Lebanon: Extensive Efforts to Prevent 'Implosion'

Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, on Tuesday met at Dar al-Fatwa with the Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, in the presence of Information Minister Melhem Riachi/NNA
Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, on Tuesday met at Dar al-Fatwa with the Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, in the presence of Information Minister Melhem Riachi/NNA
TT

Lebanon: Extensive Efforts to Prevent 'Implosion'

Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, on Tuesday met at Dar al-Fatwa with the Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, in the presence of Information Minister Melhem Riachi/NNA
Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, on Tuesday met at Dar al-Fatwa with the Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, in the presence of Information Minister Melhem Riachi/NNA

Four days following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the Lebanese state gathered on Tuesday all its forces to prevent an implosion of situation in the country.

Political forces were exerting efforts to find a solution that could protect "stability” in the state and reach a settlement among the different parties.

Their efforts could elevate the chances of forming a cabinet of technocrats capable of supervising the upcoming parliamentary elections.

In Beirut, the political dynamic kicked off on two separate lines: President Michel Aoun launched talks with State members at the presidential Palace, while several leaders, along with the French ambassador to Lebanon, had visited the Dar al-Fatwa headquarter to discuss the latest developments.

According to constitutional expert Antoine Saad, Hariri should send his written resignation to President Aoun, who would list it in his archive and give it a number.

Saad told Asharq Al-Awsat that after the president accepts the resignation, he could then issue a presidential decree announcing the resignation of Lebanon’s government.

The expert said that if Hariri does not offer Aoun a written resignation in the near future, then the president has the constitutional right to issue the resignation decree based on Hariri’s televised speech.

Sources close to the talks told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that following the storm of Hariri’s resignation, Lebanon has now “entered an area of unrest.”

The sources said that the current situation triggered all State leaders and political forces to mobilize in order to “limit the repercussions of the resignation and to consolidate the stability and safety of Lebanon” at this delicate phase.

According to the same sources, “this dynamic kicked off after parties sensed that the situation was dangerous and that there is a need to look for means to protect Lebanon.”

Meanwhile, Hariri’s press office said on Tuesday that the prime minister left Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, where he met with the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed at noon, before returning back to Saudi Arabia.

Head of the Future parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Siniora said on Tuesday that Hariri is expected to return to Lebanon, adding that his homecoming is now a priority.



Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
TT

Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.