AFTER the defeat of the imperialist powers and their terrorist proxies in Syria, the US, the other imperialist powers, and their Saudi-led allies are in a huge crisis.
Despite the fact that they had only a brief meeting in Vietnam, presidents Putin and Trump, in a joint statement, agreed that the ultimate political solution to the political crisis in Syria must be forged through the Geneva process.
In a joint statement presidents Putin and Trump reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria according to the Security Council’s (SC) resolution No. 2254.
The presidents agreed the final political settlement should be in the framework of the Geneva process in compliance with the UN SC Resolution 2254, including the constitutional reform and free elections.
This declaration is a triumph for the people of Syria and for their allies – movements such as Hezbollah in the Lebanon, who have played a major role defeating ISIS and the Nusrah Front in Syria.
This defeat has changed the balance of forces in the Middle East and has already led to a coup inside the Saudi Royal Family, and has left the Saudi ruling class facing humiliating defeat in the Yemen where with the aid of US and UK arms they were seeking to defeat the Huthi movement.
The new ‘modernised’ Saudi leadership has decided to try to rescue its fortunes by switching its terrorist bands from Syria, where they have been defeated, to the Lebanon, where they will support the right wing Christian militias. With the support of Israeli military intervention the object is to smash Hezbollah, deal a blow against Iran, and pave the way for a US, Israeli assault on the Iranian republic.
The action has already begun. The leader of the Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has accused Saudi Arabia of declaring war on his country, days after Lebanese PM Saad al-Hariri announced his resignation from the Saudi capital.
Nasrallah has said that Saudi Arabia is holding Hariri against his will, and he has accused the Saudis of inciting Israel against Lebanon. In a televised speech last Friday, Nasrallah said Saudi Arabia was trying to provoke fighting amongst the Lebanese.
He said: ‘In short, it is clear that Saudi Arabia and Saudi officials have declared war on Lebanon and on Hezbollah in Lebanon, but I have to say this is a war on Lebanon.’ Nasrallah also accused Saudi Arabia of being prepared to pay ‘billions’ to Israel for a military strike against Lebanon, describing this as the ‘most dangerous thing’.
The Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian and the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement, and other senior politicians, have demanded Hariri return at once, amid suspicions that he is being held by the Saudis under house arrest and forced to do their bidding.
Saudi Arabia and Israel are now looking to begin a civil war in the Lebanon so as to be able to intervene, along with the Israeli armed forces, to support the right wing Christian militias led by Samir Geahea and others, who have a record that includes the slaughter of thousands of Palestinians in the Shatilla and Sabra refugee camps.
US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, yesterday warned against Lebanon being used for a proxy conflict, blaming Iran, and adding that the US strongly backed Lebanon’s independence. He said the Saudi Foreign Minister assured him that Riyadh did not force Saad al-Hariri to resign, and that he had no indication Hariri was being held against his will.
UK workers must give their full support to the Lebanese people and to Hezbollah who played a huge role in defeating ISIS in Syria. Hezbollah is a major fighting force and drove the Israeli army out of Lebanon in 2001 and then defeated their attempt at an intervention in 2006.
UK workers must demand the withdrawal of all UK land, air and naval forces from the Gulf and from the Middle East. Victory for the Hezbollah and the Lebanese people over Saudi and Israeli forces will be a major victory for the Palestinian people and hasten the establishment of the Palestinian state.