Jumblatt Says Hezbollah Leading a War in Yemen, Ignoring Lebanon’s Interests

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, February 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, February 21, 2017. (Reuters)
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Jumblatt Says Hezbollah Leading a War in Yemen, Ignoring Lebanon’s Interests

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, February 21, 2017. (Reuters)
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, February 21, 2017. (Reuters)

The head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Jumblatt, lashed out at Hezbollah, saying that the Lebanese “cannot bear the war of others on our land.”

Hezbollah “is leading a war in Yemen… and does not care about the interests of the Lebanese in the Gulf,” Jumblatt said, in reference to the country’s crisis with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states over harmful remarks by Information Minister George Kordahi.

“Lebanon has been linked to decades of political and economic relations with the Arab Gulf, and there are hundreds of thousands of Lebanese living there, and they send money to Lebanon; where will they go?” he asked during an interview with Russian RT channel.

The PSP leader went on to say that Hezbollah “largely controls political decisions in Lebanon,” reminding of previous Iranian statements that Tehran enjoyed major influence in the country.

He called for “freeing the government from pressure.”

“This government cannot convene today as a result of [Kordahi’s] remarks that are politically backed by the axis of the resistance,” he remarked, in reference to Hezbollah and its allies.

On Monday, Jumblatt had similarly slammed Hezbollah, telling local MTV channel that the immediate way out of the Gulf crisis “begins with the dismissal of Information Minister George Kordahi, and then a formal Lebanese apology to the Gulf.”



China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
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China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco on Thursday, according to state media from both countries.
Xi was welcomed in Casablanca by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and the visit reflected the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, Morocco's MAP said.
The Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met Xi at the airport, where Xi and Hassan had a "cordial conversation", China's state broadcaster CCTV said.
Xi made the visit after being in Brazil for the G20 Summit.
China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure and rail sector in recent years.
Morocco's geographic location close to Europe, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry, make it attractive to Chinese electric vehicle battery makers.
In June, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech picked Morocco to set up Africa's first gigafactory for a total cost of $1.3 billion.