++ cancelled ++ Due to current developments in
#Iran
@GermanyinIran
and other EU Member States will not participate in the Ambassadors’ Panel on Economic Diplomacy of the Europe-Iran Business Forum scheduled to take place on Monday in Tehran.
Just a few days after our meeting in Beirut I was pleased to welcome a group of independent Lebanese MPs headed by Fuad Makzoumi
@fmakhzoumi
and
@GhassanHasbani
in Berlin. We continue to support their struggle for reforms, accountability and change in 🇱🇧.
Tonight Fouad Makhzoumi
@fmakhzoumi
invited
@GermanEmbBeirut
and me for a dinner with a group of Lebanese MPs engaged in reforms & a quest for genuine change in Lebanon. Discussing their political and economic roadmap for 🇱🇧 was extremely inspiring.
@michelmoawad
@GhassanHasbani
Very concerned by Israeli publication of tenders for construction of more than 1,300 housing units in settlements in the West Bank. Settlements are contrary to international law and a substantial obstacle to peace and a two-state solution. They should stop.
The
#Hamas
video showing the 36-year old Israeli Avera Mengitsu is a despicable example of publicly instrumentalizing his plea for assistance. He is a hostage held by Hamas, and we call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Promising avenues lay ahead of us: 🇩🇪 and 🇲🇦 share many interests, views and values. Glad to discuss today in Rabat bilateral and regional questions as part of the German-Morrocan strategic dialogue with my colleague Redouane Adghoughi from
@Marocdiplo_EN
.
@GER_in_Morocco
Unerträglicher und verantwortungsloser Tweet des iranischen Revolutionsführers
@khamenei_ir
zu Israel heute, den ich hier nicht wiederholen möchte. Das Existenzrecht Israels in Frage zu stellen, ist völlig inakzeptabel. Zu Gewalt aufzurufen erst recht.
Wir verurteilen entschieden den Raketenbeschuss durch militante Gruppen im
#Libanon
auf
#Israel
. Israel hat das Recht, seine Bevölkerung gegen diese Angriffe zu schützen. Der Beschuss muss sofort eingestellt und eine Ausweitung der Gewalt verhindert werden.
Kurdistan Region of Iraq remains an important pillar of stability and deserves our full support. Grateful to President Nechirvan Barzani for an open discussion on bilateral cooperation, Bagdad-Erbil relations and regional developments.
@IKRPresident
@GermanyInKRI
Forgive me, again, a modest amount of bragging. I finished the
#BerlinMarathon
today in 4:21:37 h, despite marginal training status (comes with the job, is my excuse), carried by the cheers of the Berliners and a strict never-give-up policy.
25 years ago I wrote my doctoral thesis about the Chernovcy-born, German-speaking Jewish poet and Holocaust survivor Paul Celan at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Writing one of his poems into the guest book of
@yadvashem
was a very emotional moment for me.
After nearly four years as Director Middle East and North Africa
@GermanyDiplo
I have handed over the department to my successor Tobias Tunkel. He will keep you current on
@GermanyOnMENA
while I change post, retaining a role as Special Envoy for Libya. Please stay tuned!
After the ordeal of ISIS terror, expulsion & destruction, life is slowly coming back to Sinjar in Northern Iraq. Communities are being rebuilt, but security remains a challenge. Strong commitment by the Iraqi state and continuous support by the international community is needed.
The Berlin Conference on Libya was the result of political leadership and diplomatic effort. For us backstage workers, today's results for
#Libya
are the best reward. Please forgive us for not tweeting about it beforehand.
Happy to see Dr Moncef
#Kartas
back in Berlin. The member of the UN Panel of Experts on
#Libya
was released from detention on Tuesday. The courageous work of experts is crucial to our common effort to enforce the arms embargo.
#GERinUNSC
is chairing the Libya sanctions committee.
Truce in
#Yemen
is precarious. Consolidation of truce is of paramount importance to avoid backslide into violence and humanitarian disaster. Meeting UNSE Hans Grundberg
@OSE_Yemen
in
#Amman
in support of his mediation efforts with all stakeholders.
Cairo Summit for Peace has ended. On the upside: Agreement on preventing escalation, protecting civilians, providing humanitarian aid, freeing hostages, opening a political perspective. On the downside no common language on terror, self defense. But clear signal to work together.
Inspiring conversation today in Brussels with Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the
@UN
Secretary General for Western Sahara. We fully support his efforts to create new momentum for the political process that includes all relevant stakeholders.
I join Human Rights Commissioner
@BaerbelKofler
in her outrage about the execution of Mohammed Hassan Rezaiee in
#Iran
. He was a minor at the time of the crime; Iran thus violated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Moreover, the EU opposes the death penalty in general.
Ich bin tief schockiert, dass
#MohammadHassanRezaiee
im
#Iran
hingerichtet worden ist; er war zum Tatzeitpunkt minderjährig. Iran muss sich endlich an seine völkerrechtlichen Verpflichtungen halten und all seinen Bürgern Menschenrechte und Rechtsstaatlichkeit gewähren!
How can we stop the war and get back to the political process in
#Libya
, I asked LNA Commander Khalifa Haftar on Sunday in
#Benghazi
and reiterated our support for SRSG
@GhassanSalame
@UNSMILibya
who leads the international efforts to end the conflict in Libya.
@GermanAmbLBY
We are shocked & dismayed by the heinous multi-front terror attacks from Gaza on civilians in Israel. We condemn them in the strongest terms. Hamas calling on other militants to join the assaults is total madness - this would mean unprecedented regional escalation.
Hamas is escalating the violence. I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against
#Israel
from Gaza. Violence & rockets against innocent civilians must stop now. We stand in full solidarity with Israel & its right under intl. law to defend itself against terror. - FM
@ABaerbock
The launching of ballistic missiles toward civilian population centers such as in Riyadh on Saturday is completely unacceptable. Such reckless acts of violence serve no legitimate purpose and could lead to a dangerous escalation. What
#Yemen
needs is a return to diplomacy.
Minister Smotrich‘s remarks were wrong, incendiary & dangerous. We welcome the clarification of
@Tzachi_Hanegbi
. But it is not only Jordan‘s territorial integrity which must be respected. Identity and rights of the Palestinian people are also guaranteed in international law.
After the storm caused by the publishing of a picture of Israel's Minister of Finance next to a map of the Land of Israel which included the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, I spoke this evening with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. >>
Strong women in diplomacy: Siham Jabali Mamand, Assistant Head of
@KRG_DFR
Foreign Relations &
@GermanyInKRI
Deputy Consul General in Erbil, Helena Merks. The Consul General? Barbara Wolf. The Consul? Barbara Schumacher. All women. All very much in charge. Not only on
#womensday
#Libya
: I am calling on all
#LPDF
members to adhere to their own Roadmap and UNSC Res 2570 regarding the decision to hold national elections on 24 December. Any postponement would open doors to dangerous scenarios.
#Berlin2Libya
conference participants count on you now.
Concerned about further demolitions and confiscations in Khirbet Humsa in the
#WestBank
. Palestinian families with children lost their homes; aid provided by the international community was destroyed. We call on
#Israel
to respect International Humanitarian Law.
Please forgive me a modest amount of bragging: I finished the Berlin Marathon on Sunday in 4:10:36 h. But even this pales against our Syria Envoy Robert Rohde who made it in just 2:55:40 h.
I am dismayed and appalled by the execution of the Swedish national Habib Chaab in Iran. The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment that Germany rejects under all circumstances. We have repeatedly called on the Iranian government to stop the executions immediately.
Listening to Elders and tribal leaders in Benghazi today, together with
@GermanAmbLBY
and
@EUinLibya
. We don‘t do that enough. Grateful for views and perspectives full of experience.
We are alarmed by the racist language directed at Palestinians and Arabs and by attacks on journalists during yesterday‘s marches in
#Jerusalem
. We call on all to refrain from incitement and violence.
We
@GermanyDiplo
work hard to help
@UNSMILibya
end the conflict in
#Libya
. This week
@GermanAmbLBY
has met Libyan actors in East and West and called for their commitment to the ongoing 5+5 ceasefire talks and the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process as set out in Berlin.
Dr Moncef
#Kartas
is protected by functional immunity as member of the UN Panel of Experts on
#Libya
. The United Nations have confirmed this repeatedly and called for his immediate release from detention in
#Tunisia
. The German Foreign Office
@GermanyDiplo
shares this position.
Exactly. This is why Germany convened a meeting of the UN Security Council on Libya for today. We strongly support efforts by UNSG
@antonioguterres
and SRSG Salame
@UNSMILibya
to de-escalate the situation.
#GERinUNSC
H.E. Mohammed al Jaber
@mohdsalj
, Saudi Arabia‘s ambassador to Yemen, updated me today on the situation in
#Yemen
. Saudi efforts to support the UN work to resolve the Yemeni conflict and to end the humanitarian crisis are very important.
I welcome the appointment of Alexander Ivanko of the Russian Federation as UN Special Representative for Western Sahara and Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (
#MINURSO
), thanking Colin Stewart for his service.
Besorgt über neue Abrisse und Beschlagnahmungen in Khirbet Humsa im Westjordanland. Palästinensische Familien mit Kindern haben ihr Zuhause verloren, Hilfsgüter der int. Gemeinschaft wurden zerstört. Wir rufen
#Israel
auf, humanitäres Völkerrecht zu achten.
In support of
@SASGonLibya
Stephanie Williams and
@UNSMILibya
and their mediation efforts in
#Libya
we met with Senior Officials of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Egypt and Turkey (P3+3+2) today in Tunis.
New constitution in
#Tunisia
is reason for concern. I find low turnout in referendum notable. Checks&balances are essential for
#democracy
. Tunisia faces many challenges; unity and dialogue are the way to overcome them.
#Germany
&
#EU
will continue to support 🇹🇳 people.
Together with my colleagues Peter Semneby 🇸🇪 and
@gerritsen_marc
🇳🇱 I had a video conference with
@hussinalezzi5
from Sanaa. Our message to the Houthis was clear: It’s time to make a choice and accept the proposal for truce in Yemen put forward by
@OSE_Yemen
Hans Grundberg.
Leaving the
@DohaForum
with a full note-pad after high-class plenary sessions, bilateral meetings, panels and roundtables on the Gulf region, Palestine, Libya, and extremism, all attended by key experts and a strong delegation
@GermanyinQatar
. A very impressive conference!
At the end of my week between Baghdad, Mosul, Karmelish, Sulaymania and Erbil,
@krg_dfr
Head of Foreign Relations
@FalahMustafa
shared some wisdom that will help me navigate the region. I left Erbil deeply impressed.
I join UN Secretary-General
@antonioguterres
in condemning the airstrike in
#Saada
#Yemen
killing 67 and injuring 108. Attacks against civilians in violation of International Humanitarian Law warrant an impartial international investigation.
.
@antonioguterres
condemns the airstrikes launched earlier today by the Saudi-led Coalition against a detention center in Saada city. He calls for prompt, effective and transparent investigations into these incidents to ensure accountability:
A warm welcome to Jordan‘s new ambassador to Germany, HE Yousef Radwan Ali Bataineh. He will soon present his credentials to the Federal President. We already dived deep into bilateral relations and various regional issues. Looking forward to fruitful cooperation.
Visiting
@UM6P_officiel
in
#Rabat
and engaging in a deep dive with researchers from
@PolicyCenterNS
on a strategic outlook of European-Maghreb relations was an inspiring experience. One day I will come back and study in that beautiful library…
After
@MunSecConf
I will resume my work in Berlin
@GermanyDiplo
with an increased sense of urgency. Restless, but not „westless“. With a cool head, a partially inspired mind, and very little hope for easy answers.
Wir sind erschüttert über die Bilder aus
#Beirut
. Unsere Gedanken sind bei den Opfern und ihren Familien. Auch Kolleg/innen der Botschaft wurden bei der Explosion verletzt. Deutschland steht in diesen schweren Stunden fest an der Seite des
#Libanon
und wird Hilfe leisten.
لقد صدمنا بالصور المنقولة من #بيروت. من بين الجرحى أفراد من العاملين بسفارتنا. قلوبنا مع أسر الضحايا. تقف ألمانيا بجانب #لبنان في هذه اللحظات الصعبة. نحن نعمل على تقديم دعم فوري.
Heute
#Jemen
im UN-Sicherheitsrat. Stockholm war ein wichtiger erster Schritt, der jetzt umgesetzt werden muss. Daran werden wir in New York arbeiten. Die Menschen brauchen Hilfe statt Krieg.
As a long-time partner of
@roteskreuz_de
in Lebanon,
@RedCrossLebanon
’s activities are based on the work of more than 8000 volunteers. We support them because wherever they help it goes directly and concretely to the Lebanese people.
We condemn the Houthi offensive on the Yemeni city of Ma’rib and the major escalation of attacks the Houthis have conducted and claimed against
#SaudiArabia
. Our joint diplomatic efforts in support of the UN Special Envoy
@OSE_Yemen
offer the best hope for ending this war.
It was a great honor being received by
@Kurdistan
Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil, together with
@GermanyInKRI
Deputy Consul General. I asked the PM about his perspective on the region, and about current affairs in the Region Kurdistan Iraq.
What a surprise. Today I bumped into the U 17 team of
@fcunion
in a hotel in Cairo (New administrative capital). They are playing an international tournament with teams from 🇪🇬, 🇹🇷, 🏴, 🇳🇿 and many more. Eisern Union, Jungs, viel Erfolg!
I strongly condemn the attacks by Houthi forces that killed three civilians and wounded six in
#AbuDhabi
#UAE
. These attacks on civilians are completely unacceptable and must stop. We support efforts for a political solution of the
#Yemen
conflict under
@OSE_Yemen
auspices.
President Mahmoud Abbas’ recent remarks about the Holocaust are spreading conspiracy theories and distorting history. They are egregious and appalling. They run counter to all efforts to tell the truth and to preserve the memory of the Shoa.
Sky over Berlin. Arab Ambassadors to Germany discussing strategic issues with us, such as Russia/Ukraine, Iran, Israel/Palestine and food and energy crisis. Grateful to Director General Christian Buck for the initiative and invitation.
Concerning situation in Tunisia right now regarding financial stability, rule of law, human rights and migration. Glad to talk to representatives of Tunisian parties today about these topics. Vital that 🇹🇳 retains its democratic achievements from 2011.
Two years after
#beirutblast
. The site of the explosion is still smoldering and the victims are still waiting for justice to be served. Accountability is what the Lebanese people rightfully demand.
Greatly enjoyed a highly intelligent and spirited conversation today in Berlin on the Gulf region and beyond with Ms Lolwah Al-Khater, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.
Signing an agreement of support for the Lebanese Armed Forces with Commander General Joseph Aoun. 🇩🇪 is a longstanding partner of this crucial state institution in 🇱🇧, having contributed this year already 1.7 Mio Euro.
@LebarmyOfficial
@GermanEmbBeirut
If you still think
#Ukraine
has nothing to do with the Middle East, listen to President Wolodymir
@ZelenskyyUa
addressing the
#dohaforum
today. The rules-based international order protecting all states equally is at stake there, as well as global food security.
Excellent meeting with
@rochdi_najat
about Lebanon and what the international community can and should do now. Good to listen to her speaking about 🇱🇧 with great passion and expertise. Wishing her all the best for the new assignment as UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria.
This week in
#Libya
: The Montreux talks between Libyan parties enabled by
@UNSMILibya
could restart the political dialogue and end armed conflict. President Sarraj showed courage and leadership by clearing the way for a fresh start. Led by Libyans, not foreign influence.
Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General statement regarding the announcement by the President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, Mr. Fayez al-Serraj
I agree with
@OSE_Yemen
. We support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of
#Yemen
and call upon the Southern Transitional Council and the Government of Yemen to work constructively on the implementation of the Riyadh agreement. Any further escalation has to be prevented!
Griffiths is concerned by the declaration by the Southern Transitional Council. “The latest turn of events in south
#Yemen
is disappointing" He calls for expediting the implementation of the
#RiyadhAgreement
, with the support of the Saudi-led Coalition.
A long day full of meetings with Israeli partners in the PMO, the MFA and the MoD. It is important that we discuss difficult humanitarian and political questions in the current war in
#Gaza
in all openness, based on our firm solidarity with Israel.
#Yemen
counts on Germany to support the peace process, said its Foreign Minister Khaled Hussein al-Yemani to German State Minister
@NielsAnnen
in Brussels today. Failure is not an option. Stockholm agreement needs to be implemented now.
I am grateful to
@GhassanSalame
for his outstanding service as head of
@UNSMILibya
. Some
@UN
Representatives and Envoys are more special than others. Few would even attempt what Ghassan has achieved. If peace in
#Libya
is elusive, he is the last person to blame.
“My health no longer allows this rate of stress”,
@UN
envoy for Libya +
@UNSMILibya
chief Ghassan Salamé tweeted on Monday, handing his resignation to
@UN
chief
@antonioguterres
.
Please welcome Klemens Semtner, our new Consul General in Erbil
@GermanyInKRI
! He is a great colleague and friend with a lot of experience in the region.
As new Consul General for Germany, Klemens Semtner arrived in Erbil. Awaiting final agreement from the Iraqi government, he is ready to start working to strengthen relations with KRI.
1/2
We reject the decision to allow Israeli citizens to establish permanent presence in Homesh. Settlements are illegal under intern‘l law, threaten the viability of the 2-state solution & efforts to lower tensions. Relocating the outpost a few meters doesn’t change these facts.
Informationsbesuch von Staatsminister
@NielsAnnen
@AuswaertigesAmt
beim deutschen Kontingent im US-Luftwaffenstab USAFCENT in Katar diese Woche: Die
@bundeswehrInfo
ist integrierter und geschätzter Partner in der internationalen Koalition gegen den IS-Terror in
#Syrien
und
#Irak
It was an honour for us to meet you,
@shimababaeii
. The
#WomenLifeFreedom
movement is stronger because of your actions. Thank you for the inspiring conversation. We will continue to raise our voice for human rights in
#Iran
.
Respect for human & civic rights, freedom of expression and a vivid civil society remain essential for us, in Tunisia and worldwide. Today, I discussed with representatives of political parties & civil society from🇹🇳 how to strengthen democracy and political participation.
In one month as President of the UN Security Council, what has
@GermanyUN
achieved? 40 meetings in 31 days and 6 resolutions. Does it matter? Yes, if you ask the many people in
#Syria
dependent on cross-border humanitarian assistance, which we helped to extend against all odds.
@GermanyOnMENA
with
@qubadjt
Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, at the
#SuliForum
today in Sulaymania. I am very grateful for our long discussion full of insights and positive energy on the eve of the conference.
Leaving
#Bahrain
after two productive days. It made me happy to see Arab and Israeli participants sit next to each other at the
#PeacetoProsperity
workshop, and Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
@bahdiplomatic
say he wants better relations and peace with Israel.
Lebensrettende Hilfe für Flutopfer: Nach umfangreichen Überschwemmungen stellen
@AuswaertigesAmt
und
@DRKvorOrt
Boote sowie Rettungsmaterialien für Menschen in Not in Iran bereit:
Grateful for a timely meeting with LtGen Michael Lollesgaard, Commander
@IraqNato
in
#Baghdad
today. The small but highly qualified non-combat NATO Mission Iraq is advising the Ministry of Defense of Iraq. Germany
@Bw_Einsatz
is contributing
At the
#DohaForum
today, I witnessed a great deal of thinking about what the attack on
#Ukraine
means for the Middle East. Also I heard constructive thoughts about how to address conflicts in
#Yemen
,
#Syria
and
#Libya
, and to help the people of
#Afghanistan
. Not bad for a day!
Today marks 11 years since the Syrian people courageously and peacefully took to the streets to demand freedom, political reform and human rights. The Assad regime met those demands with a brutal assault that continues today against the Syrian people.
Berlin conclusions are probably the most comprehensive and realistic concept of how to end the conflict in
#Libya
- we just need to do it. State Secretary
@MiguelBergerAA
@GermanyDiplo
at the International Follow-up Committee on Libya led by
@HelgaSchmid_EU
and
@UNSMILibya
today.
Jordan is a strategic partner in the region. Together we work towards stability and reform. In-depth inter-agency talks on international and regional topics are proof of our close relations. Thank you Amb. Khouri
@ForeignMinistry
and his colleagues for fruitful talks in
#Amman
.
Honored to receive and be briefed by „White Helmet“ Syrian Civil Defence Director
@RaedAlSaleh3
on the bleak humanitarian situation in
#Idlib
today in Berlin. His message: We need to do more to end the conflict and protect civilians.
Minister
@SafeenDizayee
attended President
@Masoud_Barzani
’s meeting with the new
@GermanyInKRI
CG Klemens Semtner at Barzani Headquarters. They discussed bilateral issues and latest developments in the country as well as Germany's continued support to the Kurdistan Region. 1/2