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Lebanon Faces Uncertain Future After Prime Minister's Resignation; Lebanon President Calls for Caretaker Government; U.K. Parties Gear Up for December 12 General Election; Two Ukraine Experts Set to Testify in Trump Probe Today; Boeing CEO Testifies for Second Day on Capitol Hill; Iraqis Protesting Over Alleged Government Corruption; Amnesty International Says Lethal Force Used on Protesters in Iraq; Vote for the CNN Hero of the Year. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired October 30, 2019 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[10:00:00]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Tonight, the scramble is on. Right now, political players are meeting behind closed doors across this city trying

to hash out who gets to run Lebanon next. And leaders in Tehran and as far away as Washington, have their own ideas on what they want to see happen.

I'm Becky Anderson with CONNECT THE WORLD, your world, live from Beirut. A very warm welcome wherever you are watching.

Well, resigned but not out. Lebanon's President calling for Saad Hariri's government to stay on as caretaker until a new one can be formed following

Prime Minister Hariri's resignation, this time yesterday. That, though, may take months. And this hour, that is putting the United States and Iran

at loggerheads.

The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for Lebanon's political leaders to urgently form a new government saying the protests sent a clear

message. The Lebanese people want an efficient and effective government. Economic reforms and an end to endemic corruption. What Tehran has said in

a moment.

Well in short, what protesters here want is a total rethink of the way that things are done right now. CNN's senior international correspondent, Ben

Wedeman, who is based here, joins me now. And it was at this time yesterday that Saad Hariri made that announcement that he was resigning.

His government was resigning. Some thought now that he may not be yesterday's man after all.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lebanese politics, very few people actually disappear from this scene. They're

always in and out. Keep in mind that he was elected -- rather, the last election in Lebanon was May 2018. That was 18 months ago. The first nine

months of which was also a caretaker government because he could not put together a cabinet. So this is how it works.

However, we've just seen a tweet from Michel Aoun, the Lebanese President, who accepted his letter of resignation saying that Lebanon now has an

opportunity for a clean government. That the protest has opened up the doors for major reforms and that perhaps this might be an opening for the

formation of a technocratic government.

Now it's a very difficult process putting together governments in Lebanon. Many foreign powers, the United States and others, don't like to see

Hezbollah in the government. But sometimes it's better to have Hezbollah in the government than outside the government because their ability to

disrupt things from the outside is much more problematic than if they're inside.

ANDERSON: So won a majority of seats in this last election, correct?

WEDEMAN: No, they --

ANDERSON: With an alliance, as it were.

WEDEMAN: Were alliance, yes. And to do without them would be difficult. But we don't know whether this government in the making and god knows how

long it will be in the making, will include them or won't include them or perhaps it will be a technocratic government that many are demanding.

ANDERSON: Iran's supreme leader accuses the U.S. of fomenting unrest here -- according to state media. Iran's supreme leader has accused the United

States and Western intelligence services of stirring up disorder here and in Iraq. Iran, of course, openly supporting Hezbollah. And many people

will, I'm sure, agree that it sounds very ironic that they'd accuse Washington of meddling in politics here.

WEDEMAN: Well the United States -- Iran's position, we've heard the same thing from Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah. But in a

sense, the United States is having a real impact on the situation here in that through the sanctions on Iran and through the sanctions on Hezbollah

and banks associated allegedly with it, it has created the conditions whereby you have this unrest. Was that engineered that way or is this a

consequence of it? That's debatable.

But definitely the United States is watching very carefully. It has a particular interest here. It's made it clear it doesn't want Hezbollah to

be part of the government, but the reality is Hezbollah is part of Lebanese politics, part of Lebanese society.

ANDERSON: It was back at this time yesterday and we were discussing the potential for an extremely dangerous situation now that there is clearly

going to be a political vacuum here.

[10:05:00]

And yet, on the streets today, Ben, things are a lot quieter. The universities are set to reopen. We might expect the banks to do the same

going forward. A pause then here?

WEDEMAN: Yes, on Friday, the banks are supposed to reopen. A pause. I think first of all, the fact that the Hariri government stepped down has

been a chance for people to say, OK, something has been achieved. And also, there's the element of exhaustion. Two weeks today, 14 days this has

been going on the country paralyzed. People needed a break. And in addition to that, there was the violence yesterday by men chanting pro-

Hezbollah chants, whether they were directed by Hezbollah or what, it's not clear. But that also is a reason for pause.

Here in Martyrs' Square and Riadh Solh where our bureau is, many fewer people and for the first time in two weeks, we're not hearing blaring music

in our office coming from the square. So it's a pause. Wait until the banks reopen on Friday and we will see the economic repercussions of the

past two weeks which could be very serious.

ANDERSON: We also haven't heard from the President here officially since last week. Nor have we heard from Hassan Nasrallah officially. There is

talk that we may hear from both tomorrow.

WEDEMAN: Yes. We'll be hearing from Aoun tomorrow evening -- the President -- and Hassan Nasrallah on Friday. Now we just got this tweet

from President Aoun. So he's out there. We shall see what he says. But you know, this is -- it's been every week. Everybody has to have their say

and certainly at the end this week. They probably have a lot to say.

Ben Wedeman in the House for you. Thank you, Ben. We are in Beirut, of course. Ben, the bureau chief here. This isn't the first time this

country has faced a political vacuum on what is ostensibly on Saad Hariri's watch. For more on the rise and rule of Mr. Hariri, here is my report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Today, I will not hide from you. Saad Hariri tells Lebanese citizens I have reached a dead end.

After nearly two weeks of paralyzing protests, demanding his resignation, brought on by economic collapse and a growing revolt across the country

against the ruling elite, the Prime Minister succumbs to the will of the people.

Lebanon hasn't seen a display of unity like this since the 2005 assassination of Hariri's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The

older Hariri's death triggered a mass uprising against Syria's occupation of Lebanon. Many blame Damascus for the killing. He briefly identified

Lebanon's fractured ethnic and political interests and set the cause for Saad Hariri to forge his own political identity. Four years later, he was

named Prime Minister and formed a unity government, Shia, Sunni and Christian. Fraught with factional tension.

In 2011, the government collapsed in a move led by Hezbollah. But Hariri returned to office in 2016. Then, unexpectedly, resigned during a visit to

Saudi Arabia the following year for reasons still not clear. Hariri would rescind his resignation but not before it had created more political

turmoil in Lebanon. Hariri entered his third term as Prime Minister last year. His government still battling ever-more fractured interests.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's economy was in free fall. While Lebanese citizens struggled, government announced a new tax on WhatsApp calls, another clumsy

attempt to contain a growing financial crisis. Although the controversial tax was canceled, the damage had been done.

Years of frustration detonated as citizens took their outrage to the streets. Angry with the government often at odds with itself and unable to

tackle a dire economic crisis. As Saad Hariri departs perhaps for the last time, protesters celebrate in hopes of a brighter future. Though that

future remains unclear.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Over the next two hours, we'll break down Lebanon's next steps. But first, I want to connect you to some of the other headlines of course

making news this hour. Because Lebanon not the only country looking to shape up a new government. So is Britain. Amid what feels like endless

Brexit deadlock.

On Tuesday, Boris Johnson claimed a rare win by getting Parliament to agree to a snap general election. The date, December 12th. Parties now gearing

up for that poll which they hope will reshape Parliament there and break what is this crippling impasse over the U.K.'s departure from the European

Union. Well, Nic Robertson joining us live from London with the very latest. Nic, we've been talking about political paralysis here in Lebanon.

[10:10:00]

Something that you perhaps see echoes of now in Britain.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Not as fiery. Not out on the streets in the numbers but in people's hearts and minds, riven with

this issue of Brexit that's been laid to a sort of temporary half rest. Now there's a general election. And why do I say that? Because now it

will become over the next six weeks until December 12th -- that's when the election is -- the issues that people will hear being discussed will be the

issues of national health service, of economy, of, you know, who is going to deliver better for the average working man in the country. So those are

going to become some of the dominant narratives.

But rest assured, running right through the middle of this election campaign is still going to be Brexit. And because Brexit divides

traditional party lines, take the Labour Party, for example. You know, part of their electorate wants to leave the European Union, part wants to

remain. Imagine how complicated that makes it for trying to deliver a gather all campaign towards that election. It's going to be very, very

complicated to predict.

But, yes, it does give a period of clarity, and I would like to say a period of calm after the rhetoric over Brexit. But when we saw the

exchanges in Parliament today between Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition and Boris Johnson, obviously, the Prime Minister, it was very

fiery over the issues of what their campaigns would look like. So this is not going to be your average election campaign. So not as fiery as what

you're seeing in Beirut for sure, but it's going to be very, very lively -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in London for you folks. Well in Washington, all eyes on Capitol Hill where House Democrats are really ramping up this

impeachment inquiry into the U.S. President. The full House will hold a vote on Thursday to formalize these procedures that could lead to Donald

Trump becoming the third President in American history to be impeached.

Meanwhile, two Ukraine experts set to testify behind closed doors today and copies of their opening statements obtained by CNN. The State Department

officials outline how the Trump administration developed its controversial Ukraine policy. Manu Raju is live on Capitol Hill. So as we await the

testimony then of two more Ukraine experts called to testify by the -- by these committees, so we now do have a date for this impeachment vote. How

significant is that -- Manu?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it signals the next phase of the investigation. Right now the investigation has been

mostly behind -- have been all behind closed doors. It's been a deposition after deposition of witnesses who have raised different levels of concern

about the Ukrainian aid being withheld that was approved by the U.S. Congress. Why that wasn't turned over to the Ukrainians while they were

trying to fight Russian aggression. Amid the push by the President to get the Ukrainian government to announce investigations into his political

rivals. Those are the big themes coming out of the closed-door depositions.

But next, we will go to the public phase. And in that public phase there will be procedures for how those hearings can be conducted. And the

procedures are spelled out in this resolution. They'll be voted on by the full House on Thursday. Now this is mostly a procedural resolution, but

what Republicans have been arguing about for some time is that there has not been a vote to formally open an impeachment inquiry. Something they

contend is necessary. But Democrats say there's no reason to actually have a formally authorizing the inquiry. This vote will not formally create the

impeachment inquiry. It will simply just lay out these procedures.

But they will at least argue there have been some votes laying out exactly what will happen. So the political debate will continue, but the most

significant part is that it does signal that this investigation is moving to the next phase which could ultimately lead to the President's

impeachment -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Manu Raju is on The Hill for you with the latest from there. Thank you, Manu.

ANDERSON: Well amidst all the division there was a rare moment of unity in the U.S. Congress as lawmakers from both parties dragged Boeing's boss over

the coals. Dennis Muilenburg faces a second day of questioning after an emotional day of testimony yesterday. Many family members of victims sat

behind him holding pictures of loved ones lost. 346 people killed in the two 737 Max jet crashes last year. Muilenburg apologized to them and

acknowledged that mistakes were made. In a fiery exchange, one Senator said there's no way that he would board a 737 Max aircraft.

[10:15:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOE TESTER (D-MT): I would walk before I was to get on a 737 Max. I would walk. There's no way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CNN's Rene Marsh following the developments there and joins us now. Where does this leave Boeing as a company and where does this leave the friends

and families, more importantly, perhaps, of the victims.

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: So Becky, good morning. I mean, really, where does this leave Boeing as a company? It leaves them in a

really bad place because there were some items that came out yesterday that truly are stunning.

But let us not forget about the families. And if I can for a little bit, just going back to this image here because the families holding up the

pictures of their loved ones. It truly was a moment yesterday. And it really put everything that we have been talking about from the 737 Max, its

faulty systems, the regulation and government oversight. It puts this story in perspective. The victims, this is what it's all about. These

were passengers who boarded an American-made commercial jet they assumed was safe, and the U.S. government certified as safe, but it wasn't. And

that is why the hearings that we saw yesterday that will continue today are so critically important.

We saw Senators hammering Boeing CEO for pushing this aircraft through the certification process, despite its flaws. And Dennis Muilenburg was

questioned about why the company even lobbied the FAA not to ground the plane after the crashes, even though -- and this came out yesterday -- even

though Boeing was aware of internal safety concerns raised by Boeing pilots before the crashes. I have to say, that was one of the most damning

moments. It is when Muilenburg revealed that he was aware that test pilots had raised concerns about the safety of the jet prior to that second 737

crash. But he says he didn't know the details of those internal emails and messages.

ANDERSON: Rene, thank you for that. Rene Marsh.

Well you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. We are coming to you from Beirut. Wherever you are watching, you are more than welcome. We are covering the

protests here, and the political paralysis. Things moving a little bit. Still to come, demonstrations, though, elsewhere across this region.

Swarms of people in Iraq defy a curfew after reports of police killing demonstrators. What's next for a country facing rapidly escalating

protests.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Welcome back. You are live from Beirut with us where Lebanon is grappling over the question, who should take power?

[10:20:00]

The wheeling and dealing has already begun in the wake of the Prime Minister's resignation or the submission of his resignation and that of his

government. And in the last few hours, Lebanon's President has called for Saad Hariri's government to stay on as a caretaker. That is until a new

one can be formed. It is something that's unlikely to appease protesters.

Have a look at this video. This was the chaotic scene here in the capital earlier today. Soldiers still trying to clear roadblocks. Protesters

heading back to the streets despite the submission of this resignation of Saad Hariri's government. Let's make some more sense of this. A lecturer

at Lebanese American University, Omar Nashabe joins me now here in Beirut. We look at those images as we reflect on the news that we learned this time

yesterday out of the submitting of the government's resignation by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. And yet it seems yesterday's man is no longer

yesterday's man. He's still around. What's going on?

OMAR NASHABE, LECTURER, LEBANESE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: Even if it's going to be another person, the problem is not a problem with actual individuals.

The problem is a problem with the system. And there you have a young generation taking to the streets and calling for a change in the system.

This sectarian power-sharing system cannot deliver the basic services to the people, and it allows people to get away with corruption in the

government.

Why? Because the people who are in the government hide behind their confessional groups and sectarian group when they're accused of corruption.

And they consider this an attack on their confessional and sectarian group, which is not the case at all. Which is they are corrupt, but they get away

with it because they hide behind their groups and they accuse other groups of accusing it falsely. And that is also a big problem.

So whoever is going to be there in the new government is not going to be able to deliver. Maybe there will be some small, slight changes but the

basic problem is not resolved.

ANDERSON: So there's going to be a caretaker government. Eventually what protesters hope is there will be a rescue government, a transitional

government. Which will lead to new elections and the sweeping out of this old guard, however young they are, there is a whole bevy of politicians

here that these protesters consider the old guard. The looters of this country.

NASHABE: Exactly.

ANDERSON: The question is, who are these new characters? Nobody is talking about them. Nobody is talking about --

NASHABE: The young people are just cleaning out their anger over the system that has failed to deliver. But they --

ANDERSON: But how do they take this on?

NASHABE: They don't want to participate in the power sharing game. They're just saying that we want the most qualified people to be there in

the government and we don't want the new political party? The young people are taking to the streets crying out saying this government is corrupt.

It's not delivering and they are fed up with it but they're not presenting any alternative. And they don't have any unified representatives.

But they are calling for the removal of the whole system and a new electoral law and early elections. And that is not sure. If you have a

transitioning government, it doesn't mean you'll have early elections. And we need early election based on a new electoral law. These demonstrations

with something like maybe 300,000 at the minimum of people who are all over the streets. Who represents these people since we had elections recently.

ANDERSON: That's the question we've been asking all week -- all week that we've been here.

NASHABE: If the electoral law is representative of the people, then the representatives would be there with them on the streets.

ANDERSON: But they're not.

NASHABE: They're not. So, therefore, the electoral law is --

ANDERSON: Let's talk about who is on the streets because we saw some evidence of real violence yesterday. And the security services just

standing back.

NASHABE: That's a big problem.

ANDERSON: Not getting -- not breaking it up. What's going on here?

NASHABE: We had -- there are big variety of people on the streets. And they're not unified. You have small groups and you have also intelligence

service who are stepping in to take control and to actually benefit from that and that's their job and what they do in any revolution or any

movement or protest. So that's there.

Now what's happened yesterday is that something shocking happened because the army was there. The police were there and a group of people attacked

another group of protesters claiming they want to open the roads, claiming they are supporters of certain movements. It doesn't matter. What really

matters and what happened yesterday is the fall of the state because these -- the police and the army are the symbols of the state.

ANDERSON: Who's responsible is that?

NASHABE: That is a responsibility of the government. Responsibility of the minister of interior. Responsibility of the minister of defense, of

the Prime Minister was already there yesterday. Responsibility of the President. A collective responsibility.

ANDERSON: After those protests that Saad Hariri decided he would go. Do you believe that?

NASHABE: I don't think so. I think there was talk about his resignation a day before and a few days earlier. Also some of close people to him. The

problem is not Saad Hariri. The problem is not Michel Aoun. The problem is not by themselves. The whole sectarian corrupt system. I repeat again

and I'm sorry to repeat this so many times. But I think the media did not actually show until now fully what the demands of these people are because

they're not well organized. And I think for them not to be well organized is a double-edged sword, you see.

[10:25:00]

If they are well organized, they were honest. If there organized, they could be manipulated by some intelligence group.

ANDERSON: Let's talk about how this is all being perceived from elsewhere. The Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has been very supportive of the

protesters' position and his call to -- on the government to ensure that this political transition is effective and efficient and that people are

held to account. The message from Tehran is quite a different one. Accusing Washington itself of fomenting the sort of unrest we have seen.

NASHABE: These positions I believe came after Mr. Hariri resigned. Before he resigned, I think even the State Department wanted the government to

continue. And they were very quiet because they wanted the government to stand to hold and to continue to --

ANDERSON: It's only the Iranian's that wanted to see the status quo.

NASHABE: I think everybody actually wants to actually have a part in this country. And this is one of the major problems in this country is this

foreign interference and the sectarian groups that I talked about a few minutes ago. Also benefiting from going to external powers and getting

support from them.

ANDERSON: Certainly the Prime Minister Saad Hariri has an awful lot of support as did his father from Riyadh for example. They've gotten very

quiet. Why is that?

NASHABE: Well, Mr. Hariri, as you remember, has resigned the previous time under force. Was forced to resign because he was allegedly kidnapped. I

mean, this is something that is, I think, recognized now that he was, you know, stopped by the Saudis. He was forced to resign and, therefore, his

relationship with Saudi Arabia is not a good one. And, therefore, the Saudis are not going to step in and defend him. In fact, no one can defend

this government because this government has been so weak on delivering to the people.

ANDERSON: Let's be very clear that these external forces who may have been until today particularly quiet about what's going on here. Will be

watching keenly because what goes on in Lebanon doesn't stay in Lebanon and we do know that whether or not we're hearing a lot of noise from Riyadh or

from Washington or from Tehran at present, that they -- that's not because they've gone away is it? It's just because they've gone quiet.

NASHABE: I think because the issue here is not a political issue. You know, as in a political position. It's not about the Hezbollah. It's not

about --

ANDERSON: It's the change the make-up here potentially.

NASHABE: I think it may. But the actual tension is about the people crying out for government that's not delivering the main services to them.

And a government that is so corrupt. You know, you have seaports around Beirut. You don't have a place to park a yacht. So many very filthy rich

people. Apartments here for sale for $10 million, $15 million whereas people don't have a minimum wage to actually survive until the end of the

month.

ANDERSON: I'm going to leave it there.

NASHABE: Yes, I thank you.

ANDERSON: Thank you very much indeed. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD folks, live from Beirut as we follow protests in Lebanon. We're also

keeping an eye on escalating demonstrations across the region.

Still to come, reports of extreme violence in Iraq as an NGO there says peaceful protesters were targeted by police. That is up next.

[10:30:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Rallying cries echoing across the Middle East. Scenes all too familiar emerging both in Lebanon where I am and in Iraq. Shared

grievances over economic dysfunction and government corruption paralyzing both nations. But the mood in both countries, it has to be said, is very

different.

Here in Lebanon, protesters celebrating what many are calling here a revolution. Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigning, certainly submitting his

resignation yesterday after nearly two weeks of nationwide demonstrations over government corruption and an economy in turmoil.

But while protesters are happy to see Hariri's government go -- he, though, is likely to be running a transitional government -- they've promised not

to back down until all of their demands are met.

And in Iraq, there are no celebrations. Swarms of protesters defied a curfew Tuesday storming Baghdad's Tahrir Square. They are furious over the

killing of at least 14 demonstrators a day earlier. Amnesty International says there is evidence security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters

staging a sit-in, even trying to run them over with vehicles. Police deny anyone was killed.

Well I want to bring in Laith Kubba, who is the independent adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister. Who says confronting corruption among Iraqi

politicians is the only way to address these protests. He joins me now from Istanbul. And before we talk about that narrative, let's just talk

about specifically what we've seen on these streets. The security services going after these protesters. This a report from Amnesty International.

Is it true?

LAITH KUBBA, INDEPENDENT ADVISER TO IRAQI PRIME MINISTER: Well, yes, it is true because it happened already and over the last four weeks, the death

toll now exceeded 270, and we're talking about nearly 10,000 injured people. Protesters in southern Iraq and many cities there has been

violence. So, of course, it must be said that some of the victims were members of the security forces themselves. And sometimes a third party has

been blamed for opening fire. But at the end of the day, putting the people in front of the army or security forces is really the fault of

politicians. It's not the army who is the enemy. And certainly the people have legitimate demand. It's a dysfunctional political system.

ANDERSON: Well you are the independent adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister. You say confronting corruption among Iraq's politicians is the

only way to address these protests. Should he resign?

KUBBA: Well, I think initially everybody wanted to work within the system to bring change. It's been a year. But more importantly, because there

has been such a high toll of people killed, over 270, now there is not trust between the people and the government. Something more fundamental

needs to be brought to light. I think many people, including myself are now advising and thinking how transition should take place. I think steps

are needed ahead of the demands of the demonstrators and the major bloc that brought the Prime Minister to power who does not have a political

party. That main bloc has withdrawn its confidence and now it's looking at asking him to resign.

ANDERSON: Speaking in London at an event at Chatham House, you said recently and I quote, Iraq has 20 million young people aged under 20. They

are raised with no memory of Saddam Hussein or the political issues. They are not getting the services in schools or hospitals or in the streets.

And they are impatient.

Well I think impatient is an understatement at this point. We have seen the successes of the protest groups here to the extent that phase one

perhaps is complete and that the government has resigned. What happens next is very, very unclear. Demonstrators here calling for the entire

political oligarchy as they call it to stand down.

[10:35:00]

Is the Iraqi generation that you were speaking to when you made that statement at Chatham House, are they going to be the tipping point here?

KUBBA: Their will has led the country, although they are young and they are unrelated to the past, but their bravely and their will had given the

country a signal to move on. So they were joined by trade unions, by students, by many forces. And now I think the political class had put

their weight behind them. The real challenge is how do you make the transition?

Iraq cannot risk a power vacuum. We are neighbors to Iran. Iran feels it's under threat from America. It's hypersensitive about its security

situation. But at the same time, regrettably, Iran is too close to some armed groups inside Iraq who are accused of corruption. Their centers have

been burned. Some of their houses were attacked. So we are talking about a very tense situation that can lead either to more Iranian involvement or

to more violence in the country.

So all politicians, everybody is trying to find a way to meet the demonstrators demand. And I think it's a question no longer about

economics. It's about dignity and independence and Iraqis have raised their expectations from those protesters, and I think they will win.

ANDERSON: I think the term dignity is one that we are hearing here on the streets as well, sir, and it is a good one. Just finally, according to

state media, Iran's supreme leader has accused the U.S. and Western intelligence services for stirring up disorder both in Iraq and indeed here

in Lebanon. Tehran's detractors will say that is ripe coming from a country that meddles in politics and more here. And certainly openly on

the ground in Iraq.

KUBBA: Well, I mean, Iraq understands fully Iran's concerns about its security. We observe the -- let's say the competition over power in the

region and many countries. But the reality is on the ground. Those protesters went out to the street, out of their own will. Maybe

politicians and others are trying to manipulate it. But the reality is, those protesters are Iraqis. And I think also, it seems not in the U.S.

interest to create a vacuum or chaos in Iraq at the same time.

ANDERSON: We'll have to leave it there. We think you very much indeed for joining us. An important interview on what is a very important story. I'm

Becky Anderson. I'm here in Beirut in Lebanon. We'll be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: I want to take a moment now to tell you about an important project that we take on every year at CNN. Our CNN Heroes where we connect

you to everyday people doing extraordinary work around the world to help others.

[10:40:04]

And today we announce our top ten CNN heroes of 2019. Here's my colleague Anderson Cooper with their stories.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Anderson Cooper. All year long we've been introducing you to some inspiring individuals who are changing the

world. We call them CNN heroes. Now it's time to announce the top ten CNN heroes of 2019. Here they are.

From Las Vegas, Nevada, Staci Alonso is keeping women and their furry loved ones together at her inclusive domestic violence shelters.

Najah Bazzy is delivering hope in Detroit by giving basic necessities in job training to women and their children.

From Denver, Colorado, after seeing families lose their homes to California's worst wildfire, Woody Faircloth is providing refurbished RVs

to displaced survivors.

In Ethiopia, Freweini Mebrahtu is changing the lives of women and girls. She's battling the stigma surrounding menstruation with her innovative

work.

Donkeys across America suffer neglect and abuse. Mark Meyers from San Angelo, Texas is saving these often-overlooked animals by the thousands.

MARK MEYERS, PEACEFUL VALLEY DONKEY RESCUE: That some good stuff right there.

COOPER: From Dallas, Texas, Richard Miles served 15 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

RICHARD MILES, MILES OF FREEDOM: At the end of the day, be confident in your change.

COOPER: Today he's helping other former inmates navigate the challenges of returning home.

ROGER MONTOYA, MOVING ARTS ESPANOLA: Long neck. Just find the length.

COOPER: In Espanola, New Mexico, an area devastated by the opioid crisis, Roger Montoya is giving young people hope and healing through the arts.

Mary Robinson from Mountainside, New Jersey is helping families who are grieving cope with the loss of their loved ones.

From Mumbai, India, Afroz Shah has inspired the world's largest beach cleanup and sparked a volunteer movement to save the ocean.

ZACH WIGAL, GAMERS OUTREACH FOUNDATION: Want to play some video games?

COOPER: And from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zach Wigal has turned gaming into therapy for sick kids in the hospital.

Congratulations to the top ten CNN Heroes of 2019. Now it's time for you to decide who should be named CNN Hero of the year and receive $100,000 to

continue their work. Just go to CNNheroes.com to learn how to vote for the CNN Hero who inspires you the most. And be sure to tune in to "CNN HEROES

ALL-STAR TRIBUTE" as we celebrate all of this year's honorees live from New York Sunday, December 8th, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Ten amazing individuals and they're all proving that one person can make a difference. I know there are an awful lot more people around

the world doing incredible work. But those are our ten heroes. Don't forget you can head to CNNheroes.com to decide who will be crowned CNN Hero

of the year. Voting runs through December the 3rd. You have loads of time.

We're here in Beirut connecting you on the ground to the very latest developments. We'll be back in 15 minutes' time. WORLD SPORT with Patrick

Snell Sis up next.

[10:45:00]

(WORLD SPORT)

[11:00:00]

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