SSNP elects Banat as party president for second four-year term
SSNP, an ally of Hezbollah and the former Assad regime in Syria, was founded in 1932 by Antoun Saadeh, who was sentenced to death by Lebanese authorities and executed on July 8, 1949, after his party staged a failed coup attempt against the government in retaliation for repressive measures taken by the latter against party members.
Advocating for a "Greater Syria," the party has recently faced significant internal divisions, with rival factions led by former MP Assaad Hardan and the current leader, Banat.
After his election on Thursday, Banat affirmed that the "constitutional achievement accomplished by the Supreme Council today reflects the nationalists' commitment to their institution and to the principles for which they have fought, sacrificed, and given their lives for in belief of Saadeh's ideology."
Banat called for the rejection of sectarianism, which "serves the enemy's agenda, and to protect the resistance and its sources of strength", emphasizing national unity in the face of challenges.
Internal schisms
Internal schisms are common within the pan-Syrian party, which during the Civil War split between a reformist branch close to Palestinian factions and another branch closer to Damascus. They were reunited in 1978. With the regional and domestic political landscape much changed since the death of Saadeh, the SSNP has experienced recurring tensions over how to perpetuate its legacy.
More recently, a significant split occurred within the party, but this time, the division was more tied to power struggles, different approaches to internal governance, and personal rivalries rather than ideological reasons. While both sides are pro-Hezbollah and support the former Syrian regime that was toppled in December 2024, a major split occurred in recent years between loyalists to Asaad Hardan, who was the president of the party between 2008 and 2016, and others who contest Hardan's leadership style.
In 2020, with the election of Banat — who heavily opposes Hardan — as president of the party, the latter did not recognize his election, criticizing the process through which he has been elected.
Thus, two wings of the party emerged: the Banat and Hardan wings. Since then, armed clashes and storming of centers belonging to each side have taken place periodically in different parts of the country. The dispute culminated in 2023, when the SSNP, under the leadership of Banat, sacked Hardan from the party. Despite these developments, Hardan's followers still regard him as the legitimate head of the group.
Pro-Hezbollah, pro-Assad identity
Apart from these divisions, the SSNP remains a pro-Assad political party whose influence in Lebanon, already limited before the fall of the former Syrian regime in December, has become even more restricted now.
The party has several strongholds, including the area of Hamra in Beirut , where they organize a yearly parade to commemorate the anniversary of the "Operation Wimpy," which party member Khaled Alwan carried out against Israeli soldiers at the well-known café in 1982, during the Israeli occupation of Beirut.
SSNP also has centers in Bikfaya (Metn district), the stronghold of its political rival, the Kataeb party, and in Koura (Northern Lebanon), among other locations.
During the war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2024, many of the party's members were killed. Although the 'support front' for Gaza, that was opened from South Lebanon in October 2023 one day after the start of the Gaza war between Hamas and Israel, has included fighters of the Eagles of the Whirlwind (the armed wing of SSNP), the party didn't announce specific military operations against the Hebrew state, unlike Hezbollah.
Nowadays, following the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, the SSNP has, unsurprisingly, taken a stance in favor of these arms, criticizing the government's decision. One day after the cabinet decision, al-Bina, an outlet affiliated with the SSNP, wrote: "The government is bringing down Taif, Resolution 1701, and the cease-fire agreement and opens the country to [Israeli] aggression."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
10 hours ago
- LBCI
EU calls on 'all parties' in Sudan to let in international aid
The EU on Thursday called on "all parties" in the civil war in Sudan to "urgently" allow the entry of international aid, as the country weathers its worst outbreak of cholera in years. "Civilians must be protected, and humanitarian access must be granted," the European Union said in a joint statement also signed by countries including Britain, Canada, and Japan. AFP
L'Orient-Le Jour
12 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Aoun: Lebanon is not 'bankrupt,' but a 'stolen' country
President Joseph Aoun said on Thursday at Baabda Palace that "Lebanon is not bankrupt, but stolen," adding that "no country in the world goes bankrupt if it is properly managed. We have had governments that have mismanaged resources." The president was speaking before a delegation from the Lebanese Business Council in Abu Dhabi who had come to meet him at Baabda, on a day when he also presided over a judicial meeting with Justice Minister Adel Nassar and judges Souheil Abboud and Jamal Hajjar, and spoke with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and the governor of the Central Bank (BDL), Karim Souhaid. Before the business council delegation, Aoun said that "our problem largely lies in corruption, as there has been no accountability. Today, justice is present, the files are open, and there are no bans or red lines. This is how things return to normal and confidence is restored between the state and the people, as well as between Lebanon and foreign countries." Since his election last January, the president has shown a willingness to break the deadlock on the important reform projects the country must launch to rebuild its shattered economy and financial system. 'The Lebanese imprint' Aoun also praised the role of the Lebanese diaspora around the world, which "has been the country's main support over the years." According to him, "the strength and wealth of Lebanon reside here: there is not a single major project, from Brazil to Australia via Africa, without a Lebanese imprint." His comments come at a time when many members of the diaspora no longer have access to their funds and savings, which have been illegally blocked in Lebanese banks since the start of the economic crisis in 2019. The real wealth of Lebanon does not lie in its "natural resources," but in "investment in its talents, skills, and human capital," he added, inviting the business council delegation to put their expertise at the country's service and to invest in it. 'Lebanon needs true justice' Aoun, the former commander of the army, also presided over a judicial meeting attended by Nassar, the president of the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM), Souheil Abboud, the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Jamal Hajjar, as well as the new prosecutors appointed as part of the transfers and appointments. "You bear the responsibility to deliver justice and apply the law to all citizens, without distinction or exception. Never deviate from the truth, whatever the circumstances or pressures," he said. And he added: "The law stands above everyone, and its application must be just and fair for each person, from the highest official to the simplest citizen. Stay close to the people and their concerns, and work to restore citizens' confidence in justice through honest and transparent efforts. Lebanon urgently needs true justice, capable of rebuilding trust in institutions and protecting human dignity." Aoun also met with the finance minister and the governor of the BDL about "the country's financial situation."
Ya Libnan
13 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Syria prevents Larijani's plane from using its airspace during trip to Lebanon
Syria denied passage through its airspace to the plane carrying Iran's top security official, forcing the aircraft to take an alternate route to Lebanon, Turkish and Israeli media reported. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was traveling to Beirut when Syrian authorities blocked his flight from entering the country's airspace. The plane was forced to reroute through Iraqi and Turkish airspace to reach its destination. Syria's interim government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has banned Iranian aircraft from crossing Syrian airspace since taking power following the fall of Bashar Assad's government in December last year. Under Assad, Syria was a key ally and transit route for Iranian weapons shipments to its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hands off Lebanon Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R) reaffirmed to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and his accompanying delegation Lebanon's rejection of any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs LEBANON'S Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday reaffirmed Lebanon's rejection of any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs, calling on Iran to commit 'clearly and explicitly' to this principle. Speaking during a meeting in Beirut with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and his accompanying delegation, Salam stressed that decisions made by the Lebanese government 'are not to be subject to discussion in any other country,' adding that the seat of decision-making lies with the Council of Ministers and that 'Lebanon's decisions are made solely by the Lebanese people, who do not accept guardianship or dictates from anyone.' Salam underscored that any relationship with Lebanon must pass exclusively through its constitutional institutions, 'not through any political party or parallel channel.' Iran Wire
