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Exclusive - Syrian, Russian Measures Fuel Anger at Illegal Lebanese Border Crossings

by Nazeer Rida -- aawsat.com -- Hermel (eastern Lebanon) – A few meters separate a Syrian regime military member from Lebanese workers operating a tractor in a Lebanese field. In contrast to the noise of the tractor, the situation in the northeastern-most border region in Lebanon is quiet. Only members of the Russian-commanded 11th troop of the regime military occupy the sand barriers separating the two neighboring countries. Four soldiers man each barrier, which are 150 meters apart from each other. Inside Lebanon, the residents only harbor bitterness. “Our livelihoods are at risk and we are living under siege,” complained one local to Asharq Al-Awsat. “We have not presented 128 martyrs to be choked by the Russians,” complained another. “If the borders are not opened, then we will not hesitate to resist those barring us from accessing our livelihood.” The residents of this border region were taken by surprise when Syrian troops, under Russian orders, began setting up a barbed wire fence along the border. They started, without prior warning, to plant mines, in a Russian attempt to control the border with Lebanon and shut illegal and smuggling routes to Syria. In upheaval, the residents informed the Russians through indirect channels that such a move was not welcome and unwanted in the region, said the locals. The Russians consequently withdrew and kept the members of the 11th troop. Days later, the barbed wire fence and mines were removed and the troops remained, deployed in an area of over 30 kms.

The residents do not hide the fact that the closure of illegal border crossings with Lebanon has dealt a blow to the transit along these routes that have been regularly traveled since the 1970s. The closure has also drawn up new rules of engagement that call for separating the peoples of the two neighboring countries, a move that contradicts the long uttered official statements of the Lebanese and Syrian people living united in two countries. The Lebanese locals now have to travel 70 kms to reach the legal Joussieh crossing to reach their agricultural land that lies only 200 meters away from a sand barrier on the other side of the border. Eight illegal border crossings have been closed and the closest legal one lies in the al-Qaa town near Syria’s Joussieh in the southern Aleppo countryside. The fact is that the Syrian war, which erupted seven years ago, has never prevented thousands of Lebanese people residing in the region bordering the southwestern Aleppo countryside from traveling to nearby Syrian territory.

Residents of al-Qasr, of a population of some 15,000, said that Lebanese people own agricultural property in the villages of Syria’s al-Qusayr region. Moreover, 30,000 Lebanese people live in the Syrian towns and villages of Matraba, Zeita, al-Fadelieh, Hawik, Jermash, Wadi al-Arayesh and al-Samaqiyat. The Lebanese “Hezbollah” party intervened in the Syrian war in 2013 under the pretext of “protecting” them. The war in that area ended in summer 2013 and the regime once against imposed its control. Al-Qasr residents told Asharq Al-Awsat that the 11th troop deployed in the area last week and shut all illegal crossings and routes. They set up the barbed wire fence and planted mines along the border. The locals protested to the Russians, adding that the regime forces were informed of their objection.

A prominent source in the town said that the regime “took the objection into consideration and Damascus held talks with the Russians.” Two days later, the Syrian forces began removing the mines and barbed wire fence. The regime forces remained deployed there and they were made to open a small pedestrian crossing that would grant Lebanese residents access to al-Quasyr countryside. From there, they would take Syrian taxis to reach their properties and source of livelihood in Syrian villages. This was the second such measure taken by the Russian military command in the region. Last month, it ordered a deployment along the border with Lebanon. This was, however, met with “Hezbollah’s” opposition, saying that the move was “not coordinated” with it. The dispute was resolved through Damascus’ mediation that culminated with regime forces deploying at three positions near al-Qusayr town in the Homs province. This last step directly affects Lebanese interests, smuggling routes and illegal crossings. The only legal crossing is located in al-Qaa in eastern Hermel. Al-Qasr lies 30 kms away from al-Qaa, meaning locals who want to access their property in Syria must travel 70 kms to reach them.

Two points of contention

The real reasons for their opposition go beyond Lebanese property owned in Syria. The Lebanese believe that closing the border has Russian political purposes to cut “Hezbollah” arms smuggling routes. Smuggling operations in this area are much easier than they are elsewhere due to the smooth terrain along the Assi River. Other illegal crossings in the eastern Baalbek region are mountainous, making smuggling a treacherous undertaking. Russian and allied regime forces have not deployed there. “Russian excuses that the crossings are used by terrorists are invalid. The region has been safe since 2014 and, therefore, there are no terrorists here,” said the locals. The second reason for their objection lies in economic factors. The locals declared: “We will not allow them to choke us. We will not allow them to isolate and besiege our region.” The Lebanese region is located far from local services and the residents often head to Syria to buy groceries and access medical services, all at a lower cost than Lebanon. One Qasr resident stated: “I used to buy my groceries from Syria at a cost of 2,000 Syrian pounds. I would have to spend 30 dollars if I were to make the same purchases in Lebanon.” “If my child falls sick, I take him to Homs by traveling only 20 minutes. I would need more than an hour and a half if I were to seek the closest medical clinic, which is located in Baalbek. Moreover, a doctor’s visit in Syria would cost me 500 Syrian pounds (a dollar and a half), while I would have to pay some 50 dollars for in Lebanon.” “They have suffocated us,” he lamented.

The World Cup final is always weird, but this one was actually GOOD

Congrats from khazen.org to France!! This article does not necessarily represents khazen.org

by sbnation.com -- Andi Thomas -- Well, wasn’t that World Cup final a strange game of football? Croatia came out and played like the dominant, heavily favoured, massive nation they absolutely aren’t, while France — at least until they had it wrapped up in their 4-2 win — played like scrappy little underdogs. Charming when actual underdogs do it; frankly uncomfortable from this group of players. And that’s before we consider the details. The penalty that was totally consistent with the rest of this tournament, and totally outrageous at the same time. The referee, Nestor Pitana, double, triple, quadruple-checking his homework. N’golo Kante, overrun in midfield, hooked before the hour mark. Hugo Lloris, demonstrating that you can win a World Cup and look really Spursy at the same time. A pitch invasion. Obviously a pitch invasion.

But that’s World Cup finals: they are always, always weird. Strange things happen. Think back to 2010, when the Netherlands came out with their fists and their feet, or 2006, when Zinedine Zidane led with his head. Or 1998, when Ronaldo disappeared from the team sheet, then reappeared, but in name only. Even when nothing specifically odd happens, everything feels strange. A dive to win a free-kick becomes a dive to win a free-kick in the World Cup final. This, perhaps, is a natural consequence of what the World Cup final is: its significance, its weight. A game that comes once every four years for everybody watching, and maybe once in a lifetime for those on the field. Each action is heavy, and the ripples are proportionately unsettling. What did that throw in mean?

This uncanny air is useful, since it helps to mask the other thing about World Cup finals: as games of football, they are usually a bit rubbish. It’s perfectly possible to be in your mid-30s and not remember a properly decent one. 2014 and 2010 were nervous and taut; 2006 was a headbutt (even if it was a hell of a headbutt). 2002 was too one-sided, and 1998 was haunted by zombie-Ronaldo. 1994 was mesmerizingly dull, and 1990 basically just a fight. Not 2018. Oh no. The tournament got the final it deserved, and even if a quibble here and there might keep it from greatness, it was certainly a very good game of football. We probably have Croatia to thank for this: nobody could have blamed them had they tried to kill the game, but instead they came to attack and, for a good chunk of the game, they made France look very nervous.

As for France … well, they came to Didier Deschamps, and they nailed that. It’s a shame they were never truly forced to chase this game, since it would have been nice to see this squad forced onto the front foot. The sense that this is a team performing within its own capacities is hard to shift. But it was fun watching them scramble around as they realized they were in a game, and they had the good sense to add a little glamour at the end. Weirdness wasn’t done at the final whistle, of course: first the World Cup went missing for a while, and then the heavens wept to see Emmanuel Macron happy. But whether you think weirdness or goodness was the winner of this game after 90 minutes, both sides put up a strong showing. Just as with the tournament as a whole. Often, World Cups go out with whimper. This time, with a bit of a flourish, and a squelch.

France wins thrilling World Cup final over Croatia to lift the trophy for the first time in 20 years

France soundly defeated Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final on Sunday, lifting the trophy for the first time since 1998. While Croatia was in total control in the early minutes of the match, it was France who would strike first, when Antoine Griezmann struck a free kick into the box that caught the head of Croatian Mario Mandzukic for an own goal to give Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute. Croatia would respond not long after, with Ivan Perisic equalizing with a brilliant strike from just outside the box, breathing new life into a Croatian side that had come from behind in every match of the knockout stage thus far. But from there, France would take a lead that they refused to give up for the rest of the match. The run started with a penalty kick awarded to Les Bleus after a VAR review determined a handball in the box. Griezmann sent the ball into the back of the net with a confident strike from the spot.

That 2-1 lead would hold into halftime. After Croatia came out of the break hot yet again, with more than a few chances to equalize, France shut the door on the match. After Paul Pogba collected a ball at the top of the box, his initial strike was rejected, only for him to hit another shot home on his next attempt. With a 3-1 lead in the 59th, France began to celebrate like a team about to win the World Cup. 19-year-old wunderkind Kylian Mbappe would add another for France just minutes later, becoming the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele. Croatia would get one goal back after an egregious error from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but could never find the net again, leaving France to lift the trophy with a 4-2 victory.

Lebanese PM addresses at 26th Arab Economic Forum in Beirut, Lebanon

BEIRUT, (KUNA): After meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said Friday that the leaderships of Kuwait and Lebanon were seeking to further bolster relations on all possible fields. Speaking to the press at Baabda Palace, Al-Ghanim said that he conveyed a verbal message from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to President Aoun during the meeting. The message reflected the Kuwaiti leadership’s keenness on supporting and assisting Lebanon “through thick and thin,” said Speaker Al-Ghanim who commended the Lebanese honorable stance during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and subsequent liberation in 1991. In regards to agreements signed during President Aoun’s visit to Kuwait recently, Speaker Al-Ghanim said that “all the agreements between Kuwait and Lebanon where either already unanimously approved by the National Assembly or in the process of being accepted.” Answering a question regarding a travel ban on Kuwait citizens to Lebanon, Al-Ghanim said that there was no such policy being implemented, noting that as of now, there were around 14 flights between the two countries on a daily basis.

Invitation

Al-Ghanim also answered a question regarding President Aoun’s invitation to His Highness the Amir to visit Lebanon, affirming that it would occur when the date and time were suitable. Kuwaiti National Assembly’s MPs Mohammad Al-Dallal and Khaled Al-Shatti in addition to Kuwait’s Ambassador to Lebanon Abdulaal Al-Qinai attended the meeting between Speaker Al-Ghanim’s and President Aoun. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Michel Aoun lauded Friday His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s sincere support and stance towards his brethren in Lebanon. In a statement by the Presidential office during his meeting with Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, President Aoun affirmed the strong Kuwaiti stance on issues pertaining to Lebanon’s security and welfare as well as issues connected with the Arab region. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah dealt with various dilemmas plaguing the region in a wise and thoughtful manner, said President Aoun who commended the Kuwaiti role in defusing the Lebanese civil war, which swept the country in the past.

Relations

On the strong Kuwaiti-Lebanese relations, the president said that it was a natural reflection of both countries desires to boost ties further. In regards to the verbal message conveyed by Speaker Al-Ghanim from His Highness the Amir, President Aoun thanked His Highness Sheikh Sabah for his brotherly gesture and sincere wishes for Lebanon and its people. He asked Speaker Al-Ghanim to convey a similar message to His Highness the Amir and the people of Kuwait, wishing them further progress and welfare. According to the presidential office, President Aoun had reviewed with Speaker Al-Ghanim the Lebanese government’s plans to develop the country economically. President Aoun also touched on the issue of Syrian refugees, affirming that the world most bring on a peaceful solution to the crisis. In the meantime, talks with Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Al-Hariri were positive and topics of common concern were discussed, Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said on Friday.

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Lebanese Economy to Grow by Two Percent in 2018

Lebanon's Banque Du Liban Governor, Riad Salameh, have said that he expects the economy to grow by two percent and for inflation to range between four and five per cent in 2018. The estimates are made in the light of a slowdown in the real estate sector and stable consumption, added Salameh. Speaking at the Arab Economic Forum in Beirut, Salameh said the rising inflation, coupled with political risk and global interest rates, have led to higher interest rates in the domestic market.

Shakira visits her grandmother's Tannourine village in Lebanon

Colombian Lebanese pop star Shakira on Friday visited the village in Lebanon where her paternal grandmother was born, an AFP journalist said. "Hello Tannourine, thank you, I am happy to be here!", the 41-year-old singer said in Arabic during a visit under high security to the village of Tannourine in Lebanon's mountainous north. Accompanied by local officials, Shakira visited a nature reserve that grows cedar trees -- Lebanon's national emblem -- and planted two saplings. To mark the occasion, a small patch of the reserve was named "Shakira Mubarak" -- after one of the singer's family names, Tannourine's mayor Bahaa Harb said.

On Friday evening, she will kick off the Cedars International Festival in Lebanon, a concert set to attract 13,000 people. This is Shakira's third visit to the country. Her first visit came in 2003 and she returnec in 2011 for a concert. The artist is in Lebanon with her two sons.

The singer and performer arrived amid tight security to the mountainous town of Tannourine from which her grandparents immigrated to the United States, and where her father William Mebarak Chadid was born and later immigrated at the age of five with his parents to Colombia. Shakira planted two cedar trees in the Cedar forest conservatory in the town - one tree carried her name and the other her family name - surrounded by local and diplomatic officials representing both countries, Lebanon and Colombia.