Hariri Shows Understanding towards Aoun, Jumblatt Meeting

The meeting held by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblatt, Asharq Al-Awsat
The meeting held by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblatt, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Hariri Shows Understanding towards Aoun, Jumblatt Meeting

The meeting held by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblatt, Asharq Al-Awsat
The meeting held by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblatt, Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanon’s former prime minister and leader of the Future Movement Saad Hariri showed understanding towards the meeting held by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblatt, a political source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Hariri, according to the source speaking under the conditions of anonymity, informed Lebanese lawmaker Wael Abou Faour that the main reason behind the meeting was to ease tensions in Mount Lebanon and prevent a lurking clash between Christian and Druze communities.

Even though relations between the PSP and the Future Movement remain unstable, Hariri and Jumblatt insist on coordinating efforts.

The political source said that it is wrong to conclude from the participation of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in the national meeting sponsored by Aoun and attended by PSP leader Jumblatt that Geagea and Jumblatt represent a united front alongside Hariri.

Jumblatt and Geagea’s move, according to the source, will not change the current political standing and that the government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab is not going anywhere so long Aoun’s presidential mandate is still running.

As for Aoun and Jumblatt’s meeting, sources said that MP Farid Boustani, a member of Aoun’s parliamentary bloc, sought to mediate between the two sides, “in order to prevent a further political escalation” between Christians and Druze in the region.



Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
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Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Israel’s defense minister has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.

Thunberg, a climate campaigner is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, The AP news reported.

The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the war end.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.