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Berri’s Bloc Slams Israeli Vessel’s Infiltration of Lebanese Waters

Speaker Nabih Berri chairs a meeting of his parliamentary bloc on Monday. (NNA)
Speaker Nabih Berri chairs a meeting of his parliamentary bloc on Monday. (NNA)
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Berri’s Bloc Slams Israeli Vessel’s Infiltration of Lebanese Waters

Speaker Nabih Berri chairs a meeting of his parliamentary bloc on Monday. (NNA)
Speaker Nabih Berri chairs a meeting of his parliamentary bloc on Monday. (NNA)

The Development and Liberation parliamentary bloc, headed by Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri, underlined the need to speed up the formation of the government and respond to the positive international atmosphere to support Lebanon.

The bloc also called on the caretaker cabinet to assume its responsibilities and focus on the management of living conditions, food security and the financial and economic situation.

In a statement following a meeting on Monday, the parliamentary bloc said it discussed the political situation and the recent “flagrant Israeli breach of Lebanon’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”

“A hydrographic survey ship arriving from Haifa port of the Israeli enemy carrying the flag of Panama docked at the UN naval operations site,” it revealed.

“On 27/11/2019 at 13:19, the enemy vessel entered the Lebanese exclusive economic zone at a distance of five miles and remained in block 9 until 20:37 — a period of seven hours and eighteen minutes,” the statement said.

“The infiltration of the vessel to conduct scientific research for the benefit of the Israeli enemy is considered a violation of Articles 56 and 60 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the bloc stressed.

It also criticized the UN naval force for failing to implement the required procedures, asking the United Nations to assume its responsibilities in this regard.

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Arab World

Aleppo Residents Share Accounts of ‘Sudden Battle’

Militants from the factions that attacked near a bus station in New Aleppo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Militants from the factions that attacked near a bus station in New Aleppo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Aleppo Residents Share Accounts of ‘Sudden Battle’

Militants from the factions that attacked near a bus station in New Aleppo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Militants from the factions that attacked near a bus station in New Aleppo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Syrian armed groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Ankara-backed militias, have taken control of most of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, after a swift retreat by Syrian army forces.

The factions announced a 24-hour curfew on Saturday. The Syrian army said in a statement that “dozens of its soldiers were killed” in the attack, forcing its troops to withdraw. It added that preparations are underway for a counteroffensive to regain the city.

Residents told Asharq Al-Awsat they were caught off guard by the fighting, which broke out after four years of relative calm.

Ahmed Abu Bakr, a government employee in Aleppo, described how life was normal in the city until last Wednesday, November 27.

“Suddenly, we heard fighting in some areas. The attacking factions advanced quickly and took control of parts of the city, reaching the center by the next day,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Ahmed expressed concern for Aleppo’s future, fearing it could be divided again, like during the years 2012-2016 when the city was split between government forces and armed factions.

“The city can’t handle more conflict,” he said.

According to Ahmed and others, the HTS and allied groups have seized most neighborhoods, government offices, and prisons. Activists shared images online showing militants freeing hundreds of prisoners.

Raouf, 44, a displaced resident, shared his concern about the situation.

“The militants say there’s no need to fear and that things will improve, but it feels like they’re the ones in charge, with the power to make promises of protection.”

Raouf criticized HTS, calling it a rebranded version of al-Nusra Front, and reminded Syrians of their violent past.

“They executed women, killed activists and journalists, and brought foreign fighters into Syria,” he said.

Maysa, 54, who lives near the governor’s palace in central Aleppo, recalled the first moments militants entered the palace.

“We heard gunfire and chants,” she said.

“When we went outside, we saw Free Syrian Army vehicles near the palace and the Russian consulate. They told everyone over loudspeakers to stay indoors for safety.”

She confirmed that all shops, markets, and pharmacies closed after the attack on Wednesday.

“Only the fighters and their vehicles are here now. Aleppo has turned into a military base,” she added.

Reem, 33, a former private-sector employee in New Aleppo, described the fear among residents.

“Those still here are in shock. We never expected this sudden attack. We were hit by factions led by al-Qaeda fighters,” she said, clearly upset.

“We are living in fear, with our future now in the hands of a few militants,” she affirmed.