The orientalist predicted serious consequences for Lebanon due to the disarmament of Hezbollah

Lebanon could face serious consequences as a result of the disarmament of the Shiite Hezbollah movement. Sergey Balmasov, an expert at the Institute of the Middle East and an expert at the Russian Council on International Affairs, told Izvestia on August 8.

On the same day, the Janoubia newspaper reported the beginning of mass protests in Lebanon after the government's decision to disarm Hezbollah.

"Lebanon is in a very difficult situation. And here may come another period of division. The elimination of Hezbollah will open up serious investments in this country from the same Saudi Arabia, from the Emirates. Especially in the port infrastructure and so on," the expert said.

However, Balmasov stressed that Hezbollah would not give up without a fight. He did not rule out the possibility of outbreaks of violence, as capitulation would be humiliating for Iran. The expert noted that efforts to eliminate Iranian influence in Lebanon will continue within the framework of the joint strategy of Israel and Saudi Arabia.

As for the disarmament process, Balmasov pointed to the possibility of attracting support from other Lebanese factions, such as the Maronites, who have their own scores with Hezbollah.

"If the Lebanese authorities give instructions for these communities to take Hezbollah's influence, then this will be a serious step towards eradicating its political influence," he concluded.

Temporary difficulties: Russia will support the extension of the UN mission in Lebanon in the Security Council

​​​​​​​Moscow records Hezbollah's disarmament and Israeli attacks

On August 4, Russian Ambassador to Beirut Alexander Rudakov, in an interview with Izvestia, said that Russia sees the process of disarming the Hezbollah movement and transferring its weapons to the Lebanese army. Moscow believes that this is a step in the right direction. At the same time, the diplomat pointed out that the Israeli side regularly strikes Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire agreements.

The Al Arabiya TV channel reported on July 23 that Hezbollah refused to lay down its arms even in the event of a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. The movement stressed that "none of the leadership has the authority to make a decision on the transfer of weapons." It was noted that this position of Hezbollah causes discontent in the Lebanese Cabinet of Ministers.

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