The rising figure to follow in #Lebanon?

Intel “czar”, Gen. #Abbas_Ibrahim, reputedly close to #Hezbollah, was in the #US on a 4-day visit; he met officials from ⁦the @WhiteHouse⁩ , ⁦⁦ @StateDept⁩, & the ⁦ @CIA⁩. https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/lebanon-spymaster-holds-positive-us-talks-on-hostages-and-sharing-intelligence-1.1095620

Despite having a close relationship with #Hezbollah, Gen. #Abbas_Ibrahim received a warm welcome from the #Trump administration.
He leads #Lebanon’s most powerful security service & is a savvy negotiator who has helped secure the release of #US residents and nationals.

“Gen. #Abbas_Ibrahim was involved last year in securing the release of #US Sam Goodwin from #Syria, & of US Nizar Zakka from #Iran.
Austin Tice, #American journalist kidnapped in Syria in 2012 is now a top priority for the #Trump administration.”

“ #Abbas_Ibrahim’s visit also comes just days after the #US-led talks between #Israel & #Lebanon got under way to agree on the maritime border between the two countries.”

Some personal observations:
•Gen. #Abbas_Ibrahim’s image had been constantly on the rise for several years now.
First as a hostage freeing negotiator in the #Syrian conflict (w #Assad regime, w #Jabhat_Nusra, w #ISIS).
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Then at many junctures as power broker in domestic politics, mainly between Pdt. #Aoun, #Hezbollah, & their opponents.
Latest was his (unsuccessful) brokerage to help implement #France’s #Macron initiative in #Lebanon.

•Over years, #Abbas_Ibrahim’s mediations have won him a solid network of international personal ties -from Qatar & Gulf States to Iran, Vatican, & many Western powers.
•This has strengthened his position as strong man in #Lebanese politics, essentially as the rising Shia figure

• #Abbas_Ibrahim is now often cited as a possible (for some the definitive) future Speaker of Parliament, in succession to aging #Nabih_Berri after next elections.
•Same trajectory was predicted for his predecessor in intel, a then feared figure, #Jamil_Sayyed, now a simple MP.