Daily World Briefing, Feb. 26
U.S. imposes new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sales, weapons production
The U.S. administration on Wednesday sanctioned over 30 individuals, entities and vessels enabling "illicit" Iran's oil sales and ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) production.
Announced by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control in a statement, the measures targeted 12 vessels and their respective owners and operators.
French gov't survives no-confidence votes over energy plan
The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Wednesday after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions.
The motions, filed separately on Monday by the hard-left parliamentary group La France Insoumise (LFI), as well as by the far-right National Rally (RN), accused the government of publishing by decree the third Multiannual Energy Program (PPE3).
According to the National Assembly, the motion put forward by the left-wing deputies garnered 108 votes, and the second motion, tabled by the right-wing, received 140 votes, well below the threshold of 289 needed to bring down the government.
UAE, Egyptian FMs discuss regional stability
Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt on Wednesday discussed escalating regional tensions, calling for efforts to promote stability in the Middle East and address ongoing humanitarian crises.
During a phone call, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the UAE, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and underscored the need to intensify efforts to enhance security, stability and peace.
Lebanese PM vows to avoid war
Lebanon will not be allowed to take part in any renewed conflict, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Wednesday.
"It is not in our interest in any way, and we will not accept that Lebanon be drawn into a new adventure or war," Salam said during an iftar hosted at the Grand Serail, headquarters of the prime minister.■