Plot to Get Rid of Hariri’s Mandate by Spurring Chaos in Tripoli Foiled

Plot to Get Rid of Hariri’s Mandate by Spurring Chaos in Tripoli Foiled
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Plot to Get Rid of Hariri’s Mandate by Spurring Chaos in Tripoli Foiled

Plot to Get Rid of Hariri’s Mandate by Spurring Chaos in Tripoli Foiled

Rioters who infiltrated the ranks of protesters demonstrating against poor living conditions in Lebanon’s second-largest city, Tripoli, had intentions of dragging the northern metropolitan into bloody clashes with security forces to force Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri to step down from forming a new Lebanese government, a source with knowledge of the matter reported.

Speaking under the conditions of anonymity, the source confirmed that the plot to get Hariri to drop government formation has been thwarted.

“Hariri will remain steadfast in his position and will not deviate from his vision of establishing a government according to the specifications set by French President Emmanuel Macron in his initiative to save Lebanon,” the source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Stressing that the PM-designate continues to enjoy the support of former prime ministers, the source asserted that Hariri will not cave to extortion and intimidation campaigns mounted by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and his son-in-law, Gebran Bassil.

Hariri, according to the source, will no longer remain silent and is expected to make a firm stance on the upcoming 16th anniversary of his father’s assassination.

Aoun and Bassil need to seriously reevaluate their stands, the source noted, adding that the true nature of their positions has been exposed.

Despite being president, Aoun stood idle in the face of Tripoli being unraveled by poverty and made the impression that the city was not one of his priorities.

“Why do some of the heads of state insist on punishing Tripoli?” the source wondered.

Apart from being marginalized by the Aoun administration, Tripoli has faced vicious attempts for casting it in the light of a rogue city.

Nevertheless, Tripoli has a history of rising above these attempts and has shown serious compliance with state institutions.

For instance, the city had unconditionally implemented a security scheme put in motion under the government of former prime minister Tammam Salam. It successfully ended a series of violent clashes between its Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods.



UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
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UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP

The UN mission in Libya called for "immediate deescalation", citing reports of armed forces being mobilized in the capital and its surroundings that have raised fears of renewed violence.

In mid-May, there were clashes in Tripoli between forces loyal to the government and powerful armed groups wanting to dismantle it.

In a statement published late on Wednesday on X, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were "increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli", AFP reported.

It said it "strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes".

It called for all parties to "engage in good faith" in deescalation and for the "swift implementation of security arrangements" set out during efforts to end the May violence.

Those clashes left six people dead, the United Nations said.

"Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," UNSMIL said.

Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east.

In a TV interview on Monday, Dbeibah called for armed groups to vacate the areas under their control.

Among the sites held by armed factions are the Mitiga airport in the east of the capital, which is controlled by the powerful Radaa Force.

"Dialogue -- not violence -- remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya", the UNSMIL statement said.