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Lebanon’s Hariri 'Most Likely' Not to Run in Elections

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri chairs a meeting of al-Mustaqbal Movement (NNA)
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri chairs a meeting of al-Mustaqbal Movement (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Hariri 'Most Likely' Not to Run in Elections

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri chairs a meeting of al-Mustaqbal Movement (NNA)
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri chairs a meeting of al-Mustaqbal Movement (NNA)

Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri has held meetings with members of his Mustaqbal Movement, and ex-PMs Fouad Siniora and Tammam Salam to discuss with them the latest political developments.

Hariri is expected to announce his decision regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections amid reports that he will “most likely” refrain from running as a candidate.

Hariri is expected to complete his consultations and meet with Speaker Nabih Berri soon.

A well-informed source revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the former PM does not intend to announce his candidacy or back the electoral lists of al-Mustaqbal.

He pointed out that Hariri is about to take his decision to abstain from interfering in the parliamentary elections or even backing independent candidates.

The source said that Hariri will also leave it to the current members of his parliamentary bloc and his Movement to decide whether to run in the elections or not, at their own risk.

Hariri’s announcement regarding the elections is crucial and can affect political alliances in the vote.

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Gaza Hunger Crisis Could Return If Israeli Aid Restrictions Continue, Head of UN Relief Agency Says

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini adjusts his glasses during a press conference on the situation in the Palestinian Gaza strip, at the United Nations offices in Geneva on March 10, 2025. (AFP)
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini adjusts his glasses during a press conference on the situation in the Palestinian Gaza strip, at the United Nations offices in Geneva on March 10, 2025. (AFP)
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Gaza Hunger Crisis Could Return If Israeli Aid Restrictions Continue, Head of UN Relief Agency Says

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini adjusts his glasses during a press conference on the situation in the Palestinian Gaza strip, at the United Nations offices in Geneva on March 10, 2025. (AFP)
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini adjusts his glasses during a press conference on the situation in the Palestinian Gaza strip, at the United Nations offices in Geneva on March 10, 2025. (AFP)

There is a risk that Gaza experiences another hunger crisis if Israel continues to block aid, the head of the UN Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA) in Gaza said on Monday, warning the situation is quickly deteriorating.

Israel cut aid flows of food, medicine and fuel imports earlier this month, a move it said was designed to pressure Hamas in ceasefire talks. On Sunday, it announced an electricity cut, which aid groups say would deprive Gazans of clean water.

"I think the more we go ahead (with aid blockages), the more we will see the impact increasing on the population. And obviously, the risk ... is that we go back to situation we experienced months ago about deepening hunger in the Gaza Strip," said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

"Whatever the intent is, it's clearly a weaponization of humanitarian aid into Gaza," he told reporters. "We have seen the situation is deteriorating very, very quickly."

In the same press briefing in Geneva, he described the agency's financial situation as "critical and precarious".

Israel, which has long alleged that UNRWA has ties to Hamas, barred the agency from its territory in January.

Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva said earlier on Monday that it is actively encouraging UN agencies and others to take over UNRWA's work in Gaza.

Lazzarini said the agency was subject to a disinformation campaign and that it has not seen any other groups replacing it in Gaza so far.