Beirut's Hamra Street provides refuge amid regional conflicts, boosting commerce but facing overcrowding and tension. Meanwhile, at the BRICS summit, leaders discuss Ukraine peace talks and ongoing Middle East violence.
Amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Beirut's Hamra Street has become a refuge for many displaced individuals, including Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians. This influx is temporarily boosting local commerce but also brings challenges like overcrowding and increased tensions. Hamra Street, a symbol of Beirut's cultural past, now faces the complexities of both regional instability and Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis.
Meanwhile, at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the future of US-Russia relations, contingent on the US's post-election approach, and expressed willingness for peace talks over Ukraine that acknowledge Russia's territorial claims. Putin also praised
Donald Trump's comments on the Ukraine conflict while critiquing the Western belief in Russia's military defeat, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for a "just peace." Calls for ceasefires extend beyond Ukraine, with leaders urging an end to violence in Gaza and Lebanon.
In Chechnya, tensions resurface as a Russian military convoy was attacked near Grozny, resulting in one soldier's death and another's injury, amid the ongoing complex relationship with Moscow. With assailants still unidentified, efforts continue to locate them, in a region known for conflict and loyalty to President Putin, led by Ramzan Kadyrov.
Across the Channel, former UK minister Alan Duncan criticized Robert Jenrick's stance on Israel and Palestine, calling it "extremist" and potentially disastrous for Conservative leadership. Suggesting that moving the British Embassy to Jerusalem reflects undue influence by the Conservative Friends of Israel, Duncan raised concerns over the UK government's commitment to international law and the two-state solution.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to meet Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London to address concerns over Israel-Hezbollah tensions, emphasizing the need to protect Lebanese civilians. Discussions will also cover a post-war strategy for Gaza, involving talks with Jordan and the UAE, against the backdrop of recent hostilities where Hezbollah targeted Israel in solidarity with Hamas.
Finally, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, at the same BRICS summit, criticized the UN and the US for their roles in the ongoing Middle East conflict, focusing on the violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Accusing the US of impeding UN peace efforts through its support for Israel, Pezeshkian's comments come as Israeli airstrikes in Syria highlight the mounting regional tensions.