Controversy on Invitation of Syrian Regime to Economic Summit in Beirut

Police forces gather outside the parliament building in Downtown Beirut November 5, 2014. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi.
Police forces gather outside the parliament building in Downtown Beirut November 5, 2014. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi.
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Controversy on Invitation of Syrian Regime to Economic Summit in Beirut

Police forces gather outside the parliament building in Downtown Beirut November 5, 2014. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi.
Police forces gather outside the parliament building in Downtown Beirut November 5, 2014. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi.

A possible invitation to the Syrian regime to attend the 2019 Arab Economic Summit expected in Beirut on January 20 has drawn controversy in Lebanon.

Political parties loyal to Damascus, including Hezbollah, have been exerting pressure on officials to convince them into inviting the Assad regime to the summit.

However, parties loyal to the March 14 coalition have warned from the repercussions of such invitation, particularly if taken without the consent of the Arab League.

They also said such decision could further push Lebanon into the Iranian sphere of influence.

The summit is largely important for Lebanon since Beirut hosted the Arab Summit in 2002.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's economic adviser Nadim Munla downplayed the impact of failing to invite Syria to the summit.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Munla said Lebanon is a hosting country but not responsible for deciding which state to invite.

“Such a decision is taken by the Arab League,” he said, adding that Beirut would respect the organization’s choices.

For his part, MP Yassine Jaber from the Amal Movement’s parliamentary bloc said he hoped Lebanon had not hosted the event because the country “does not need additional problems.”



American Group Distributing Aid in Gaza Delays Reopening Sites

Palestinian children wait with others for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Palestinian children wait with others for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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American Group Distributing Aid in Gaza Delays Reopening Sites

Palestinian children wait with others for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Palestinian children wait with others for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

A controversial private company distributing aid in Gaza, backed by the US and Israel, had yet to reopen its distribution sites in the enclave by mid-morning on Thursday, a day after shutting them following a series of deadly shootings close to its operations.

The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation had said on Wednesday that its sites would not reopen at their usual time due to maintenance and repair work. It did not say when the locations would reopen.

A Palestinian father of four in Gaza's Khan Younis, who asked not to be identified over safety concerns, told Reuters the GHF site in nearby Rafah had not reopened by mid morning.

GHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.