Lebanon's Amal Movement Seeks to Reassert Influence Amidst Hezbollah Pressure
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Lebanon's Amal movement, led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, is positioning itself as a bridge between the government and the Shiite public amidst pressure on Hezbollah. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's recent visit to Nabatieh highlighted Amal's prominent role, with the movement focusing on delivering state services rather than confronting the government. This strategy allows Amal to work with state institutions while maintaining its alliance with Hezbollah. The shift could lead to a more complex Shiite political landscape impacting Israel's northern border.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Lebanon's Amal movement is positioning itself as a bridge between the government and the Shiite public.
- Amal is seeking to deliver state services to the Shiite population, contrasting with Hezbollah's focus on resistance.
- Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's visit to Nabatieh highlighted Amal's prominent role and engagement with state institutions.
- Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is leading Amal's strategy to work with the government while maintaining ties with Hezbollah.
- This shift in the Shiite political balance could create a more complex situation for Israel on its northern border.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's recent visit to Nabatieh in early October, initially appearing as a routine government tour focused on reconstruction and infrastructure, signals a more significant political maneuver by the Amal movement. As Hezbollah faces mounting military and political pressure, particularly concerning its weaponry and growing conflict with the Lebanese government, Amal is charting a different course. Instead of confronting the state, the movement, led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, is positioning itself as a bridge between the Lebanese government and the Shiite public.
This shift was evident during Salam's visit to Nabatieh, where Amal-affiliated figures, including Finance Minister Yassin Jaber and MP Hani Qubaisi, played prominent roles in his reception, while Hezbollah's direct political representation was limited. Reports suggest Berri actively worked to de-escalate Hezbollah's campaign against Salam, framing the visit as part of restoring relations between the prime minister and the region's residents. Salam's choice to grant an interview to NBN, Amal's official channel, further underscored this, as he emphasized the state's need to reach the south through services and reconstruction, not solely military presence. Salam later met with Berri on October 5.
Amal's strategy focuses on demonstrating its ability to work with the state and deliver services to the Shiite populace, rather than competing with Hezbollah on the issue of resistance. Berri can maintain his alliance with Hezbollah while simultaneously presenting Amal as a more pragmatic and state-oriented entity, operating through official institutions and engaging with the prime minister to promote reconstruction. This contrasts with Hezbollah's hardening stance against the government regarding its weapons and negotiations with Israel.
This development could have implications for Israel, as any change in the balance of power within the Shiite camp might affect its northern border. If Berri succeeds in re-establishing Amal as the primary Shiite intermediary with the state, Israel could face a more complex Shiite arena where Hezbollah, while still armed and powerful, may no longer be the sole decision-maker.