Lebanon .. Watching and worrying after Trump's talk about Hezbollah

Lebanon .. Watching and worrying after Trump's talk about Hezbollah

Arabic and International   Thursday, July 27 2017 

Lebanese political sources have expressed their belief that US President Donald Trump heard Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, when he received him warmly at the White House last Tuesday, everything he likes to hear.

The sources stopped especially when Trump confirmed to Hariri that "Hezbollah is a threat to Lebanon and the region." One Lebanese politician went on to say that "Trump's words are music for Saad Hariri."

But the Lebanese community, which is closely following the Trump administration's policy, asked whether there was a translation on the ground of the US president's speech to the Lebanese prime minister, who knows exactly what Hezbollah represents and the role it plays as an Iranian tool with distinction, especially within Syrian territory.

These circles said that the Lebanese, who understand what Trump is saying, are asking practical steps to support this talk.

In this regard, he pointed to two places where the United States can show its seriousness in confronting Iran, namely, the Syrian interior itself, and preventing Iran from establishing a foothold in Syrian territory. The second is the Iraqi-Syrian border.

He explained in this regard that any weakening of Hezbollah is only by preventing the delivery of Iranian supplies to the Syrian interior, through the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Lebanese media have expressed concern that Trump's big speech would not be accompanied by any American actions that would lead to a real weakening of Hezbollah and its return to normal size as a Lebanese party represented in the House of Representatives and the government.

She said that Trump's mere verbal escalation with Iran and Hezbollah could have negative consequences for the Lebanese situation, especially in the absence of any American military action inside Syria itself. In the absence of any other Lebanese institution capable of playing a role in confronting Hezbollah, A large country is now capable of fighting wars outside Lebanese territory.

According to Lebanese sources close to the corridors of the White House that President Trump wanted through his attack on Hezbollah in front of his home, Saad Hariri to respond more than six years after the "coup" the coup against Hariri during his meeting six years ago with former US President Barack Obama.

These sources considered that Trump wanted through his violent stance against the party to rehabilitate Hariri and the American presidency, who received this stab several years ago, and to emphasize Washington's support for the Lebanese prime minister and what he represents in the memory of the Americans and what he represents in the Arab world.

In a statement to the Security Council, Niki Healy, Washington's permanent representative to the United Nations, warned of the threat posed by Hezbollah to the Lebanese people, noting that the party was preparing for a new war against Israel.

Observers in Beirut said that Trump's statement was direct and clear and sent clear messages to the party and Iran on the one hand, and to Israel on the other hand, and to the Lebanese government on the other.

These circles considered that the launch of these statements in the presence of the Lebanese Prime Minister suggests that they are the outcome of deliberations agreed by the two men, which may embarrass Hariri in front of his partners allied with the party within the Lebanese government.

But Hariri, commenting on the issue of US sanctions against Hezbollah, said, "We think it is not necessary to draft additional laws ... But if they want to issue such drafts, we need to protect Lebanon from any wrong wording in the draft law. .

Sources close to Hariri's visit and his accompanying delegation to Washington said that Trump's remarks came to perpetuate Hezbollah's achievements in Jaroud Arsal from any possible substance to be invested in any flotilla of the party at the international level and from any reasons that sponsor the party's removal from the terrorist lists in the United States.

The sources added that Trump intended to put the party within the same classification, which Washington treated as a supporter and al-Qaeda, and recalled his old positions that "I do not admire Assad. I certainly believe that what he did to this country and humanity is terrible, "denying any shift in Washington's position that Hezbollah and Iran can count on.

Lebanese observers noted that the US president used a language long used by Hizbollah's opponents in Lebanon in that they considered the party's agenda, even what he considered to be a defense of Lebanon, not Lebanese but fully subject to Iranian agendas.

Trump warned that Hezbollah "is trying to portray itself as a defender of Lebanese interests, but it is clear that its real interests are the interests of its patron Iran."

US lawmakers introduced legislation last week aimed at increasing sanctions against Hizbollah by further restricting its fundraising and recruiting capacity and increasing pressure on its banks.

Asked about his view of sanctions the US Congress is trying to impose against Hezbollah, he said: "I will announce my position within the next 24 hours."

However, Western diplomatic sources in Beirut pointed out that the American president has expressed positions that reflect the American concern for the care of Lebanon according to the values ​​expressed by the so-called "Cedar Revolution" following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, asking the credibility of the US administration in support of the trend to support the Lebanese state At the expense of Hezbollah's state.

These sources considered that the decision of the Americans to continue to support the Lebanese army, despite the confusion in its relationship with Hezbollah, reflects the realization of the need to strengthen the US military as well as recognition of the casual nature of the army's relationship with the party.

He praised the Lebanese President's response to the Lebanese army to organize "Daash" and prevent him "from gaining a foothold within his country."

He stressed that the US military stands by its Lebanese counterpart "in this battle against Da'ash. We will make sure that the Lebanese army is the only defender Lebanon needs. It is a very effective fighting force."

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