Lebanese Forces, Future Movement's Relations Aggravated

LF chief Samir Geagea visits Former PM Saad Hariri in Jeddah, Monday, July 20, 2015. (The Daily Star/ NNA, HO)
LF chief Samir Geagea visits Former PM Saad Hariri in Jeddah, Monday, July 20, 2015. (The Daily Star/ NNA, HO)
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Lebanese Forces, Future Movement's Relations Aggravated

LF chief Samir Geagea visits Former PM Saad Hariri in Jeddah, Monday, July 20, 2015. (The Daily Star/ NNA, HO)
LF chief Samir Geagea visits Former PM Saad Hariri in Jeddah, Monday, July 20, 2015. (The Daily Star/ NNA, HO)

The current conflict between Future Movement and Lebanese Forces (LF) intensified after a period of "give and take" through back channels and unnamed sources.

The relationship deteriorated after Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation and accusations followed stating that Lebanese Forces didn't support him.

What contributed to the growing controversy was Hariri's announcement earlier this week that some political parties wanted to secure their place during this crisis by "backstabbing" allies.

Hariri threatened "to call things by their names" and "spill the beans" during a television interview before retreating and postponing the interview.

But what Hariri did not say was said by the Secretary-General of Future Movement, Ahmed Hariri, who raised several questions about the government's performance.

"We need answers," said Ahmed Hariri. His statement was not well received among the Lebanese Forces which reflected in a debate between officials and leaders in both parties and between supporters on social networks.

Lebanese Forces MP, Antoine Zahra, stressed that the statements of Ahmed Hariri are completely unacceptable, pointing out that it is shameful to direct remarks or even questions about the performance of the Forces.

"We do not owe anyone an explanation or apology, and we are only responsible before the Lebanese people," Zahra told Asharq al-Awsat.

MP Zahra said there was a national and official consensus on the outstanding and transparent performance of LF ministers, which enables them to question and not be questioned.

"Should we explain our commitment to the constitution and regulations?" wondered Zahra.

When asked whether everything is broken between LF and Future, Zahra replied: "This issue is up to Prime Minister Hariri and no one else, since we rely on what he personally says."

He went on to say that Lebanese Forces and Future Movement have agreed on one project in politics since before the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, and therefore any continuity in their political companionship will be determined upon Hariri's adherence to national principles.

A number of Future MPs preferred to wait to comment on the matter, stressing that the final word should be left to Prime Minister Hariri.

A source in the Future Movement told Asharq Al-Awsat that surely things are getting more difficult, but PM Hariri will have the last say in this.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Ghassan Hasbani stressed that Lebanese Forces has no idea what Hariri was planning to uncover, adding: "we are relying on political rationality to reach stability."

Speaking during a radio interview, Minister Hasbani stated that some were trying to create a rift, indicating that it is within the right of Lebanese Forces to question the reason behind this attack on it.

"We want to know what is the purpose of the attack [on Lebanese Forces]? Is it to divert attention away from dissociation policy?" Hasbani inquired.

Head of LF communications and media department Charles Jabbour described Ahmed Hariri's statements as "unacceptable at all".

"As far as I know, Samir Geagea did not request an appointment to meet with Hariri, and who said Geagea wanted to meet with PM Hariri?" questioned Jabbour.

Responding to Jabbour, Future Movement Media Official Abdulsalam Moussa said in a statement that Jabbour seems to have read Ahmed Hariri's statement in reverse and didn't see any positivity.

Moussa added that if Jabbour was provoked by Sec-Gen Hariri's request to clarify the previous stage, this doesn't consider previous calls for rationing the relations if they need any.

"In any case, we will consider as if Mr. Jabbour's reaction didn't happen because the relationship with LF is much deeper to be dealt with by such rhetoric," concluded Moussa.



Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.


Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.


Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.