In light of the continuing regional and international escalation and the growing fears of the expansion of the confrontations and their repercussions on Lebanon, attention is turning to the upcoming political, security and economic entitlements. In this context, writer and political analyst Wajdi Al-Aridi, in an interview with the “Lebanon Debate” website, reviewed the most prominent developments and current files locally and regionally.
Al-Aridi warned that Lebanon and the region are going through the most dangerous stage in their modern history, likening the current atmosphere to what resembles “World War III” in light of the beating of war drums from Europe to the Gulf.
On the diplomatic level, Al-Aridi pointed to the implications of the message that the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, received from US President Donald Trump, which praised the president’s role, in addition to Aoun’s historic visit to the White House, stressing that these data confirm that the United States stands by the Lebanese state institutions and its presidency, contrary to what is said. He also touched on the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Judge Nawaf Salam and his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio – who is in charge of the Lebanese file in all its details – on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, with the possibility of his meeting with Trump as well.
On the ground, Al-Aridi considered that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was exploiting the military escalation on Lebanese soil to achieve electoral gains, warning that all scenarios were on the table and open after the “Taher Hill” events. He believed that the upcoming speech by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, in memory of the two Secretary-Generals, Mr. Hassan Nasrallah and Mr. Hashem Safi al-Din, may have an escalatory nature, especially in light of the party’s leadership’s insistence on keeping its weapons, which reflects the continuation of the crisis and the absence of any solution horizon between Iran and Washington. He stressed that Lebanon will continue to pay heavy prices as long as Hezbollah is linked to Iran ideologically and militarily and defends its agenda.
Regarding the Arab position, Al-Aridi praised the historical and continuing role of the United Arab Emirates in standing by Lebanon in various circumstances, recalling the decision to lift the travel ban on its citizens to Beirut and the visit of a delegation of Emirati businessmen headed by the Minister of Commerce, which proves Abu Dhabi’s keenness to support all Lebanese at one distance.
Regarding internal affairs, Al-Aridi indicated that the general amnesty file had been completed after it was signed by the President of the Republic, considering that the objections of the “Free Patriotic Movement” and the review of the Shura Council do not advance or delay. Representative Nabil Badr was quoted as confirming that this law represents a historic achievement thanks to the efforts of President General Joseph Aoun and those concerned, stressing the necessity of fortifying the home front and not exploiting the human and social tragedy of the oppressed in political and electoral bidding, and working to remove injustice from the capital, Beirut.
As for the file of reconstruction and the south, Al-Aridi explained that reconstruction will be delayed due to the complexities of the field and the survival of Israel, recalling the experience of the 1982 invasion and the withdrawal in 2000. On the other hand, he praised the effective moves of the Southern Council headed by Engineer Hashem Haidar in supporting the displaced, restoring the infrastructure, and strengthening the steadfastness of the people in cooperation with the municipalities and concerned parties.
On the level of living and economics, Al-Aridi warned of an imminent social explosion if the situation continues as it is, highlighting the crisis of the apple season depression that threatens to displace farmers in southern Matn and all of Lebanon. He conveyed Gaby Semaan’s warning about the danger of being satisfied with festivals and the absence of practical solutions, calling for declaring a state of economic emergency to confront the refrigerator crisis, the rise in fuel prices, and to protect citizens’ livelihood security.
Al-Aridi concluded by stressing that the region is experiencing very important pivotal days, awaiting the results of the meeting of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings, especially in light of the repercussions of the Iranian attacks on the Gulf countries, reiterating that the continued stagnation in Iranian-American relations will make Lebanon constantly sacrifice the bill for these conflicts.
