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The British “Guardian” newspaper said the Lebanese “Party of God” is concerned from within about what US President Donald Trump might do in his final days in the White House.
According to an article by their correspondent in the Middle East, Martin Chulov, published by the “Guardian” today, Sunday, December 20, the leaders of “Hezbollah” fear that Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israel intend to take advantage of the weeks before Joe Biden’s inauguration to act. Take decisive action against Iran and Hezbollah, before the new president takes a softer stance that is widely expected.
He added that leaders are following Trump’s final days with concern, as Israeli jets have been flying heavily in Lebanese airspace in the last month.
The newspaper quoted a mid-rank Hezbollah member: “They have their window and they want to finish what they started, but don’t worry, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is fine.”
The newspaper interviewed, two middle-ranking members of “Hezbollah” and a mediator familiar with the thinking of its top leaders, that the party is determined not to be involved in a confrontation with Israel or to take measures that are seen as an explicit defense. from Iran.
All three sources told the newspaper that they believe the next US administration will try to negotiate the nuclear deal with Tehran, which was signed by Barack Obama and canceled by Trump and can now be renewed in another way.
A Hezbollah member told the newspaper: “This means easing the sanctions, and this means that the pressure will end on us in the end. They are trying to attack Iran to harm us. This will not work because everyone has seen the plan since the summer, and we all have the means to overcome their pressure. “
A senior figure described the next few weeks as “the most dangerous period in the last 30 years. Everyone is worried and the reason is good. “
The leader responded to a question: “Are you going to try to implement something big in Beirut in the next few weeks?” By saying “this is possible and correct, there are safety alerts in the suburb and the south.” It’s about protecting our leaders. We don’t have anything specific. But there is something in the air. “
According to the newspaper, Dahiyeh, which is the “Hezbollah” security zone at the heart of its stronghold in Beirut, has been surrounded by steel barriers since last week, which allowed the passage of cars, and party members they are looking with big cameras at the most prominent movements in the suburb.
Another Hezbollah member told the newspaper: “We are not afraid of death, as you know, but we must protect our leaders and we know that we will be politically harmed if something happens to them.”
“These are dangerous times. Trump is crazy, but he will not get what he wants, he has no patience and he has no time.”
In the past four years, the Lebanese Hezbollah waged a war in Syria, supporting Iraqi forces and managing the policies of their homeland, while always trying to avoid confrontation with Israel. Yet its weary leaders fear that the final moments of Donald Trump’s presidency could lead to threats that trump all else.
The assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on Nov. 27 sparked concern in Beirut that the distinction made so far between Iran and Hezbollah may change in the next month and a half.
And last November, the US “Associated Press” quoted Iraqi officials as saying that Iran had asked its weapons in Iraq to avoid provoking tensions with the United States, pending the end of Trump’s term, for fear of launching military attacks.
The request was made by the commander of the “Quds Force” of the “Revolutionary Guard”, Iranian General Ismail Qaani, during a meeting with factions of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and Shiite politicians in Baghdad, according to the agency.
The gist of the message was: “Stop giving Trump a chance to start a new round of violence. Stay calm and stop attacks now against the American presence in Iraq.”
“Hezbollah” leader Hassan Nasrallah had asked his supporters and allies to exercise caution during Trump’s remaining weeks in office.
Nasrallah said in televised remarks in early November: “We must all be on high alert for the next two months to pass in peace,” while urging his followers to “prepare to face any danger, aggression or harm,” and respond the same way, “if they go crazy American or Israeli up to this point,” according to the Associated Press.
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