Pierre Balanian

A tax on Whatsapp and Facebook messages has proven the last straw. Arab Spring style demonstrations in Beirut, Nabatiyeh, Dawra, Jal el-Dib, Antelias and Jiye. Schools and universities closed. A transversal movement, uniting all confessions and parties. "Enough with the feudal republic made up of leaders who only think about getting rich!"

The fall of Khan Sheikhoun marks the beginning of an offensive that should lead to the liberation of Idlib. Syria, which seems to have wrecked the deal between Moscow and Ankara, wants to expel the Turks from its territory. Everything points to a war between Syria and Turkey, not between the Syrian regime and mercenaries in Idlib, backed by Ankara and Doha. Encircling Mork is a direct response to the US-Turkish decision to create a safe zone in northern Syria.

For days, the Al Qaeda splinter group has issued warnings that "all the goods of Christians are considered spoils of war and consequently will be seized". The expropriation does not concern the few Christians - all elderly - present in the city. The province is almost entirely in the hands of Islamic terrorist groups or fundamentalist groups. Only a small part is under the Free Syrian Army.

Syrian opposition members will also be present, together with the UN special envoy on Syria and - for the first time - delegates from Jordan. The meeting is supported by Russia, Turkey and Iran. The most burning issue is the situation of Idlib. The Syrian Red Crescent delegation that recently presided over an exchange of prisoners, also invited.

Parades of cars with photos of Abdallah and Assad. Relations between the two countries are growing after the closure of the crossings. The market for Syrian products in Jordan and tourists from both countries is increasing. A thousand Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland. Jordan is home to around one million refugees from the Syrian war.

Shalaan Al Shalaan presents a new version that blames intelligence officers who risk the death sentence. A team was supposed to negotiate with Khashoggi to get him to return home. An order was eventually issued to kill him and cut him up. The Saudi statement leaves Turkey’s Foreign Minister unsatisfied.

The end of the clashes mediated by Egypt. It is the first time a ceasefire has reached after only two days of war. For the young Palestinians this is a "victory over Israel". Demonstrations in southern Israel in Sderot and Nir Am, criticism of loss of prestige for the government and the army. Protests scheduled in Tel Aviv. The warning of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia to the Gulf countries.

Through Al Sisi’s mediation, Italy gets Marshal Khalifa Haftar to come to Palermo. Rome takes the Libya file from France. The UN’s economic plan is accepted with a single bank collecting all oil revenues. Peace in Libya needs action on three fronts: economy, disarmament of the militias, and national reconciliation. Libyan assets frozen abroad amount to 500 billion US dollars.

In seven hours at least 400 missiles launched from the Strip. Israel calls up reservists. The headquarters of Al Aqsa television bombed but resumed broadcasting 10 minutes later. The cause of the resumption of violence: an Israeli commando wanted to kidnap Marwan Issa, the number two of Al Qassam. The international community is divided. Fragile mediation of Qatar.

Haftar’s presence at the Palermo Conference is crucial to a lasting political solution. Both France and Russia are pursuing their respective interests. Jumpstarting the economy is crucial. Libya is still split between east and west at the mercy of 1,500 militias and 200,000 fighters.

Bashir Faisal Al Huweidi was an important dignitary of the Arabian tribes of the Northeast Syrian, allied with the Kurds. But he was against the supremacy of the Kurds. Daesh's claim for his murder was a "fake news": the Islamist website had been hacked. Now the Arab tribes consider the Syrian Kurds an "occupation force".

For Syrians, the journalist who went missing (and was possibly decapitated) in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was in favour of beheadings by the Islamic State group because he was in favour of political Islam. Once a supporter of Saudi Arabia, he moved closer to the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey and Qatar. Now the friendship between the Saudi throne and the United States is at risk. Mohammed bin Salman is on his way out.