Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Defends Hezbollah’s Presence, But Rejects War with Israel
Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, has defended the country’s decision to be represented by Hezbollah, a political party and paramilitary group that has been accused of dragging Lebanon into a war it did not want to fight with Israel. In an interview with CNBC, Bou Habib stated that while his country supports Hezbollah, it does not support the war and has no say in the decision to go to war.
The country is currently under a US-France brokered cease-fire that took effect on Wednesday and has already shown signs of strain. The agreement allows displaced Israelis and Lebanese to return home after 14 months of intense conflict. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of breaching the agreement less than 48 hours after it was agreed upon.
Bou Habib also reiterated his country’s commitment to implementing UN Resolution 1701, which aims to ensure Israeli withdrawal from the south and move Hezbollah north of the Litani River. The area, under 1701, would fall under Lebanese Armed Forces control and a U.N. peacekeeping force. The foreign minister emphasized that Lebanon is “ready, willing, and determined” to implement the resolution.
Despite the challenges ahead, Bou Habib expressed confidence in his country’s ability to rebuild, citing the support of Gulf Arab states. “We are receiving humanitarian help from all Gulf Countries,” he said. The country’s economy minister, Amin Salam, has estimated that the conflict could have a devastating impact on the economy, with losses potentially standing at around $20 billion.
Lebanon’s political system is also facing a crisis, with the country without a president since 2022 and the current government existing in a caretaker format. Lebanese political analyst Ronnie Chatah warned that the occupation of the Shebaa farms, a disputed zone between Syria and Israel, could contribute to the country’s political instability.
The World Bank estimates that the conflict will cut Lebanon’s real GDP growth by at least 6.6% in 2024, with the economy potentially contracting by as much as 8% to 12%. Mercy Corps Country Director for Lebanon, Laila Al Amine, warned that funding challenges for rebuilding efforts in Lebanon are immense and urgent, with much of the pledged humanitarian aid yet to be disbursed.
