Lebanon's Christian Party Says Alliance With Hezbollah Is In Peril
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Monday, January 3, 2022! Much of the Arab news these days comes from troubled states Tunisia and Lebanon, and today it's Lebanon's turn once more. Hezbollah, with its Iran connections, continues to throw its weight around the country and the region, but now the head of Lebanon's biggest Christian party is warning that its 15-year alliance with powerful Hezbollah is so strained that it is no longer working. Christian leader Gebran Bassil stopped short of calling for a breakup -- "we don't want to cancel or tear apart...but we want to evolve." Nor did Bassil cite Hezbollah's military aggression or its drug-smuggling, just that it's not cooperating with his legislative agenda. But his speech against Hezbollah "signaled an unprecedented level of frustration" and comes in a series of indications that Hezbollah is in serious political trouble with its partner.
Bassil, the Christian leader, is the son-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun and sees himself as the next president. The long-term alliance of their party, the Free Patriotic Movement, has kept them in power since 2008, following Hezbollah's 2006 war with Israel. Meanwhile, President Aoun continues to blame previous leaders for Lebanon's current collapse, even though he has been in office for five years.
Iran concedes, after a day's delay, that its latest rocket shot misfired. (US NASA spotted that immediately.) A spokesman said the rocket needed to reach a speed of 7,600 meters per second, and "we reached 7,350." Close, but no qalyoon (hookah.)
And news from Syria's Idlib, Egypt's Suez Canal, Palestine's West Bank, Iraq's Babylon, Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Saudi Arabia's Yemen coalition, OPEC's meetings, UAE at the United Nations, and... More.
The head of Lebanon's largest Christian party says that its 15-year-alliance with Hezbollah, the country's powerful Shiite group, is no longer working. A televised speech by the Free Patriotic Movement's leader, Gebran Bassil, indicated his alliance with Hezbollah is in jeopardy at a time of economic crisis and just ahead of new parliamentary elections. Bassil accused Hezbollah of cooperating more with the rival Amal party than with his group.
Associated Press, Lebanese Christian leader: alliance with Hezbollah imperiled.
Hezbollah slammed back at its Lebanese government partner, the Free Patriotic Movement, and says it could withdraw its own support. Criticism against Hezbollah, however, is said to be growing fast in Lebanon. An influential journalist said: "I believe that Hezbollah is finished, popularity-wise." Hezbollah is the only group in suffering Lebanon that still has money, but even they have had to reduce salaries for their fighters.
Jerusalem Post, Lebanon may be getting tired of Hezbollah - analysis.
Sudan's prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, has announced his resignation amid political deadlock and continuing demonstrations against military rule. In a televised address, Hamdok called for a dialogue and a national charter to "draw a roadmap" to complete Sudan's transition to democracy after the overthrow of longtime dictator Omar Al-Bashir.
Hamdok was named prime minister, but then arrested in a military coup. Subsequently released, Hamdok, a former United Nations official, said "I tried as much as I possibly could to prevent our country from sliding into a disaster. Now, our country is going through a dangerous turning point that could threaten its survival unless it is urgently rectified." Hamdok's resignation comes amid a heavy military crackdown on protesters.
London's newspaper The Guardian writes that members of the hit squad that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi aren't in prison but are accommodated in villas. They're in a security compound in Saudi Arabia where they have caterers and gardeners and where family members come and go, according to the newspaper, which cited "witnesses.". The accommodations appear to support doubts that the killers are being held accountable for Khashoggi's murder, the report said.
The Guardian, Jamal Khashoggi killers living in luxury villas in Riyadh, say witnesses.
Iran continues to see its space launches fail. Washington is concerned about the program, however, and France says it violates United Nations rules. Germany says Iran should stop. Iran's latest attempt to put payloads into orbit failed when the rocket didn't reach sufficient speed, and an Iranian defense ministry spokesman conceded the failure on state television. The United States and France pointed to a United Nations resolution and said Iran is in violation. Last week's rocket failure was Iran's latest over recent years.
Al Jazeera, Iran space launch fails to put payloads into orbit: Official.
Twenty members of a single Iraqi family were killed in a raid involving security forces in Babylon province , and the nation is reeling in shock. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has ordered an investigation and Iraq's interior minister, Othman al-Ghanemi, went to the scene. There are conflicting explanations of the killings, which apparently resulted from a search for two wanted figures.
Asharq Al-Awsat, 20-Member Family Killed in Iraq Massacre.
Iraq's interior minister sacked the police chief of Babylon province following an operation that led to the deaths of 20 members of the same family. Officers were called in for questioning, but details of the operation remain unclear. Security forces said they had "pursued two individuals accused of terrorism," and that when the two were surrounded, they "opened fire indiscriminately." The Iraqi minister, Othman al-Ghanemi, said a commission is being formed to investigate "the unit that carried out the operation."
AFP, Iraqi minister sacks local police chief after deadly operation.
Iraq has kicked off backroom negotiations to form a new cabinet and leaders say it will be "capable." Populist cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr was the biggest winner of the October 10 election, and the new parliament will open on January 9. Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the current prime minister, said his government has returned "Iraq's role in the international community."
The National, Iraq to form 'capable' government, say top officials.
Thousands of supporters of Iran-backed militias gathered in Baghdad to to mark the second anniversary of the death of Iranian military leader Qassim Soleimani and his Iraqi lieutenant. The two were killed in a United States drone strike on January 3, 2020, in an attack near Baghdad's airport. Former U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the attack that killed Soleimani, who was head of Iran's Quds force.
AFP, Thousands rally in Iraq to mark 2020 killing of Iran general.
Iran is calling on the United Nations to take formal action against the United States for the assassination of its top general, Qassim Soleimani, two years ago. In a letter to the UN General Assembly, Iran's presidential office called for "all legal initiatives in its power, including issuing a resolution" to condemn the U.S. government. The letter said that the United States for years has displayed "excessive unilateralism" in actions that violate international laws and agreements.
Al Jazeera, Iran calls for UN action on US over killing of Qassem Soleimani.
Iraq's Iran-leaning militias aren't satisfied that United States troops remaining in Iraq as advisors won't continue to resist the militias. They are rejecting any continued U.S. presence in Iraq and claim an agreement to end combat operations only circumvents U.S. military actions. Militia leaders pledged to remain "on standby."
Asharq Al-Awsat, Iraq: Pro-Iranian Factions Question US Withdrawal, Threaten America.
Six "armed bandits" and three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed in fighting in Iran's southeast Sistan and Baluchistan province. Five militants were wounded in the shootout that broke out around a hideout near a village in the center of the province. Earlier, two Guard members were killed in similar fighting in the same province, on the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The area is a flashpoint for clashes with the Baluchi minority, militant groups, and smugglers.
AFP, 9 said killed in shootout between 'armed bandits' and Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
OPEC ministers have voted to appoint Haitham al-Ghais of Kuwait as the group's new secretary-general. Al-Ghais is a former Kuwaiti governor to OPEC. He had widespread support for the position and was the only candidate to succeed Mohammad Barkindo of Nigeria. Barkindo will step down at the end of July after two three-year terms. Following Monday's ministers meeting, OPEC is expected to have a separate meeting Tuesday to set oil production.
Reuters, OPEC votes to appoint Kuwaiti candidate as new secretary general, sources say.
Reuters, OPEC to meet on Monday to discuss new top official - sources.
OPEC and its allies are expected to authorize more oil supplies, continuing a modest monthly increase of 400,000 barrels a day of crude oil production. Member countries see global oil demand continuing to recover this year, taking only a mild hit from the Omicron variant in the Covid 19 pandemic. International oil prices have been around $80 a barrel.
Bloomberg, OPEC to increase oil output as 2022 demand confidence grows.
A large fire broke out at Iran's gas production platform in the South Pars field. Iran's state broadcaster said "South Pars Platform 16 suffered a large fire and exited the production circuit." Platform operators said there had been a gas leak but that damage was "not large."
Al Arabiya, Fire shuts down Iran gas production platform in South Pars field: Report.
Saudi Arabia has issued judicial verdicts against six defendants charged with money laundering and handed down jail terms totaling 31 years. Fines of more than SR 152 million were assessed. Prosecutors said both Saudi citizens and expatriates were involved, with the citizens allowing the expatriates to use their bank accounts for monthly fees of SR 10,000 as a cover for illegal funds to be transferred outside the kingdom The fine amounts are the equivalent of the smuggled funds.
Saudi Gazette, 31 Years of imprisonment and SR152 million in fine for six money laundering convicts.
An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition mistakenly hit a camp of allied Yemeni pro-government forces, killing at least 12 troops. The strike, in the province of Shabwa, wounded at least eight of the Yemeni force. A spokesman for the coalition did not return calls for comment from the Associated Press. Friendly fire incidents have happened on occasion during the Yemen conflict, and fighting has escalated in recent months.
Associated Press, Yemen officials: Saudi airstrike kills 12 troops by mistake.
Forces aligned with Yemen's Southern Transitional Council recaptured a key oil-producing district in the Shabwa province from Houthi rebels. "Our troops drove the Houthi rebels out of the Usaylan district in western Shabwa where the Janna oilfield is located," a commander said.
The National, Southern Yemeni forces retake key district from Houthi rebels.
The Saudi-backed Arab coalition carried out airstrikes on Yemen's capital of Sanaa, destroying drones and launch pads at four sites. A spokesperson said the coalition took precautionary measures to spare civilians from collateral damage. Coalition attacks have stepped up in recent months as the Houthi rebel leadership refuses to take part in a ceasefire toward peace negotiations.
Al Arabiya, Arab Coalition carries out air strikes on four targets in Sanaa.
United Arab Emirate officials have approved Dubai's budget of 181 billion Emirati dirhams, $49 billion, for fiscal years 2022-2024. The budget includes expenditure of 59.95 billion dirhams for 2022.
Reuters, UAE prime minister approves Dubai budget for 2022-2024.
Oman has approved its 2022 budget of 12.13 billion Omani riyals, $31.5 billion, with a focus on public services from health to social support. This year's budget is based on an oil price assumption of $50 a barrel. More than half the revenue will come from oil and gas.
The National, Oman approves 2022 budget with spending at $31.5 bn.
Saudi Arabia's decision to ban the Tablighi Jamaat movement has caused reactions across South Asia, particularly in Pakistan. Pakistani voices struck a confrontational tone, and the assembly of Punjab province unanimously adopted a resolution calling the Tablighi Jamaat a "force for good."
WebIndia123, Saudi Arabia's decision to ban Tablighi Jamaat has sent ripples across South Asia.
A hunger strike by Tunisian politicians in its 10th day is being supported by civil rights groups. The groups are urging the international community to pressure Tunisian President Kais Saied to rescind a new political system that consolidates power in his hands. "The hunger strike is the ultimate struggle option in protest against the authoritarian rule of the president," civil organizations said in a statement .
The National, Tunisia rights groups back 10-day hunger strike against President Kais Saied.
Calls are mounting for word on the whereabouts of a detained Tunisian politician, Noureddine Bhiri, a leader of the Islamist Ennahda party. Plainclothes officers arrested Bhiri, a former justice minister of Tunisia, in the capital Tunis. Fathi Baldi, a former interior ministry official, was also taken in for questioning, but there has been no response to requests for information about the two men.
AFP, Calls mount for word on detained Tunisian politician's whereabouts.
Tunisia's President Kais Saied denies he pursued actions against former president Moncef Marzouki, who was convicted in absentia by a Tunisian court on charges of incitement. Marzouki, who lives in Paris, has called on Saied to resign and said he is in a state of "delirium." Saied said the Marzouki case "means nothing to me."
Middle East Monitor, Saied denies connection with Marzouki imprisonment.
Suez Canal revenues have hit an all-time high of $6.3 billion. The number of vessels passing through the canal increased by 10% in 2021, 20,649 ships compared to 18,830 in the previous year. About 10% of global trade goes through the canal, including 7% of the world's oil.
Associated Press, Suez Canal revenues hit all-time record at $6.3 billion.
The United Arab Emirates has taken its seat on the United Nations Security Council for the first time since 1986. The UAE will serve on the council's 2022-2023 term with Albania, Brazil, Gabon, and Ghana. The UAE started campaigning in 2020 for the seat. The Security Council is made up of 15 member countries, and five have veto powers. Those with a veto are the United States, China, Britain, France, and Russia.
Al Arabiya, UAE and four other countries take seats on UN Security Council.
More: Women, two children killed in Russian strikes on Syria's Idlib, Al Arabiya... Doctors say Sudan security forces breakup protests, 2 killed, Associated Press... UN food agency halts work in North Darfur, affects 2 million, Associated Press... Algeria's Sonatrach to invest $39 billion in 2022-2026, CEO says, Financial Post... Libya Shuts Down Another 200,000 Barrels a Day of Oil Production, Bloomberg.. Qaddafi's Son Won't Rule in Libya, Aide to 'Putin's Chef' Says, Bloomberg... Libyan prime minister under fire for comments about unmarried women, The National... Israel signs deal to buy $2 bln in U.S. helicopters, tankers, Reuters.
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