Egypt Today's world news brief

CAIRO – 22 November 2017: Egypt Today brings you the latest top of the hour news from around the world over the past 24 hours in this round-up.

Middle East

Lebanon PM Hariri reassures supporters: "I'm staying with you"

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri told his supporters on Wednesday he would stay with them, after suspending his resignation in a move that cast his country into major political crisis, Reuters reported.


Saad al-Hariri who suspended his decision to resign as prime minister talks at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon November 22, 2017 - REUTERS/Aziz Taher TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Saudi minister receives UN special envoy for Syria

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir met in Riyadh with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on the second conference for the Syrian opposition, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday, MENA reported.


Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (R) speaks with U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura during a Syrian opposition meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 22, 2017 - REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

KSA, Israel & Iran: The battle of the Middle East

At an emergency meeting of Arab League representatives, which took place in Cairo on Sunday, the issue of Iran sat at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The meeting of Arab foreign ministers took place in the midst of unprecedented regional tensions between the Arab states and Iran, Egypt Today reported.


Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia - REUTERS

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Africa

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa highlights economic growth

Zimbabwe's incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa highlights the importance of economic growth, telling supporters he wants to boost the economy and create jobs.


Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe looks on as his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa reads a card during Mugabe's 93rd birthday celebrations in Harare, Zimbabwe, February 21, 2017 - REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo/File Photo

Zimbabwe's former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa will be sworn in as president on Friday, replacing the resigned president Robert Mugabe whose swift downfall this week ended nearly four decades in power, Reuters reported.

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Europe

Mladic will appeal conviction, sentence

The “butcher of Bosnia” Ratko Mladic will appeal his conviction and life sentence after a U.N. war crimes tribunal found him guilty of genocide, Reuters reported.


Ex-Bosnian Serb wartime general Ratko Mladic reacts in court at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the Hague, Netherlands in this still image taken from a video released by the International Criminal Tribunal

The Former Bosnian Serb military leader’s trial which has continued for five years has eventually come to and end with life imprisonment after 530 trial days.

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United States

U.S. sanctions 13 Chinese and North Korean organizations

The U.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 13 Chinese and North Korean organizations Washington accused of charges, primarily helping evade nuclear restrictions against Pyongyang and providing the country with commodities like coal, Reuters reported.


A North Korea fan wears a pin of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung and late leader Kim Jong Il - REUTERS/Toru Hanai

Asia

U.S. calls Myanmar operation against Rohingya "ethnic cleansing"

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement the United States called the Myanmar military operation against the Rohingya population "ethnic cleansing" on Wednesday and said it would consider sanctions against those in charge of unprecedented “ethnic cleansing” of the armless Rohingya Muslim minority.


A new Rohingya refugee woman cries as they arrive near the Kutupalang makeshift Refugee Camp, in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, August 30, 2017 - REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

Air China suspends flights to North Korea

Air China has suspended flights to North Korea, further limiting the state's links with the outside world, a decision with no political motives as the Chinese government attribute.


A Chinese tour boat cruises on the Yalu River which borders North Korea - AFP

Pope to meet Myanmar army head and Rohingya refugees

Pope Francis will meet with the head of Myanmar's army while in the country and with Rohingya refugees later while he is in Bangladesh, both last-minute additions to his tour of the two countries next week, the Vatican said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.


Pope Francis waves at the end of the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican November 22, 2017 - REUTERS/Max Rossi