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Local, Int'l Concerns Mount after Beirut Clashes Amid Calls For Restraint

A Lebanese soldier accompanies civilians fleeing the crossfire in Beirut, Thursday, October 14. MOHAMED AZAKIR / REUTERS
A Lebanese soldier accompanies civilians fleeing the crossfire in Beirut, Thursday, October 14. MOHAMED AZAKIR / REUTERS
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Local, Int'l Concerns Mount after Beirut Clashes Amid Calls For Restraint

A Lebanese soldier accompanies civilians fleeing the crossfire in Beirut, Thursday, October 14. MOHAMED AZAKIR / REUTERS
A Lebanese soldier accompanies civilians fleeing the crossfire in Beirut, Thursday, October 14. MOHAMED AZAKIR / REUTERS

The International community expressed concern over Thursday’s security developments in Lebanon, urging all parties to exercise restraint.

The French foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” about the unrest in Beirut, calling for immediate “de-escalation”.

The ministry said the Lebanese judiciary must be able to work on their probe into the Beirut port explosion “in an independent and impartial manner”, noting that Lebanese authorities must “fully support” the investigation.

At least six people were killed and several others wounded in armed clashes that broke out in Beirut Thursday during a protest against the lead judge, Tarek Bitar, investigating last year’s massive blast in the city's port.

The protest outside the Justice Palace was called for by the Hezbollah group and its allies from the Amal movement, who are demanding a replacement for Bitar.

Joanna Wronecka, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, expressed her concern about the violence in Beirut in a Twitter post, saying that it was crucial to show restraint and ensure the safety of citizens.

Spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Hafez, stated that Egypt was following with great concern the developments in Lebanon, calling on all Lebanese parties to exercise restraint and to refrain from violence in order “to avoid the evils of sedition and to uphold the supreme national interest of Lebanon and its people.”

He also stressed that the government and state institutions should assume their responsibilities in managing the country, resolving crises and restoring stability.

Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr urged the Lebanese sects to exercise restraint and stop internal fighting.

“The brothers in the Amal Movement, Hezbollah and the Lebanese sects should end differences and internal fighting, because this weakens the national rank and strengthens tutelage.”

Local officials and party leaders have also called on the government to put an end to the “dangerous insecurity.”

In a statement, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdullatif Derian urged the Lebanese army and all security forces to control the situation and stop the clashes.

“The country is going through a dangerous stage that requires a national position uniting all Lebanese without exception, in order to save Lebanon, eliminate strife… and confront imminent dangers,” Derian remarked.

The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) said that Thursday’s clashes were “unfortunate and very dangerous.”

Emphasizing “the right to peaceful demonstration within the framework of freedom of expression,” the party stressed that armed manifestations and shooting were “totally and completely rejected.”

For his part, Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan blamed Bitar and the US embassy in Beirut for the eruption of clashes.

“Every bloodshed, sedition, threat to civil peace and security chaos that has occurred today on the defenseless protesters, is because of the American embassy and Judge Tarek Bitar, who must be dismissed, arrested and questioned severely…” he stated.

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Arab World

Sudanese FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Reject a ‘Libyan Model’ with Formation of Parallel Government

Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Sudanese FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Reject a ‘Libyan Model’ with Formation of Parallel Government

Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef Al-Sharif expressed firm opposition to what he described as the “Libyan model” being replicated in Sudan, emphasizing that any moves aimed at forming a parallel government are unacceptable.

He warned that such efforts would “weaken Sudan and complicate efforts to resolve the current crisis.”

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in internal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), labeled a “rebel militia” by the government. The war has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced millions both internally and externally.

In exclusive remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Cairo, Al-Sharif cautioned against the dangers of consultations being held by some political and civil actors to form a “parallel government,” describing such efforts as targeting the division and fragmentation of Sudan.

In recent weeks, Sudanese political forces, including figures from the “Tansiqiyya Taqaddum” coalition, have held discussions in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore the formation of a “peace government,” a move welcomed by the RSF.

The foreign minister described these initiatives as “a new conspiracy against Sudan,” alleging the involvement of external actors motivated by the military’s advances against the RSF. He emphasized Sudan’s reliance on countries that support its unity and stability to thwart these moves and ensure they are not legitimized. Al-Sharif highlighted that Egypt is at the forefront of nations on which Sudan depends in countering these efforts, adding that his country maintains strong relations with key Arab states and international powers, including Russia and China.

During talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdel Aty, the two ministers agreed that attempts to establish a parallel government would complicate Sudan’s internal situation. Al-Sharif praised Egypt’s support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and national institutions.

On warnings of famine in Sudan, the official dismissed claims by some international forces about the country facing famine, accusing these actors of trying to pressure the UN Security Council to intervene. He clarified that Sudan is experiencing a “domestic food crisis” but not famine.

Russia recently vetoed a British-sponsored resolution in the Security Council calling for the implementation of the Jeddah humanitarian agreement signed in May 2023. The resolution also proposed creating a regional protection force in coordination with the African Union and international partners to safeguard civilians in Sudan.

The minister linked international focus on the famine narrative to calls for a parallel government, describing these as part of a “unified conspiracy targeting Sudan’s resources and capabilities.”

He criticized the international community’s “weak response” to crimes committed by the RSF against civilians, asserting that the documented violations are sufficient grounds for the International Criminal Court to prosecute RSF leaders.

Sudan has taken legal measures through international organizations such as the UN Security Council and the African Union to classify the RSF as a terrorist group. Al-Sharif also criticized the global community for ignoring Sudan’s crisis while focusing on the war in Gaza. He urged action to restrict the movement of RSF leaders and hold accountable the states providing them refuge.

Regarding the resolution of the ongoing war, Al-Sharif asserted that military resolution is the only viable option at present. He highlighted the army’s progress toward military victory, attributing delays to the RSF’s strategy of using civilians and civilian infrastructure as shields.

The foreign minister insisted that a political solution cannot be pursued while the war continues, arguing that political issues must be left to civilian forces to discuss after a ceasefire is achieved. He emphasized that any lasting resolution must involve a ceasefire followed by the complete disbandment of the RSF, as Sudan cannot tolerate the existence of armed forces parallel to the national military.

On Sudan’s potential reinstatement to the African Union, Al-Sharif stated that restoring the country’s membership requires the formation of a civilian government in line with a constitutional document. He did not rule out the possibility of such a government being formed in the near future. “It is possible,” he said.