIL's observation.

The UNIFIL peacekeepers reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired heavy machine-gun fire and two 40 mm grenades near Al Bayyadah toward a UNIFIL base, followed by three rounds fired by a Merkava tank toward Al Mansuri in UNIFIL's Sector West, Dujarric said.

The peacekeepers observed four aerial drone activities near and over a UNIFIL position on Monday, with one armed drone flying over the position at altitudes ranging from 50 to 150 meters, Dujarric said. Another drone was recorded south of Deir Mimess at an altitude of about 80 meters, apparently monitoring peacekeepers during roadblock removal work, he said.

The spokesperson said peacekeepers encountered two roadblocks southeast of Deir Mimess on Monday, and IDF personnel blocked a road used by a UNIFIL patrol near Bayt Yahun, forcing them to return to their point of origin.

About 19,000 people left collective shelters overnight, reducing the total from 109,000 on Monday to more than 90,000 on Tuesday, Dujarric said.

Dujarric also warned that the humanitarian situation remains fragile and uncertain for families seeking to return to their homes.

He said a new joint assessment by the UN Development Programme and the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research reported that more than 11,000 residential buildings were completely destroyed and another 2,200 were partially damaged during recent hostilities.

"Continued uncertainty, widespread destruction, the threat posed by unexploded ordinances continue to prevent safe and sustainable return. We and our partners continue to call for the protection of civilians and for conditions to allow displaced families to return home voluntarily, safely, and of course, with dignity," he said.

UN calls for protections for displaced civilians returning homes in Lebanon