The incidents in Baalbek-Hermel took a legal turn after a decree referring them to the Judicial Council was issued, while reactions and positions continued to branch out into various developmental and internal political aspects.
In the past hours, the failure of the President of the Iranian Shura Council, Sheikh Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri, to bring together political and religious Shiite leaders concerned with the recent developments in the Bekaa region was highlighted. This failure occurred around a luncheon hosted at the Iranian embassy. Meanwhile, a statement from the former Syrian Vice President, Mr. Abdul-Halim Khaddam, emphasized not exaggerating the issue, asserting that the Lebanese state had exercised its authority through the measures it took, and the matter should not be blown out of proportion. He stated that the Lebanese state has resolved the issue, and it should not be the subject of further speculation. He emphasized that there is a consensus in Lebanon to strengthen the role of the Lebanese state.
Khaddam concluded by saying, “The matter is over and should not be dwelled upon too much.” This statement came after a luncheon held in Damascus for Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the accompanying Lebanese delegation, who visited Syria yesterday. During the luncheon, several economic agreements were signed aimed at gradually eliminating customs duties on the exchange of Lebanese and Syrian products between the two countries starting in 1999.
