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Hochstein: US Wants to Avoid 'Greater War' along Tense Lebanon-Israel Border

Israeli firefighters work following rocket attacks from Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, near the border on its Israeli side, June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Avi Ohayon
Israeli firefighters work following rocket attacks from Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, near the border on its Israeli side, June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Avi Ohayon
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Hochstein: US Wants to Avoid 'Greater War' along Tense Lebanon-Israel Border

Israeli firefighters work following rocket attacks from Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, near the border on its Israeli side, June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Avi Ohayon
Israeli firefighters work following rocket attacks from Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, near the border on its Israeli side, June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Avi Ohayon

The United States is trying to avert a greater war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, US envoy Amos Hochstein said on Tuesday, following an escalation in cross-border fire between the foes along Lebanon's southern frontier.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel for the last eight months in parallel with the Gaza war. Last week, the group fired the largest volleys of rockets and drones of the hostilities so far at Israeli military sites, after an Israeli strike killed the most senior commander yet.

Hochstein, special envoy to US President Joe Biden, said he had been dispatched to Lebanon immediately following a brief trip to Israel because the situation was "serious".

"We have seen an escalation over the last few weeks. And what President Biden wants to do is avoid a further escalation to a greater war," Hochstein said on Tuesday.

He had met the head of Lebanon's army earlier on Tuesday and spoke to reporters following a meeting with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who heads the armed Amal movement, which is allied to Hezbollah and has also fired rockets on Israel.

The US and France are engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure a negotiated end to the hostilities along Lebanon's border. Hezbollah says it will not halt its attacks unless there is a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"Whether diplomatically or militarily one way or another, we will ensure the safe and secure return of Israelis to their homes in northern Israel. That is not up for negotiation. Oct. 7 cannot happen again anywhere in Israel or on any of Israel's borders," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said.

He added that Israel was "impeding Hezbollah's military buildup and their stockpiling of weapons for terror against Israelis".

Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel on Oct. 8, a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked southern Israel, sparking the Gaza war. Tens of thousands of people have fled both sides of the border.

DRONE ATTACK

Hochstein urged Hamas to accept a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which he said "also provides an opportunity to end the conflict across the Blue Line", a reference to a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel where parts of the international border are disputed.

Hochstein met caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who told him that "Lebanon does not seek escalation", according to comments issued by Mikati's office.

The increase in attacks last week was followed by a brief respite during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which concludes on Tuesday. Hezbollah announced a drone attack against an Israeli tank on Tuesday afternoon - its first announced attack since Saturday.

The group used more of its extensive arsenal against Israel last week, prompting United Nations officials in Lebanon to warn over the weekend that the "danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflict is very real".

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that he too was worried about the escalation, and called "for a cessation of hostilities and for actors with influence to take all possible measures to avert a full-scale war".

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Arab World

Boeing to Asharq Al-Awsat: Riyadh Air Partnership Marks New Chapter in Saudi Relationship

A Boeing 787 aircraft at Boeing’s facility in Seattle, United States. (X)
A Boeing 787 aircraft at Boeing’s facility in Seattle, United States. (X)
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Boeing to Asharq Al-Awsat: Riyadh Air Partnership Marks New Chapter in Saudi Relationship

A Boeing 787 aircraft at Boeing’s facility in Seattle, United States. (X)
A Boeing 787 aircraft at Boeing’s facility in Seattle, United States. (X)

US planemaker Boeing expects Saudi Arabia to become one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets in the coming years, powered by major investments in airports, tourism and logistics and by plans to turn the kingdom into a global hub linking Asia, Europe and Africa.

The forecast comes as Riyadh Air builds its international network ahead of expansion into new markets, including the United States.

Asaad Aljomoai, president of Boeing Saudi Arabia, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the kingdom is one of Boeing’s most important growth markets. He said the company’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia has entered a new phase that goes beyond aircraft supply to supporting the national aviation ecosystem, transferring knowledge and investing in future technologies.

Aljomoai said Boeing’s relationship with Saudi Arabia spans more than eight decades, dating back to the early days of commercial aviation in the kingdom. The launch of Riyadh Air, the new national carrier, marks a new chapter in that partnership, he said.

He said the 787 Dreamliner would be central to supporting Saudi Arabia’s target of becoming a global hub for aviation, travel and trade.

Saudi Arabia is now one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, backed by major investments in airports, infrastructure, tourism and logistics, as well as the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, Aljomoai said.

He said the kingdom’s geographic position gives it a strategic advantage to become a global hub connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. He expected strong growth to continue in passenger numbers, aircraft fleets and international destinations in the coming years.

787 Dreamliner

Aljomoai said the choice of the 787 Dreamliner aligns with Riyadh Air’s strategy to serve more than 100 global destinations by 2030.

He said the aircraft was designed to help airlines operate long-haul routes with high efficiency, lower fuel consumption, operational flexibility and an advanced passenger experience. That would help carriers open new markets in an economically viable and sustainable way.

Aljomoai said Boeing’s role in Saudi aviation extends beyond aircraft deliveries. It includes training and qualifying national talent, engineering services, digital solutions, supply chains and logistics services, as well as industrial and research partnerships aimed at transferring knowledge and strengthening local capabilities.

He pointed to one of the latest initiatives in this field: an announcement by SkyGrid, a Boeing subsidiary, to activate a memorandum of understanding with the General Authority of Civil Aviation to conduct an operational feasibility study on advanced air mobility technologies.

The study, carried out in cooperation with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, or KAUST, aims to assess the operational and regulatory aspects of those technologies ahead of their potential deployment in the kingdom, in support of Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Operational balance and economic sustainability

On Riyadh Air’s aircraft configuration, Aljomoai said the 787 Dreamliner is among the most efficient aircraft in operation, giving the new national carrier an advantage in achieving economic efficiency from the early stages of its operations.

He said the cabin design uses lower cabin altitude pressure to reduce passenger fatigue, along with the latest connectivity, entertainment and digital service technologies. That would give business and leisure travelers a more comfortable and productive travel experience.

Asked about expansion plans toward the United States, Aljomoai said the aircraft’s range, efficiency and reliability make it an ideal platform for long-haul routes between the kingdom and global markets, including US destinations.

He said the aircraft would help Riyadh Air balance operational expansion with economic sustainability.

New aircraft deliveries

Aljomoai said deliveries of new aircraft would continue according to the timelines and operational plans agreed between Boeing and Riyadh Air.

He said the two sides would maintain close cooperation to ensure aircraft are delivered according to the highest standards of quality and safety, supporting Riyadh Air’s growth plans in the coming years.

Aljomoai said Boeing’s partnership with the kingdom goes beyond commercial ties and reflects the ambition to reshape Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector.

He said Boeing was proud of its role in supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by investing in national talent, industrial partnerships and advanced technologies, and by helping build a more prosperous and sustainable future for aviation in the kingdom.

Business

War Wipes Out Third of Lebanon’s Private-Sector Jobs

Workers clear rubble from buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Reuters)
Workers clear rubble from buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Reuters)
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War Wipes Out Third of Lebanon’s Private-Sector Jobs

Workers clear rubble from buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Reuters)
Workers clear rubble from buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Reuters)

An international survey has found sharp job losses, falling incomes and growing job insecurity in Lebanon, where the crisis and war have badly disrupted the labor market and underscored the need to put employment at the heart of recovery efforts.

The crisis and war are not only destroying buildings and infrastructure, but also jobs, incomes, and the fragile foundations of many people’s lives, said Dr. Ruba Jaradat, the International Labor Organization’s regional director for Arab States.

The field survey found that about one-third of private-sector workers had lost their jobs. Average labor income is estimated to have dropped by 40.4% when job losses and wage cuts are combined.

The ILO report, prepared in partnership with the General Labor Confederation and the National Federation of Workers’ and Employees’ Trade Unions in Lebanon, found that 33% of surveyed private-sector workers were no longer employed at the time of the survey. Of those, 28.2% had become unemployed and 4.7% had left the labor force.

The survey was carried out in May and covered 2,485 wage workers and self-employed workers in the private sector, across different activities, sectors and governorates. All had been working before the renewed armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in March.

Job losses were most severe in conflict-hit areas of southern Lebanon. They reached 76.5% among residents of Nabatieh governorate and 43.2% among residents of South governorate. But the damage was not confined to frontline areas, with workers elsewhere also hit by weak demand, lower business activity, inflationary pressure and wider market disruption.

Displacement

Displacement, which has affected more than one million people, was a key driver of job losses. The rate rose to an average of two-thirds among displaced workers. Among surveyed workers who were still displaced at the time of the survey, 37.4% said they were out of work, while 14.2% said they had been displaced during the conflict and later returned home.

The report said the crisis hit hardest those already facing deeper vulnerability. Job loss was especially high among persons with disabilities, at 71.4%; women, at 44.3%; young people aged 15 to 24, at 42.4%; Syrian refugees, at 39.4%; and wage workers in informal jobs, at 37.7%. Workers without written contracts, those with lower education levels and those employed by small enterprises were also more likely to lose their jobs.

Average labor income falls

The impact went beyond job losses. Average labor income fell 14.8% among workers who kept their jobs. Across all surveyed individuals, average labor income is estimated to have fallen 40.4% when the total loss of income among those who lost their jobs is included.

Workers who found new jobs often accepted worse terms. On average, they earned 30.7% less than before, with most moving into informal work or self-employment.

Households relied heavily on their own resources to cope. Savings were the most common coping tool, while more than 40% of Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian workers said they had delayed paying loans or bills. Many also cut food spending, pointing to growing pressure on household welfare and food security.

Recovery needs remain large. About 45.5% of survey participants said help finding stable work was their main need, while 37.7% said they needed support to secure higher or more regular income.

The report called for a response that combines humanitarian measures and immediate labor market action with longer-term investment in job creation, social protection, skills development, enterprise recovery and decent work.

It urged labor-intensive recovery programs, targeted wage support, emergency assistance for women, persons with disabilities, self-employed workers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. It also called for wider social protection, legal support for migrant domestic workers and stronger labor market governance.

In the medium and long term, the report recommended stronger labor market data systems, activation of the National Employment Office, local economic development approaches, investment in skills and vocational training, support for a gradual shift to the formal economy, unemployment protection and a comprehensive national employment policy.

The ILO said it is working with the government, employers, workers and partners to support Lebanon’s labor market recovery.

Its work includes protecting workers, supporting income and employment, strengthening social protection, producing reliable and up-to-date data and analysis, helping enterprises retain workers, and ensuring the most vulnerable groups are not pushed further into informal work, poverty and exclusion.

Arab World

Iraqi Government Faces Political Resistance in Anti-Corruption Drive

The Coordination Framework alliance announced its support for the Iraqi prime minister’s anti-corruption measures. (X)
The Coordination Framework alliance announced its support for the Iraqi prime minister’s anti-corruption measures. (X)
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Iraqi Government Faces Political Resistance in Anti-Corruption Drive

The Coordination Framework alliance announced its support for the Iraqi prime minister’s anti-corruption measures. (X)
The Coordination Framework alliance announced its support for the Iraqi prime minister’s anti-corruption measures. (X)

Multiple sources confirmed on Tuesday that Iraq's anti-corruption campaign has begun facing "serious disputes and disagreements" between the government and leaders of Shiite parties, a development that could hinder the execution of new arrest warrants against ministers, senior officials, and lawmakers accused of corruption.

The developments coincide with information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat indicating that authorities have begun implementing a settlement mechanism with a limited number of defendants, on the condition that embezzled public funds are returned to the state treasury.

Last week, Iraqi security forces arrested politicians, lawmakers, and senior government officials in what security and legal sources described as the start of a broader anti-corruption campaign ordered by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

Al-Zaidi, who took office in May, has pledged to eradicate corruption, one of Iraq's most persistent challenges despite repeated accountability pledges by successive governments.

Further arrests

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Coordination Framework, the ruling alliance of Shi’ite forces, is trying to “engineer the pursuit procedures” against corrupt figures. But the effort could clash with a US push to use the campaign to dry up channels used to smuggle money to Iran through its allies and proxies in Iraq.

The Coordination Framework held its regular meeting on Monday evening to discuss “the anti-corruption campaign and halting the waste of public funds,” according to a press statement.

The alliance renewed its “support for government and judicial measures aimed at combating corruption,” and stressed that it would “move ahead with steps that preserve public funds and strengthen the authority of the law.”

The meeting drew attention because it was attended by Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zidan. Observers said his presence could suggest that the campaign’s continuation is facing political scrutiny and requires additional backing for al-Zaidi.

But the sources said, “Shi’ite party leaders needed further clarifications and direct talks with the head of the judiciary over the course of the operation and the nature of the arrest warrants.”

Forces within the ruling alliance had earlier declared support for the government’s anti-corruption campaign. Still, that did not prevent “a wave of anger and objections” from sweeping through the Coordination Framework over the way the campaign was carried out and the limits it should observe, informed sources said.

The sources said the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, headed by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, was among the parties most “displeased” by the latest campaign, especially after the arrest of a significant number of its lawmakers and affiliates.

A view has taken hold inside the coalition that the campaign is directly targeting the bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, rather than other Shi’ite leaders.

The government has defended the campaign's legality, saying it is acting on “arrest warrants issued by judicial institutions.”

Engineering prosecutions

Many political leaders believe the anti-corruption drive must be "carefully managed" to ensure it remains under control and does not extend to highly sensitive positions and influential figures, the sources said.

The sources said most factions within the Coordination Framework seek to leverage the anti-corruption campaign in two ways. The first is to "absorb public anger over rampant corruption across much of the state apparatus by targeting a specific group of corrupt officials."

The second is to "restore the reputation of the political system, which has suffered severe damage as a result of corruption and poor governance."

The sources added that most political factions favor, as part of managing the process, having the authorities develop "a settlement mechanism for certain defendants." Authorities have already applied such a mechanism to some of the individuals named on the wanted list issued by the judiciary last week, in exchange for recovering embezzled public funds for the state treasury.

However, the sources believe this could "clash with pressing US demands to cut off corruption networks that Iran and its allies exploit to secure funding within various state institutions."

Meanwhile, State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki said in a televised interview that "corruption is not limited to Adnan al-Jumaili," referring to the deputy oil minister whose case came to light last week and whose confessions implicated lawmakers and senior government officials.

Parliamentary anger

The latest anti-corruption campaign has stirred alarm in parliament. Political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that “a number of lawmakers are now worried that the next wave of arrests could reach them, to the point that some are avoiding attending sessions.”

Some political parties have accused the parliament speaker of “favoring” certain blocs and punishing others in handling requests to lift the immunity of certain lawmakers, while ignoring similar requests against others, paving the way for their arrest.

On Monday, lawmaker Samiya al-Ghallab of the Taqaddum party, led by former parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, voiced anger over the latest measures against some lawmakers.

She said the most recent parliamentary session had seen a protest over the way arrest warrants were carried out against defendants in corruption cases linked to the confessions of Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili.

“The way the arrests were carried out resembled a Hollywood action movie,” Ghallab said in a televised interview.

Ghallab said Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi had “ordered the formation of an investigative committee to examine the force that carried out the arrest warrants, and another committee to review Jumaili’s confessions and visit the detained lawmakers.”

But Taqaddum rejected Ghallab’s remarks and issued a disciplinary reprimand against her, saying her statements were “contrary to the party’s positions.”

The party said it supports the measures taken by the executive, legislative and judicial authorities to combat corruption.