The European investigations into the “Central” ruler have entered their third session. A Lebanese official who monitors the relationship between the “Free Patriotic Movement” and “Hezbollah” has stated that the alliance between the two parties has ended. However, only an official declaration of divorce is necessary to formalize their separation. The election of President Michel Aoun marked the beginning of the end of this alliance. President Aoun confronted President Nabih Berri, who is an ally of “Hezbollah”, when he tried to block Aoun’s path to power. Aoun believed that the party’s support should be unconditional at home, but “Hezbollah” chose to hold back out of concern for “the unity of the Shiite community”. Aoun blames Berri for being the main obstacle to his presidential achievements. MP Gebran Bassil, the current leader, also criticizes the party’s performance and believes that “encouraged corruption” and made it difficult to establish state institutions. The divorce between the parties is almost official, but the public announcement remains. On the other hand, the Lebanese judiciary is preparing for the third round of European investigations related to the file of the Governor of the “Banque du Liban,” which starts on April 25. It includes officials from the Lebanese “Central” and owners of commercial banks, and precedes the date of the investigation session with Salameh in Paris on May 16.
A third session of European investigations into the file of the “Central” ruler
A Lebanese official following the relationship between the “Free Patriotic Movement” and “Hezbollah” said that the “marriage” between the two parties has ended, and that only the official declaration of divorce remains between the two allies.
The arrival of President Michel Aoun to the presidency was the beginning of the end of this alliance. As soon as he arrived, Aoun confronted the Speaker of Parliament (an ally of “Hezbollah”), President Nabih Berri, who stood in the way of Aoun and his current in power.
Aoun believed that the party’s support should be unlimited at home, but the party chose to hold the stick from the middle, and not confront Berri, out of its concern for “the unity of the Shiite community.”
Aoun says to his visitors that Berri was the biggest obstacle to his presidential achievements, and that the party did not intervene to deter his ally. The current head of the “current”, MP Gebran Bassil, also criticizes the party’s performance, and his biggest complaint is that the party places its relationship with its allies at home, especially in the Shiite faction, above all considerations. This, in Basil’s opinion, “encouraged corruption and prevented the establishment of state institutions.”
Hezbollah’s behavior during the presidential vacuum dealt a heavy blow to the alliance with the “current”. As he was clear in supporting the choice of former minister Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency, but Bassil rejected this option, and called on the party to reach an understanding on a “third option.”
An official close to “Hezbollah” admits that the divorce took place and is awaiting an official announcement, but he asserts that this announcement will not be issued by the party, leaving Basil to carry out this task.
On the other hand, the Lebanese judiciary is preparing to keep pace with the third round of European investigations into the file of the Governor of the “Banque du Liban”, Riad Salameh, which begins on April 25, and includes officials in the Lebanese “Central” and owners of commercial banks, and precedes the date of the investigation session with Salameh. In Paris, on the 16th of May.
Lebanon: Aoun and Hezbollah’s “divorce” is final…and awaits publication
In conclusion, the political landscape in Lebanon is experiencing a seismic shift as the alliance between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah comes to an end. President Michel Aoun’s arrival to power played a significant role in the downfall of this political marriage. There were fundamental differences in their approach to governing, with Aoun seeking limitless support from Hezbollah at home, while the party’s concern for the unity of the Shiite community held them back. As the two parties part ways, attention now turns to the next round of European investigations into the file of the Governor of the “Banque du Liban,” which includes officials in the Lebanese Central and owners of commercial banks. The situation is fluid, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for Lebanon’s political landscape.