Lebanon’s Prime Minister called Hezbollah’s arms illegitimate on Tuesday after its President said the group’s military wing was vital to its security, spelling out the country’s political divisions more clearly than at any time since they took office.
A staunch Hezbollah ally, Michel Aoun became president in October in a power-sharing deal that saw Saad al-Hariri, Lebanon’s leading Sunni Muslim politician, appointed premier in a unity cabinet including nearly all Lebanon’s main parties.
The powerful arsenal wielded by Sh’ite Iranian-backed Hezbollah outside the state’s control has long been a subject of controversy, with several major political parties calling for the group’s disarmament, while others support it.
Hezbollah has become deeply embroiled in the war in Syria, where its forces are fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
The Lebanese state has adopted a policy of official neutrality towards the conflict. Hariri said on Tuesday that, despite sharp disputes over Hezbollah’s arms, “the consensus on the role of the army, legitimate forces and the state” protected Lebanon.
“We will not compromise on the fundamentals ... our view of the Assad regime and its crimes, our stance towards the illegitimate arms and ... Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria,” he said at a ceremony in central Beirut marking the 12th anniversary of his father’s assassination.
Aoun said in an interview with the Egyptian channel CBC last week that Hezbollah’s arms “do not contradict the state... and are an essential part of defending Lebanon.
“As long as the Lebanese army lacks sufficient power to face Israel, we feel the need for (Hezbollah’s) arsenal because it complements the army’s role,” he said.
Hezbollah, whose fighters played a major role in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, backed Aoun’s election. In addition to its powerful military wing, the group wields strong political influence.
Rafik al-Hariri was killed in a 2005 Beirut waterfront bombing that also killed 21 others, shaking the country and pushing his son Saad into politics.
Hariri and his allies initially accused Syria of killing Rafik. A UN-backed tribunal later charged five Hezbollah members over the killing. Hezbollah denies any role.
Their trial in absentia at the Hague began in January 2014, and Hezbollah and Damascus have both denied any involvement in the killing.

Aoun, Hariri’s Hezbollah comments lay bare Lebanon’s political divide

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri (C), gets out of a vehicle outside the Parliament building before his new government won a vote of confidence in parliament in downtown Beirut, Lebanon December 28, 2016. (Reuters)
Reuters, Beirut
Tuesday 14 February 2017
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:50 - GMT 06:50
DAY | WEEK |
-
8177 Views Full moon to align directly above Kaaba in Mecca on Jan. 28
-
7923 Views Coronavirus: Dubai restaurants offer discounts for vaccinated diners
-
4383 Views Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
-
1886 Views Iran executes second wrestler months after executing champion wrestler Navid Afkari
-
1872 Views Saudi Arabia in talks to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low income countries: Minister
-
1855 Views Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to get AstraZeneca shots in about a week from India
-
23712 Views Coronavirus: Dubai temporarily postpones Pfizer vaccine campaign amid global shortage
-
19193 Views Saudi Arabia’s PIF to invest 3 trillion riyals over next 10 years: Crown Prince
-
10999 Views Coronavirus: Dubai orders hospitals to cancel surgeries amid surge in COVID-19 cases
-
9665 Views The American University of Beirut’s battle for survival
-
8309 Views Coronavirus: Dubai suspends live entertainment permits as COVID-19 cases surge
-
8233 Views Coronavirus: Dubai's latest COVID-19 rules for weddings, restaurants, gyms, concerts
SHOW MORE