7 'hot' events of the world in the past 24 hours

(Baonghean.vn) - Arab countries issue an "ultimatum" to the US after the decision to recognize Jerusalem; Palestinian President cancels meeting with US Vice President; Iraq declares defeat of IS terrorism; Massive protests in front of the US Embassy in Lebanon;... are prominent international news in the past 24 hours.

1. Arab countries issue “ultimatum” to the US after decision to recognize Jerusalem

Emergency meeting of the Arab League. Photo: Reuters

On December 10, Arab foreign ministers issued a joint statement condemning the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, asking Washington to withdraw this decision.

According to BBC, at the end of an emergency meeting on December 10, 22 foreign ministers of the Arab League issued a joint statement criticizing the US's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The joint statement received support from many Arab countries that are allies of the US, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

The statement said the US had abandoned its role as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It also said that US President Donald Trump's move "increased tensions" and pushed the Middle East into more chaos and violence.

2. Palestinian President cancels meeting with US Vice President

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US Vice President Mike Pence. Photo: AFP.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled a planned meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence on December 19 during his visit to the Middle East, according to Reuters. White House and US State Department officials have not commented on the information.

Pence’s other meeting with the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt was also canceled after US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital this week. Trump also pledged to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, sparking protests in the Arab community.

Violence erupted as Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as their capital, took to the streets in protest and Israel retaliated against Hamas, the main Palestinian Islamist organisation, for rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

3. Iraq declares defeat of IS terrorists

Iraq's Mosul city in ruins after more than 3 years of fighting against IS - Photo: AFP

At a press conference held on December 9 in Baghdad, Prime Minister Abadi declared: "Our forces have taken full control of the Iraq-Syria border and therefore, I declare an end to the war against IS." According to the BBC, Mr. Abadi also announced that Iraq has chosen December 10 every year as the anniversary of the victory over IS.

However, Prime Minister Abadi's statement is seen as more rhetoric than reality. The Iraqi army may be temporarily resting, but this does not mean that the fight against IS will not continue. Attacks by IS extremists may be lower than they have been, but Iraqi cities could again be targeted by suicide bombers from "guerrilla" forces.

The Iraq-Syria border area still has some IS strongholds after losing the city of Rawa in November. It is likely that IS will still carry out some insurgent attacks as it did to retake Rawa.

4. US-Japan-South Korea conduct anti-missile drills amid tensions with North Korea

A North Korean missile test launch. Photo: Reuters.

Reuters news agency quoted a source from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) on December 10 as saying that the US, Japan and South Korea will hold a missile warning exercise to enhance their ability to detect and track any missiles (from North Korea).

The JMSDF statement said the exercise, which began on December 11-12, took place amid continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons development program.

The US, South Korea and Japan exercises come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In August and September 2017, North Korea test-fired two missiles over Japan. On November 29, Pyongyang announced the successful test of the Hwasong-15 ballistic missile, which is believed to be capable of reaching US territory.

5. Massive protest in front of the US Embassy in Lebanon

Protest in front of the US Embassy in Lebanon on December 10. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has sparked a wave of protests in many Middle Eastern countries.

In the latest development, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in Beirut (capital of Lebanon) on December 10 to protest. Images from the scene showed many protesters waving Palestinian flags, setting fires in the street and throwing objects at security forces, according to Reuters.

Faced with the protesters' extremism, Lebanese security had to erect barriers on the road leading to the Embassy and use water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

6. South Korea blocks North Korea's weapons-making funds

A training session of the Workers' and Peasants' Guards. Photo: KCNA.

Yonhap news agency on December 10 quoted a source from the South Korean Foreign Ministry as saying that 20 North Korean organizations, including banks and companies, and 12 individuals will be added to the embargo list; effective from December 11.

“These individuals and organizations are involved in activities that provide funds for North Korea’s development of weapons of mass destruction, or illegally trade in prohibited items,” Yonhap quoted the diplomatic official as saying.

The sanctions mean that South Korean organizations and individuals are banned from trading or contacting those on the sanctions list. However, observers say Seoul's move is largely symbolic, given the limited economic ties between the two Koreas.

7. Israeli Prime Minister condemns EU for criticizing US decision

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on November 19. Source: AFP/VNA

According to Sputniknews, on December 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned European Union (EU) member countries for double standards related to US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the country's capital.

Speaking ahead of his trip to France, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: "I respect Europe but I am not ready to accept double standards. I have heard criticism of President Trump's historic decision but I have not heard a word condemning the missile launches against Israel or the vicious campaign of incitement against us."

Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 10 and then meet with European foreign ministers in Brussels.

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