Lebanon: Alloush Is First to Resign From Al-Mustaqbal Movement Following Hariri’s Withdrawal

Former Lebanese MP Mustafa Alloush (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Former Lebanese MP Mustafa Alloush (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Lebanon: Alloush Is First to Resign From Al-Mustaqbal Movement Following Hariri’s Withdrawal

Former Lebanese MP Mustafa Alloush (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Former Lebanese MP Mustafa Alloush (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Former Lebanese MP Mustafa Alloush submitted his resignation from Al-Mustaqbal Movement without confirming his intention to run for the upcoming parliamentary elections in May.

His move came in the wake of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s decision to suspend his political work.

The former premier, who announced his withdrawal from Lebanon’s political scene at the end of January, had reportedly told Al-Mustaqbal members who wish to run for elections to refrain from using his name or that of the movement.

Alloush was the first to submit his resignation from the party.

In comments, Al-Mustaqbal issued a statement, saying: “Dr. Mustafa Alloush submitted his resignation from the Future Movement in a call he made with Prime Minister Saad Hariri.”

It added: “Hariri considered the resignation effective and deposited the decision with the Secretary-General to proceed accordingly. Thus, Dr. Alloush is freed from any organizational obligations and has the full right, according to the rules, to take the path he deems appropriate, whether in the elections or otherwise, wishing him success and appreciating his positions and the tasks he assumed in the movement over the past years.”

Alloush was one of the most prominent opponents of Hariri’s decision to suspend political work. He recently agreed with former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora that the Sunni arena should not remain vacant.

Recent reports said that he was in constant coordination with Siniora and other former prime ministers.

However, sources close to the former deputy said that he was yet to decide on his electoral candidacy.

Meanwhile, Siniora announced that he was seriously considering running in the parliamentary elections, and called on the Lebanese, especially Sunnis, to participate massively, whether by voting or submitting their candidacies.



Israeli Airstrike on South Lebanon’s Nabatieh Injures 14, Health Ministry Says

People stand amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's ground and air offensive after returning to the southern Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab as on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
People stand amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's ground and air offensive after returning to the southern Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab as on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
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Israeli Airstrike on South Lebanon’s Nabatieh Injures 14, Health Ministry Says

People stand amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's ground and air offensive after returning to the southern Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab as on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
People stand amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's ground and air offensive after returning to the southern Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab as on January 28, 2025. (AFP)

An Israeli airstrike on Nabatieh, a major town in southern Lebanon, injured 14 people on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry said.

Security sources reported a second strike in a nearby area. They said the first targeted a vehicle loaded with weapons, while the target of the second was still unclear.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israeli forces killed at least 24 people and wounded at least 141 in southern Lebanon on Sunday and Monday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as thousands of people tried to return to their homes in the area in defiance of Israeli military orders.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group and Israel agreed on a ceasefire in late November, ending to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war in 2023.

The US said on Sunday the agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which included an initial 60-day period for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, would remain in effect until Feb. 18, an extension to the Jan. 26 deadline previously agreed.

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Monday that the group would not accept any justifications to extend the period for Israeli troops' withdrawal from southern Lebanon.