We realized that some figures or Lebanese Christian groups, whenever something happens in Maaloula, try to portray the conflict in Syria as anti-Christian and this is a big hoax,” he said.Geagea said this scheme aimed at portraying Assad as the protector of minorities “in an effort make sure the regime stays in power.”

The attacks on Christians in Syria were done either by Hezbollah to make the Syrian rebels appear anti-Christian to feed Assad propaganda. Or they are done by the real al-Qaeda faction the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. Sadly many in the West are falling for Assad’s lies.

In another interesting development, the leader of Nusra Front; Abu Mohammad Golani was interviewed by al-Jazzeera, In the interview he accuses the US of backing Iran and Hezbollah’s agenda in the region.

BEIRUT: A rare television appearance by the leader of the hard-line jihadist Nusra Front has enraged supporters of the mainstream opposition and highlighted how the two Al-Qaeda affiliates active in Syria are locked in a struggle for influence in the war-torn country.

Late last week, Al-Jazeera television aired teaser excerpts and then a full, 30-minute interview with Abu Mohammad Golani, the leader of the Nusra Front, conducted by Taysir Allouni.

[….]

Golani appears with his back to the camera throughout the interview and repeatedly describes the war raging in Syria as being part of a broader sectarian struggle pitting Sunnis against Shiites, rather than a popular struggle against a repressive regime.

Throughout the interview, Golani offers sweeping descriptions of the forces battling over Syria. He argues that the United States and Iran have been in league for years to weaken the region’s Sunnis, backed by examples such as Washington’s intervention in Iraq led to pro-Tehran government of Nouri al-Maliki, and the recent talks between American and Iranian officials that produced an interim agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Golani also mentions a struggle that is “3,000 years old,” and has seen everyone from the Byzantines to Iran’s Safavids struggle to dominate the Arab, and later, Islamic region.