The leader of the Druze sect, Sheikh Abu Hassan Aref Halawi, on 26 November died in Lebanon aged 103, local religious leaders announced. Reports from Lebanon suggest that Halawi died of pneumonia, but these have not been confirmed. Halawi had been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, and had called on the Druze community not to co-operate with Israel. Druze officials said Halawi had undergone surgery two months ago, but did not specify what for.