In Lebanon, Hezbollah chief announces arrival of Iranian oil

Gasoline shortages in Lebanon cause scenes of crowds.

Here at a station in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

June 27, 2021 © AP - Hassan Ammar

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Hassan Nasrallah announced Thursday August 19 the imminent arrival of an Iranian ship loaded with fuel in Lebanon, which suffers from a severe fuel shortage.

Hours later, the United States Ambassador announced steps to help Cedar Country overcome its severe energy crisis. 

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With our correspondent in Beirut,

Paul Khalifeh

From now on, it is around the energy crisis that is hitting their country that the Lebanese are showing their deep divisions.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Lebanese Forces Christian party leader Samir Geagea have warned against Hezbollah's move, which they say risks exposing Lebanon to US sanctions.

But other politicians have expressed their strong support for Hezbollah's decision.

Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech Thursday that the cargo of the Iranian ship should be used to supply " 

hospitals, factories producing food and medicine, bakeries and generators

 ". Sectors that are slowing down or that have completely stopped their activity because of the fuel shortage.

A few hours after Hassan Nasrallah's speech, the Lebanese presidency announced that the United States had "

decided

" to help Lebanon to alleviate these shortages.

Information indirectly confirmed by the American ambassador in Beirut, Dorothy Shea.

She told the pan-Arab channel Al-Arabiya that her country was discussing " 

with the governments of Egypt, Jordan and the World Bank to find real and lasting solutions

 " to the energy problem in Lebanon.

The idea would be to bring Egyptian electricity and gas to Lebanon via Jordan and Syria, which would imply a relaxation of sanctions against Damascus.

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  • Lebanon

  • Hezbollah

  • Iran

  • Oil

  • United States