Hezbollah Leader Accuses Saudi King: 'The Terrorist...They Are You,' Gets Rare Rebuke From Lebanese Government
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Tuesday, January 4, 2022! Lebanon and Tunisia stay atop the Arab news as Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, verbally attacks the king of Saudi Arabia and is rebuked by Lebanon's prime minister. In Tunisia, an arrested leader of the Islamic Ennahda party is on a hunger strike and declares "I won't eat and I don't want medicine."
Iran and Yemen's Houthis also drive the news: Iran's president, Ibrahim Raisi, says former U.S. President Donald Trump must face trial for the assassination of the Iranian general Qassim Soleimani. And for good measure, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other American officials are to be sentenced and punished. Raisi warned that if the United States doesn't convene a "fair court," the "hand of revenge" will come out of Iran's sleeve.
Houthi rebels in Yemen seized a ship flying the United Arab Emirates flag and claimed the vessel was laden with military supplies and carrying out "hostile acts." The Saudi-led coalition said the ship was carrying medical supplies.
In Iraq, two drones were fired at a military base housing U.S. troops. One missile was labeled "Soleimani's revenge." In Jordan, parliamentarians who struck blows last week have now passed the legislation they fought about, a constitutional reference to women's rights. News from the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Gaza, Turkey, and More.
The leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group verbally attacked King Salman of Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh had helped spread extremist theology worldwide and accusing the king of terrorism. Hassan Nasrallah's attack came after King Salman last week said in a speech that Lebanon should "end the terrorist Hezbollah's control." Nasrallah's comments came at a time Lebanon is trying to mend relations with Saudi Arabia and, in a rare rebuke, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the Hezbollah leader's accusation doesn't represent Lebanon's government nor the "majority of Lebanese."
Associated Press, Hezbollah leader launches verbal attack against Saudi king.
Al Jazeera, Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah accuses Saudi Arabia of terrorism.
Lebanon's government issued a firm denial of the "fresh words" used by the Hezbollah leader against Saudi Arabia and King Salman. The Agence Nationale D'Information, Lebanon's national news agency, quoted Prime Minister Najib Mikati: "It is not in Lebanon's interest to offend any Arab country, especially the Gulf states.. We repeat our call for everyone to show compassion for this country and to keep it away from petty polemics...” Mikati concluded: "For God's sake, have mercy on Lebanon and the Lebanese and stop the hateful and sectarian rhetoric."
National News Agency, Mikati: Hezbollah Secretary General's Words Against Saudi Arabia Do Not Reflect Government's Position.
Al Arabiya, In rare instance, Lebanese government rebukes Hezbollah and its leader.
Reuters, Hezbollah's criticism of Saudi not in Lebanon's interest: PM.
Tunisian politician Noureddine Bhiri was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. He is in intensive care, a spokesman said. Bhiri, a leader of the Islamic Ennahda party, was arrested in Tunis last week by plainclothesmen and his whereabouts were unknown until his hospitalization. He is now reported to be in a hospital in Bizerte, in Tunisia's north. The protest group Citizens Against the Coup accused Tunisian President Kais Saied and said: "Kais Saied bears full responsibility for the life of Mr. Bhiri."
Al Jazeera, Detained Tunisian politician hospitalized 'in critical condition.'
AllAfrica, Tunisia: Bhiri Taken to 'Unknown' Location After His Health Deteriorated, Says Ennahda.
A member of a delegation visiting the arrested Tunisian politician Noureddine Bhiri said he is refusing food and medication after his transfer to a hospital. Bhiri said he won't eat and won't take any medicine, according to visitors. Bhiri is deputy president of the Ennahda party, and Tunisia's president, Kais Saied, views Ennahda as an enemy.
There were conflicting reports on Bhiri's health. One source said he is "not in critical condition for the time being" and was described as "lively and lucid." The 63-yearold Bhiri is in a private room in the cardiology ward of a hospital in Bizerte.
Bhiri's wife, however, said he had suffered a heart attack. She said she was denied access to him because she refused to sign documents demanded by security forces.
AFP, "I Won't Eat And I Don't Want Medicine,' Detained Tunisia Ex-Minister Says.
Yeni Safak, Detained Ennahda politician stages hunger strike in Tunisia.
The speaker of Tunisia's suspended parliament sent a letter to Tunisian President Kais Saied asking him to reveal the whereabouts and condition of Ennahda party official Noureddine Bhiri, who had been arrested. (It was later learned Bhiri is in a hospital in Bizerte.) The parliament leader, Rached Ghannouchi, and members of the moderate Islamic party said Bhiri had been in poor health. Tunisia's interior ministry has not confirmed Bhiri's arrest.
Reuters, Speaker asks Tunisian president for news of arrested Ennahda official.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said former United States president Donald Trump is the "main criminal and killer" who ordered a deadly drone attack that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani two years ago. Raisi said Trump must face justice or Iran will have revenge. Raisi called for the formation of a "fair court" and said Trump must suffer "qisas," the term for retaliation in kind.
Al Jazeera, Iran's Raisi says Trump must face justice for Soleimani killing.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also has been accused of killing a top Iranian general, along with Donald Trump. Ibrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, said "If Trump and Pompeo are not tried in a fair court for the criminal act of assassinating General Soleimani," Iran will take revenge. Iran claims 127 people are connected to Soleimani's death, including 74 U.S.nationals. Iran's prosecutor-general said "The criminal former president is at the top of the list."
The Hill/Yahoo News, Iran calls for Trump, Pompeo to face trial for Soleimani assassination.
The wings of a drone fired toward U.S. troops in Baghdad were marked with the words "Soleimani's revenge." The reference was to the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani who was killed two years ago in Iraq by a United States attack. The drone was one of two armed drones shot down near Baghad's international airport, apparently aimed at a nearby Iraqi base that houses U.S. forces. Iraqi security officials said another drone had "revenge operations for our leaders" written on it.
Task & Purpose, US shoots down 'Soleimani's revenge' drones on anniversary of Iranian general's death.
"This was a dangerous attack on a civilian airport," an official of the U.S.-led international military coalition said of a drone attack near Baghdad's international airport.
There was no claim of responsibility, but Iran-backed Iraqi militias have fired missiles at U.S .installations. The "two fixed-wing suicide drones...were shot down without incident" by U.S. defenses, an official said. No one was hurt in the incident.
Al Jazeera, Iraq: Drone attack on US base near Baghdad airport foiled.
The Hill/Yahoo News, Drones approaching US troops in Iraq shot down.
Yemeni rebels seized an Emirati-flagged vessel in the Red Sea. The rebels said the ship was a military cargo transport "with military equipment," but the Saudi-led coalition said it was carrying medical supplies. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said "The militia must promptly release the ship or the coalition forces will undertake all necessary measures and procedures to handle this violation, including the use of force if necessary."
The Guardian, Yemeni rebels seize UAE ship in Red Sea after upsurge in violence.
Al Jazeera, Yemen: Houthis seize UAE vessel carrying 'military supplies.'
France 24, Houthi rebels seize vessel off Yemen which Saudis say carried medical supplies.
An Israeli newspaper's website was targeted by hackers on the anniversary of the attack that killed Iran's top general. Hackers replaced the content of the Jerusalem Post's site with an image that threatened Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons program. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the hacking.
Associated Press, Israel's Jerusalem Post website hacked on anniversary of Iran general's assassination.
Last week Jordan's legislators brawled about women's rights. This week they agreed to add to Jordan's constitution the controversial reference that caused the fight. A phrase about women was added to the title of the second chapter of the constitution after 94 of the parliament's 130 members approved an amendment. Another 26 rejected it, and 10 were absent. Jordan's minister of political and parliamentary affairs, Musa Maaytah, said the change was made to "honor and respect women."
The National, Jordan adds new reference to women's rights to constitution after parliament brawl.
United Arab Emirates diplomats are now seated at the famed horseshoe-shaped table of the United Nations Security Council. The UAE, a new member of the council, is seated between Russia and the United Kingdom because member nations are seated in alphabetical order. The Emirati diplomats said they would use their two-year term on the council to advance "peace and stability and multilateralism" around the world.
The National, UAE diplomats ready for first day at UN's top table.
OPEC states, along with Russia and other oil producers, agreed Tuesday to continue a program of gradual monthly increases in oil production. The decision to increase output came in a terse news release from OPEC. Some doubts have been expressed, however, about whether OPEC and OPEC+, which includes Russia and other states, can deliver additional barrels of oil. They haven't been able to meet previous increases, which helps keep oil prices high.
New York Times, OPEC and Russia agree to increase oil output, amid concerns about lagging production.
OPEC's new secretary general-elect says his top priority is to keep the oil organization's pact with Russia and other producers in place. Haitham al-Ghais of Kuwait, his country's former governor to OPEC, was elected secretary general to succeed Mohammad Barkindo of Nigeria. OPEC has an alliance with Russia and other non-OPEC members to form a group called OPEC+ with a "declaration of cooperation." "That's one of my top priorities -- to support the continuation of this Declaration of Cooperation," Ghais said.
CNA (Channel NewsAsia), OPEC's incoming top official says keeping OPEC+ pact is a top priority.
Islamic State forces in Syria killed nine Syrian soldiers and allied militiamen near oil installations in eastern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said the attack was in a remote region on the edge of the Deir Ezzor province, an area where IS units have their hideouts. A convoy was attacked, and 15 pro-government fighters were also wounded.
Guardian Nigeria, IS attack near Syria oil wells kills 9 fighters: monitor.
Lebanon's Hezbollah is working to expand an old Syrian military base north of Syria's capital of Damascus to be used as a training and operations center for reconaissance drones. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said work at the compound includes underground construction, intended to protect Iranian drones from Israeli strikes.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Hezbollah Expands Old Military Base in Syria.
Egypt has released a Palestinian-Egyptian activist and will deport him. Ramy Shaath has been in an Egyptian prison for two and one-half years, Egypt's Human Rights Council said. Shaath is the son of former Palestinian foreign minister Nabil Shaath, and he had been detained since 2019 on charges of assisting a terrorist group; Egypt had also charged Shaath and 12 other defendants with disseminating false information about the country's economic and political conditions.
Ahramonline, Egypt releases Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath; set to deport him.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will make his first trip to Saudi Arabia since journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul, which caused sour relations between Turkey and the Saudis. Erdogan said he will visit Saudi Arabia in February. Last year, Turkish foreign minister Meylut Cavusoglu visited Saudi Arabia in an effort to overcome the rift.
Deutsche Welle, Erdogan plans first Saudi trip since Khashoggi crisis.
Sudan's military is now fully in control of Sudan again, following the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The turn of events is seen as jeopardizing the country's already fragile hopes of a transition to democracy, following the ouster of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir. Hamdok was unable to gain control of the fractious country after a military coup.
New York Times, Sudan's Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, resigns.
More: U.S.urges civilian rule after Sudan's PM quits, Reuters... Algeria's Sonatrach prepares to resume oil operations in Libya, Reuters... Egypt pushes for calm after flare-ups in Gaza hostilities, Associated Press... Egypt's Suez Canal to offer incentives for eco-friendly ships - newspaper, Reuters... Iraq's population exceeds 41 mln in 2021: ministry, Xinhua... Morocco's High-Speed Train Goes Green, AllAfrica.
News You Missed
The resignation of Sudan's prime minister threatens a return to the repressive policies of the regime of ousted strongman Oma al-Bashir. The resignation of Abdalla Hamdok means "protesters will take to the streets again and will be left to face more violence," said Magdi al-Gizouli of the Rift Valley Institute, a think tank.
AFP, Sudan PM quitting risks return to Bashir-style rule: analysts.
Iran secretly transfers its oil at night to evade detection. Its ships anchor in the Gulf just outside the territorial limits of the United Arab Emirates, and small boats carrying smuggled diesel shift their loads to the waiting vessels. Seafarers who have witnessed the trade tell how it's done.
Washington Post, Smuggled Iranian fuel and secret nighttime transfers: Seafarers recount how it's done.