Lebanon Intercepts $2.5 Million Allegedly Bound for Hezbollah at Airport
Lebanese authorities confiscated $2.5 million in cash at Beirut Airport, allegedly intended for Hezbollah, from a passenger arriving from Turkey. This follows recent restrictions on Iranian airlines linked to Hezbollah’s funding. The regional dynamics remain complex with changing political leadership in Lebanon and ongoing tensions with Israel.
Lebanon’s authorities at Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport confiscated $2.5 million in cash on Friday, which was allegedly intended for the militant group Hezbollah. The funds were found concealed on a traveler arriving from Turkey. The Lebanese Customs Directorate detained the passenger and will refer the case to the Directorate of General Security, in accordance with public prosecutor directives. Although the Finance Ministry did not explicitly mention Hezbollah, multiple sources indicated the cash’s intended destination.
Previously, Lebanon had barred Iranian airlines Mahan Air and Iran Air from operating flights to Beirut, in response to Israeli military allegations regarding their roles in smuggling funds to Hezbollah. Protests erupted in mid-February, with Hezbollah supporters demonstrating against the bans until the Lebanese military intervened, utilizing tear gas and arresting over 25 individuals.
Mahan Air has come under US and EU sanctions due to its connections with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and for purportedly supplying arms and funds to proxy groups in the region, including Hezbollah. Following the Syrian airspace closure, Iran is purportedly seeking alternative methods to deliver support to its ally in Lebanon.
The Wall Street Journal cited a US defense official stating that Israel raised concerns about Iran utilizing Turkish citizens to transport funds to Beirut. Since its formation in 1982, Hezbollah has evolved from a smaller militia to a significant political force within Lebanon, despite incurring substantial losses during its recent conflict with Israel that escalated into full-scale warfare.
A ceasefire, brokered by the United States, concluded hostilities on November 27, 2024. The election of Joseph Aoun, a candidate supported by Western powers, as president in January was perceived as detrimental to Hezbollah’s position and Iran’s influence in Lebanon. Aoun asserted that he would reinforce the state’s monopoly on weapons, receiving acclaim from Hezbollah’s political opponents.
The Lebanese parliament recently approved the cabinet appointed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, which is responsible for drafting a ministerial statement outlining government objectives. Notably, this statement deviated from two decades of precedent by omitting any reference to “armed resistance,” terminology traditionally employed to recognize Hezbollah’s existence in Lebanon.
The recent seizure of $2.5 million at Beirut Airport exemplifies ongoing tensions surrounding Hezbollah and its funding sources. Despite significant political changes within Lebanon, including the election of a Western-aligned president, the group remains influential. The situation is indicative of the broader geopolitical challenges facing Lebanon as it navigates relationships with Iran, Israel, and regional stakeholders.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
