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.”



More than 14 Syrian Police Killed in Ambush as Unrest Spreads

Soldiers stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartous earlier this month (AFP)
Soldiers stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartous earlier this month (AFP)
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More than 14 Syrian Police Killed in Ambush as Unrest Spreads

Soldiers stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartous earlier this month (AFP)
Soldiers stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartous earlier this month (AFP)

More than 14 members of the Syrian police were killed in an "ambush" by forces loyal to the ousted government in the Tartous countryside, the transitional administration said early on Thursday, as demonstrations and an overnight curfew elsewhere marked the most widespread unrest since Bashar al-Assad's removal more than two weeks ago.

Syria's new interior minister said on Telegram that 10 police members were also wounded by what he called "remnants" of the Assad government in Tartous, vowing to crack down on "anyone who dares to undermine Syria's security or endanger the lives of its citizens."

Earlier, Syrian police imposed an overnight curfew in the city of Homs, state media reported, after unrest there linked to demonstrations that residents said were led by members of the minority Alawite and Shi’ite Muslim religious communities.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the demands of the demonstrators nor the degree of disturbance that took place.

Some residents said the demonstrations were linked to pressure and violence in recent days aimed at members of the Alawite minority, a sect long seen as loyal to Assad, who was toppled by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

Spokespeople for Syria’s new ruling administration led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, a former al Qaeda affiliate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the curfew.

State media said the curfew was being imposed for one night, from 6 pm local time (1500 GMT) until 8 am on Thursday morning.

The country's new leaders have repeatedly vowed to protect minority religious groups, who fear the former rebels now in control could seek to impose a conservative form of Islamist government.

Small demonstrations also took place in other areas on or near Syria’s coast, where most of the country’s Alawite minority live, including in Tartous.

The demonstrations took place around the time an undated video was circulated on social networks showing a fire inside an Alawite shrine in the city of Aleppo, with armed men walking around inside and posing near human bodies.

The interior ministry said on its official Telegram account the video dated back to the rebel offensive on Aleppo in late November and the violence was carried out by unknown groups, adding whoever was circulating the video now appeared to be seeking to incite sectarian strife.

The ministry also said some members of the former regime had attacked interior ministry forces in Syria’s coastal area on Wednesday, leaving a number of dead and wounded.