Hezbollah-Linked Paper Pressures Lebanon’s President Over Possible Israel Deal

Ibrahim al-Amin, editor of the Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper "Al-Akhbar," raised the possibility today (Tuesday), in a column he published, that transcripts from meetings held by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun with senior Hezbollah officials could be made public.

According to him, the Lebanese president promised those officials assistance and cooperation. Al-Amin claimed that in those meetings, Aoun criticized several Lebanese politicians, including the Christian Samir Geagea, the Sunni leader Saad Hariri, and also Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Shiite.

In addition, the editor of "Al-Akhbar" wrote that he believes the time has come to reexamine the current governing structure, since the "Taif Agreement," which brought an end to the civil war in the 1990s, is no longer relevant to Lebanon and the country needs sweeping change.

Meanwhile, according to a CNN report, Aoun met last night with his envoy for the talks with Israel taking place in Washington, attorney Simon Karam. The latter updated him on the details of the talks and on preparations for another round that will take place on June 22. Aoun said in an interview with CNN that "Tehran is not trying to help Lebanon, but is using it as a bargaining chip, while its citizens are paying the price for advancing its interests." According to the report, he also expressed support for reaching an agreement with Israel.

Following that report, "Al-Akhbar" wrote: "Aoun, who came to the presidency by an American-Saudi decision, against the will of a broad majority of political forces and the Lebanese people, appears truly convinced that he reflects the feelings of the Lebanese majority, especially given the circle of advisers around him, and Hashem knows how they weigh things. He is acting from the conviction that direct support from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and indirect support from Israel, are enough to place him in a position where he can impose facts on the rest of the Lebanese people."

"Iran’s honorable position alongside Lebanon deserves appreciation and thanks, not insults from the authorities and denial in response to foreign dictates. The false accusations made by some government figures against Iran’s role, as it sought to stop the Zionist aggression in Lebanon, are completely unacceptable."