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Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.
Sheikh Qassem: The government’s latest decision [on the disarmament of the Resistance] is non-charter-based, and if the government continues down this path, it is not faithful to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Blinken relays 'ironclad' commitment to Philippines in South China Sea

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Mar 2024 09:39
  • 2 Shares
2 Min Read

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos during his Asia tour to showcase support for regional allies against China.

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  • U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo at a joint press conference in Manila, Philippines on March 19, 2024. (Pool/AP)
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo (right) at a joint press conference in Manila, Philippines on March 19, 2024. (AP)

During his visit to the Philippines, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed the message of the United States' "ironclad" commitments to "defend the ally in armed attack in the South China Sea".

At a joint press conference with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo, Blinken said, "These waterways are critical to the Philippines, to its security, to its economy, but they're also critical to the interests of the region, the United States, and the world," adding: "That's why we stand with the Philippines and stand by our ironclad defense commitments, including under the mutual defense treaty."

Blinken also toured a semiconductor plant and described the island of the Philippines as "an increasingly critical partner" in ensuring a "resilient" supply chain of chips.

He is set to meet with Marcos on Tuesday as part of an Asia tour to showcase support for regional allies against China, also serving as a prequel to a trilateral meeting in the US next month between US President Joe Biden, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

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After announcing the trilateral meeting, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the leaders would encourage a "shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific".

Read more: Philippines accuses China of blocking Filipino coast guard vessel

That same statement was reiterated last month when the Philippines and the United States conducted a joint military drill in the South China Sea in a series of military exercises to expand the Philippines' military presence in the region. 

This marks the third military exercise conducted by both countries in collaborative efforts, increasing provocations against China, which regards the US presence in the region as an interference in Chinese and regional affairs. 

Filipino Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner stated that the joint drill "demonstrates our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and fosters close cooperation towards further enhancing our maritime capabilities." 

Ever since the US and the Philippines launched joint military naval exercises, bilateral relations between China and The Philippines saw sharp declines, adding to the existing tensions and territorial conflicts. 

  • United States
  • South China Sea
  • China
  • Enrique Manalo
  • Philippines
  • Antony Blinken

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