Lebanon: Amal, Hezbollah Opinions on Street Protests Diverge

 Fireworks are set off in front of police officers during anti-government protests that have been ignited by a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 10, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Fireworks are set off in front of police officers during anti-government protests that have been ignited by a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 10, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Lebanon: Amal, Hezbollah Opinions on Street Protests Diverge

 Fireworks are set off in front of police officers during anti-government protests that have been ignited by a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 10, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Fireworks are set off in front of police officers during anti-government protests that have been ignited by a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon August 10, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

As Lebanon’s street protests expanded to areas in South Lebanon - the stronghold of the Shiite duo (Amal Movement and Hezbollah) – political reactions by the two parties reflected a divergence in views.

The protests extended to the South and the southern suburbs of Beirut, where several roads were blocked with burning tires.

Amal, headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, was accused on social media of inciting its supporters to participate in the protests as a means to pressure President Michel Aoun to conclude a settlement with President-designate Saad Hariri that would produce a new government.

While Amal sources stressed that the party had nothing to do with these moves, they noted in a statement to Asharq al-Awsat that addressing the financial and living crisis and economic deterioration “can only be done with the presence of an effective government.”

Hezbollah and Amal Movement have conflicting stances over many files, including the relationship with the Free Patriotic Movement, Hezbollah’s ally. Disagreements between their supporters are also increasing, especially on social media, regarding political approaches to internal and regional policies.

However, sources close to the Shiite duo said that the disagreements were only “about the details”, stressing that the two parties met on strategic files and major issues, including “the need to form a government that would address the living and economic crises,” as well as “major strategic headlines linked to the conflict with Israel and the need to resist it.”



Iraq's Population Reaches 45.4 Million in First Census in over 30 Years

Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
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Iraq's Population Reaches 45.4 Million in First Census in over 30 Years

Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)

Iraq's population has risen to 45.4 million, according to preliminary results from a national census, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Monday.
The census, conducted on Nov. 20, was Iraq's first nationwide survey in more than three decades, marking a crucial step for future planning and development.
Prior to the census, the planning ministry estimated the population at 43 million.
The last census, conducted in 1997, did not include the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which has been under Kurdish administration since the 1991 Gulf War.
It counted 19 million Iraqis and officials estimated there were another 3 million in the Kurdish north, according to official statistics.