Hezbollah: US major obstacle to govt. formation in Lebanon

Hezbollah calls the US the most prominent obstacle lying in the way of formation of a government in Lebanon, which is direly in need of political stability.

The Lebanese resistance movement’s Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem made the remarks in an interview with Reuters on Friday.

“The first obstruction in the formation of the government is America, because it wants a government that resembles it and we want a government that resembles the Lebanese people,” he said.

US officials had been in direct contact with Lebanese politicians and officials, the official noted, saying, “Let them leave us alone so we can reach an understanding among ourselves. The more they intervene the more they delay the solution.”

The country -- where coexistence of various religious sects has turned unity into the leading means of preventing internal strife -- would not be rid of its ongoing economic and political woes unless foreign vested interests stopped tugging away at it, Qassem said.

Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri resigned in late October amid nationwide protests against corruption and economic adversity that had begun earlier that month.

On Tuesday, protesters blocked roads leading to the parliament in the capital Beirut, forcing the legislature to postpone what was supposed to be its first session in two months. Heavy clashes were reported later that day between security forces and a group of protesters attempting to make their way into the parliament.

Lebanon protesters force parliament to postpone already long-overdue session

Lebanese protesters prevent lawmakers from reaching the parliament, forcing the legislative chamber to postpone what was to be its first session in two months.

US making waves, but Hezbollah knows better

While expressing hope that he did not “see signs of a civil war in Lebanon,” Qassem cautioned, “We have information of American attempts to create some security problems.”

He, however, assured, “Hezbollah is determined not to fall into strife that America wants.”

US, allies benefiting from Lebanon unrest to advance own interests: Hezbollah official

A top Hezbollah official says the US and allies are taking advantage of the protest movement in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has defended the country against two wars waged by Israel, the US’s closest regional ally, in the 2000s. The heroic defense as well as the group’s stiff opposition to foreign intervention in Lebanon’s internal affairs has turned it into a major stakeholder in the country’s political and military spheres.

The Lebanese Finance Ministry says the national debt is hovering around $85 billion, which accounts for more than 150 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), while the World Bank also says more than 25 percent of the Lebanese live in poverty.

The US and its Persian Gulf allies have imposed sanctions on Lebanese economic assets and figures for alleged cooperation with Hezbollah.

Resistance totally behind people

The Hezbollah official declared, “We support the people 100% in putting the corrupt on trial.”

“The corrupt must stand trial in Lebanon regardless of who they are ... we support all measures that limit corruption and that recover looted wealth,” he said.

Asked why Hezbollah and its allies had not opted to form a cabinet on their own, Qassem said the group preferred the prime minister be chosen through agreement with the main parties.

“There are continuous contacts between Hezbollah and Prime Minister Hariri to pick the prime minister,” he announced.

Qassem said the first step towards dealing with the turmoil would be the formation of a government, which should start by implementing an emergency economic plan after amending it if necessary.

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