Latest news with #Hezbollah-affiliated
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Hundreds of Lebanese welcome Pro-Palestinian militant released after 40 years in French jail - Region
Hundreds of Lebanese gathered near Beirut International Airport on Thursday to welcome Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, the pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant released after 41 years in French detention, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen. French authorities deported Abdallah a day earlier than expected in what Al-Mayadeen described as an attempt to disrupt the planned reception and celebrations. The outlet referred to Abdallah as a 'revolutionary activist'. A post on X by the network said: 'After 41 years in a French prison, Lebanese revolutionary and activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah has finally been freed. Today, he arrived in Beirut, reuniting with his family and comrades, as countless supporters have long awaited his return.' 'Despite relentless Western pressure to trade his political principles for his legal right to freedom, Abdallah never caved in, choosing to spend most of his life behind bars rather than abandon the cause he stands for,' it added. A photo taken on 3 July 1986 shows former Lebanese militiaman Georges Ibrahim Abdallah during his trial for complicity in the murder of two diplomats, for which Abdallah was sentenced to life imprisonment. AFP Supporters gathered outside the airport, waving Lebanese and Palestinian flags and chanting in support of Abdallah. Some banged on drums and held up Palestinian and Lebanese Communist Party flags and a banner reading, 'George Abdallah is free — a Lebanese, Palestinian and international freedom fighter on the road to liberating Palestine,' AP reported. 🇱🇧 DIRECT I Le monde continue d'arriver devant l'aéroport de Beyrouth en soutien à Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. L'ancien prisonnier politique, enfermé pendant 41 ans, devrait arriver dans les prochaines minutes. Enorme émotion sur place. — Révolution Permanente (@RevPermanente) July 25, 2025 Abdallah, a former leader of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions, was convicted in France in 1987 over the 1982 assassinations of a US military attaché and an Israeli diplomat. He became eligible for release in 1999 but remained imprisoned amid political opposition from successive French governments, under pressure from the United States and Israel. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UPDATED: Tens of Lebanese welcome Pro-Palestinian militant released after 40 years in French jail - Region
Hundreds of Lebanese gathered near Beirut International Airport on Thursday to welcome Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, the pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant released after 41 years in French detention, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen. French authorities deported Abdallah a day earlier than expected in what Al-Mayadeen described as an attempt to disrupt the planned reception and celebrations. The outlet referred to Abdallah as a 'revolutionary activist'. A post on X by the network said: 'After 41 years in a French prison, Lebanese revolutionary and activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah has finally been freed. Today, he arrived in Beirut, reuniting with his family and comrades, as countless supporters have long awaited his return.' 'Despite relentless Western pressure to trade his political principles for his legal right to freedom, Abdallah never caved in, choosing to spend most of his life behind bars rather than abandon the cause he stands for,' it added. Supporters gathered outside the airport, waving Lebanese and Palestinian flags and chanting in support of Abdallah. Some banged on drums and held up Palestinian and Lebanese Communist Party flags and a banner reading, 'George Abdallah is free — a Lebanese, Palestinian and international freedom fighter on the road to liberating Palestine,' AP reported. 🇱🇧 DIRECT I Le monde continue d'arriver devant l'aéroport de Beyrouth en soutien à Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. L'ancien prisonnier politique, enfermé pendant 41 ans, devrait arriver dans les prochaines minutes. Enorme émotion sur place. — Révolution Permanente (@RevPermanente) July 25, 2025 Abdallah, a former leader of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions, was convicted in France in 1987 over the 1982 assassinations of a US military attaché and an Israeli diplomat. He became eligible for release in 1999 but remained imprisoned amid political opposition from successive French governments, under pressure from the United States and Israel. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Nahar Net
18-07-2025
- Business
- Nahar Net
BDL denies it wants to shut Al-Qard Al-Hasan, Hezbollah slams measures
The Central Bank has denied a media report that claimed it intends to shut down the branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association across Lebanon. In remarks to Al-Jadeed TV, Central Bank sources said the report is baseless and that the bank communicated with Al-Arabiya's Al-Hadath television to inform it that its report is unfounded. The report came after the Central Bank issued a circular on Monday barring banks and brokerages from dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hasan, described as Hezbollah's financial arm. The Central Bank prohibited all licensed financial institutions in Lebanon from dealing directly or indirectly with unlicensed entities and listed Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan as an example. The bank had issued similar circulars in the past but this was the first time it mentioned Al-Qard Al-Hassan by name. Hezbollah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc meanwhile said 'the measures taken by the Central Bank and its governor against the Al-Qard Al-Hasan institution or against Lebanese firms, entities and individuals who are on the unjust lists of U.S. sanctions are a direct attack on the interests of our Lebanese society that violates the constitution and the laws.' It accordingly warned that 'using the Central Bank as a tool to implement foreign policies and dictations against the interests of Lebanese citizens' is a 'dangerous blow to societal stability at a time the country needs to avoid turbulence.' The bloc also stressed that Al-Qard Al-Hasan is 'a non-profit charitable organization that serves Lebanese citizens regardless of their affiliations' and that 'it will continue its work and perform its duties to the fullest extent possible.' The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hasan in 2007, saying Hezbollah used it as a cover to manage "financial activities and gain access to the international financial system." Al-Qard Al-Hassan, founded in 1983, describes itself as a charitable organization that provides loans to people according to Islamic principles that forbid interest. Israel struck some of its branches during its war with Hezbollah last year. Operating as a not-for-profit organization under a licence granted by the Lebanese government, it has more than 30 branches, mostly in predominantly Shiite Muslim areas of Beirut and its suburbs, southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. A Lebanese official said the Central Bank move had been in the works for months, and reflected U.S. pressure on Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah's financial wing. Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, said Lebanese banks were already careful to avoid dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hasan because it is under U.S. sanctions.
Nahar Net
16-07-2025
- Business
- Nahar Net
Barrack says ban of dealings with Al-Qard al-Hasan a 'valued' step
by Naharnet Newsdesk 16 July 2025, 13:32 U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has described the Lebanese Central Bank's decision to bar banks and brokerages from dealing with the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Qard Al-Hasan financial institution as a 'step in the right direct by the Lebanese government.' 'Transparency and alignment of all financial intermediaries in Lebanon under the supervision of the Central Bank is a valued and necessary accomplishment,' Barrack said in a post on the X platform. In a circular dated Monday, the Central Bank prohibited all licensed financial institutions in Lebanon from dealing directly or indirectly with unlicensed entities and listed Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan as an example. The bank had issued similar circulars in the past but this is the first time that it mentions Al-Qard Al-Hassan by name. The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hasan in 2007, saying Hezbollah used it as a cover to manage "financial activities and gain access to the international financial system." Al-Qard Al-Hassan, founded in 1983, describes itself as a charitable organization that provides loans to people according to Islamic principles that forbid interest. Israel struck some of its branches during its war with Hezbollah last year. Operating as a not-for-profit organization under a licence granted by the Lebanese government, it has more than 30 branches, mostly in predominantly Shiite Muslim areas of Beirut, southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. A Lebanese official said the central bank move had been in the works for months, and reflected U.S. pressure on Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah's financial wing. Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, said Lebanese banks were already careful to avoid dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hasan because it is under U.S. sanctions.
Shafaq News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Hezbollah denies Syria claims on Homs arrest
Shafaq News – Damascus/Beirut Syria's Interior Ministry announced, on Sunday, the arrest of a suspect allegedly plotting terrorist attacks in Homs, following a preemptive operation by the General Intelligence Directorate and local security forces. In a statement, the ministry identified the suspect as Mahmoud Fadel, who was detained after surveillance uncovered multiple ready-to-use improvised explosive devices, claiming he planned to detonate them at undisclosed sites across the province. Initial investigations suggest a possible link between Fadel and a Hezbollah-affiliated cell, the ministry noted, asserting the explosives were smuggled into Syria through illegal border crossings. وكشفت التحقيقات الأوّلية ارتباط الموقوف بخلية تتبع لميليشيا "حزب الله" اللبناني، حيث تبيّن أنه استلم العبوات عبر معابر التهريب غير الشرعية، تمّت مصادرة العبوات الناسفة، وأُحيل الموقوف إلى القضاء المختص لاتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية اللازمة بحقه. #وزارة_الداخلية — وزارة الداخلية السورية (@syrianmoi) July 13, 2025 Hezbollah promptly rejected the allegation, issuing a statement denying any role and insisting it maintains 'no presence or operations inside Syria.' The group reiterated its support for Syrian internal security and distanced itself from the developments in Homs. The arrest comes amid growing international scrutiny of Hezbollah's regional footprint. On Friday, US Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack warned of escalating threats tied to the group's influence. In an interview with The National, Barrack urged Lebanon to address Hezbollah's weapons stockpiles or face destabilizing consequences. 'You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again,' he said, referencing the historical term for Greater Syria.
