War of Words between Kataeb, Hezbollah in Lebanese Parliament

File photo: Lebanese members of parliament gather during a session on April 23, 2014, in downtown Beirut (AFP Photo/Joseph Eid)
File photo: Lebanese members of parliament gather during a session on April 23, 2014, in downtown Beirut (AFP Photo/Joseph Eid)
TT
20

War of Words between Kataeb, Hezbollah in Lebanese Parliament

File photo: Lebanese members of parliament gather during a session on April 23, 2014, in downtown Beirut (AFP Photo/Joseph Eid)
File photo: Lebanese members of parliament gather during a session on April 23, 2014, in downtown Beirut (AFP Photo/Joseph Eid)

A quarrel between the Kataeb party and Hezbollah took center stage on the second day of parliamentary sessions dedicated to discuss a policy statement ahead of granting the new government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri a vote of confidence.

The deputies exchanged accusations over corruption and malpractice.

The dispute started with Hezbollah MP Nawaf Moussawi when Kataeb leader MP Sami Gemayel asked whether Hezbollah ruled the current government.

Gemayel said he would not give a confidence vote to a cabinet in which ministers don’t trust each other.

“It is not right to have one political party drag the entire nation into trouble," he said.

When Gemayel recalled a statement made earlier by Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil who spoke about Hezbollah’s role in bringing Michel Aoun to the presidential seat, he was interrupted by Moussawi, who said “it honors the Lebanese that Aoun was elected through the rifle of the resistance while others reached the presidency on an Israeli tank,” in a hint to slain President-elect Bashir Gemayel.

The quarrel between the two parties intensified and the son of Bashir, MP Nadim Gemayel, hit back at Moussawi saying “You were throwing rice on the Israelis and most of you voted for President Bashir in this parliament.”

On Wednesday, most speeches dealt with fighting corruption.

MP Paula Yacoubian rejected to give her vote of confidence to the government, describing it as “a miniature of the parliamentary blocs that are supposed to be observing the cabinet's work.”

“How will the parliament be able to observe its own mini replica?" Yacoubian asked.

She accused Hezbollah of illegally hiring more than 5,500 employees in the lead-up to the May parliamentary elections. But Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah denied the accusations.

Discussions are expected to last until Saturday, when parliament should grant the new government its vote of confidence with the support of a majority of political blocs, excluding the Kataeb and some independent deputies.



Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
TT
20

Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)

Hamas sources have described the ongoing indirect negotiations with Israel in Doha as “more serious” than previous rounds, when they said both Israel and the United States lacked genuine commitment.

One Hamas figure told Asharq Al-Awsat that while it remains difficult to predict the outcome, “there is cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough, especially given the clear American pressure aimed at reaching an agreement soon.”

The talks, which began Sunday evening in the Qatari capital, focus on a potential two-month ceasefire that would halt military operations and secure the release of hostages from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has traveled to Washington for meetings with US President Donald Trump.

According to the sources, negotiations have not stalled and are expected to continue for several days. “At least for now, they cannot be described as negative,” one official said. “Mediators are making serious efforts to achieve progress and conclude a deal as quickly as possible.”

If talks continue positively, the sources said an announcement could come as early as Thursday. But they stressed that any breakthrough depends primarily on Israel’s willingness to accept key Palestinian demands, particularly the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and guarantees that the war will end definitively.

The sources declined to specify any obstacles currently impeding talks, preferring to “wait for the outcome in the coming hours or days.”

Hamas negotiators, they said, remain committed to “securing the Palestinian demands submitted as amendments to the latest US proposal drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff.”

“These conditions are essential for a fair ceasefire that gives the people of Gaza hope the war will truly end,” the official added, “and prevents Israel from resuming attacks under any pretext as long as negotiations continue.”

The diplomatic efforts coincide with continued Israeli military escalation in Gaza, where intensive airstrikes have struck apartment blocks, shelters, and aid distribution points. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll has risen to 57,523 since the war began on October 7, 2023.

Israeli ground forces have expanded operations in northern, southern, and western Khan Yunis, advancing further into Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya and Tuffah neighborhoods. In the south, the military is pushing into the Zeitoun district, edging closer to Gaza’s Old City and the Latin Convent, which houses thousands of displaced civilians.

Israel reportedly aims to widen a buffer zone inside Gaza by over a kilometer - an issue it also tried to cement in January’s ceasefire agreement. Hamas is insisting this time on a clear, staged Israeli withdrawal, with agreed timelines and maps, while Israel appears determined to retain positions near the border fence and along the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt.

Trump said Sunday there was “a good chance” for a Gaza ceasefire agreement “this week” before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. He added the US is also working with Israel on several issues, perhaps including a permanent deal with Iran.

Netanyahu arrived in the US on Monday for talks with Trump, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.