As Lebanon’s street protests expanded to areas in South Lebanon - the stronghold of the Shiite duo (Amal Movement and Hezbollah) – political reactions by the two parties reflected a divergence in views.
The protests extended to the South and the southern suburbs of Beirut, where several roads were blocked with burning tires.
Amal, headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, was accused on social media of inciting its supporters to participate in the protests as a means to pressure President Michel Aoun to conclude a settlement with President-designate Saad Hariri that would produce a new government.
While Amal sources stressed that the party had nothing to do with these moves, they noted in a statement to Asharq al-Awsat that addressing the financial and living crisis and economic deterioration “can only be done with the presence of an effective government.”
Hezbollah and Amal Movement have conflicting stances over many files, including the relationship with the Free Patriotic Movement, Hezbollah’s ally. Disagreements between their supporters are also increasing, especially on social media, regarding political approaches to internal and regional policies.
However, sources close to the Shiite duo said that the disagreements were only “about the details”, stressing that the two parties met on strategic files and major issues, including “the need to form a government that would address the living and economic crises,” as well as “major strategic headlines linked to the conflict with Israel and the need to resist it.”
