Mai Skaf and Hezbollah clash online

Syrian actress Mai Skaf and Hezbollah have started an online battle triggered by an accusation over support of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime. Skaf openly accused Hezbollah of supporting the Syrian regime despite of the ongoing violence in Syria on her Facebook page, as reported by Arab media and several video clips posted on the streaming site Youtube. The actress had collected 100,000 liras for the Lebanese Shiites who fled from Lebanon to Syria in 2006, after being targeted by Israel. She posted on her Facebook page a few days’ ago: “I bought them TV sets and satellite dishes to follow what was happening in their countries, and bought their children shoes and pyjamas.” She addressed Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief, adding that she now regrets aiding the refugees and wants him to “either withdraw his thugs from Syria,” or give back her money. Hezbollah’s reaction in a statement posted by them on the news website al-Haqeeqa, clarified that Hassan Nasrallah had obtained the details of the money (around $2000) and aid donated by the actress back in 2006 by contacting her friends. They then released another online statement that Hezbollah would return the exact amount and items to the actress. Skaf quickly responded, explaining that she was misunderstood and does not want any of her donations to be returned, and will continue to support the refugees. The actress spoke to the Arabic news channel Al Arabiya explaining that “this money should be given to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This is the least Hezbollah can do for our people.” According to the United Nations Refugee Agency 6,375 Syrian refugees have been registered in Lebanon. The agency has also released information that at least 10,000 Syrian refugees are residing in tents along the Syrian-Turkish boarder. According to the American abc News, the number of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan has gone up to an estimated 10,000 – and is still rising. Post the online dispute, as per news reports in Arab media, readers were quick to take a stand on either side showing their support and criticism by posting their views on Hezbollah and Skaf’s statements. Once again, social networking has proven to play an important role in the uprising in the Middle East.  Mai Skaf 42 year-old Syrian actress Mai Skaf is well-known for her multiple roles on TV, and her strong political stance. The actress opposes Assad’s regime and condemns the violence used against the peaceful protestors by the Syrian security forces. According to her live blog on Al Jazeera, Skaf along with 30 other prominent personalities and intellectuals, were arrested in 2011. The arrest followed an anti-government protest in Damascus, demanding political reform as well as rights to carry out peaceful demonstrations without police oppression and violence against civilians.