46-year-old woman on way to Sabarimala sent back
Chengannur (Kerala), Nov 17: A 46-year-old woman, who had made a vain bid to trek to the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala when it was opened last month, Saturday tried her luck once again, but had to beat a hasty retreat after protesters prevented her.
Mary Sweety, from Kazhakootam in Thiruvananthapuram, took a train to Chengannur, about 30 km from Pampa at the foothills of Sabarimala, and boarded a Kerala Road Transport Corporation bus when she was stopped by police.
Protesters chanting "Swamiye Ayyappa" soon gathered in front of the bus and asked her to return.
She has been sent back to Thiruvananthapuram, police sources said.
The shrine had witnessed high drama after around a dozen women in the 10-50 age group were prevented by protesting devotees from entering it after the temple doors were opened for monthly pujas between October 17 and 22.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
