Introduction to the evening news 28-05-2012

The mystery of the abducted Lebanese in Aleppo is becoming increasingly muddled, with worrying indications that the nascent rapprochement between the March 14 bastion of Beyt al-Wasat and the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh may be weakening. The path to reconciliation was paved by the efforts exerted by former PM Saad Hariri. While politicians are handling the situation with the utmost discretion, a media campaign against Hariri’s involvement in the repatriation efforts seems to be forming around the idea that the former PM was in some way involved in facilitating the abduction only to step in and lead the rescue effort.        

This tense situation has led to numerous political spats that will only dissipate with the arrival of positive news in the rescue efforts.         

In Syria, the international community continues issuing condemnations for the Houla massacre but focus is slowly shifting to Suwayda and Dara’a where many fear the conflict has picked up strong sectarian overtones. These fears arose when 13 policemen were abducted in Dera’a on their way home to Suwayda which prompted a scathing reaction from MP Walid Jumblatt, the Druze religious authority and the Druze Religious Council. These parties called on the citizens not to allow the conflict to become one based on sect.       

In Lebanon, June 11th is the date set for the resumption of dialogue committee meetings. President Sleiman has set an agenda aimed at three specific “weapons”: those of the resistance, those of Palestinians residing outside of the camps and those carried by civilians.