Israeli Benefitting Most from Lebanon Protests: Cleric
Mass protests have spread across Lebanon over the past few couple of weeks as a result of the government’s poor handling of the severe economic situation.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators, angered at the government proposed tax hikes, have been taking to the streets across Lebanon. They blame the ruling elite for the economic crisis.
Lebanese protesters, blocking roads and burning tires, have also been carrying banners and chanting slogans that call for the government to resign.
As a result, Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri has resigned from his post.
Speaking to IQNA, Sheikh Hassan al-Sharifa, secretary general of the Awqaf Department of Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shia Council, said it is Israel that is benefitting from the situation in the Arab country.
He said some of the slogans chanted in the demonstrations are people’s rightful demands concerning economy and livelihood.
However, he said, some in Lebanon and some foreign countries are exploiting the situation for their own interests.
Al-Sharifa also blamed the US for being behind the unrest in the Arab country, saying the US takes two paths against countries opposed to it: first it imposes an economic blockade against the country and if it did not yield results, Washington starts to provoke unrest.
He referred to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent remarks on Lebanon and described it as an indication of Washington’s role in the current situation.
Al-Sharifa also highlighted the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement’s support for meeting people’s legitimate demands but added that the resistance movement is concerned about foreign plots.
