Politics
Middle East: Qatar reportedly pulls out of Gaza truce talks
Qatar has reportedly concluded that the Hamas political office in Doha no longer serves its purpose. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Donald Trump that he is willing to work toward peace.
Qatar will no longer mediate between Israel and the militant group Hamas, according to media reports Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes on Tyre killed seven people, including two children Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke on the phone with US President-elect Donald Trump
Here are the main developments regarding Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza and the wider Middle East region on Saturday, November 9:
Qatar pulls out of Gaza cease-fire talks — reports
Qatar has reportedly pulled out of talks for a cease-fire in Gaza, according to media reports on Saturday.
An unnamed official told news agencies Reuters and AFP that Doha would no longer mediate between Israel and militant group Hamas until both sides “demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table.”
“The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate,” the diplomatic source told AFP.
According to the reports, the Gulf monarchy concluded that Hamas’ political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose.”
A senior Hamas official later told AFP that the militant group had not received an order from Qatar to leave the country.
“We have nothing to confirm or deny regarding what was published by an unidentified diplomatic source, and we have not received any request to leave Qatar,” the unnamed Hamas official said from Doha.
zc/jcg (AFP, dpa, AP, Reuters)
Israeli airstrikes kill 7 in Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven people, including two children, in the Lebanese city of Tyre, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The Health Ministry said body parts had been found and would be “identified with DNA testing.”
Another 46 people were injured during the strikes, the Health Ministry added.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the strikes caused “massive damage to dozens of homes.”
The Israeli military said it previously told residents to evacuate the area.
Palestinian leader Abbas tells Trump he’s ready to work for Gaza peace
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed readiness to work towards a “just and comprehensive peace” in Gaza during a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, his office said in a statement on Saturday.
Abbas congratulated Trump on his victory and expressed his “readiness to work with President Trump to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy.” “President Trump stressed that he will work to stop the war, and his readiness to work with president Abbas and the concerned parties in the region and the world to make peace in the region,” the statement said.
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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