WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, December 11, 2017.

Iran on al-Quds recognition

Iran says any involvement by Arab governments in the US president’s decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said confronting Donald Trump’s “unwise and dangerous decision” requires solidarity, cooperation and consensus among all Muslim countries. Speaking at a weekly press conference, Qassemi said the existing chaos among Arab governments allows Washington to dare take such steps. The Iranian diplomat emphasized that the US strategic mistake will cause tension and instability in the region, but the Palestinian resistance will once again emerge victorious. Qassemi underlined that Iran will continue its consultations with other Muslim countries in the upcoming Istanbul summit to form a united front against the US move.

Myanmar atrocities

A new report shows that the use of rape by Myanmar’s military against Rohingya Muslim women has been sweeping and methodical. The Associated Press released the report after conducting interviews with 29 women and girls in several refugee camps in Bangladesh. All victims shared fearsome stories of rape and massive sexual assaults by the army as they entered their villages in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Those who survived the violence are now struggling with its physical and psychological impacts.

Bahraini scholars slam al-Quds visit

More than 130 Bahraini scholars have strongly condemned a recent visit by a delegation from the Arab Kingdom to the occupied Palestinian territories. In a statement, the Bahraini scholars categorically rejected any form of normalization of ties with “the usurper Zionist entity “and described the visit as unjustified. Bahrain’s main opposition party, al-Wefaq, also slammed any attempts by Manama to establish ties with Israel. The group emphasized that any such effort is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. The four-day visit by delegates from a group called 'This is Bahrain' comes as Muslim countries are infuriated by the US President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital.

Putin visits Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to a military air base in Syria. During his visit, Putin held talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the Russian-operated Hmeymim military air base in Latakia Province. He said Russian and Syrian forces have destroyed one of the “most capable groups of international terrorists”. Putin also ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria. He expressed hope that Russia, Syria, Iran and Turkey can restore peace to Syria. Moscow, Tehran and Ankara have been engaged in joint diplomatic efforts to guarantee a peace process for Syria.

Supporting Palestinian cause

The leader of Lebanon’s Resistance Movement Hezbollah has called on the Palestinian people to resist the US move to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital by declaring a third Intifada. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah accused the United States and Israel of attacking Islamic and Christian sanctities in the occupied Palestinian territories. Nasrallah further praised all nations and governments that rebuffed Trump’s move on al-Quds. He however criticized certain Arab countries for normalizing ties with Israel, saying they will be punished by their own people. Hezbollah’s leader further reiterated that the axis of resistance in the region will continue standing by the Palestinian people in their resistance against Israel and the US. According to Nasrallah, Palestine and the liberation of al-Quds are Hezbollah’s priority after the victory in Syria.

Anti-US rallies

Israeli forces have clashed with demonstrators voicing their anger over a recent move by the US to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel. Israeli troops fired tear gas to disperse the protesters in the city of Ramallah. The demonstrators responded by hurling rocks at Israeli soldiers. Muslims across the world held mass rallies to denounce the move by US President Donald Trump. Angry protesters gathered outside the US embassy in the Indonesian capital to voice their support for Palestinians. They chanted anti-US slogans and burned an effigy of Trump. Thousands of people also rallied in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, voicing support for the Palestinians.

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