Lebanon: Efforts to Ease Tension Between FPM, Hezbollah Supportershttps://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2574926/lebanon-efforts-ease-tension-between-fpm-hezbollah-supporters
Lebanon: Efforts to Ease Tension Between FPM, Hezbollah Supporters
Contacts are underway between the leaderships of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and Hezbollah to reduce tension between the supporters of the two groups over the border demarcation talks with Israel and the government formation.
Hezbollah had expressed reservation over the delegation assigned by President Michel Aoun to represent Lebanon in the border demarcation negotiations with Israel.
Hezbollah supporters went to accuse the FPM of succumbing to American wishes for fear of economic sanctions. The accusations stirred a wave of angry reactions among FPM partisans, who demanded their leadership break up the alliance with Hezbollah, after “its cost has become high on us and on the country.”
“We have reached a stage in which silence is no longer effective because the fate of the country is at stake,” a senior FPM member told Asharq Al-Awsat.
MP Edgard Maalouf, from the FPM’s Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc, did not deny the differences in views with Hezbollah on several matters.
He stated: “However, this should not reach the point of undermining the relationship with the party and the fall of the agreement,” known as the Mar Mikhael agreement, which was signed between Aoun and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in 2006.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Maalouf said that the two sides have overcome the dispute over the negotiating delegation by keeping the same lineup put forward by Aoun, without taking into account the observations presented by the Shiite duo, i.e. Hezbollah and Amal Movement.
However, the FPM now fears that an agreement would be reached at its expense, represented by the designation of former Premier Saad Hariri to lead the new government, especially after head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblattand and former Minister Sleiman Franjieh have both joined the Shiite duo to push for Hariri’s designation.
“There are no settlements at the expense of the FPM, but internal and external political changes that need to be taken into consideration,” said Writer and Analyst Qassem Kassir.
Former Envoys Urge Joint French, UK Action on Palestinian Territorieshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5309833-former-envoys-urge-joint-french-uk-action-palestinian-territories
Israeli flags raised by settlers as seen on a main road to Jenin City, 21 August 2026. (EPA)
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Former Envoys Urge Joint French, UK Action on Palestinian Territories
Israeli flags raised by settlers as seen on a main road to Jenin City, 21 August 2026. (EPA)
Dozens of former senior French and UK diplomats on Saturday urged their governments to work together to uphold international law in the Palestinian territories, accusing Israel of seeking to "destroy" any prospect of a viable Palestinian state.
The 102 signatories of the letter published in Le Monde included former British ambassadors to the UN Jeremy Greenstock and Emyr Jones Parry as well the former directors for the Middle East at the French foreign ministry Yves Aubin de la Messuziere and Denis Bauchard.
They said the involvement of France and the UK was essential given the historic roles of the two powers in the Middle East and the fact that both permanent members of the UN Security Council, in 2025 recognized a Palestinian state.
"Our two nations believe that those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held to account. Only then can our governments rebut the accusation of double standards. That is why they must act together to uphold international law in Palestine," said the letter.
It accused Israel of seeking "to destroy any prospect of an independent Palestinian state, showing contempt for the law, the rulings of the International Court of Justice and countless UN Security Council resolutions."
Israel launched a military campaign on the Palestinian territory of Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attack by the Hamas group against Israel.
Violence in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has surged since the Gaza war began, sparking international concern over the conduct of Israeli troops and settlers.
France and Britain this week joined other countries in releasing a statement condemning the Israeli government's release of new tenders for construction in the occupied West Bank.
The letter said house demolitions and "rampant settler violence -- with the connivance of the Israeli army and police" in annexed east Jerusalem and the West Bank amounted to "ethnic cleansing"
"The world no longer sees Israel as a genuine democracy -- there is nothing democratic about depriving others of their rights and land," said the letter.
Fatah Senior Delegation Heads to Cairo to Meet Palestinian Factionshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5309817-fatah-senior-delegation-heads-cairo-meet-palestinian-factions
A member of the Fatah movement attends the 8th General Conference of Fatah, at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Fatah Senior Delegation Heads to Cairo to Meet Palestinian Factions
A member of the Fatah movement attends the 8th General Conference of Fatah, at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
A senior delegation from the Fatah movement is expected to travel to the Egyptian capital Cairo on Saturday evening or Sunday morning to meet Egyptian officials, as well as Palestinian faction officials and representatives, to discuss legislative elections scheduled for Nov. 28.
The delegation will include Fatah Deputy Chairman and Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, Central Committee member Majed Faraj and Palestinian National Council Chairman Rawhi Fattouh.
Electoral Arrangements
An informed source from a Palestinian faction in Cairo told Asharq Al-Awsat that they were informed by some Fatah leaders about this high-level visit, aimed at meeting with various factions to make electoral arrangements.
Meanwhile, a source from a leftist faction said that the initiative to hold national meetings was a proposal from one of the leftist factions, with the aim of broadening options for the success of any elections.
According to the scheduled agenda for the visit, the Fatah delegation is expected to meet with a Hamas delegation, for the first time in a long period, after Fatah had refrained from any meetings for at least the past two years.
Most communications had been indirect, with messages conveyed between the two sides through various parties.
Broad Electoral Alliance
This comes amidst efforts by some Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to form an electoral alliance that includes Islamic Jihad, the Resistance Committees, and the Democratic Reformist Current led by Mohammed Dahlan, a dismissed Fatah leader, as well as another Fatah leader, Nasser al-Qudwa.
Qudwa has formed the National Democratic Forum which also faces disagreements with the movement's current leadership, which controls the Palestinian Authority's key institutions.
Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau, affirmed his movement's position to participate in the elections through a broad national bloc comprising Palestinian factions and independent figures. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he indicated that communication has begun with various parties and components, and many bilateral and collective meetings have been held to achieve this bloc.
A Hamas source told Asharq Al-Awsat that an initial agreement has been reached between these factions to form this alliance.
Leftist Factions
It was noted that the participation of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), both factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in this alliance has not been confirmed.
Asharq Al-Awsat learned from a leading source in one of these factions that they have not yet agreed to the proposal to join the alliance, and are internally studying it with their organizational structures, suggesting that the two fronts might form a unified democratic alliance.
Recently, the Hamas leadership held a series of meetings with leaders from various Palestinian factions to discuss issues related to the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the elections.
Islamic Jihad's Participation
Notably, Islamic Jihad has announced it will join the alliance, despite previously refusing to take part in elections, which it viewed as being held under the framework of the Oslo Accords.
Asharq Al-Awsat sought comment from Islamic Jihad leaders and spokespeople, but they did not respond to requests for comment.
A senior movement source in Lebanon said the issue of joining the alliance, or even participating in the elections, had not been decided and that broad consultations were under way within the movement.
Anticipated Postponement and Election Law
The development comes amid talk of a possible postponement of the elections until the end of March next year, with the aim of holding presidential and legislative elections simultaneously. The move is also intended primarily to revisit the political parties law, which has resurfaced after previously being put on hold. The law restricts the participation in elections of Palestinian factions that have armed wings.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas amended the election law, particularly provisions requiring electoral lists to commit to the program of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the recognized sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The program includes recognition of relevant international resolutions, including recognition of Israel, the renunciation of violence and other conditions that Hamas and other Palestinian factions had previously rejected.
It was unclear whether al-Sheikh and Faraj would discuss the possible postponement of the elections and amendments to the election law with Palestinian faction officials if the visit proceeds.
Arab and Islamic states are working to bridge differences between Fatah and Hamas over elections and other issues, while seeking to reform the Palestinian Authority and establish it as the governing body for the West Bank and Gaza amid continued Israeli attacks.
Khaddam: Despite My Warning, Hariri Stayed in Lebanon for Electoral Reasons, He Was Killed 6 Days Laterhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5309807-khaddam-despite-my-warning-hariri-stayed-lebanon-electoral-reasons-he-was-killed
Khaddam: Despite My Warning, Hariri Stayed in Lebanon for Electoral Reasons, He Was Killed 6 Days Later
Abdul Halim Khaddam and Rafik al-Hariri meet in June 2001. (AFP)
Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam reveals new details in his memoirs about a February 2005 meeting with late Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri at his Beirut residence six days before his assassination.
The memoirs, edited and introduced by Ibrahim Hamidi, are due to be published in early September by Raff Publishing, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG).
Khaddam recalled that he and Hariri met over a lunch, where the Syrian official, concerned over the former PM’s life, urged him to leave Lebanon “immediately.”
They met on February 8, 2005. Hariri was killed six days later.
The memoirs are due to be published in early September by Raff Publishing, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG).
In January 2005, during a Baath party meeting at the Syrian presidential palace, then President Bashar al-Assad told the command members: "There is an American-French conspiracy against Syria, and Rafik al-Hariri is involved in it."
Khaddam said that he and the other members were surprised by this dangerous talk, and that two days later, he sent a verbal message to Hariri through former Lebanese Defense Minister Mohsen Dalloul, warning him that dangers were growing and he must leave Lebanon immediately.
On February 8, 2005, Khaddam traveled to Beirut for a medical appointment and accepted a lunch invitation from Hariri. The former PM was anxious and inquired about the message conveyed by Dalloul. Khaddam explained the situation and advised him to leave Lebanon immediately.
Hariri responded, "I have elections... how can I leave the people?"
Khaddam replied: "Your life is more important than the people, and your family is more important than the elections."
Khaddam and other officials take part in Hariri’s funeral on February 6, 2005. (AFP)
The memoirs note two striking details from that lunch. The first was Hariri’s inquiry about the role of Maher al-Assad, Bashar’s brother. He revealed that Aouni Al-Kaaki, owner of Al-Sharq newspaper had informed him that Maher was keen on forming ties with him – Hariri - and was ready to resolve the existing disputes between him and Bashar because he is viewed as "a loyal friend to Syria."
Khaddam replied: "You must be careful and leave Lebanon."
The second detail was Hariri’s revelation about his security detail: "I used to have 50 security personnel, but they withdrew them and left only six."
Six days later, on February 14, while Khaddam was attending a Baath meeting in Damascus, he saw the breaking news flash on a television in a colleague's office about a massive explosion in Beirut. It was subsequently reported that the explosion had targeted Hariri's convoy, killing him along with his security guards and several citizens.
Khaddam with Jumblatt at the Beirut hospital where Hamadeh was being treated after the attempt on his life in October 2004. (AFP)
Khaddam recounted that he informed the presidency of his intention to travel to Beirut to offer his condolences. The reply, which came through the president's chief of staff, said "If you wish to go, go in your personal capacity."
He did indeed attend with his wife and two sons, while the Syrian regime decided to boycott the funeral and the wake.
Syrian official newspapers carried the headline "Massive Explosion in Beirut" without Hariri's name appearing on their front pages, merely noting in the report that he was "among" the casualties - a detail Khaddam said further directed the accusation toward Bashar al-Assad.
The memoirs also shed light on an incident that preceded the lunch by four months: the assassination attempt on Lebanese Minister Marwan Hamadeh, an ally of then Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, in October 2004, which Khaddam described as "a warning to all opponents of President (Emile) Lahoud in Lebanon."
He recounted that the following day, he called Rustom Ghazaleh, the head of Syrian military intelligence in Lebanon, to inform him that he was heading to Beirut to visit Hamadeh. He was received by Jumblatt at the Beirut hospital, along with his party leaders, and Jebran Tueni, while the injured minister was in the operating room.
Khaddam and then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (C) during a meeting in June 2005. (AFP)
Khaddam noted that his direct contact with the president had effectively ceased since late October 2004, with communications subsequently taking place through his chief of staff or through written letters.
The strength of this testimony lies in its place within a sequence of publicly documented events: the extension of Lahoud’s presidential term on September 3, 2004, the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1559 a day earlier, the assassination attempt on Hamadeh, followed by the political and media campaign against Hariri, and ultimately, his assassination.
The memoirs do not render a judgment; rather, they add an insider perspective, completing a full countdown: an accusation within the command, a warning message, a final lunch, and then the February 14 explosion.
The details of the final lunch and the messages that preceded it appear in full in the chapter titled "The Assassination of Rafik Hariri" in Khaddam’s book.
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