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Lebanon: Gov’t Resorts to ‘Diplomacy’ after Demands to Expel Swedish Ambassador

Lebanese army soldiers stand guard in front of a building of the Sweden embassy as protests erupt outside mosques against the Quran desecration, in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 July 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanese army soldiers stand guard in front of a building of the Sweden embassy as protests erupt outside mosques against the Quran desecration, in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 July 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon: Gov’t Resorts to ‘Diplomacy’ after Demands to Expel Swedish Ambassador

Lebanese army soldiers stand guard in front of a building of the Sweden embassy as protests erupt outside mosques against the Quran desecration, in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 July 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanese army soldiers stand guard in front of a building of the Sweden embassy as protests erupt outside mosques against the Quran desecration, in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 July 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon’s government is seeking to avoid an escalation with Sweden over demands in Beirut to expel the Swedish ambassador and summon the Lebanese ambassador from Stockholm as an objection to the burning of the Quran.

Last week, a photo of the Swedish Ambassador to Lebanon, Ann Dismorr, circulated on social media, showing the diplomat departing Beirut after calls by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah to expel her.

Lebanon’s foreign ministry didn’t issue any statement to clarify whether the ambassador was expelled.

Yet, diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that she “left on vacation”, stressing that “no measures were taken against her” and Lebanon’s ambassador to Sweden wasn’t summoned either.

Nasrallah had called on the Arab and Islamic nations to demand their governments expel Sweden's ambassadors and withdraw ambassadors from Sweden.

He further urged the Lebanese government to withdraw the ambassador or chargé d'affaires from Sweden and to expel the Swedish ambassador from Lebanon.

The deputy head of the Executive Council of Hezbollah, Ali Damoush, demanded that the state “bear full responsibility” and “expel the Swedish ambassador to Lebanon as well as withdraw the Lebanese ambassador from Sweden.”

Supporters of Hezbollah held on Friday a sit-in outside the Swedish Embassy in Beirut.

During a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom expressed on Sunday Sweden’s regret over the desecration of the Quran and the insult to Islamic beliefs and symbols.

Bou Habib welcomed the position and encouraged Sweden to take additional practical steps to reduce feelings of growing hatred and Islamophobia.

He also affirmed Lebanon's respect for international agreements, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and its commitment to taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of Swedish interests and citizens within its borders.

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Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.