Lebanon: Saboteur Convoys Terrorize Tripoli

A demonstrator is seen near a bank on fire during unrest, as an economic crisis brings demonstrations back onto the streets in Tripoli, Lebanon April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim
A demonstrator is seen near a bank on fire during unrest, as an economic crisis brings demonstrations back onto the streets in Tripoli, Lebanon April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim
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Lebanon: Saboteur Convoys Terrorize Tripoli

A demonstrator is seen near a bank on fire during unrest, as an economic crisis brings demonstrations back onto the streets in Tripoli, Lebanon April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim
A demonstrator is seen near a bank on fire during unrest, as an economic crisis brings demonstrations back onto the streets in Tripoli, Lebanon April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim

When you pass through the main Boulevard Street in Lebanon's Tripoli, down from Al-Nour Square towards Al-Tal in the city center, you notice that most of the shops were either burned, destroyed or have permanently closed their doors.

Riding motorcycles, groups of young men invaded the main streets of Tripoli over the past few days, attacking a number of restaurants on Monday evening and intimidating the clients, while a number of bank branches were burned, including the Arab Bank and BLOM.

Nasser Shaarani, the owner of a well-known shawarma restaurant, recounted that nearly 500 people came for the third night in a row on motorbikes, “shouting and intimidating people, ordering us to shut down, taking what is on the tables, and not caring about the presence of families or women.”

“This intimidation is no longer permitted, and we will not be silent if these actions are repeated,” he warned.

Shaarani also said that he contacted the Lebanese army and security forces, and received a promise that the appropriate measures would be taken.

“Many saboteurs were arrested, while the search for the rest is still ongoing,” he added.

While residents disagree about the parties behind these groups, and accuse different sides, there is an overwhelming consensus that money is paid to young people to carry out sabotage missions, saying that $6 is given to the owner of the bike and $5 to the person sitting behind him.



Barrack Hails ‘Opportunity’ to Find Solution to Hezbollah Arms Ahead of Beirut Visit

US Ambassador to Ankara and Trump’s Envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack (AFP)
US Ambassador to Ankara and Trump’s Envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack (AFP)
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Barrack Hails ‘Opportunity’ to Find Solution to Hezbollah Arms Ahead of Beirut Visit

US Ambassador to Ankara and Trump’s Envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack (AFP)
US Ambassador to Ankara and Trump’s Envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack (AFP)

US envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack has declared that the opportunity is ripe to address the crisis over Hezbollah’s arsenal, sending a pointed message ahead of his scheduled arrival in Beirut.

His statement comes as Lebanon’s leadership continues to struggle to agree on a unified response to Washington’s list of demands, amid an uncompromising stance from Hezbollah, whose Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group’s commitment to resist American and Israeli pressure.

A committee appointed by President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held another meeting at the Presidential Palace without agreeing on a final draft of Lebanon’s reply to the US proposal. The committee is set to convene again before Barrack’s anticipated arrival on Monday.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri stressed the Lebanese leadership’s determination to maintain a unified position.

“Barrack came to us with a proposal, and we must respond. We are working to ensure our position is unified, especially among the three presidents, while taking Hezbollah’s stance into account, as Barrack requested,” Berri said. He confirmed that Hezbollah has yet to provide a definitive answer.

Committee sources described intense regional and domestic consultations aimed at overcoming remaining obstacles, citing “cautious optimism” over the prospects of consensus.

Barrack is expected to arrive in Beirut on Monday to discuss the Lebanese response to Washington’s proposal, which calls for the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons remain exclusively in the hands of official security institutions, alongside commitments to administrative, financial, and political reforms.

On the eve of his trip, Barrack posted on X: “Lebanon’s hope awakens!!! The opportunity is now. This is a historic moment to supersede the strained confessionalism of the past and finally fulfill Lebanon’s true promise of the hope of “One country, one people, one army.” As Potus has consistently shared with the world, "Lebanon is a great place, with great people. Let's make Lebanon Great again.”

Hezbollah Sets Conditions

Hezbollah and the Lebanese state have found some common ground in demanding American guarantees before implementing any agreement. While Hezbollah has shown limited flexibility, it has insisted that any progress hinges on Israel fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire agreement reached last November.

These obligations include Israel withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territory, ending air, sea, and land violations, releasing detainees, allowing displaced residents to return, and launching reconstruction efforts in southern Lebanon.

According to Lebanese sources familiar with the talks, Hezbollah has previously discussed certain details of surrendering its arsenal, including handing over heavy missiles and drones and transferring medium-range missiles back to Iran. However, the group insists that any such steps be contingent on Israel’s implementation of the ceasefire deal.