these are live pictures of the syria lebanon border as thousands try to return to their homes in syriaamascus, the statue of bashar al assad's father hafez is toppled and attacked. president biden says he is monitoring the �*extraordinary events�* in syria. rebel forces in damascus have declared the capital city "free" of long—time ruler bashar al—assad. reports say that president assad has left damascus by plane for an unknown destination. more than five decades of authoritarian rule by the assad family have come to an end in syria, after rebels took the capital, damascus, overnight. (upsot oov 2 ")�*the city of damascus has been rebel forces in damascus have declared the capital city "free" of long—time ruler bashar al—assad. reports say that president assad has left damascus by plane for an unknown destination. more than five decades of authoritarian rule by the assad family have come to an end in syria, (upsot oov 2 ")�*the city of damascus has been liberated...assad has been toppled' say the islamist rebels, taking over state tv. (00v)the group, who have their roots in al-qaeda, h

these are live pictures of the syria lebanon border as thousands try to return to their homes in syriao. more than five decades of authoritarian rule by the assad family have come to an end in syria, after rebels took the capital, damascus, overnight. speaking on state television they said �*the city of damascus has been liberated... assad has been toppled'. the group hayat tahrir al—sham, who have their roots in al-qaeda, have been trying to rebrand themselves as a nationalist force. they say they've freed what they called hundreds of unjustly detained prisoners held injails in syria. the russian foreign ministry said president assad stepped down and left syria as a result of negotiations with "other participants in the armed conflict" but that russia was not involved in those negotiations and does not know where he is now. there were scenes of celebration on the steps of the presidential palace in damascus — within its walls, people can be seen picking through rooms and corridors ransacked by rebels. many of the hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled syria for lebanon during the

these are live pictures of the syria lebanon border as thousands try to return to their homes in syriao. more than five decades of authoritarian rule by the assad family have come to an end in syria, after rebels took the capital, damascus, overnight. the city of damascus has been liberated... assad has been toppled' say the islamist rebels, taking over state tv. the group, who have their roots in al-qaeda, have been trying to rebrand themselves as a nationalist force. they say they've freed what they called unjustly detained prisoners and hundreds of detainees held in prisons in syria. syria's president bashar al—assad is reported to have fled by plane for an unknown destination. russia, iran and hezbollah, who'd kept the assad regime in power through years of civil war, appear unable to sustain him. many of the hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled syria for lebanon during the long— running civil war are now attempting to return. crowds have been gathering at border crossings. analysts say the country is now at a crossroads over whether rebel leader, abu mohammad al—jolani, will

these are live pictures of the syria lebanon border as thousands try to return to their homes in syrial forces in damascus have declared the capital city "free" of long—time ruler bashar al—assad. reports say that president assad has left damascus by plane for an unknown destination. in the past few minutesm turkey's foreign minister said mr assad's probably outside syria. this comes as gunfire has been reported in the heart of the capital as rebels opposed to the rule of president assad continue their lightning offensive across the country. the rebel advance on damascus comes after they said they had "fully liberated" the city of homs. the rebel leader, abu mohammed al—jolani described the victory as a "historic moment". our correspondent ba ra ba ra plett—usher has managed to reach the centre of damascus and sent this report damascus is relatively calm. when we passed through the central square we saw lots of young men shooting guns in the air, rebels and their supporters celebrating their victory of entering damascus. as we came into the city, we saw military equipment beside the ro

they are trying to make their way in from lebanon to syria.imilar scenes on the turkey syria border. in russia we've seen the syrian opposition flag raised on the syrian embassy. according to russian state media the deposed syrian president, bashar al—assad, and his family have been granted asylum in russia. in the last hours the kremlin declined to confirm those reports. a spokesman did say that what has happened has surprised the whole world and in this case we are no exception. the us has led international reaction to the fall of the assad government with president biden describing it as a "fundamental act ofjustice" after decades of repression, but also a moment of risk and uncertainty. we'll have the latest from syria shortly but first this report from our middle east correspondent, hugo bachega. tears of happiness. gunfire. gunshots to celebrate the moment many in syria waited for decades to see. they are free of the assad regime, and their country is at a turning point. it was an astonishing campaign by rebels. they advanced quickly. la

of course the islamists don't recognise them, israel muslims, but regardless they lived in syria and lebanon is a back channel dialogue between israel and the current groups that are controlling syria as well as between israel and turkey, which is very important, because turkey came out as the winner, as well as qatar, in this confrontation, whereas russia and iran suffered probably the greatest geopolitical setbacks in their history of recent decades, when iran was trying to build its quads are in serial —— quasi imperial structure from lebanon onto the mediterranean and the russian were putting these basesin russian were putting these bases in tartarus, the naval base, and the air force base from iran suffered russia and iran suffered probably the greatest geopolitical setbacks in their history of recent decades, when iran was trying to build its quads are in serial —— quasi imperial structure from lebanon 1530 00:15:53,382 --

this is the most no border crossing between syria and lebanon. it is the last open crossing to vehicle traffic and for traffic . there's one other border crossing between syria and lebanon, and it remains open at avida. that is between tripoli and bay routes and parts who's in syria. the re, the border crossing on the coast remains open. only the foot traffic here we are seeing people continue to go from living on into serious filing faces, returning home. but we are also seeing where a nervous faces of syrian small walks of life coming out of the country, fearing the instability that is happening there. now they're worried about what's going to happen in the future, and they have been crossing into 11 on what we're seeing is people waiting at the crossing being stopped. there is lot more security here than there was yesterday. lebanese border guards are closing peoples, checking their paper, work, making sure that everybody is allowed to come in. now the, on the syrian side, there are no border guards stamping people's documents. so there is a bi

i'm joined now by hagar chemali, former director for syria and lebanon in the national security councilny thanks for your time on the programme. syria's de facto leader says international sanctions against a masochist must be lifted, do you see that happening? t must be lifted, do you see that happening?— happening? i don't see it happening _ happening? i don't see it happening until- happening? i don't see it happening until his - happening? i don't see it| happening until his words happening? i don't see it - happening until his words are backed by actions. he is saying all the right things he has promised minorities will be protected, promised to work with other partners to hold elections, he says he wants peaceful international relations he is saying all the right things but as we know he has a chequered past as a former al-qaeda leader and while he has ties to al-qaeda he governed the north—west corner of syria just up until last week, and a conservative, radical repressive and slimmest based off and so we have two have some time to see if his actions will be backed up by those wor

lebanon. but also inside of syria.as for the iranian regime, perhaps distracted by the other events in the region, distracted by israel itself, and of course we know that the fall of the assad regime will amount to a significant blow for iran as well. and so that's where the question leads in terms of the future of syria. and the future of its relations with israel netanyahu said that he is extending a, quote, hand of peace to all syrians across the border and that he would like to establish, quote, neighborly and peaceful relations. the real question, though, is going to be what kind of government actually emerges inside of syria? and will it be one that will preserve what has effectively been a 50 year detente between israel and syria? or will it take another tack? and critically, for israeli officials, will be the question of what happens to the weapons that have flowed from iran via syria into hezbollah's hands inside of lebanon? there had been some hope inside the israeli government that perhaps the assad regime w

syria borders lebanon and israel. and also what does it mean for iran too, which until fairly recently were backers of bashar al assad? >> reporter: yeah, well, let's look at two of its main backers first, russia and iran. for russia, they have been preoccupied in ukraine. i think that's played a big part in what has happened here. they have got these military bases on the coast which remain strategically vital to them because it gives them an outlet they don't have to the mediterranean, suez canal, et cetera. i assume they want to hold on to the strategic bases and while they abandoned president assad, i don't think they want to abandon those bases quickly. and iran, which uses syria as a centerpiece to create and cultivate this kind of sheer presence across the part of the middle east from iran, through parts of northern iraq, into syria and into lebanon, it was where they were able to channel -- they could funnel weapons into hezbollah, that is all falling apart now. hezbollah was pushed back decades by the war wit

is it affected by what is going on in israel, gaza, syria, lebanon or not so affected?ohamed: one thing we all as human beings look for is peace and harmony. nobody wants to see devastation happening anywhere around the world, regardless of whether it is next to you. the uae is home to over 200 nationalities, different religions and backgrounds. the focus is on how we keep our communities safe and make sure we work with diplomatic ties to find a solution to cater to the wants and needs of the overall world when it comes to peaceful coexistence. david: in the u.s. there is a concern about immigration into the country as a political issue. here you have a lot of immigrants coming in -- more immigrants live here than the native people of abu dhabi. is that a concern? mohamed: not a problem. we are still a developing country and city. everything is done through a well-thought-out strategy. it is not just open our doors and everyone come in. you are looking for talent. teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers. people are helping us grow. david: sometimes populations grow quickly

so in any solve and loving it, and we'll do more in cedar and lebanon. so syria is re seen as a deeply fractured state. we saw a lot of celebration in the west at the fall of the assad government. but what do you think the future for serial holds? a no need to be because i just moment when to inbox someone's office, right? you need to see there. it wouldn't not be so long, so i'd appreciate it because when we 1st started this, either it will be was done before. so i do believe the c. 2 international should come soon as possible to solve the situation in cedar. so then the last one of these or it can be presented. if not, we will see another general site will happen. why don't we say outrage over serials? excuse me, is rails involvement in syria? well i do believe it's yes because what do you have taking advantage of some when, when there is no local government? so as much as they can to come to see this one there is um, well we do have a new government. the new government cannot do anything because old arms based in order is already destroyed, but use right. you.

say, from the way, uh, from lebanon to syria. there are many syrians waiting in line to cross back to their old home. and they are very excited. and there's a lot of happiness was the crossing into syria was uh, so easy if we remember a couple of days ago, just uh for 4 years it was not possible as weston journalist to enter a syria in the regime area area. and there were just, there are new one or to check points left and the devices there are controlling this check problems were, were coming off. but on the other way from syria to another and on things looked a bit differently because there are also people who fled syria and the last couple of days. and they are trying to come into live on, on. but the 11 he's authorities, i'm not so knowing them to do so. so they're also sending in line and it's many, many people and they look rather desperate. so we have happiness and excitement on one side and the desperate snows on the other side. okay, thank you, stomach dw correspondent spelling man in damascus. i mean, i was a special as

about syria's chemical weapons falling into the wrong hands, and they don't want the rebels operating right on their border. so, you know, look, israel is fighting wars in gaza. the one in lebanonit does seem like it's willing to engage with syria as well. we've just had a note from the idf warning people in five villages in southern syria to stay indoors for their own safety, because israel could be preparing to make strikes there. israel has had a very ambiguous relationship with the syrian regime up until now, and it's one that really indicates the complex web of networks and political allegiances in the region, so for a long time after the arab uprising in syria back in 2011, 2012, israel basically wanted the status quo. they're no great friend of bashar al assad, but they calculated that a man who was allied with hezbollah, a man who was allied with iran, israel's two arguably greatest enemies, along with hamas, they calculated that bashar al—assad was better than what might come next. well, now we've got what's come next, and israel is going to have to make the calculation of what kind of syria it wants. and if they don't get the syria they want, how will they respond? an

uh, in syria, driving up uh from the mazda addressing from lebanon, all the way up to bubble how on the truck is florida. and so i drove through, i spent several nights in damascus. i saw homes, aleppo, it live. and of course, there's a numerous destruction along the way, you can see the skies of over a decade of terrible conflict. but there's also the ons, the pain and destruction that the destruction of peoples lives, the destruction of the infrastructure. and it's clear that there was a massive project ahead of us who to rebuild, and that project must be lights by syrians, by the story, and people, 7 and 10 syrians need our support right now. and we are determined to be on this side and to scale up that s a urgently to do that. only 2 things, one access and i discussed with the kids like a government. the need for access to all parts of syria to deliver our mission. and the other is funding, we need the international community now to mobilize significant resources so that the syrian people can, once again have a hope of security. just this opportunity. the israel is bombardment of ga

lina sinjab was at the syria—lebanon border. are lots of commodities around me, this is the area where people came every day to pick up their daily needs, i have been talking to some of the people, and is one person told me, we now have oxygen in the air, referring they have been suffocated on the rule of a side. they said they are now in full celebration, in celebration that is colourful, look at the different fruits and vegetables, it seems that they are getting more commodities from the suburbs, because we know the suburbs of damascus are rich in fruit and vegetables, this is where the main supply comes. there is more and more movement, more and more people coming out and about, as we drove to this neighbourhood, we have seen the early morning government buses taking employees to their work, so it seems that the rebels are wanting to provide services, wanting to provide services, wanting life to go back to normal, that's what they are delivering, and this morning we have also seen news that they are taking over the city of de

so some heavier rain coming back in here for cyprus, southern posit becky, over towards syria, lebanon all the way down towards garza. and it's telling me to get any bachelors a go on in to choose a more heavy writing coming through. so looking for it to be miserable as they certainly will just fade into the corner right across something positive. okay. we are looking at some sleet and snow setting in here, so that could cause some disruption, move wayne's, also a pretty disruptive cause. northern parts of africa, some heavier rain for a time of study. some very blustery conditions coming for you here. much of north africa coast staying dry. not because the seasonal rains off the south and a good crop of them made use of the west of the rest valley. but a few showers this bill into what tends in handled impulsive mozambique. some went to weather for a time into the east to side all south africa that will push by the north with this we go 13, tuesday and warming up the cake down the exam and they being proactive. today's headlines, know for empower, liberated the syrians, and this is, s

will change the middle east, and we are indeed changing, you know, syria is no longer the same syria, lebanon is no longer the same living on so in gaza is no longer the same, gaza. and at the head of the axis, the ron is no longer the same around it to has felt the strength of our arms regarding syria. i want to clarify much of that we have no interest in confronting syria. and israel's policy towards syria will be determined by the realities on the ground. i want to ensure that what happened before will not happen again. i mean, we have taken a series of significant actions in recent days. together with the defense minister cats, i instructed the idea of to counter potential threats from syria and prevent terrorist entities from taking control near our border. is riley air force as have attacked across syria, including at the capital of damascus in the countries northeast. the idea has also launched a ground operation expanding into the contested goal on heights, which is a de militarized buffer zone established in 1974. and the various militant groups have control and different regions of

we will change the middle east, and we are indeed changing it. syria is no longer the same, syria, lebanon is no longer the same lemon on so gaza is no longer the same. gaza and at the head of the axes the ron is no longer the same around it to has felt the strength of our arms regarding syria. i want to clarify much that we have no interest in confronting syria. israel's policy towards syria will be determined by the realities on the ground. i want to ensure that what happened before will not happen again. i mean, we have taken a series of significant actions in recent days. together with the defense minister cats, i instructed the idea of to counter potential threats from syria and prevent terrorist entities from taking control near our border. but there's really our forces helping, striking across syria, including the capital, damascus on the nation's north east. in particular, the idea has also launch brawn and operations expanding into the contested golan heights, which is a, the mother tries buffer. so an established in the seventy's various millison groups have control of different

meanwhile, syria's embassy in lebanon has suspended consular services until further notice at the ordersyrian foreign ministry. no reason was given for the suspension. as syria's new regime takes shape, i discussed the latest with firas maksad, senior director for strategic outreach at the middle east institute. let's start with those 70 syrian military personnel. they were kind of kicked out of lebanon, won't they? sent back to syria, these were believed to syria, these were believed to be part of the former assad regime. really one of the unanswered question is, isn't it, is how is syria going to be dealing with these sorts of people? dealing with these sorts of eo - le? , dealing with these sorts of --eole? , . ., people? yes, carl, well, what happened _ people? yes, carl, well, what happened today _ people? yes, carl, well, what happened today is _ people? yes, carl, well, what happened today is very - happened today is very emblematic of the changing nature of the relationship between these two countries. lebanon for many years was under syrian occupation and the intelligence servi

same story before i saw the syria, lebanon, both a thank you know, commercial is a survey and just reporting from the main highway. the implant was 70 refugees are also returning home. we are here now on the i'm 5 highway and as you can people thousands of the hundreds of thousands of cars trucks are now moving on the i'm 5 highway for the 1st side and more than 14 years. they're trying to keep their home the home after being displayed for over 14 years. due to the game decides committed against the i'll do the shop and you can see the joy of the people is actually, is, are manageable. we're talking to, to really is, here are the, you know, loading all their partner, your, all their house furniture and now moving to their home, returning to their home is after 40 in new york. the joy actually is here is expressing unsurmountable and expressive joy. and the people joy, the people joy is actually seen across the scene. and you're in good geography, over a club. how about how the mass goes on. but all you have currently here on the, on 5 how highway heading towards a city and then home city and

we will change the middle east and we are indeed changing it. syria is no longer the same syria, lebanon is no longer the same 11 on gaza. is no longer the same garza and at the head of the axes iran is no longer the same or on it to has felt the strength of our arms. but maybe it wasn't done there recently. he dropped a bombshell by announcing plans to double between the population. it'd be occupied, go on heights, so he pitch this move as part of israel's why their strategy to fortify its presence in the areas. press the significance of the golan heights to as well security as sovereignty asserting guide signed take a role in the country. and this announcement quickly sparked criticism from several arab nations denouncing it as another violation of syria's territory. and the extension of his way to control and occupation that we heard this from the rocky ford ministry condemning this decision and advocating for serious uh, full sovereignty over its lands. d r. u e also express disapproval, la labeling, get as a continuation of occupation and reaching international was saudi arabia also

first, we'll support syria's neighbors, including jordan, lebanon iraq and israel should any threat arise from syria during this period of transition. i will speak with leaders of the region in the coming days. i had a long discussion with of all of our people earlier this morning and i'll send senior officials from my administration to the region as well second, we will help stability, ensure stability in eastern syria protecting any personnel, our personnel against any threats, and will remain our mission against isis will be maintained including the security of detention facilities where isis fighters are being held as prisoners. we're clear eyed about the fact that isis will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities and to create a safe haven. we will not let that happen in fact, just today, u.s. forces conducted a dozen of precision strikes, airstrikes within syria targeting isis camps and isis operatives. third, we will engage with all syrian groups, including within the process, led by the united nations, to establish a transition away from the assad regim

same bus route of the old is here at the most, no border crossing between syria and lebanon. a certain diplomatic stationed overseas are going to stay on the posts while a new government has formed the order from the mass coast game is the un security tron. so housing, emergency meeting on syria, obviously it is. gabriel alexander reports from new york, a serious ambassador to the un, did not take part in this closed door meeting. however, he was here at un headquarters and he said that damascus has given orders to all syrian diplomats around the world to remain in their post, continuing to do their jobs. during this transition period. sealants are looking for the water for establishing a state of freedom quality, the fuel democracy, and we, we joined efforts to rebuild our country to rebuild what was destroyed until the events of school children. but the future of seo, the affordable experience after the meeting concluded here at the council chamber, some investors spoke to a journalist about the discussions that took place inside the suitcase needs to be stabilized. and tha

we will change the middle east and we are indeed changing it. syria is no longer the same syria, lebanon is no longer the same 11 on so gaza is no longer the same garza and at the head of the axes, iran is no longer the same or on it to has felt the strength of our arms regarding syria i want to clarify, we have no interest in confronting syria. israel's policy towards syria will be determined by the realities on the ground. i want to ensure that what happened before will not happen again. we have taken a series of significant actions in recent days. together with defense minister cats, i instructed the idea of to counter potential threats from syria and prevent terrorist entities from taking control near our border as well. it's really our forces helping, striking across syria, including the capital. the mosque is on the countries north east in particular. well, the adf has also launched round operations expanding into the contested golan heights . this area really is it. the militarized buffer zone is spelled there's half a century ago. now it's really cabinets. they have it recently a

the shia crescent, king abdul ofjordan called it — iraq, syria, lebanon, yemen, gaza. hezbollah, where iran put a lot of emphasis. iran's offensive offensive capability, missile systems, were seen to be ineffective in its ability to defend against israel, effectively zero, and now syria has gone and i cannot overemphasise how important a development this is for the region. israel, of course, also shares a border with syria we know its troops are going to be staying through the winter inside of what is meant to be a buffer zone between the two nations. do you think that israel also sees this as a bit of an opportunity perhaps? it does. first of all, the destruction of the syrian air defence systems, which the israelis finished off last couple of days, gives them extraordinary capabilities to strike even more effectively against iran. secondly, israel is in a better position to ensure that iran does not, in some way, shape orform rebuild its rat lines of missile supply and other weapons to hezbollah. this will very much strengthen the ceasefire that is now in place in le

negotiation table to find a solution for syria, but also, most importantly, to deter iran from using the void of iran's presence and hezbollah's presence in lebanonisrael. so this is also a message to the iranians and to bashar al—assad, not to, you know, take advantage of any void in the region and deter iran from, you know, further control of syrian land. the uk prime minister sir keir starmer is to set out his "plan for change" , explaining how the government intends to deliver on the promises labour made ahead of the election. in a speech later this week, the prime minister will announce a number of "milestones" to be achieved before the end of this parliament, which he says will drive "real improvements in the lives of working people." with me is our political correspondent harry farley. targets for net migration haven't worked very well before from the election we heard from labour about their five missions but they're quite sprawling. they can be a bit intangible, things like breaking down barriers and what the prime ministers shall do this week is put specific milestones and targets that the public can judge them by, milestones and target

syria's neighbors, including jordan, lebanon, iraq and israel, should any threat arise. syria during this period of transition. i'll speak with leaders of the region in the coming days and long discussions of all of our people. early this morning. and i'll send senior officials from my administration to the region as well. second, we will help stability, ensure stability in eastern syria, protect in any personnel, our personnel against any threats, and remain our mission against isis will be maintained, including the security of detention facilities where isis fighters are being held as prisoners were cleared eyed about the fact that isis will try to take advantage any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities to create a safe haven. we will not let that happen. in fact, just today, u.s. forces conducted dozens of precision strikes, airstrikes within syria targeting nurses camps that isis operatives third. we will engage with all syrian groups, including within the process. led by the united nations, to establish a transition away from the assad regime toward an independent

syria. so at least the eros strategy of, of using lebanon as a, as a wedge against israel is no longer operational. and, and now that it's loses syria as well. it means that for now its hand is cut off of lavon, at least the way in which it had as it was controlling syria and lebanon. and that was a bridge with the rock and roll. and that kind of shad crescent is not broken. not time will tad, whether it be wrong, can rebuild. mean it's a staggering change and fortunes. staggering change in the chessboard. and i think a couple of the key things at the top hoggard feet is watching the by the administration. american president joe biden, kind of tried to calm down is really prime minister netanyahu try to demonstrate, restate, seems like the only one that seemed to be restraining themselves at biden's instruction . was it wrong? and yeah, and right and, and is real kept going right through the comments of the white house and, and proceeding, i mean is, is beeping at yahoo really the unbelievable winter when we shut. see, because this can also be like 1982 at the beginning, is rid wedding to 11 on ex

the jury is convincing primarily live in syria and lebanon, us, and we're having reports that most of the opposition forces in syria, all willing to merge into one army under the command of the defense ministry. this follows a meeting cooled by a middle. shara different factions within the country that's bringing us, haven't been job a now he's in damascus for us with all the latest trustful. what more we hearing about without shows me things with these lebanese and texas need as far as the diplomacy that has been continuing in this certain top of the is ongoing . and if, if anything, a gaining speed you, you've seen the ticket for administer. now back in the past that seems going to be a met to i'm of the shuttle. all right, there's a number of issues that have been come under destruction including what is going to be the new syria, how turkey is going to play a role in rebuilding syria and what they concerns regarding what would be a orientation as well as the alignment of this new administration is a risk. is it going to be with turkey? is it going to be a multi dimensional and a c

jake sullivan is expected to be in israel where he will tackle more conversations as pertains to syria, lebanon-fire in gaza. through the cease-fire since it was brokered between israel and hezbollah and lebanon which so far has been holding up. neil: the middle east army special forces is the real deal. between syria imploding, not good for bashar al-assad, vladimir putin, russia, and iran, what do you make of how the fallout is going? >> the big winner is president erewhon in turkey, islamists who are benefiting and he may have designs on creating a new form of state and israel is showing why they have gone about securing their borders in a completely new way. the strikes they are doing now, the pushing back of hezbollah above the un design border in lebanon and now in the golan heights shows that they are not going to make the mistake the biden administration did which is leave and arsenal intact when jihadists take over a country as afghanistan showed was a bad idea. neil: sometimes you gotta be careful what you wish for, who is to say whatever emergency will be any better than what was lef

negotiation table to find a solution for syria, but also, most importantly, to deter iran from using the void of iran's presence and hezbollah's presence in lebanonttlefield against israel. so this is also a message to the iranians and to bashar al—assad, not to, you know, take advantage of any void in the region and deter iran from, you know, further control of syrian land. georgia's prime minister has denied suspending talks onjoining the european union, as mass protests against his government continue. riot police used tear gas and water cannon for a second consecutive night on saturday in the centre of tblisi, where demonstrators have set up barricades. georgia's prime minister irakli kobakhidze has told a press conference today that opposition leaders and media outlets were lying and that nobody has suspended european integration for georgia, an apparent contradiction of comments he made on thursday, that negotiations would not take place till 2028. he also said the president will have to step down at the end of her term later this month. salome zourabichvili yesterday restated her refusal to accept the legitimacy of the government, followin

seeing. >> [indiscernible] i am from lebanon and involved a lot with hostages and want to tell you only yesterday we had 30 foreigners released from the prison in hama in syria and one of them has been a prisoner for 35 years. everybody thought he didn't exist, his family contacted me a couple of years ago asking about him, from north of lebanon and they never heard anything about him from 35 years. we need to work together to make sure austin is coming safe and will be united with his family. whatever is happening in syria, the next few days or weeks, we need to make sure the government's link ensure they are released in a proper way and taking care of. this is what i have to say. [applause] >> i approve this message. >> any other questions? >> could we go back -- is he being held by the government of syria? do we know that? [indiscernible] >> there are a lot of people of influence in syria so it's possible in addition to the government someone has -- >> this is how it works. >> recently we've seen former hostages -- that have been released, and russia and china. we are seeing this in syria today. the u.s. government, if the current administration can make

lebanon is causing a challenge for the lebanese security forces and the lebanese army. let me double—check it, you say the more obvious flow today as people coming out of syria into lebanons. tell us about why it is happening in the direction or the greater number in that direction? many --eole number in that direction? many peeple are _ number in that direction? many people are reluctant _ number in that direction? many people are reluctant to - number in that direction? many people are reluctant to talk - number in that direction? many people are reluctant to talk so l people are reluctant to talk so not everybody who comes in is being open about what is happening where they came from and why they are trying to leave syria. the ones we did talk to off—camera, they told us that they are afraid of things that might happen. not running away because of things that did happen, they say they have received reassurances from the main groups which managed to knock down the regime of president assad, we have not seen any acts of violence against people, ordinary people, we have not got any cause to believe that people will be targeted but at the same time, we are afraid of indiv

um, but the good thing for the writing is, as the reading public is not interested really in syria and lebanon day would be happy if yvonne invested, but they have into the wellbeing of the country and not to not venture in other countries. so there is no, ironically, domestic pressure in your, on to somehow taking aggressive post, you know, how about russia or, well, russian. so ironically, a bit the same uh though for different reasons the rest of the russians have been supporting us that for them for 10 years almost. um, but they realize that if a site cannot defend himself, they are not going to invest anything to defend him. they provided the power, but if they don't have any partners on the ground that will fight against the rebels, they can't do much. and that was the case, the soon resumed the ratings could not. so in the russia is going to tell us to and i think same uh, same approach um that they are very comfortable with a so many islam is the leadership in syria as long as it's not a west and associated as long. it's not a liberal democracy, less than ally in russia, whatever is in

about how israel should extend its borders beyond the current borders into parts of syria, iraq, jordan, saudi arabia, lebanon. this idea of what kind of greater israel has been one that's been talked about increasingly over over recent time. and that's yahoo has now ended the 50 years since bar packed with syria and declared that this quote hasn't happened in the 100 years since the sites pico agreement. referring of course, to the 1916 agreement between britain and france that carved up the middle east. did you believe it was trying to redraw the borders of the middle east, then annex syria, at least in part as part of this vision of greater israel. of news for the video and for those to be even those visions colonialism passed the way long time ago. and the only remains corranio of this country is right. it is very striking. clemente, i don't see that or your descriptions. i mean is of yours. it's those who express them are serious. nobody believes that it's possible. why don't they include, say, a russia is with russia is also in certain times to the danger for his eyes. so why wouldn't be going to russia

region and around the world. iran is dominated politics and for air countries for years. yemen, lebanon, syria, and iraq. but more recently, it seems that things are changing. so are we witnessing and iran 2 point? oh, that is strategic. we contract it from its previous regional ambitions. today we're talking with ronnie in american political sciences valley nicer professor of international relations at the johns hopkins school of advanced international studies here on this special edition of the show at the doha for him and cut our thank you so much for joining us today. this an over the last year, i just love to get your sense of the middle east and the ron's place. and it, because it seems to me as if israel, the united states had been re shaping the region and really profound ways. iran used to seem to be writing high and a lot of the countries how do you see it now? you're absolutely right. when, when the october 7th attacks happened the day 1st year, it looked like iran and it's excess of resistance. i'd really coordinate those rail, turned the tables on it, and looked very strong in the

here are some picture prs the syrian/lebanon borders as thousands of those who fled to other countries are trying to make their way back into syriagone to turkey and jordan. we have seen similar scenes on the turkish border. but that causes problems as well, because they are, as they are beginning theirjourney, there is a risk to life from unexploded mines and ordnance, especially in northern syria. mouiad alnofaly is the operations manager for the halo trust — which is dealing with landmines clearance and joins me now from amman. he's also preparing for his own journey back home to syria. could you give our viewers on idea of how many mines and ordnance we are talking about in syria? ordnance we are talking about ins ria? n ., ordnance we are talking about insria? ., , ordnance we are talking about insria? ._ in syria? actually there is a lot mines — in syria? actually there is a lot mines and _ in syria? actually there is a lot mines and unexploded i lot mines and unexploded ordnance has been in syria. i will give you some numbers about our previous war. the trust has been operating in syria since 2017 and has cleared nearly 2,