WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, February 16, 2017.

Muslim unity call

The Iranian president has stressed that unity among Muslims is the only way to resolve the crises in the region. Hassan Rouhani made the comments while addressing thousands of Muslims after Friday Prayers in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. Rouhani said the enemies of Islam are seeking to create rift among Muslims. He noted that Muslim unity could have prevented the US from recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital. The remarks come on the second day of Rouhani’s three-day visit to India. He will later head to the Indian capital, New Delhi, to hold talks with top officials including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two countries are expected to sign several memoranda of understanding. They will also discuss the development of Iran’s southeastern port of Chabahar.

Israel-Lebanon tensions

The Secretary General of Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah says Israel has launched a war over his country's energy reserves. Sayyed Hassan Narsrallah made the remarks during a speech marking the assassination anniversary of the group’s leaders. Nasrallah says Tel Aviv's fight over Lebanon’s maritime borders and offshore energy has the backing of US President Donald Trump. He says the battle for the country's resources is one for all Lebanese urging them to be united and withstand outside pressure. The Hezbollah leader also says Trump is keeping American forces in Syria and Iraq with an eye on the two countries’ oil. He noted America's occupation of eastern Syria and Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, both areas with large gas reserves. Elsewhere Nasrallah touched on the downing of an Israeli warplane by Syrian government forces.

US-Turkey ties

The United States says it will continue to arm Kurdish YPG forces in Syria despite Turkey’s fierce opposition. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made the comments during a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara. The two top diplomats showed their countries would be digging in their heels despite discussions on improvement of ties. Tillerson criticized Ankara for detaining thousands of its own citizens as well as American nationals as part of a post-coup operation, calling the incarcerations unjust. He also called on Turkey to show restraint in its offensive against YPG forces in the northern Syrian city of Afrin.

Pakistan-India tensions

India pledges retaliation after Pakistan said it has killed five Indian soldiers in the disputed region of Kashmir. Kumar’s comments came hours after Islamabad accused Indian snipers of violating the ceasefire by targeting a Pakistani school van, killing its driver. Pakistani authorities described the attack as “unethical and unprofessional”. New Delhi has denied having launched such an attack. Pakistan and India claim Kashmir in its entirety but rule it in part. The two countries have fought three wars over the region since the end of World War II. Border skirmishes have been a source of tension since then.

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