ON Saturday, Middle Eastern nations and Hezbollah’s allies responded to the reported killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli airstrikes in Beirut.

Hezbollah confirmed his death, stating he had been a leader for over 30 years and was killed in a “treacherous” attack in a stronghold area of Beirut.

Israel’s military hailed Nasrallah as one of its greatest adversaries, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that his death avenged many Israeli casualties.

Iranian officials asserted that Nasrallah’s vision for Hezbollah would continue, emphasizing support for the Palestini an cause.

Palestinian group Hamas condemned the assassination, calling it a cowardly act and pledging solidarity with Hezbollah.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas expressed condolences over the attacks.

In Yemen, Huthi rebels stated that Nasrallah’s death would fuel their resolve against Israel.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the strikes, labeling them a shameful attack, while Syrian officials criticized Israel’s actions as barbaric.

In Bahrain, the opposition movement Al-Wefaq honored Nasrallah as asymbol of resistance. The reactions underscore a unified stance among various factions against Israeli military actions. — AFP

FRENCH Prime Minister Michel Barnier delivered a comprehensive one-and-a-half-hour speech Tuesday in the National Assembly, detailing his government’s key priorities including public deficit reduction, immigration reform, and retirement policies.

Barnier set ambitious target for France’s public deficit, aiming to bring it down to five per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 from this year’s six per cent, and further down to three per cent in 2029.

To achieve the goal, Barnier pledged to reduce public spending and introduce a more “effective” public spending scheme. He also called for an additional tax effort, under which large and very large companies that make significant profits should contribute more “without compromising the competitiveness” of France.

The wealthiest French people will also be targeted for an “exceptional contribution,” he added. Following the murder of a young student by an illegal immigrant who was supposed to be deported from France, Barnier acknowledged in the National Assembly that France’s migration and integration policies are no longer managed “in a satisfactory way”. — Xinhua