BEIRUT (Reuters) – A decision by Lebanon’s leading Sunni Muslim politician to step back from politics and boycott a parliamentary election in May must not be used as an excuse to call for a delay, the Maronite Christian patriarch said on Sunday. Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rai said he was surprised by three times-former prime minister Saad al-Hariri’s decision and said he hoped Sunnis would still take part so the election “expresses the position of all Lebanese”. “Given the importance of this parliamentary (election), we must all confront attempts to circumvent it,” Rai said, noting the new parliament would elect President Michel Aoun’s replacement. Referring to Hariri’s decision, he said “it is not allowed for some to invoke the new reality and promote the postponement of the parliamentary elections”. He did not say to whom he was referring.

Lebanon’s 2018 election produced a majority for the heavily armed, Iran-backed Shi’ite group Hezbollah and its allies, who include Aoun. Its adversaries hope to overturn this in May. Rai is a critic of Hezbollah https://www.reuters.com/world/lebanons-top-christian-cleric-criticizes-hezbollah-leaked-video-2021-04-01, saying it has harmed Lebanon by dragging it into regional conflicts. Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by Washington, is part of an Iran-led alliance vying for regional influence with U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states. While none of Lebanon’s main parties have called for an election delay, many observers believe this may well suit a number of influential players, though not adversaries of Hezbollah, such as the Christian Lebanese Forces party. Western states want the vote to go ahead on time. Saad will leave a fractured Sunni community in his wake.

المشكلة في الاجابة على الرسالة العربية الخليجية ليست في الصلاحيات، فالمادة ٥٢ من الدستور واضحة وتنص على تولي رئيس الجمهورية بالاتفاق مع رئيس الحكومة المفاوضة لعقد المعاهدات الدولية… و الاجابات المطلوبة هي اقل من معاهدة كما انها تحت سقف البيان االوزاري. المشكلة الاساس ان دول العالم والعرب والخليج لا ينحصر همهم بالصلاحيات، بل يطالبون لبنان […]

By Najia Houssari — arabnews.com — BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Aoun made a surprise visit to Dar Al-Fatwa on Saturday, where he met with Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, the highest authority in Sunni Islam in the country, amid fears of a Sunni boycott of Lebanon’s political process. Aoun stressed the role “that the Sunni community plays in preserving Lebanon’s unity and political diversity, and the importance of participating alongside all other components in national and political life, as well as all elections that define the future of Lebanon and its people. “Arrangements are underway so that the parliamentary elections are held as scheduled, and there is no reason to postpone them,” he added, stressing that “the Sunni community is an essential component, and we do not support its boycott of the elections.”

Aoun’s visit to Dar Al-Fatwa was described by political observers as “an attempt to remedy what can no longer be remedied; too little, too late.” A source close to the former prime minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora, told Arab News: “The damage was done to the Sunni community when Aoun obstructed all attempts made by PM-designate Saad Hariri to form his government. Aoun went further by insulting Hariri, calling him a liar. “Lebanon’s relationship with the Gulf states was also damaged as a result of the positions of Aoun and Hezbollah regarding the abuse committed against Saudi Arabia. It’s pointless to resort to Dar Al-Fatwa now.”

By Edward Gabriel — thehill.com — Lebanon is at a crucial crossroads as its government finally convenes for the first time in several months. It will have little time to negotiate a reform package with the International Monetary Fund to avoid economic collapse. And while the Shiite duo of the Amal movement and Hezbollah recently made headlines by ending their three-month boycott of cabinet sessions, thus allowing the government to convene, this is no assurance that they will not continue to meddle with Lebanese lawmakers to derail any reform package that is needed to begin rebuilding.

Right now, the Lebanese people are suffering; many are starving and rightfully distrustful that the government will come to their assistance. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF) are experiencing challenges in carrying out their missions, which could create regional problems if Lebanon’s security and sovereignty are not protected. How the United States responds to these troubles can play a pivotal role in helping to stabilize one of the few liberal democratic states in the Arab world.

Lebanon’s collapse would end the many assets it brings to the Middle East: counterterrorism cooperation with the U.S., an inclusive democracy, religious coexistence, gender equality, and access to Western education (especially the two leading American universities in the Middle East). Increased Iranian influence in Lebanon could lead to the country’s loss of sovereignty and independence and likely would result in a growing terror threat to the U.S. There is no looking the other way; the US must act. A new policy brief released by the American Task Force on Lebanon, the Middle East Institute and more than 20 leading policymakers makes the case that friends of the U.S. and Lebanon in the international community can play a critical role in encouraging Lebanese politicians to put the Lebanese people first when setting policy, and not their personal interests.

by arabnews.com — BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Bahaa Al-Hariri said on Friday that he would continue the journey of his father, the late Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri, and would “enter the battle to take back” the country. Bahaa’s younger brother, Saad, a three times prime minister, announced earlier this week that he was not running in a forthcoming parliamentary election and was stepping back from his role in political life, calling on his political party to do the same. Bahaa, 55, who has not held public office before and largely kept away from politics, said in a recorded speech sent to news outlets, including Sawt Beirut, that he “will fight the battle to restore the country and restore the sovereignty of the country from its occupiers.” He added that “any misinformation or intimidation” alluding to a power vacuum among Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims “serves only the enemies of the country.”

Saad cited Iran’s influence as one of the reasons he saw little hope of positive change for Lebanon, an influence it wields through Shiite group Hezbollah. Bahaa has been an open, fierce critic of his brother’s policy toward the Iran-backed group. “The son of the martyr Rafik Hariri will not leave Lebanon, I am with you and very soon I will be among you,” Bahaa said in his speech.

By Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s foreign minister said he was not going “to hand over” Hezbollah’s weapons during a meeting this weekend with Gulf Arab counterparts that want Beirut to rein in the Iran-backed Lebanese Shi’ite group in exchange for improved ties. In a nod to Gulf concerns, Lebanon will however say that the country will not be “a launchpad for activities that violate Arab countries,” according to sources familiar with a draft government letter responding to Gulf terms for improved ties. Lebanon is due at the meeting in Kuwait on Saturday to deliver its response to the terms for thawing relations, which have suffered as the heavily armed Hezbollah has grown more powerful in Beirut and the region. “I am not going (to Kuwait) to hand over Hezbollah’s weapons. I am not going to end Hezbollah’s existence, it is out of the question in Lebanon. We are going for dialogue,” Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib told Al Jazeera.

Hezbollah supports Iran in its regional struggle for influence with U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states, which say the group has aided the Iran-aligned Houthis who are fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, Hezbollah has a militia more powerful than Lebanon’s army and has backed pro-Iran allies in the region, including Syria. The group and its allies also exercise major sway over Lebanese state policy.

أعرفُ كيف يَنعكِسُ فشلُ مؤتمرِ ڤيينا حولَ النوويِّ الإيرانيِّ سلبًا على لبنان، لكنّي لا أعرِفُ كيف يَنعكِسُ نجاحُه إيجابًا عليه. ولستُ متيقِّنًا إذا كان المتعارفُ عليه أنّه سلبيٌّ هو حقًّا سلبيٌّ، والمتعارَفُ عليه أنّه إيجابيٌّ هو حقًّا إيجابيّ. حين يَبلغُ الصِراعُ بين الأطرافِ اللبنانيّةِ نُقطةَ اللاعودة ـــ كما الحالُ راهنًا ـــ يُصبح الإيجابيُّ لطرفٍ سلبيًّا للآخَر. نحن نَتقاسمُ المشاكلَ ذاتَها ونَفترقُ حِيالَ الحلولِ والأحلام. معيارُ إيجابيّةِ ڤيينا بالنسبةِ للبعضِ هو إنهاءُ كلِّ الحالاتِ غيرِ الدستوريّةِ في الحياةِ الوطنيّةِ اللبنانيّةِ وإعادةُ لبنانَ دولةً حرّةً (هذا هو الحلُّ الطبيعيُّ). ومعيارُ سلبيّةِ ڤيينا بالنسبةِ للبعضِ الآخَر هو الإبقاءُ على هذه الحالاتِ الشاذّةِ والاعترافُ بها والتعايشُ معها خِلافَ الدستورِ والقراراتِ الدُوليّةِ (وهذه هي التسويةُ المميتةُ).

غالِبيّةُ التسوياتِ التي “نَجحَت” في الشرقِ الأوسَط، وكانت الولاياتُ المتّحدةُ الأميركيّةُ الطرفَ الأساسيَّ فيها، غَدَرت بلبنان. وعلى سبيلِ المثال:

1) بعدَ نجاحِ مفاوضاتِ “كمب دايفيد” (17 أيلول 1978) بين مصر وإسرائيل برعايةٍ أميركيّةٍ، نَشبَت حربُ المئةِ يومٍ في الأشرفيّة ومعركةُ زحلة بين جيشِ الاحتلالِ السوريّ والقوّاتِ اللبنانيّةِ بقيادةِ بشير الجميّل، وتصاعَدت العمليّاتُ العسكريّةُ الفِلسطينيّةُ في بيروت والجَنوب. 2) إثْرَ نجاحِ أميركا في إقناع سوريا (أيلول 1990) بالانضمامِ إلى التحالفِ الدُوَليِّ في حربِ تحرير الكويت، أُطلِقَت يدُ الجيشِ السوريِّ فاحتَلَّ بيروت واقتَحَم القصرَ الجُمهوريَّ ووزارةَ الدفاعِ (اجتياحُ 13 تشرين الأول)، وقَرَّت عيونُ البعضِ بولادةِ النظامِ الأمنيِّ اللبنانيِّ/السوريّ. 3) عَقِبَ نجاحِ المفاوضاتِ النوويّةِ الأولى في ڤيينّا (14 تموز 2015) بين أميركا وإيران، حَصل تعطيلُ الدستورِ والشغورُ الرئاسيُّ والتسويةُ الرئاسيّةُ سنةَ 2016، وسيطَرَ حزبُ الله على الدولةِ اللبنانيّة.

By Najia Houssari — arabnews.com — BEIRUT: People across Lebanon have been left stranded and struggling to find fuel for heating as snowstorm Yasmine continues to wreak havoc. President Michel Aoun’s media office said he had instructed the relevant authorities to provide assistance to people in affected areas and had been following the work of military, security and civil agencies as they sought to clear roads. As the storm intensified on Wednesday night, entire cities and villages in the Bekaa and northern regions were cut off, while power cuts left residents without heating. Snow fell at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, leaving dozens of towns along the eastern and western mountain chains isolated. Most main and mountain roads at an altitude of 1,100 meters and above were completely cut off.

Snow also engulfed the runways at Beirut Airport, though did not prevent operations, and covered beaches in the northern cities of Byblos and Beirut and the southern city of Sidon. Also in Sidon, firefighters rushed to tackle a blaze after a school bus was set on fire by lightning. Along the banks of the Hasbani River in Shebaa and the neighboring villages of Arqoub the snowfall was recorded at up to a meter deep. Footage shot in some of the worst affected areas went viral on social media. In some regions the authorities issued warnings to motorists against driving as the freezing temperatures covered roads with ice. The Ministry of Public Works warned people against trying to find alternative routes around snow-blocked roads until the authorities had clarified the situation and issued guidance. The director-general of the Lebanese Civil Defense, Brig. Gen. Raymond Khattar, said the agency had responded to multiple calls from around the country, while the army said it was helping to get fuel to people in need and clear snow from roads. Meanwhile, many people have complained about not being able to buy gas or diesel to heat their homes as they have become too expensive and too scarce.

By EDUARDO CAMPOS LIMA — arabnews.com — SAO PAULO: The ongoing Lebanese socioeconomic crisis, and the devastating explosion at the Port of Beirut in August 2020, have led many Lebanese Brazilians to show greater interest in the Arab country’s affairs. Over the past couple of years, Lebanese Brazilians — whose numbers are estimated at between 3 million and 10 million — have promoted drives to assist Lebanon’s people, and have become more involved in its politics. This trend was intensified by a campaign launched in 2021 by the Lebanese Embassy in Brasilia to encourage Lebanese citizens living in Brazil to register to vote in elections scheduled for May. “Many Lebanese Brazilians know very little about Lebanon. But now I think people are more conscious and trying to be informed,” said trader Nagib Makhlouf, 69, who was born in Brazil but has Lebanese citizenship. He has already taken part in three Lebanese elections: Two in the country — he used to visit to see his mother, who lived there — and one from Brazil. “Lebanon is in such bad shape that many people in Brazil are outraged with the situation. I know a group of 10 Lebanese Jews who decided to register and vote for the first time,” Makhlouf said.

Lebanese-born Lody Brais, a community leader who helped publicize the embassy’s campaign, said more and more young Lebanese Brazilians have been manifesting their wish to get involved with Lebanon and help it overcome its crises. “The diaspora’s vote may help change Lebanese politics. People have lost confidence in politicians,” added Brais, who helped collect food and medicines to be donated to Beirut after the explosion. “Many descendants who have relatives there sent them money. Everybody was concerned for the victims.” At the time, lawyer Hanna Mtanios Hanna Jr., honorary consul of Lebanon in the Brazilian city of Goiania, received dozens of calls during his COVID-19 confinement from people who wanted to do something to help Beirut. “Grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Lebanese immigrants would call me saying they had a family connection with the country and wanted to help. Since then, their ties with Lebanon have been growing,” he said.

by NAJIA HOUSSARI — arabnews.com — BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi has reiterated the necessity of implementing the Taif Agreement, international resolutions and the removal of illegal weapons from Lebanon. The Taif Agreement, signed in 1989, aimed to provide “the basis for the end of the civil war and the return to political normality in Lebanon.” Al-Rahi’s points are the demands mentioned in a paper handed last week to Lebanese authorities by Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah as the conditions for rebuilding trust between the Gulf states and Lebanon, after Saudi Arabia and others severed diplomatic and economic relations with Beirut. Al-Rahi reiterated his demand for “holding an international conference, announcing Lebanon’s neutrality and finding a solution to the problem of Syrian and Palestinian refugees.”

He said he was surprised by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s decision to suspend his involvement in political activities and his call to the Future Movement to neither contest the upcoming parliamentary elections nor nominate anyone to run on its behalf. He told a delegation of the Union of Editors: “I was surprised by the decision and did not expect it, as Hariri is moderate and I hope it does not lead to any crack in the Lebanese structure.” Earlier, Hariri said: “There is no room for any positive opportunity for Lebanon in light of Iranian influence, international confusion, national division, the rise of sectarian tensions and the deterioration of the state.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said he was “saddened by Hariri’s decision,” and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt said he felt “orphaned.”