New defense pact and efforts to contain political tensions

Sources are discussing developments tied to a new defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, alongside domestic and foreign efforts to contain political disputes linked to the ongoing negotiations. U.S. sources said developments in the confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz have created new equations related to energy and to redrawing routes for oil stockpiles. In Lebanon, sources said one member of the Lebanese negotiating delegation is facing a campaign of incitement through the mobilization of some residents of his town against him, in an attempt to embarrass him and discourage him from taking part in the next rounds. Efforts have also intensified to arrange a meeting between a political leader and a religious authority in his mountainous region and of the same sect, in an effort to bridge the rift and ease the differences.