US seeks to block Hezbollah ally from naming Lebanese minister
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The US is attempting to capitalize on the power structure in Lebanon and attempting to stop the Lebanese Resistance movement from partaking in the country's politics.
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Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri heads the first session of the newly elected parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, on May 31, 2022. (AP)
According to a report by Reuters, Washington is lobbying top Lebanese officials not to allow the Lebanese Resistance, Hezbollah, or its supporters to select the country's next finance minister, according to five individuals familiar with the subject, in an effort to limit its power within the country.
The news is not unusual, as Axios reported in early January that the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team worked in close coordination to ensure the election of Gen. Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's new president.
In the weeks leading up to the election, the Biden administration and Saudi Arabia led a joint initiative to secure the outcome, with support from France and Qatar, according to US officials. This campaign culminated in a visit to the region by President Biden's envoy, Amos Hochstein, who played a central role in lobbying for Aoun's candidacy.
Like all of Lebanon's major groups, Hezbollah has traditionally appointed ministers to the government in collaboration with its ally the Amal Movement, which has chosen all of Lebanon's finance ministers since 2014.
US says Hezbollah must not be included in new government
However, US officials want to see that influence shrink when Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam creates a new government, according to the five people who spoke anonymously to Reuters.
The sources detailed how Salam and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun were told that Hezbollah should not be included in the new administration.
According to three sources, Massad Boulos, a Lebanese American billionaire selected by US President Donald Trump as an advisor on Middle Eastern matters, was among those relaying that message to Lebanon.
Although Republican members of Congress have openly asked Trump to keep Hezbollah and its supporters out of government, it has not been revealed that Boulos and other US officials were relaying this message directly to Lebanon.
According to a source close to Hezbollah, there was "significant American pressure on Salam and Aoun to clip the wings of Hezbollah and its allies."
Sources with direct information told Reuters that allowing Hezbollah or Amal to nominate the finance minister would jeopardize Lebanon's ability to access foreign funds to help pay for the massive reconstruction needed after the war with "Israel."
According to one of them, Washington emphasized to Salam that Lebanon was entering a new era and that it was untenable for Hezbollah and its supporters "to enjoy the same privileges" it formerly enjoyed, including "obtaining sensitive ministries such as finance."
