Palestinians will go to the polls for the first time in 15 years after President Mahmoud Abbas announced midyear parliamentary and presidential elections.
Statue of slain Iranian commander divides Lebanese Reuters 1/11/2021
BEIRUT, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A statue in Beirut of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, erected on the anniversary of his killing by the United States, has stirred pride among his Lebanese supporters and anger from opponents who see it as a symbol of Iran s dominance.
The bronze statue at the entrance to Beirut s mainly Shi ite southern suburbs is the latest addition to a city where streets, squares and statues honour historic figures from French colonial leaders to victims of Lebanon s recent conflicts. We are used to naming our streets. after the generals of the (French) mandate. Today we are naming our streets after the generals of resistance and victory, said Hussam Abou Hamdan, a doctor who came to have his picture taken by Soleimani s statue.