Turning Lebanon into a failed state
In the 1960s and early 1970s Lebanon was called “Switzerland of the East”, which carried economic, political and cultural significance. Lebanon was an attractive hub for investors with its financial and commercial services. Like Switzerland, it distanced itself from Middle East problems and remained a semi-neutral state, while attracting cultural activities to be the most important Arab centre.
In the mid-1970s, a civil war broke out to erode its capabilities and displace its educated. However, a self-made man and businessman, Rafik Hariri, took advantage of the Saudi-sponsored Taif agreement and led an extraordinary reconstruction campaign while serving as prime minister.
Hariri personally sent thousands of students abroad at his own expense regardless of their religious or sectarian affiliations, which created an educated and professional segment Such a rapid economic return, stability and development did not appeal to the region’s first sponsor of terrorism, Iran, and its client Hezbollah.
They fought Hariri with the aim of kidnapping the state, as is the case now and reshaping Lebanon in a way that serves Iran’s sectarian and expansionist ambitions.
Hezbollah’s leader shamelessly boasts in full public view the he is a “soldier of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist regime (Vilayat-e Faqih)”. He is implementing whatever the Supreme Leader asks him to do even if it is against his homeland. This reflects the acts of sabotage of economic and tourism activity carried out by Hezbollah, which led to the flight of investors and capital.
However, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain continued to provide economic and financial support to Lebanon and received hundreds of thousands of Lebanese of all sects for work. Currently, there are 550,000 Lebanese working in the Gulf countries, who transfer large sums annually. In addition, 75 per cent of Lebanese agricultural exports and more than 50 per cent of industrial exports are shipped to the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait provided Lebanon with substantial financial support, including guarantees and deposits to the Central Bank of Lebanon to prevent the collapse of the pound. During the 1970s, the pound equalled almost $3, while now it has collapsed to 1,500 to a dollar.
What has Iran offered to Lebanon? First, there is no Lebanese labour in Iran and unemployment in the latter is 30 per cent. Second, there are no Lebanese exports of value to Iran, while Vilayat-e Faqih filled Lebanon with weapons and missiles, driving a wedge between the Lebanese as part of its vision to destroy Arab societies.
As Iran has contributed to the destruction of some Arab countries, it is trying now to do the same in Lebanon, which is relatively stable despite unpleasant events in the surrounding countries, by provoking the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, and for the past 30 years, Gulf states have pursued a long-term policy in the hope that Hezbollah will place Lebanon’s interest above any other considerations. However, this seems far from being the case and turning it into a chaotic regime of militias with prospects for economic collapse.