Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has expressed concern that the rival Hizbullah-led coalition could be seeking a new political system in the country through its approach towards the stalled presidential vote, noting that the Sunni community in Lebanon is acting “under the pressure” of Hizbullah's fighting in Syria.
“Unfortunately, I don't see presidential elections in the foreseeable future,” Geagea said in an interview.
Full StoryHizbullah MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi rejected any comparison between the resistance fighters and militants linked to takfiri groups, calling on those who are seeking justice to act similarly.
“The attempt to level the arms of the resistance with those of the takfiris is unjust,” Moussawi said during a speech at an Ashura gathering on Saturday eve.
Full StoryFierce clashes erupted between Hizbullah fighters and al-Nusra Front jihadists in the Syrian Qalamoun along the Lebanese border, a monitor said Sunday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian regime troops backed by Hizbullah fighters engaged in battles with al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front on the outskirts of the strategic Syrian al-Qalamoun region along the Lebanese border.
Full StorySaudi Arabia stressed Thursday that it was the first country to engage in the fight against terrorism, in an apparent response to recent remarks by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
The kingdom was “among the first states that fought terrorism and suffered its attacks,” Saudi National Guard Minister Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah said.
Full StoryArmed clashes broke out on Wednesday evening on the Lebanese-Syrian border outside the Bekaa towns of Deir al-Ghazal and Qusaya, in an area that has been witnessing near-daily skirmishes with Syria-based militants.
“Clashes are underway in the outskirts of the towns of Deir al-Ghazal and Qusaya on Syria's border,” Lebanon's National News Agency reported.
Full StoryThe March 14 forces on Wednesday called on Hizbullah to put an end to “the duality of two armies and two decisions in one country,” noting that attempts to “label the Lebanese as supporters and critics of the army” were refuted by the latest Tripoli battle.
“The national solidarity with the army, especially by the residents of Tripoli, Dinniyeh, Minieh and Akkar, has proved once again how much these regions are committed to Lebanon as an irreversible choice,” the March 14 General Secretariat said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.
Full StoryAl-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday stressed that Tripoli will never be "a safe haven for terrorism and extremism," as it condemned alleged attempts to “demonize” the residents of the northern city and depict them as proponents of an extremist “Islamic emirate.”
In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, the bloc lauded “the national stance of the residents of the city of Tripoli and the North, who showed their decisive commitment to the choice of the state and their support for the government and army.”
Full StoryHizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Monday that Saudi Arabia must shoulder a bigger responsibility in the fight against the extremist ideology of the Islamic State group, noting that military efforts alone cannot eradicate the jihadist organization.
“Nowadays, the prime responsibility in the Islamic world for stopping the proliferation of this ideology falls on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Nasrallah said in a televised speech.
Full StoryInterior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq noted Wednesday that he did not hint in his latest speech at a Hizbullah link to the 2012 assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Wissam al-Hassan.
“Had I meant Hizbullah, I would have named it … We won't announce anything before the completion of the investigation in a full manner based on evidence that is not subject to doubt,” Mashnouq said in an interview on al-Jadeed TV.
Full StoryHizbullah captive fighter Imad Ayyad, who is being held by the Free Syrian Army, has addressed a second video message to his father, in which he expresses surprise over “lack of efforts” to secure his release and stresses the need to communicate with Hizbullah officials.
“I'm doing well and I'm being treated in a very good manner,” Ayyad says in the YouTube video.
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