Lebanonupdated 54m ago3 min read
Youssef Raji Says Hezbollah Prepares New War At Iran’s Request
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Raji fears Hezbollah is preparing for a new war at Iran's request. Iran reportedly instructed Hezbollah not to participate in any upcoming war.
7 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Hezbollah Rebuilds Defensive Capabilities, Lebanese Security Sources Say →
Raji warns of new war
Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Raji said he fears a "new war that Hezbollah is preparing for at Iran's request," and he stressed the necessity for Israel to withdraw and stop its aggressions. Raji linked his warning to preparations he described as being carried out by Hezbollah at Iran's request, and he recalled government decisions regarding the monopoly of weapons and the prohibition of the party's military and security activities. Raji told Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Helen McEntee that the Lebanese Army must be supported so it can fulfill its duties, while McEntee conveyed her country's support for stability and security in Lebanon.
Raji and McEntee also discussed the future international presence in the south after the UNIFIL mission ends, with the two sides agreeing on the "need for an international presence on the borders." Raji added that the Foreign Ministry is following up on the incident that resulted in the death of the Irish soldier, with the aim of holding those responsible accountable.
Iranian request and Hezbollah
Sources close to Hezbollah told al-Hadath that "we are in a position of simply reacting to Israeli attacks," and the sources said the Iranians informed them that they do not want Hezbollah to participate in any upcoming war. Naharnet quoted Rajji saying he expressed his fear of a new war that Hezbollah might be preparing for at the behest of Iran, and he reiterated the necessity of Israel's withdrawal and the cessation of its attacks. Raji also pointed to the government's decisions restricting weapons and banning Hezbollah's military and security activities, while he stressed the role of the Lebanese Army and the importance of supporting it so it can carry out its mission.
Al-Quds Al-Arabi and agencies reported that Lebanese security officials familiar with Hizballah activities said the party spent three months preparing for a possible resumption of combat operations with Israel after receiving cash funding from Iran. The same report said two Lebanese security sources told Reuters that Hizballah took advantage of the lull in combat since June to rearm, focusing on procuring explosives and producing directed drones that can strike Israeli sites.
UNIFIL exit, refugees, electricity
Raji told Caroline Lindholm Billings, the UN Refugee Agency’s representative in Lebanon, that Billings said conditions in Syria will become more suitable next year for the return of larger numbers of refugees, while stressing the ongoing work of the agency to secure relief for Lebanese people affected in the south. Raji emphasized the need to bring the refugees’ return file to a conclusion, and he also conveyed Lebanon’s Energy Ministry’s request to settle the dues owed by shelter camps. Raji said Billings expressed support for the request, and Raji reported that Billings confirmed that the law must be applied to every resident in Lebanon just as it is applied to Lebanese citizens.
In parallel, al-Hadath sources close to Hezbollah framed the party's posture as reacting to Israeli attacks, while Raji framed his fear as a new war Hezbollah is preparing for at Iran's request. Al-Quds Al-Arabi and agencies reported that Israeli forces currently occupy Hizballah strongholds in southern Lebanon villages, and it said political pressure in Beirut to disarm it has intensified.