Lebanon’s Geagea: Hariri Resigned because Govt. was Prevented from Functioning

Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea. (NNA)
Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea. (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Geagea: Hariri Resigned because Govt. was Prevented from Functioning

Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea. (NNA)
Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea. (NNA)

Head of the Lebanese Samir Geagea voiced on Saturday his support for Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s decision to resign, wondering what took him so long.

He said: “He stepped down because the government was not able to practice its authority as was expected of it.”

“The developments of the past eight months left no room for someone to continue on respecting themselves,” he added.

A “shadow government” has been operating instead of the actual cabinet, explained Geagea, which prompted Hariri to take action against it.

The actual government has not been able to take decisions, he stated.

The army, for example, headed towards waging the battle against ISIS in the northeastern border region of Arsal, but “Hezbollah” exploited the battle for its interest, he explained.

The Iranian-backed party usurped the army’s victory to hold negotiations with the ISIS terror group against the interests of the Lebanese people and in favor of issues that have nothing to do with Lebanon, continued the LF chief.

“How do you therefore expect the head of the government to continue in such circumstances?” he wondered.

“For seven months, some ministers have made visits to Syria and met with officials from the Syrian regime as if there is a state in Syria, while in fact it is run by Iranian, Turkish, Jordanian, American and Russian forces,” he said.

“At the same time, they are pressuring the government to appoint an ambassador for Lebanon in Syria. Who will he present his credentials to? There is no state in Syria,” he added.

The only solution to the government crisis lies in President Michel Aoun calling for dialogue talks, stressed Geagea.

The only article of the talks should be setting a roadmap on how to transition from a semi-state to an actual state and everything that this entails, he emphasized.

“Any other alternative will keep us sedated while the disease continues to eat away at Lebanon,” he warned.

“Why should we continue to tolerate boycotts, sanctions, abuse of funds and the loss of tourists and investments?” he asked.

“Why should we continue to tolerate this for the sake of so-called golden equations, which are in fact wooden and destructive as evidenced by where they have led us,” he stressed.

“The only equation we have is that of the Lebanese people and Lebanese state that is ruled by the constitution and Lebanese laws,” he added.

Hariri resigned on Saturday in protest against Iran’s continued meddling in Lebanese internal affairs through its proxy “Hezbollah.”



Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.