Saudi Crown Prince calls for immediate end to Israel’s military aggression in Gaza, Lebanon
Riyadh: At the opening of a summit in Riyadh on November 11, 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) demanded that Israel halt its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Addressing leaders from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), MBS condemned the violence against Palestinians and Lebanese, calling it a “massacre.” He urged Israel to stop all acts of aggression and called on global nations to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, also criticised Israel's actions, stating that the violence was undermining peace efforts in the region. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, highlighted the "unprecedented" existential crisis faced by Lebanon as Israel escalates its military operations against Hezbollah.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref condemned Israel's targeted killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as "organised terrorism." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among other prominent leaders in attendance.
In a joint statement, the summit leaders strongly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, describing them as genocide and ethnic cleansing, particularly in northern Gaza. The statement reaffirmed Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem and rejected Israeli measures aimed at consolidating its occupation.
The summit also reflected concerns over the recent election of Donald Trump as US president, with regional leaders signalling their stance on US engagement in the Middle East, urging for dialogue and de-escalation.
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RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
