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Drug hoarding arrest, a third Iranian fuel ship, Syrian activists’ detained: Everything you need to know today

Here’s what happened over the weekend and what to expect today, Monday, Aug. 30 and this week

Drug hoarding arrest, a third Iranian fuel ship, Syrian activists’ detained: Everything you need to know today

Medication shortages are threatening the treatment of tens of thousands of people, including cancer patients, in Lebanon. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)

A former head of Lebanon’s pharmacists’ syndicate was arrested yesterday on accusations that he illegally stored vital medicines in an Ain al-Mreisseh warehouse. More than 130 boxes of medical supplies used to treat cancer were found in the warehouse belonging to Rabih Hassouna during a search conducted by the Lebanese Army. Authorities over the last week have cracked down on hoarding and smuggling in a belated attempt to ease monthslong debilitating shortages of fuel and medicines. Health Minister Hamad Hassan himself last week took part in a Nabatieh warehouse raid, during which large quantities of medicines, diapers and infant milk were uncovered.

Iran will begin loading a third ship with fuel destined for Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address on Friday. The Hezbollah leader also reiterated that further shipments would follow. Nasrallah first announced over a week ago that a shipment of diesel would set sail from Iran “within hours”; he days later announced a second fuel shipment. Mere hours after Nasrallah’s first announcement, Baabda Palace said on Twitter that US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea had called President Michel Aoun and said her country had decided to try to help alleviate the fuel crisis by importing Egyptian natural gas and helping Lebanon draw power from the Jordanian electrical grid, but the viability of this assistance and the degree to which it would make an impact on power supply in Lebanon remains in question. Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said on Friday that he will not let anyone “drive Lebanon into a series of sanctions,” and called on Arab countries to support Lebanon, saying “we cannot say no to the Iranian ships when we do not have any alternative.” Meanwhile, as chronic gasoline shortages persist, tension escalated between the villages of Anqoun and Maghdoushe on Sunday with residents of the former entering the houses of Maghdoushe’s inhabitants, as well as smashing vehicles on the street and setting fire to surrounding trees.

Six Syrians, including opposition activists from Daraa, arrested by the Lebanese Army last week outside the Syrian Embassy remain in the custody of Lebanese General Security. Initial reports indicated that the men had been “kidnapped” at the embassy after being summoned to pick up their passports. The Syrian Embassy has denied this version of events. The army in a statement on Saturday claimed that the six Syrians were arrested after having entered Lebanon illegally and were then turned over to General Security. It remains unclear if General Security will initiate deportation proceedings against the six.

As yet there is no confirmation of if or when Najib Mikati and Michel Aoun will meet during the coming week. The prime minister-designate and the president appeared last week to have reached an impasse in cabinet formation talks, with Mikati giving no statement as he departed Baabda on Thursday after his 13th meeting with the president on the matter. Mikati has been endeavoring to reach agreement with Aoun on a cabinet lineup for more than a month now, in a country near paralyzed by essential goods shortages and that has been without an empowered government since Aug. 10, 2020. In a televised interview on Friday, Mikati acknowledged that the government formation is not an easy process, but insisted that he is not planning on giving up the task anytime soon. “I will not resign, and the government will be formed,” he said without giving any timeframe.

A former head of Lebanon’s pharmacists’ syndicate was arrested yesterday on accusations that he illegally stored vital medicines in an Ain al-Mreisseh warehouse. More than 130 boxes of medical supplies used to treat cancer were found in the warehouse belonging to Rabih Hassouna during a search conducted by the Lebanese Army. Authorities over the last week have cracked down on hoarding and...