Russian Ambassador Says US Attempts to Pressure Lebanon Will Strengthen Hezbollah

BEIRUT (Sputnik) – Washington is likely to seek new ways of pressuring Lebanon to weaken the radical Islamist Hezbollah movement, even though its involvement will probably only serve to strengthen the militants, Russian Ambassador to Beirut Alexander Zasypkin said.

The ambassador added that the US will probably continue trying to increase the effectiveness of the restrictive measures.

The United States has been actively imposing sanctions on persons or entities with links to the movement.

Lebanon has been in a political and social turmoil since mid-October when the government of then-Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced tax hikes on internet calls and tobacco in an attempt to salvage a deteriorating economy. On 22 January, a new government, led by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, was confirmed to deal with the ongoing political and crisis. The situation has recently taken a turn for the worse after a devastating explosion in Beirut.

‘Lebanon’s Still at Dangerous Edge’

The situation in Lebanon remains challenging, and the decline in the number of anti-government rallies can be explained by the coronavirus pandemic and protesters lacking a reform program, Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin said.

Zasypkin added that most demonstrators stopped going to rallies when provocateurs joined the protests and started rioting and clashing with the police. At the same time, the situation might escalate even more if problems are not resolved, the ambassador said.

He added that the government is trying to resolve the most pressing issues, but is being criticized from all sides because of the complexity of the crisis.

The large-scale anti-government movement in Lebanon began in October 2019 after the government hiked taxes in a desperate attempt to salvage the sliding economy. The tax proposals have since been repealed but the protests against endemic corruption and mismanagement have continued with varying intensity.

Sourse: sputniknews.com