Riad Salameh has joined the investigation into alleged embezzlement, Israel still breaking sound barriers and Donald Trump almost assassinated
On July 14, an altercation in Bourj Hammoud, north of Beirut, turned violent on Saturday night, with reports of physical fighting and gunfire resulting in multiple injuries. Red Cross volunteers responded to the scene and transported the wounded to hospitals.
According to Lebanese channel MTV, the incident followed a previous day’s dispute where individuals reportedly shouted sectarian slogans and attacked the headquarters of the Armenian party Tashnag. This earlier confrontation is said to have sparked the subsequent violent clash on Saturday.
On that same day, following a personal altercation in the Maadi neighborhood that escalated into gunfire, resulting in the accidental injury and death of Hezbollah’s Hajj Samir Qabbani, the Lebanese Army intervened, deploying extensively and initiating investigations to apprehend those involved. In a joint statement, the leadership of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing the need for security control through official security forces and agencies.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Central Bank has joined the investigation into alleged embezzlement by its former governor, Riad Salameh. This move, confirmed by William Bourdon, the lawyer who initiated legal proceedings against Salameh in France, was announced on Friday.
Under the new leadership of Wassim Mansouri, who took over as head of the Banque du Liban (BDL) last July, this development could lead to significant progress in the corruption case. It may also grant access to crucial banking documents that have been kept confidential until now.
A senior official disclosed that the BDL has been acting as a civil party in investigations conducted in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Lebanon for several months.
Salameh is accused of embezzling over 330 million US dollars in public funds through a slush fund at the central bank, which he and his family allegedly used to acquire properties in Europe and the US. As a result of these allegations, the central bank is legally considered a victim.
Meanwhile, in response to concerns regarding the Israeli attacks on the agricultural sector and livestock farmers in border villages, Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants announced that it has filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council. The complaint was submitted by Lebanon’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on July 3, 2024.
The Ministry specified that the complaint includes official statistics on the fires caused by the use of white phosphorus, which have resulted in 683 fires. It also provided details on the completely burned areas, which surpassed 2,100 dunams from October 8 of last year to mid-March this year, as well as the damaged forest and agricultural lands, which amounted to 6,000 dunams.
In Lebanon
July 13, 2024: A Lebanese security source reported that an Israeli airstrike on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two civilians who were collecting water in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the army stated that the raid in the area was aimed at two Hezbollah operatives.
The security source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to the media, stated that “two civilians were filling up water from a roadside spring in the Deir Mimas area when they were killed in an Israeli airstrike.”
July 12, 2024: Israeli warplanes continue to break sound barriers across Lebanon reaching the capital Beirut and lately, Kesrouane and the northern region.
July 12, 2024: A Lebanese Armed Forces vehicle in southern Lebanon came under machine-gun fire from within Israel on Friday, an uncommon incident involving the Lebanese army since cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah started last October.
Lebanon’s state news agency, NNA, reported that the military vehicle was struck by four bullets near Ghajar, a contested village on the border of Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Fortunately, the soldiers in the vehicle were unharmed. The Lebanese army has yet to release a statement regarding the incident.
July 14, 2024: US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein is nearing a deal between Israel and Lebanon, though several key issues remain unresolved, according to a report in the Lebanese newspaper al-Diyar on Sunday.
Hochstein informed French officials that Israeli and Lebanese representatives have almost reached an agreement to end the hostilities. The fighting has been between Israel and Hezbollah, not the Lebanese armed forces.
In The Region
Trump assassination attempt: During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a crucial state in the upcoming November 5 election, Donald Trump, 78, was struck in the right ear by gunfire, leaving his face streaked with blood. Despite the incident, his campaign reported that he was doing well.
The attack occurred when shots rang out, hitting Trump. One person in the crowd was killed and two others were wounded before Secret Service agents fatally shot the suspect. Both Trump and Biden called for calm and unity following the event.
Trump is scheduled to accept his party’s formal nomination at the Republican National Convention with a speech on Thursday. He showed a defiant spirit, pumping his fist in the air several times as he descended the stairs from his plane upon arriving in Milwaukee.
More airstrikes: In a recent airstrike, Israel targeted Mohammad Deif, a primary objective in the ongoing Al-Aqsa Flood War, using over a ton of explosives distributed across five heavy bombs. Although the Israeli military confirmed the strike, they have not verified Deif’s death, and Hamas has denied the claims.
This latest attempt on Deif’s life comes after several previous unsuccessful efforts, including one where Israel aborted the mission after discovering his proximity to Israeli hostages.
The operation on Saturday in Khan Yunis was carefully planned and coordinated among various Israeli intelligence and military branches. Before the strike, military intelligence, Shin Bet, and the army conducted evaluations to ensure no Israeli hostages were in the area.
The attack resulted in the deaths of at least one hundred Palestinians and left many injured. Israel utilized a range of intelligence resources to track Deif’s movements, including cyber capabilities, drones, and Palestinian agents.
Turkish and Syrian closeness: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently emphasized Turkey’s high-level call for normalization with Syria during a press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Istanbul. Fidan expressed hope for a positive response from Syria, stressing the current regional focus on peace and stability. He highlighted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support for restoring relations with Syria, emphasizing the importance of peace efforts and cooperation moving forward.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated on Saturday that any initiative to improve relations with Turkey must be built on clear foundations, emphasizing the need for a return to the pre-2011 situation for relations to resume. They responded to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks about arranging a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stressing that any Turkish initiative should include the withdrawal of illegally present forces from Syria territory and combating terrorist groups that threaten both Syrian and Turkish security. The Syrian Foreign Ministry underscored that normalization of relations should be based on restoring the pre-2011 status quo, essential for the security, safety, and stability of both countries.
Elections in Syria: On Monday, Syria’s Higher Judicial Committee for Elections announced the commencement of voting across all polling stations nationwide. Syrians are casting their ballots to elect candidates for the fourth legislative term of the People’s Assembly. The election is taking place at 8,151 centers, with voters selecting from 1,516 candidates to fill 250 parliamentary seats.
Judge Jihad Murad, the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections, informed Syria’s state-run news agency SANA that polling stations, totaling 8,151, began welcoming voters on Monday morning.
What We’re Reading
The militaristic marches in Lebanese politics, a legacy to reevaluate: Political Psychologist Ramzi Abou Ismail talks about how members of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) recently participated in the Dhour Shweir International Jazz Festival to commemorate the execution of their founder, Antoine Saade, in 1949. This event has sparked a broader discussion on Lebanon’s political culture, questioning why various groups resort to militaristic marches for demonstrations.
Lebanon’s history, particularly the Civil War from 1975 to 1990, has deeply influenced its political landscape. Many current political parties, including the SSNP, originated as militias during this period of conflict. This legacy has fostered a culture where military-style displays are viewed as demonstrations of strength and a commitment to protecting their interests, reflecting a persistent influence of Lebanon’s turbulent past.
The popularity and sustainability of agritourism in Lebanon’s rural areas: Journalist Rodayna Raydan explores Lebanon’s tourism industry, focusing on the rise of agritourism as a novel approach. This initiative combines tourism and agriculture, aiming to bolster both tourism and rural development while enhancing farmers’ earnings.
Agritourism encompasses a range of activities centered on rural exploration, providing a retreat from urban life to engage with the local environment. Activities include hiking, fruit and vegetable picking, and indulging in freshly-prepared local cuisine, fostering memorable experiences.
Once a tradition confined to family settings, agritourism has evolved into a communal endeavor that unites people. Locals and tourists alike increasingly seek authentic experiences that counter urbanization, reminiscent of Lebanese summers spent in ancestral village homes. These experiences remain accessible, preserving Lebanon’s rich traditions and community ties across the nation.
Between Stanley Fischer and Riad Salameh: Journalist Maan Barazy covers a significant session in the Israeli Knesset in May 2005, where Stanley Fischer, shortly after receiving Israeli citizenship, outlined his proposed reforms as the incoming Governor of the Bank of Israel. Fischer emphasized four main reforms: adjusting the bank’s primary objective to prioritize price stability alongside other goals like financial stability and economic growth; ensuring the bank’s independence with accountability mechanisms; implementing a management structure separating policy oversight and operational functions; and enhancing transparency through regular reporting. These reforms aimed to strengthen the bank’s effectiveness and accountability in economic policy.
Lebanon +
In this episode of ‘Sarde After Dinner,’ the hosts delve into the poignant topic of leaving Lebanon and the expatriate experience. They reflect on the emotional complexities of departing their homeland, discussing the challenges of adapting to new cultures and environments abroad. The conversation explores the nostalgia for Lebanese traditions, cuisine, and community, juxtaposed with the realities of starting anew in foreign lands. It’s a heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and the enduring ties that connect Lebanese expatriates to their roots despite geographical distance.
