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Hezbollah accuses Saudi Arabia of holding Hariri prisoner

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Beirut, Nov 11 (IANS) The leader of Hezbollah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of holding Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri captive in Riyadh.

Hariri announced his resignation while on a visit to Saudi Arabia on November 4, prompting some in Lebanon to assert that the Saudis had forced Hariri to step down.

“The Prime Minister is detained in Saudi Arabia and is forbidden to return to Lebanon,” Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech, Efe reported.

In announcing his resignation, Hariri denounced an alleged plot to assassinate him. The Prime Minister, a Sunni Muslim, also criticized Shiite-majority Iran for interference in Lebanese political affairs.

Hariri’s critique of Iran is connected to Tehran’s support of Hezbollah.

Nasrallah, however, insisted that Hariri, who has dual Lebanese-Saudi citizenship, was forced to resign by Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is ruled by adherents of the Wahhabi fundamentalist interpretation of Sunni Islam and Riyadh views both Iran and Hezbollah as religious apostates and political adversaries.

“Saudi insulted all the Lebanese by forcing PM Hariri to read a resignation statement written by the Saudis, detaining him, and preventing him from returning to Lebanon,” the leader of Hezbollah said.

Nasrallah said that Hariri must return and declare his real position on Lebanese soil.

Hariri’s party, the Future Movement, suggested in a statement that the prime minister was not operating under his own free will and also called for him to come back to Lebanon, insisting that his return was “necessary to restore dignity and respect to Lebanon.”

Hariri’s resignation has not yet been accepted by Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian, who said he awaits Hariri’s return to Lebanon to learn the reasons behind the resignation.

“Finalizing the resignation is put on hold until the return of PM Hariri and until the real reasons for his decision are revealed,” Aoun said during a meeting with the ambassadors of the International Support Group for Lebanon (ISGL).

Comprising the United Nations, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union and the Arab League, the ISGL was created in September 2013.

Lebanon’s three main sectarian groups: Maronite Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims, have tried to maintain a delicate power-sharing arrangement since achieving independence from France in 1943.

Under the terms of the so-called National Pact adopted then, a Maronite Christian is supposed to be the country’s president, a Sunni Muslim holds the post of prime minister and a Shiite Muslim serves as speaker of parliament.

There have been times in recent history, such as the 1975-1990 civil war, when this division of power has been unable to stem the tide of sectarian violence in Lebanon.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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