Campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah’s Stance from Arab Summit

Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah’s Stance from Arab Summit

Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Hezbollah criticized the Arab summit that will be held on Saturday to discuss the war on Gaza, by saying that the people of Palestine “are not betting on the emergency Arab summit, but on the resistance strategy and the missiles, rifles and arms of the resistance fighters in Gaza.”

Hezbollah’s position, which was conveyed by the party’s Central Council member Sheikh Nabil Qaouq, comes at a time when caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is preparing to participate in the high-level Arab meeting, where he is expected to propose a peace plan that is mainly based on a five-day humanitarian truce, the release of some civilian and foreign hostages, and the introduction of aid to Gaza.

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah’s attack on the Arab summit was a prior rejection by Iran and its team of any Arab effort, out of their determination to “keep the Palestinian people at the mercy of the resistance strategy.”

“Any effort, whether through a summit or contacts in the United Nations or the Arab League, to stop the genocide in Gaza is welcome. There is an Arab responsibility towards the Palestinian people whether Hezbollah and its team like it or not,” Okais said.

MP Ahmed Al-Khair asserted that it was the duty and interest of all Lebanese, especially Hezbollah, to stand behind the government, which today represents the political decision of the Lebanese state in light of the presidential vacuum.

“Arab pressure is of fundamental importance in stopping the war on Gaza, as well as reviving the terms agreed upon at the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2000. What serves the Lebanon today remains the unified position behind the government and the implementation of Resolution 1701,” he remarked.

Qaouq had attacked the decisions that might be issued at the Arab summit, and addressed memorial services for Hezbollah fighters, saying: “The Israeli enemy does not fear the statements of the Arab summits ... but rather fears a resistance bullet and missile in the South and Gaza.”



Jordan Foreign Minister Safadi to Visit Damascus on Monday

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Syria's opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, attending a press conference after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024.  EPA/TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS OFFICE
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Syria's opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, attending a press conference after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. EPA/TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS OFFICE
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Jordan Foreign Minister Safadi to Visit Damascus on Monday

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Syria's opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, attending a press conference after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024.  EPA/TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS OFFICE
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Syria's opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, attending a press conference after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. EPA/TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS OFFICE

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi will visit Damascus on Monday and meet with Syria's de facto new ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Jordanian foreign ministry said in a post on X.
Al-Sharaa began outlining his first government after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, appointing a close ally and founding member of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, as Foreign Minister in the interim government.
He also appointed Aisha al-Dabbas, the first woman in his government, and assigned her a newly created office focused on women's affairs.
He also appointed Marhaf Abu Qasra as Minister of Defense, and Azam Gharib, as Governor of Aleppo.
Foreign governments began reaching out to the new regime in Damascus, shortly after the United States announced the cancellation of a $10 million reward for the arrest of al-Sharaa over alleged involvement in terrorism.