Latest news with #Banat
L'Orient-Le Jour
6 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Rabih Banat, president of the SSNP, wins second four-year term
The Supreme Council of the Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party (SSNP) on Thursday re-elected Rabih Banat as party president for a second four-year term, following a meeting held at the party's headquarters in Rawsheh. The SSNP, an ally of Hezbollah and the former regime of Bashar Assad in Syria, was founded in 1932 by Antoun Saadeh, who was later sentenced to death by Lebanese authorities and executed on July 8, 1949. He was accused of attempting a coup against the government in retaliation for repressive measures taken by the latter against the party's members. Advocating for a 'Greater Syria,' the party has recently faced significant internal divisions, with two rival factions — one led by former MP Assaad Hardan, and the other by current leader Rabih Banat. After his re-election on Thursday, Banat said that 'the milestone achieved by the Supreme Council reflects the nationalists' commitment to their institution and to the principles for which they have fought, sacrificed, and given their lives, loyal to the ideology of Antoun Saadeh.' Banat called for the rejection of sectarianism, which 'serves the interests of the enemy, and for the protection of the resistance and its sources of strength,' stressing the importance of national unity in the face of challenges. Internal divisions Splits are common within the pan-Syrian party, which during the civil war was divided between a reformist branch close to Palestinian factions and another branch closer to Damascus. In 1978, they were reunified. As the regional and national political landscape has changed considerably since the death of its founder, the SSNP has faced recurring tensions over how to perpetuate its legacy. More recently, a significant division occurred within the party, but this time the split was more related to power struggles, differing approaches to internal governance and personal rivalries, rather than ideological reasons. Although both camps are pro-Hezbollah and support the former Syrian regime that was toppled in December 2024, a major split took place in recent years between the supporters of Hardan — who was party president between 2008 and 2016 — and those who challenged his leadership style. In 2020, after the election of Banat, an opponent of Hardan, to the party presidency, the former MP refused to recognize the election of his rival, criticizing the process by which he rose to the leadership. Two factions emerged within the party: Banat's and Hardan's. Since then, armed clashes and attacks against the centers of one or the other faction have periodically taken place in various regions across the country. The conflict peaked in 2023 when the SSNP, under Banat's leadership, expelled Hardan from the party. Despite this, Hardan's supporters continue to regard him as the legitimate head of the movement. Pro-Hezbollah and pro-Assad Despite these divisions, the SSNP remains a pro-Bashar Assad political party whose influence in Lebanon, already limited before the fall of the former regime in December, is now even more restricted. The party maintains several strongholds, notably in the Hamra neighborhood of Beirut, where it organizes an annual parade to commemorate the anniversary of the 'Wimpy operation,' carried out by party member Khaled Alwan against Israeli soldiers in the famous café in 1982, during the Israeli occupation of Beirut. The SSNP also operates centers in Bikfaya (Metn), a stronghold of its political rival, the Kataeb Party, and in Koura (North Lebanon), among others. During the war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2024, many party members were killed. While the 'support front' for Gaza, which opened from southern Lebanon in October 2023, a day after the start of the war between Hamas and Israel, included fighters from the Eagles of the Whirlwind (the SSNP's armed wing), the party did not announce separate military operations against Israel, in contrast to Hezbollah. Today, following the government's decision to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, the SSNP has unsurprisingly taken a stand in favor of maintaining Hezbollah's weapons, criticizing the decision of Salam's government. A day after the announcement of this decision, al-Binaa, a media outlet affiliated with the SSNP, wrote: 'The government has brought down [the] Taif Agreement, Resolution 1701, and the cease-fire agreement, and exposes the country to [Israeli] aggression.'
L'Orient-Le Jour
6 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
SSNP elects Banat as party president for second four-year term
BEIRUT — The Supreme Council of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) elected on Thursday Rabih Banat as party president for a second four-year term, following a meeting held at the party's headquarters in Raouche, Beirut. 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."
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
SC asked to issue TRO vs. proclamation of party-list winners
The One Filipinos Worldwide (OFW) party-list on Monday filed a petition asking the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the declaration of party-list winners in the 2025 elections. In a 28-page petition for certiorari, the party-list sought a TRO and/or status quo ante order and/or writ of preliminary injunction directing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from implementing NBOC resolution 14-25. The resolution declared the winners in the May 12 elections, following the formula provided in the ruling of Banat v. Comelec. 'The BANAT formula should be modified, if not abandoned, as it is inconsistent with, and fails to reflect, the spirit and intent of the 1987 Constitution and Republic Act No. 7941,' the petition read. Under the Banat formula, the parties that receive at least 2% of the total votes cast for the party-list system shall be entitled to one seat each. An additional seat will be granted to a party-list which will be able to secure more than 2% of the votes cast proportional to the additional percentage it got, but the maximum number of seats is only three. EXPLAINER: How does the PH party-list system work? 'It is politely advanced that the formula introduced in BANAT resulted into double counting of votes in favor of party-list groups who attained 2% of the total votes cast by all party-list groups,' the petition read. 'Nowhere from the text of the law was it stated that the 2% shall be used for the purpose of determining the number of guaranteed seats. The 2% threshold already provides an equivalent seat that must be definitively allocated,' it added. The party-list argued that it should be proclaimed as one of the winners and get one seat in the House of Representatives. It said that the Akbayan party-list should get three seats, the Duterte Youth party-list should get two seats instead of three, the Tingog party-list should get two seats instead of three, and that the 4Ps, ACT-CIS, and Ako Bikol party-lists should get one seat each. Aside from this, the OFW party-list asked the SC to direct Comelec to review the accreditation, disqualify and disallow the continued participation of non-marginalized groups in the party-list system. 'Sana po 'yung mga nagre-represent, totoo naman na nagre-represent. Ang dami pong party-list na nakita namin. Hindi ko alam kung sino sino itong mga ito, nanalo? Anong sector, nanalo?' OFW party-list president Marissa Del Mar Magsino said in a press conference. (I hope that those who claim to represent actually do represent. We saw so many party-list groups. I don't even know who they are, and they won? What sector?) The party-list also asked the SC to direct Comelec to allocate 64 seats instead of 63 seats. 'Public Respondents committed grave abuse of discretion in promulgating NBOC Resolution 14-25 which allocated only 63 seats for Party-List Representatives,' the petition read. Meanwhile, Magsino called on the High Court to grant their petition. 'For as long as we win this fight, winner na po tayo in the very sense of the word. Justice is rendered, justice is given to the OFW and the seafarers and their families,' Magsino said. 'I don't think naman aabutin ito ng last two months of 20th Congress. I'm very positive that SC will heed our request because this is a valid, legal, and constitutional request. Dahil ito po ay dinesign ng Constitution to be able to serve the marginalized and the underrepresented,' she added. (I don't think this will reach the last two months of the 20th Congress. I'm very positive that the SC will heed our request because this is a valid, legal, and constitutional request. This was designed by the Constitution to be able to serve the marginalized and the underrepresented.) The respondent in the petition is the Comelec. GMA News Online has asked the poll body for comment and will publish it once available.—AOL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
Geek Tyrant
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Captain America's Team in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Reportedly Revealed; Plus Doctor Doom's Crew — GeekTyrant
The Russo Brothers are returning to direct the final two films in the Multiverse Saga, and just like they did with Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame , the final two movies in the Infinity Saga, they are making these flicks super high-stakes and major events in the MCU. As we head into the year long wait to see Avengers: Doomsday , bits of info, both verified and rumored, will really start to ramp up. In the upcoming film, we know that Earth's Mightiest Heroes will assemble to battle RDJ's Doctor Doom, and aside from the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and New Avengers, we know Captain America will lead his own team of Avengers. A new rumor from The Cosmic Circus (via CBM) claims that the team led by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) will be comprised of Joaquin Torres/The Falcon, Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Wong, and Shang-Chi. They're officially on his team, with She-Hulk likely to join them. The site notes that Latveria, the fictional country from the Marvel Comics universe ruled by the supervillain Doctor Doom will also be featured in Avengers: Doomsday . The small, isolated European nation is located in the Banat region, and is often portrayed as having a distinct culture and history. The country is known for its advanced technology and the strong grip Doctor Doom maintains on its people. Regarding Doom's team, it's said, "we've already met them." That either means they're Multiversal Variants of familiar characters or villains from previous MCU movies. So far, Avengers: Doomsday stars Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Winston Duke, Tom Hiddleston, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, Robert Downey Jr., Wyatt Russell, Simu Liu, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, Florence Pugh, Danny Ramirez, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman, as well as The Fantastic Four: First Steps leads Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, with X-Men franchise stars Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Channing Tatum set to join them. Avengers: Doomsday is set to be released on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars scheduled to arrive on May 7, 2027.
