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Sectarian Dispute Deepens on Eve of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

A view shows the empty presidential chair after former Lebanese President Michel Aoun's six-year term officially ended, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A view shows the empty presidential chair after former Lebanese President Michel Aoun's six-year term officially ended, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Sectarian Dispute Deepens on Eve of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

A view shows the empty presidential chair after former Lebanese President Michel Aoun's six-year term officially ended, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A view shows the empty presidential chair after former Lebanese President Michel Aoun's six-year term officially ended, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Sectarian disputes intensified in the Lebanese parliament, hours before a scheduled session to elect a president on Wednesday.

Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan accused those who support the candidacy of former minister Jihad Azour, of “isolating” the resistance that “guarantees Lebanon’s sovereignty”, in reference to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, which back the candidacy of Sleiman Frangieh.

US Under-Secretary of State Victoria Nuland contacted on Tuesday Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, calling for the election of a president without any obstacles.

Informed parliamentary sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US official emphasized the need to elect a head of state “as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the opposition blocs renewed their support for Azour, and called on all moderates to vote in favor of the former minister and “break the dominance of the Shiite duo” (Hezbollah and the Amal movement).

In a statement, the Lebanese Forces’ Strong Republic parliamentary bloc said Wednesday’s session should lead to the election of a new president, warning that obstructing the vote would have negative financial and political repercussions.

The bloc condemned “the intimidating speech by some political forces that want to impose their candidate, contrary to the parliamentary balance of power, and talk about a conspiracy and isolation, while the conspiracy lies in obstructing the presidential elections and striking stability and order.”

Following a meeting of its political bureau, the Kataeb party rejected accusations of treason launched by the Jaafari mufti.

“This systematic campaign refutes all talk of partnership and participation and confirms that the militia logic that controlled the country in the past years has not changed, and that all calls for dialogue were fake,” the party said in a statement.

Similarly, MPs Marc Daou, Michel Douaihi and Waddah Sadek, along with the Taqadum party and a number of independent forces, expressed their support to Azour, saying that it was time to confront the “logic of domination and obstruction.”

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Will Egypt Request Extradition of Ahmad Mansour?

Egyptian Ahmad al-Mansour (X)
Egyptian Ahmad al-Mansour (X)
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Will Egypt Request Extradition of Ahmad Mansour?

Egyptian Ahmad al-Mansour (X)
Egyptian Ahmad al-Mansour (X)

Judicial authorities in Egypt have issued an arrest and extradition warrant for Ahmad al-Mansour, who allegedly made threats against Egypt from Syria. He was reportedly apprehended by security forces in Damascus, an informed Egyptian source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.
A source at the Syrian interior ministry told Reuters that Syria's new authorities have detained al-Mansour over threats he made to the government in Cairo.
The source said that al-Mansour has posted several videos threatening Egyptian authorities, and calling for protests.
Lately, al-Mansour had caused a huge controversy after appearing in a taped video of himself surrounded by masked fighters in a room decorated with a flag associated with the Egyptian monarchy before the 25 January revolution.
Al-Mansour's calls were rejected, even by Egyptian opponents, who said his speech harms the peacefulness of the January 25 revolution in 2011.
Research conducted by Asharq Al-Awsat found no judicial rulings recorded against al-Mansour, whether on terrorist or criminal charges.
The informed Egyptian source said the authorities issued an arrest warrant for al-Mansour on charges of joining armed terrorist groups, incitement to overthrow the regime by force of arms, and threatening Egyptian national security.
“Authorities are also preparing a file to request his extradition from Syria,” the source said.
Egypt's request to return al-Mansour does not require judicial rulings, the source added.
It is enough for Egyptian authorities to ask for his extradition on the grounds of questioning him, especially on criminal charges, the source said.
MP Mustafa Bakri told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Syrian authorities will not hand over Ahmad al-Mansour to Egypt. “They arrested al-Mansour only to prevent him from abusing authorities in Egypt and to avoid any clash with Cairo,” he said.
For his part, Syrian activist and journalist Abdul-Karim Omar, who is close to the new administration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the current Syrian authorities are careful not to turn the new Syria into a threat to any country. “They want to preserve Syria’s relationship with Egypt,” he said.
Omar said he does not know whether the administration in Syria plans to hand al-Mansour over to Egypt, but assured that the new administration is keen to get have closet ties with Cairo.