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Federal agents make huge seizure of fentanyl in Arizona, enough to kill every American plus
Today's Headlines
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Page 6: Politix
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Afghanistan
Taliban Transformed Seraj-ul-Emarat Palace into Jihadi Madrasa
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined. I guess the TTP have first call on Pakistan’s madrassa graduates nowadays, so the Taliban have decided to grow their own.
[8am] Local sources in Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
province have reported that the Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
have transformed the historic Seraj-ul-Emarat Palace in Jalalabad city, the center of this province, into a jihadi madrasa.

Sources state that the Taliban had been attempting to convert this palace into a school over the past few months, and on Monday, June 4, they successfully accomplished this task.

Local Taliban officials in charge of information and culture in the province have not made any official statements regarding this matter.

The Seraj-ul-Emarat Palace, constructed during the reign of King Amanullah Khan, underwent restoration during the previous government’s rule after being damaged during the country’s prolonged wars.

Previously, the Taliban had converted the Sharia Faculty building of Panjshir University into a jihadi madrasa.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: Taliban/IEA


Ministry: All Airfields in Afghanistan Operational
[ToloNews] Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), said that all airfields in Afghanistan are currently operational.

At the Transportation and Aviation Institute's graduation ceremony, Hamidullah Akhundzada, the acting minister of transportation and civil aviation, said that twenty foreign flights daily are using the nation's airports.

Speaking at the ceremony, Akhundzada stressed the need for Afghanistan to be self-sufficient in the civil and aviation sectors, adding that thirty students had been sent to Uzbekistan to study to advance the aviation industry.

"Through this institute, we maintain the nation's international airports' operational status, and currently these airports are active for domestic and foreign flights, 20 international flights are made each day from these airports," Akhundzada added.

The Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadim, said during the graduation ceremony of the students of the Transportation and Aviation Institute that work should be left to specialists, and that professionals should be appointed in each department.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nadim promised to cooperate in improving the capacity of the students of the institute.

"We have a commitment in this field for work to be given to those who suit the position. No one else can do what an engineer does, so there is a need for professionals who should be employed there," Nadim said.

The graduates of the Transportation and Aviation Institute asked the Islamic Emirate to provide them with employment opportunities.

"We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide job opportunities for these graduates who studied for two years and worked hard," said Shahir Sutanzada, a graduate.

According to data from Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), more than 50 individuals received two years of training in air traffic control, monitoring, navigation, and other departments in 1402 (solar calendar).
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Taliban/IEA


Africa Horn
We lost 54 soldiers in Bulo Marer attack-President Museveni
[GoobjoogNews] Fifty-four soldiers were killed in the May 28 attack at the Ugandan army base in Bulo Marer in the Lower Shabelle region, President Yoweri Museveni
...President-for-Life of Uganda. He assumed office in 1985. His primary virtue is being prefereable to both his predecessors, Idi Amin and Milton Obote...
has said.

This figure sharply contrasts that of the holy warrior group al-Shabaab
...... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
which put the toll at 137. The group is known to exaggerate its casualty figures.

"During that operation, UPDF discovered the lifeless bodies of 54 fallen soldiers, including Lt Col Edward Nyororo, the commander," President Museveni said in a presser.

He added that two commanders were arrested for failing to give clear instructions to the soldiers. "The mistake was made by two commanders, Maj. Oluka and Maj. Obbo, who ordered the soldiers to retreat."
Last week's attack against African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] peacekeepers was the worst in as many months, with the turbans completely overrunning Bulo Marer Forward Operating Base. Reports from the town indicate resilient UPDF soldiers have already regained control over Bulo Marer from al-Shabaab

The recapturing of the base, President Museveni said, was necessary to motivate the troops who are working hard for the stabilization of Somalia. Museveni thanked the soldiers for responding swiftly despite the unprecedented loss inflicted on them by the al-Shabaab turbans, who are still dominant in central Somalia.

"Our soldiers demonstrated remarkable resilience and reorganized themselves, resulting in the recapture of the base by Tuesday," the president said.

Al-Shabaab fighters had targeted the base early last Friday in Bulamarer, 130 km [80 miles] southwest of the capital Mogadishu. Uganda did not immediately release the data on affected soldiers last week but the pressure from home may have motivated Museveni to reveal the number of deaths.

On their part, al-Shabaab had claimed over 137 UPDF soldiers was killed in the raid, which had over 221 soldiers at the time of the attack, a claim disputed by Uganda and ATMIS. al-Shabaab Finance Controller Mahad Karate claimed over 200 Ugandan soldiers were killed in the attack.

Al-Shabaab, which has said it carried out suicide kabooms and killed 137 soldiers at the base, has been fighting since 2006 to replace Somalia's Western-backed government with its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

The attack comes as the ATMIS prepares for the drawdown of troops, with over 2000 soldiers expected to leave the Horn of Africa nation starting this month. The Somali National Army is being prepared to take over security responsibilities once the foreign troops are from the country.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: al-Shabaab (AQ)


Cyber
Biden sanctions Iran tech firm for censorship while remaining silent on censoring US citizens
[JustTheNews] The Treasury Department recently imposed sanctions on an Iran-based technology firm for helping Iranian leaders impose internet censorship on anti-government protests, but President Joe Biden is remaining silent on the U.S. government's censorship of its own citizens.

The technology firm Aravan Cloud and its co-founders Pouya Pirhosseinloo and Farhad Fatemi, as well as the firm's United Arab Emirates-based affiliate, were all sanctioned "for their roles in facilitating the Iranian regime’s censorship of the Internet in Iran," the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said Friday.

"The United States is committed to holding accountable those who seek to undermine freedom of expression and suppress dissent, and to call out regimes who deny their citizens this right," Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also praised the sanctions, which he said are part of a "multi-pronged strategy to support and preserve the free flow of information to the Iranian people in the face of the Iranian regime’s unprecedented campaign of Internet disruptions and censorship."

While the Biden administration is concerned about protecting freedom of speech abroad and even sanctioning companies that colluded with foreign governments in censorship, Republican lawmakers have uncovered evidence administration worked with social media platforms to censor the speech of U.S. citizens.
Posted by: Skidmark || 06/05/2023 05:51 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran



#3  The Biden and Trudeau regimes are cribbing each other’s homework.
Posted by: Super Hose || 06/05/2023 7:49 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Rajouri Police to sharpen fighting skills of VDC members at special camps


Amid the prevailing security situation, Jammu and Kashmir
...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
police in Rajouri district have started a major exercise to sharpen the firing as well as weapon handling skills of hundreds of Village Defence Committee members with multiple training camps held across the district on Sunday.

Village Defence Committees (VDCs) were raised in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir to deal with terrorism during early 2000 and under the initiative identified villagers in an area having good credentials and background were provided with .303 rifles.

Although the VDC members in districts of Chenab Valley are also paid for their services, the members of these committees in Rajouri and Poonch districts are not paid and are working on a voluntary basis.

These members on the one hand play the role of safety in their villages; on the other hand, they sometimes accompany security forces during area domination patrols as well as counter-terrorism operations.

The VDCs in Rajouri and Poonch , have now been activated fully with government as well as security forces taking several steps for their strengthening.

Strengthening of VDCs has been prioritised especially after January 1 Dhangri terror attack in which 7 people from Hindu community bit the dust where as 13 others got injured.

The people demanded for strengthening a VDCs after these gruesome killings gruesome killings and this demand was also taken up with Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to the village after this attack while people also put forth this demand before Union Home Minister.

Meanwhile,
...back at the pond, the enormous newt was trying to decide if Gloria was edible...
the Government took a major step for strengthening VDCs in the district in recent months under which many new members have been included in existing committees while several ex-servicemen have been provided with Self Loading Rifles (SLRs).

Now, in order to sharpen the weapon handling, weapon cleaning and firing skills of these members and to ensure that their weapons remain in fully working condition, Rajouri police have started a major exercise in which training camps are being held for these members.

On Sunday, police administration held the training camps at multiple places in the district in which hundreds of these members took part.

Specially designated weapon trainers from District Police Line Rajouri chaired these camps who gave presentations before the VDC members for better weapon handling, weapon cleaning and firing skills.

The VDC members were also made aware on how to keep their weapons in full working conditions and to ensure the cleanliness of weapons every month in a proper manner taking all possible measures of self-security.

Yogesh Sharma, a young VDC member of Rajouri termed this exercise of police as fruitful stating that it will sharpen the skills of VDC members which is pivotal at this point of time when repeated terror incidents are taking place in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

"Situation in our area is not that much peaceful now as multiple incidents of terror acts and encounters have taken place and in such situation, VDCs have an important role to play." Sharma said.

He added, "VDCs have proved their mettle in early 2000 and we even played a role in counter terror operations."

Kamal Kishore Sharma, another VDC member hailed this exercise of police and called for holding regular camps.

"There is a need to further strengthen VDCs. All the ex-servicemen should be involved in VDCs and provided with SLRs while more VDCs should be raised," he said.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [13 views] Top|| File under:


Parvez Elahi sent to prison on 14-day judicial remand in illegal appointments case
[GEO.TV] An anti-corruption court in Lahore on Sunday rejected the Punjab
1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots....

Anti-Corruption Establishment’s (ACE) plea seeking physical remand of Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the Punjab Assembly illegal recruitments case.

Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk sent the former Punjab chief minister to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

The former Punjab chief minister — who was taken into custody by ACE officials for allegedly making illegal appointments in Punjab Assembly — was presented in the Lahore court amid strict security earlier today.

The Punjab ACE arrested the former chief minister for a third time on Saturday, after a local court in Gujranwala granted him relief in two corruption cases.

Today, the ACE officials produced Elahi in a district kacheri court in the bucolic provincial capital, while Rana Intezar, who is the president of the Lahore Bar Association, represented him in the case.

Speaking to news hounds in the district kacheri, Elahi said it doesn’t matter how many cases are booked against him. "Even if ten or hundred cases are booked, it doesn’t matter."

Addressing PTI leaders, workers and supporters, the former Punjab chief minister urged fighting with "absolute courage" and told them not to worry at all.

"You are at the forefront of the war for rights, truth, religion, and Pakistain. Hang in there and fight on," Elahi said.

In his bid to refute the allegations against him in the cases, the PTI president said that the government will gain nothing out of their lies.

While Elahi was brought to the courtroom, he was not presented before duty magistrate Ghulam Murtaza.

Posted by: Fred || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [12 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


International-UN-NGOs
Saudi Arabia to sharply slash oil output in bid to pump up prices
[IsraelTimes] In surprise move, OPEC+ decides to cut supply from Riyadh by million barrels per day in hopes of sending gas prices soaring again after 10 percent drop since April

Riyadh on Sunday announced a fresh oil output cut following a meeting of major producers aiming to prop up prices despite fears of a recession.

The meeting saw tough negotiations between the Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, better known as OPEC, and the wider array of aligned oil producers led by Russia and known as OPEC+.

Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
’s fresh cut of one million barrels per day is for July but "extendable", its Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told news hounds after an hours-long OPEC+ meeting at the group’s headquarters in Vienna.

Analysts had largely expected OPEC+ producers to maintain their current policy, but signs emerged this weekend that the 23 countries were mulling deeper cuts.

In April, several OPEC+ members agreed to cut production voluntarily by more than one million barrels per day — a surprise move that briefly buttressed prices but failed to maintain them.

Oil producers are grappling with falling prices and high market volatility amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has upended economies worldwide.

Oil prices have plummeted about 10 percent since the April cuts were announced, with Brent crude falling close to $70 a barrel, a level it has not traded below since December 2021.

Traders worry that demand will slump, with concerns about the health of the global economy as the United States battles inflation and higher interest rates while China’s post-Covid rebound stutters.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the current output cuts were being extended until the end of 2024 after examining the matter "for a long time".

According to an OPEC+ table of the required production levels for next year, the United Arab Emirates will be able to pump more than currently, while several countries including Angola, the Republic of Congo and Nigeria have had their quotas cut.

Bloomberg news agency reported African countries had been reluctant to give up some of their quotas despite failing to meet them.

"We have an agreement with which everyone is happy," the Republic of Congo’s hydrocarbons minister Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua insisted after the meeting.

’NO DISAGREEMENT’
Sunday’s meeting was also being watched closely as Russia was keen to maintain its production, while Saudi Arabia wants to push prices up to balance its budget, according to analysts.

"They have showed again they work together... At the end of the day, it’s about what they agree," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said, adding "the important part was to show unity."

Russia is dependent on oil revenues with its war in Ukraine dragging on and Western sanctions hitting its economy, and has been shipping oil to India and China as the Asian giants soak up the cheap crude.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s break-even price is currently "at a good $80 per barrel," according to Commerzbank analysts.

In March 2020 the alliance was pushed to the brink of collapse when Moscow refused to cut oil production even as the COVID-19 pandemic sent prices into freefall.

After negotiations broke down, Riyadh flooded the market by boosting exports to record levels before the two countries came to an agreement.

Asked if there was disagreement with Saudi Arabia this weekend, Novak said: "No, we had no disagreements, it is a common decision."

Analysts said oil prices were expected to rise in the short-term following Riyadh’s move.

"The question mark is the demand side of the oil equation. If protracted inflationary pressure leads to a downward revision in global oil demand the cut in supply might be neutralized," warned Tamas Varga, analyst for PVM Energy.

OPEC+ countries produce about 60 percent of the world’s oil. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for November 26.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Saudi Arabia

#1  Thank you Biden and the greenies for cancelling U.S. development of oil and pipelines. I am sure SA will put up a statue for you in the near future.
Posted by: Jise Elmeang4932 || 06/05/2023 5:43 Comments || Top||

#2  US production has been above 12 Million bar per day since Aug 2022. Good chance to reach 13 Million by the end of the year barring a strong recession.

Production briefly touched 13 Million in late 2019 before the pandemic.

Probably without the various Biden admin measures restricting leases, delaying pipelines and terminal improvements and threatening finances, we would be near 14 Million now.

And the Biden Admin has also done its part to discourage Israel's progress in developing its East Mediterranean fields.


Posted by: lord garth || 06/05/2023 20:36 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Gazan illegally in Israel accused of transferring millions to Islamic Jihad
[IsraelTimes] Prosecutors file charges against a Paleostinian from Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with an iron fist by Hamaswith about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response...
on suspicion that he transferred millions of shekels to the Islamic Jihad
...created after many members of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah...
terror group while living illegally in Israel.

According to prosecutors, Nasim Nasser, began to handle money transfers and debt payments in 2019 on behalf of other Gazook workers illegally in Israel, while residing in Nazareth. A year later, a Hamas, a contraction of the Arabic words for "frothing at the mouth", operative allegedly agreed to work with Nasser to transfer money to Islamic Jihad leaders in the West Bank city of Jenin.

The operative would then give compensatory funds to Nasser’s relatives to distribute, prosecutors allege.

Overall, Nasser is accused of sending NIS 4 million
...approximately US$ 1 million...
to terror groups while earning tens of thousands of shekels from charging Islamic Jihad and the Gazook laborers for his services.

Prosecutors request he remain in jug until the end of proceedings.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [13 views] Top|| File under: Palestinian Islamic Jihad


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syrian opposition figures call for fresh talks with Assad regime
[IsraelTimes] Move comes less than a month after regional leaders welcomed Bashir al-Assad back to the Arab League
...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
following decade of diplomatic isolation


Syria’s opposition urged on Sunday the resumption of moribund United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
-sponsored talks with the regime of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Scourge of Qusayr...
, who has returned to the Arab fold after years of isolation.

"The international, regional and Syrian conditions provide an appropriate circumstance for the resumption of direct negotiations... under a specific agenda and timetable," the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) said in a statement.

Negotiations to resolve Syria’s crisis hit an impasse in 2018 over the opposition’s objection to Assad’s role in any political transition, and several rounds of subsequent UN-brokered talks aimed at forging a new constitution have failed.

The SNC, which includes representatives from main political opposition alliance the Syrian National Coalition, has been the key opposition delegation during previous rounds of talks in Geneva.

In a statement Sunday, following a two-day meeting in the Swiss city, the SNC called on "brotherly and friendly countries to support the efforts of the UN to take all necessary resolutions to fulfill a comprehensive political solution."

The statement’s authors called for a solution in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254, which set out a roadmap for a political transition.

Syria’s 12-year war broke out after Assad’s repression of peaceful anti-government demonstrations escalated into a deadly conflict that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists.

The political opposition has lost much of its momentum, and support it once enjoyed from regional countries has waned.

Last month, regional leaders welcomed Assad back to the vaporous Arab League at a summit in Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
— his first appearance at the pan-Arab body since Syria was suspended in 2011 over its protest crackdown.

Riyadh, which supported Syrian rebel groups during earlier stages of the war, patched up ties with Damascus in recent months, while The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire...
, a major backer of rebel groups and the power in control of stretches of Syria’s north, has also made overtures to Assad.

The conflict has killed more than half a million people and displaced millions.

Recent Arab dialogue on Syria has stressed the importance of an "Arab leadership role" in finding a solution to the crisis.

UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said late last month that "new diplomatic activity in the region could be an opportunity, if seized."

He noted the need for "constructive Syrian engagement" and for "key regional and international groups and players" to work together, in an address to the UN Security Council.

The SNC warned that "giving the regime approval in returning to the Arab League... carries with it the danger" that the government will "refuse to proceed with the political solution."
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [17 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Opposition officially endorses Azour for presidency
[An Nahar] Opposition politicians on Sunday nominated Jihad Azour, an International Monetary Fund regional director and former minister, for president.

MP Mark Daou of the Change bloc read a statement on behalf of 32 opposition politicians, endorsing Azour after weeks of negotiations "as a candidate that is not considered provocative by any political factor in the country." The politicians belong to the Lebanese Forces
A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb...
, the Kataeb Party and the Tajaddod bloc in addition to several independent and Change MPs.

The same MPs had previously backed another presidential candidate, parliamentarian Michel Mouawad, who on Sunday announced he was withdrawing his nomination and backing Azour. Both declarations were made at Mouawad's residence.

Azour, the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia director, served as Leb
...an Iranian colony situated on the eastern Mediterranean, conveniently adjacent to Israel. Formerly inhabited by hardy Phoenecian traders, its official language is now Arabic, with the usual unpleasant side effects. The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozeen flavors of Christians. It is the home of Hezbollah, which periodically starts a war with the Zionist Entity, gets Beirut pounded to rubble, and then declares victory and has a parade. The Lebs have the curious habit of periodically murdering their heads of state or prime ministers...
's finance minister from 2005 to 2008.

He has yet to officially announce a presidential bid.

The international community has urged Lebanese officials to fill the vacant presidency, which would allow the country, mired in a crippling economic crisis since 2019, to carry out reforms needed to unlock much needed IMF loans.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has a huge hold over political life in Lebanon, has endorsed the pro-Damascus Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency.

But opposition from the country's two main Christian parties, the LF and the Free Patriotic Movement
Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic...
, means that Franjieh lacks a clear path to majority backing in the divided parliament.

Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah called Azour's nomination "a waste of time," insisting that "the candidate of confrontation" will not be elected president.

Hezbollah's key Christian ally, the Free Patriotic Movement, said it would support Azour.

With no clear majority for any candidate, it is unclear when Parliament Speaker Nabih Knobby Berri
...Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, head of the Amal Shiite party aligned with Hezbollah, a not very subtle sock puppet of the Medes and Persians...
might call a new vote.

Former president Michel Aoun
...president of Leb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah...
's term expired last October. Since then, there have been 11 parliamentary votes to try to name a new president, but bitter divisions have prevented anyone from garnering enough support to succeed Aoun.

Crisis-hit Lebanon has been run by a caretaker government with limited powers since legislative elections in May 2022 resulted in no side with a clear majority.

Posted by: Fred || 06/05/2023 00:00 || Comments || Link || [15 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah



Who's in the News
43[untagged]
6Taliban/IEA
3Tin Hat Dictators, Presidents for Life,
3al-Shabaab (AQ)
2Islamic State
2Govt of Iran
2Govt of Saudi Arabia
1Govt of Syria
1Govt of Pakistan
1Commies
1Pak Taliban (TTP)
1Palestinian Islamic Jihad
1Antifa/BLM
1Banditti
1Houthis
1Narcos
1Govt of Pakistain Proxies
1Mob Rule
1[untagged]
1Hezbollah

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Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2023-06-05
  Federal agents make huge seizure of fentanyl in Arizona, enough to kill every American plus
Sun 2023-06-04
  180 dead from Sudan fighting buried unidentified as battles rage
Sat 2023-06-03
  Burkina: 2 civilians and 50 ''terrorists'' killed in an attack in the north
Fri 2023-06-02
  Mexico: Police discover 45 bags containing human remains
Thu 2023-06-01
  North Korea's 1st Spy Satellite Plunges Into Sea After Rocket Failure
Wed 2023-05-31
  New truce, new battles in Sudan as civilians remain trapped
Tue 2023-05-30
  HTS claims killing of 40 soldiers and officers of the government forces, including an officer said to be Russian
Mon 2023-05-29
  Sudan's Burhan suspends his foreign minister
Sun 2023-05-28
  French Court Hands Jail Terms for Syria-linked ISIS Terrorist, Wife
Sat 2023-05-27
  Explosions As Al-Shabab Group Raids African Union Army Base In Somalia
Fri 2023-05-26
  Plateau State Residents Confirm Over 200 Persons Killed, 32 Communities Displaced In Herdsmen Attacks
Thu 2023-05-25
  Iran unveils new 'Khaibar' ballistic missile with 2,000 km-range
Wed 2023-05-24
  US airstrike targets Al-Shabaab headquarters in southern Somalia, Big Turban maimed
Tue 2023-05-23
  Sudanese army, RSF sign humanitarian ceasefire agreement
Mon 2023-05-22
  SDF arrest 8 ISIS militants in several areas of NE Syria


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