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Syrian presidential election

Polling day for Syrians in Lebanon underscores local tensions and political divisions over the regime next door

Polling day for Syrians in Lebanon underscores local tensions and political divisions over the regime next door

Syrians carrying pictures of President Bashar al-Assad arrive at the embassy to vote (Credit: Caroline Hayek)

BEIRUT — Lebanese politicians made their stance on Syria’s regime abundantly clear on Thursday as violence erupted in various parts of the country between Syrians turning out to vote in their country’s presidential election and Lebanese groups that oppose the neighboring state’s president, Bashar al-Assad.

As hundreds of Syrians turned out in Baabda to cast their vote on Thursday morning, scuffles erupted in several areas, including Nahr al-Kalb and Zouk, with Lebanese men seen attacking convoys of voters carrying posters and chanting in support of Assad. Several people meanwhile attacked and smashed the windows of a car displaying an Assad poster as it drove through Sassine Square in Beirut.

Politicians from Lebanon’s rival March 8 and March 14 alliances took to social media to make their stance known, reinforcing the yearslong rift between the coalitions.

The anti-Syrian March 14 alliance is backed by Saudi Arabia and opposes Syrian and Iranian influence in Lebanon. It includes the Future Movement of Premier-designate Saad Hariri, the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party.

Future Movement MP Mohammad Hajjar condemned the violence but suggested the events may have stemmed from provocation of Lebanese onlookers.

“The demonstration of some Syrian nationals showing support for Bashar al-Assad might have provoked Lebanese who are against the regime, which has pushed Syrians into Lebanon,” Hajjar told L’Orient Today. “But no matter what happened, physical violence and harm should never be the response or solution.”

Regarding the elections, Hajjar said, “We are confused by the idea of any Syrian voting for anyone who destroyed their homes and lives,” adding “if they want this regime then they should go to Syria and live under it.”

Echoing Hajjar’s sentiments, Kataeb MP Nadim Gemayel took to Twitter to tell Assad voters to return to Syria.

“Whoever wants to pledge allegiance to Assad and support him, let them rejoice in Syria,” Gemayel said.

The Kataeb Party in a statement later said that the violent incidents were the result of provocation, adding that “it was natural to expect the reactions that several Lebanese regions witnessed.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea yesterday tweeted that Syrian nationals in Lebanon voting for Assad should return to Syria, describing the presidential elections as a “farce-tragedy.”

Geagea called on Aoun and the government to access the list of Assad voters and ensure they “leave Lebanon immediately to the areas controlled by the Assad regime in Syria,” emphasizing that their vote for the incumbent means they are not threatened by the regime.

On the other hand, the March 14 alliance’s political rival, March 8, considers Syria an ally and advocates for friendly relations with Iran and Damascus. The March 8 alliance includes MP Gebran Bassil’s Free Patriotic Movement and Lebanon’s dominant Shiite parties Hezbollah and Amal.

Bassil in a tweet condemned the attacks on Syrian voters, comparing attackers to Nazis and criticizing opponents’ lack of support for the alleged safe return of refugees to their country.

Bassil has long been a supporter for the quick return of Syrian refugees who crossed the border to flee civil war, often describing them as a burden on a country in economic crisis.

“When we called for the safe and dignified return of displaced Syrians, you called us racists …. When you beat up peaceful displaced [Syrians] going to vote at their country’s embassy and attack their safety and dignity, we will call you Nazis,” Bassil said.

Head of the Druze Lebanese Democratic Party — part of the March 8 alliance — Talal Arslan in a tweet also condemned the violence and “transgressions against the Syrian brothers who are exercising their legal and natural right to participate in the presidential elections through the embassy of their country in Beirut.”

MPs from Amal and Hezbollah parties could not be reached for comment.

Lebanon hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrians, with nearly 900,000 registered as refugees with the United Nations.

BEIRUT — Lebanese politicians made their stance on Syria’s regime abundantly clear on Thursday as violence erupted in various parts of the country between Syrians turning out to vote in their country’s presidential election and Lebanese groups that oppose the neighboring state’s president, Bashar al-Assad.As hundreds of Syrians turned out in Baabda to cast their vote on Thursday...