Aoun's (last?) advice to Hezbollah and its base: Bet on the state
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L'Orient-Le Jour
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- L'Orient-Le Jour
Confiscation of 2-wheelers, fines for tinted windows: ISF toughens measures
The Internal Security Forces have recently increased efforts to confiscate unregistered motorcycles and fine vehicle owners with tinted windows, to the point that many delivery drivers avoid riding their two-wheelers when they hear about a security checkpoint on their route. "This is not exactly a nationwide campaign, but rather a tightening, over the past two weeks, of repressive measures against mopeds in irregular situations and motorists choosing to equip their vehicles with tinted windows in violation of regulations," a security source told L'Orient-Le Jour on Friday on condition of anonymity, noting that these violations are clearly increasing, although no figures were provided. In parallel, the ISF has set up "random roadblocks, mainly in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, but also throughout the country," the same source said. Arrests have also been reported, particularly of foreigners in irregular situations or wanted individuals. "These operations are routine. When we observe traffic violations, we naturally verify the drivers' identities," the source added. Likewise, no statistics are available on the number of arrests during this period, when many Lebanese from the diaspora are present, and when two-wheelers, which mostly do not respect the traffic laws, are often responsible for and victims of deadly road accidents. Lebanon adopted a new traffic code in 2012, but it wasn't enforced until 2015. Still, the country continues to struggle with enforcing basic traffic rules, including speeding, wearing seatbelts, driving against traffic or using a mobile phone while driving. Last March, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar already called "for strengthened security measures to reduce recurring incidents and trouble and to ensure the safety of citizens in Beirut and Tripoli." He emphasized the importance of enforcing road safety rules to ensure smoother and safer traffic. These measures were implemented during Ramadan in both cities. In spring 2024, amid the war between Israel and Hezbollah, former Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced the deployment of State Security checkpoints and patrols on the airport road in Beirut following attacks on several motorists.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Arida residents fear flooding of the al-Kabir River due to public works ministry projects
Residents of the border town of Arida in Akkar district, northern Lebanon, have expressed worries that their homes and fields might flood because of a dam built by the Public Works Ministry at the mouth of the Nahr al-Kabir River. This is due to work carried out to reopen the Arida border crossing between Lebanon and Syria and to make it easier for cars and buses to pass, our northern Lebanon correspondent reports. During a symbolic sit-in on Saturday in front of the Arida border post, they also protested the disruptions and additional expenses these projects cause fishermen, who are now forced to moor their boats outside the fishing port. Residents also voiced their fear, with winter approaching, of an al-Kabir River flood after part of its bed was blocked by debris due to the destruction of the bridge by Israeli airstrikes during the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah. "The high river flow will inevitably lead to a significant rise in the water level, and the village of Arida will be the first to be flooded, as will all the fields and lands along the river's course in Arida, Samakia and Hakr al-Dahri. These vast areas will be transformed into a huge lake," they lamented. The residents called on the relevant authorities, especially the Public Works and Transport Ministry, to urgently find solutions in order to protect the lives and property of the people living in the villages on the Lebanese bank of the al-Kabir River, warning of escalation if this is not done.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
'Hezbollah committed all major crimes in Lebanon in past 25 years': Abu Assi
Lebanese Forces (LF) MP Pierre Abu Assi described the Aug. 4, 2020, Beirut port explosion, which killed 235 people and injured more than 7,000, as the "crime of the century," pointing to "Hezbollah as the primary accused." In an interview with the Al Jadeed podcast, reported by the National News Agency (NNA), he specified that this tragedy is made up of three consecutive crimes: the storage of dangerous materials in the heart of the capital for years up to Aug. 3, the catastrophic explosion on the evening of Aug. 4 and impunity, the most serious crime, which began on Aug. 5. "Five years have already passed, but the investigation has not led to any results," lamented Abu Assi. "All the major crimes committed in Lebanon over the past 25 years, whose perpetrators have not been identified, were committed by Hezbollah, from the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to the Aug. 4 explosion, as well as the assassination of Elias Hasrouni [LF official] in Ain Ibl." "The attacks against the judge and the intrusion into the Justice Palace are further evidence of the party's involvement. There is, in fact, a clear decision not to let the investigation advance," he continued, alluding to pressure put on investigating judge Tarek Bitar, and to the demonstration against this magistrate on Oct. 14, 2021, outside the Beirut Justice Palace, led by Hezbollah and the Amal movement, which escalated into bloody clashes. After two years of political and judicial obstacles, the investigation into the double explosion at Beirut's port, led by Judge Bitar, was relaunched last January. The indictment is still pending. "Lebanon is no longer among the priorities of the international community," added Abu Assi, recalling recent statements by American envoy Tom Barrack, who called on Beirut to disarm Hezbollah and asserted that "the United States would not wait for Lebanon, nor would Saudi Arabia or any other friendly country." In this context, the MP accused the party of refusing to surrender its weapons and of threatening the social contract. "The truth is, Hezbollah is Iran's political and security arm in Lebanon and refuses to surrender its weapons, which threatens the social contract based on equality among Lebanese. What is happening today undermines this contract, and if we cross the point of no return, only God knows how things will end," he insisted, also stating that "civil peace can only be achieved if the state fully plays its role, not by abandoning it."
