Latest news with #Hezbollah-AmalMovement
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Aoun: Instilling fear of the other among the Lebanese is 'unjustified'
After 48 hours of speeches and contrasting reactions to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem's comments, who brandished the threat of "confrontations" in Lebanon should the government persist in disarming Hezbollah without an agreement, President Joseph Aoun said that instilling fear of the other among the Lebanese was "unjustified." The government decided on Aug. 5 to mandate the Lebanese Army to draw up a plan for the state to regain its monopoly on arms by the end of the year. The army is to present this plan within the next two weeks. Two days later, the government approved a roadmap prepared by American envoy Tom Barrack to ensure proper implementation of the terms of the cease-fire that took effect on Nov. 27, after 13 months of war between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. 'Two options' regarding the Barrack plan The president mentioned warnings, mainly from the Hezbollah-Amal Movement alliance, during an interview with al-Arabiya about a civil war in the event of imposed disarmament, and "the fear of the other instilled among the Lebanese." For him, these warnings were nothing but "words, and they were not justified." Aoun said that the Shiite community was "a fundamental component in Lebanon and there is no reason to fear for any community." The disarmament of Hezbollah is "an internal matter and only constitutional institutions are competent to address this issue. I do not think that anyone in the country has a problem with the principle of the monopoly of arms," he added. Concerning the American roadmap, Aoun said he found himself facing "two options: either accept the document and ask the world to obtain Israel's agreement" for a stop to attacks targeting Lebanon, "or not accept it and see the aggressions and economic isolation of Lebanon intensify." "We made observations on the American document, so it became a Lebanese document. It will only become enforceable after the approval of the concerned states and we insisted on the step-by-step principle," he added. He also stated that all contacts with Israel "are made through the Americans, the French and parties who simply want to help. But there is no party or mediator conducting a Lebanese-Israeli dialogue." Iran and Saudi Arabia The president stated that Lebanon's neutrality, and keeping it apart from conflicts, "is what will protect it against all challenges." The Lebanese Army "is strong and fulfills its missions in all regions of the country, which strengthens stability and reassures the Lebanese inside and outside the country," he said. Returning to the statements by Iranian officials who rejected the decisions of the Lebanese government that were condemned by Lebanese officials, Aoun referred again to what he had already said to envoy Ali Larijani during the latter's tour in Beirut this week. "Iran is a friendly country, but on the basis of mutual respect and preservation of sovereignty. We do not allow ourselves to interfere in its affairs nor in those of any other state, nor do we accept interference in our internal affairs," he stressed. Regarding relations with Gulf countries, notably with Saudi Arabia, Aoun explained that he had told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the officials he met during his travels in the Arab world in recent months: "I do not want donations, I want investments. Investments can take several forms and we have many sectors in which you can invest." "We are counting heavily on Saudi Arabia's role in the revival of Lebanon. No one could give up the relationship between our two countries," he added. "I promise the Lebanese, in the country and abroad, that we will move forward. There will be no turning back," the president said. "Change does not happen overnight, but it has begun and it is tangible," stressing that "the steps restoring the confidence of Lebanese and foreign countries in the State have begun." "No one is protected, not even me. And the depositors' funds will return," he said. Berri: No fear of civil war Parliament Speaker and head of the Amal Movement Nabih Berri called for a "dialogue on the state's monopoly on arms, but not in the way it is currently being proposed." "I will listen to the American envoy to know his vision regarding the modalities of disarmament, but I have nothing to submit to him on my side," he also said on al-Arabiya. "There is no fear of a civil war nor any threat to internal peace," arguing that "no decision regarding the disarmament of a party can be applied as long as Israel refuses to implement its commitments," notably by withdrawing from national territory and freeing Lebanese detainees in its prisons. "Hezbollah has not fired a single shot since the cease-fire took effect, while Israel continues its strikes," he added. Hezbollah did fire an artillery round a few days after the start of the truce in early December 2024, provoking a severe and deadly retaliation by the Israeli army.
LBCI
14-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Parity or power play? Beirut's municipal race heats up amid shifting alliances
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Last Tuesday, two Lebanese MPs — Edgard Traboulsi and Nicolas Sehnaoui — were told by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain el-Tineh that he was willing to proceed with any law that would guarantee parity in the Beirut municipal council. He even signaled readiness to call a parliamentary session to discuss the matter. However, the two MPs were surprised when Berri stated in a Sunday press interview that amending the municipal elections law was now unlikely due to time constraints. While the reasons behind Berri's change in stance remain unclear, MPs from the Development and Liberation bloc argue that now is not the time for a potentially fruitless constitutional debate that could derail the elections—something firmly opposed by the Hezbollah-Amal Movement alliance. From their perspective, postponing elections would serve Israel's interests by undermining stability in the south. Meanwhile, sources indicate a strong Sunni stance against amending any legal provisions related to the structure of the municipal council without also introducing changes to the powers of the governor, who holds executive authority in Beirut. Amid these tensions, political coordination is intensifying to safeguard parity through a broad alliance involving various parties. Advanced talks have been held between MP Nabil Badr, Al-Ahbash, the Free Patriotic Movement, and the Islamic Group. Badr said contacts are also underway with the Lebanese Forces, and a final response is pending. The outreach extends to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement as well, in hopes of securing parity, which now appears under threat in the absence of mobilization by the Future Movement—once the dominant electoral force in Beirut. Today, Badr says the alliance he is helping to form will uphold parity, especially since the Future Movement's base is expected to rally behind it if the party does not directly contest the elections. Meanwhile, the "Association of Islamic Charitable Projects" claims to now hold the largest Sunni voting bloc in Beirut, totaling 14,000 voters. These dynamics reflect growing uncertainty ahead of the municipal vote. No final lists have been formed yet, and the shape of electoral alliances remains fluid. However, the race is expected to be competitive, with multiple lists likely to emerge—including one backed by MPs Ibrahim Mneimneh and Paula Yacoubian. They argue that invoking 'parity' is merely a smokescreen used by establishment parties to avoid genuine electoral confrontation.
LBCI
08-02-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
In the details, Lebanon's new government takes shape amid key ministerial shakeups
Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, arrived at Baabda Palace with a list of candidates for the fifth Shiite ministerial seat, choosing from outside the Hezbollah-Amal Movement political duo. During his meeting with President Joseph Aoun, the name of Fadi Maki emerged as the likely choice. Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri later joined the meeting briefly and approved the nomination. Upon leaving, he declared that "with the blessings of Saint Maron, the government has been formed." During the discussions between President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam, another change was made to the Armenian ministerial seat, with Nora Bayrakdarian being selected for the position. Reports indicate that Armenian political interventions influenced this decision. Notable changes also included the appointment of Charles Hajj as telecommunications minister instead of Kamal Shehade. Hajj was reportedly among the candidates proposed by the Lebanese Forces. In a last-minute change, Paul Morcos was appointed information minister after the Marada Movement opted out of the position. Meanwhile, the Free Patriotic Movement was left without representation in the new government, as Prime Minister Salam did not meet its demands regarding the number and type of ministerial positions. With these adjustments finalized, printing the decrees for the government formation began. Secretary-General of the Cabinet Mahmoud Makie then made the official announcement. In his remarks, Prime Minister Salam emphasized reforms, the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, Israel's withdrawal, reconstruction efforts, and restoring trust with both Lebanese citizens and Arab partners. The first meeting of the new government is scheduled for Tuesday. A committee will be formed to draft the ministerial statement, with a one-month deadline to finalize it before presenting the government to Parliament for a confidence vote, which is expected to pass.
