Blast probe testing alliances in Lebanon
BEIRUT: Worsening sectarian tensions in Lebanon are testing an alliance between Shia Hezbollah and its Christian ally President Michel Aoun, who may lose ground to their rivals as they step up opposition to the Iran-backed group’s influence.
Analysts believe divisions that have deepened since an outbreak of violence in Beirut last week may play to the political advantage of Mr Aoun’s long-time Christian adversary, Samir Geagea, a Hezbollah opponent with close Saudi ties.
The alliance between the heavily-armed Hezbollah and Mr Aoun has been a defining feature of Lebanese politics since 2006: Hezbollah helped Mr Aoun become president in 2016, while Mr Aoun has provided important Christian backing for the armed status of the group, which is more powerful than the Lebanese army.
But strains have been growing, specifically over Hezbollah’s opposition to the investigation into who was to blame for last year’s catastrophic explosion at the Beirut port, which, while killing many Muslims, did most of its damage in Christian parts of the city.
The dilemma facing Mr Aoun sharpened last week when tensions over the investigation ignited Beirut’s deadliest street violence in years, reviving memories of the 1975-90 civil war.
All of the seven dead were Shias, killed in what Hezbollah has called an ambush by the Lebanese Forces, a Christian party led by Mr Geagea.
The LF denies this and blames the other side for provoking trouble by sending supporters into the Christian neighbourhood of Ain al-Remmaneh where it says four residents were wounded before a shot was fired.
The violence began as supporters of Hezbollah and its Shia ally, Amal, began gathering for a protest to demand the removal of Judge Tarek Bitar, who is investigating the blast that killed more than 200 people.
Hezbollah has accused Mr Bitar of bias as he has sought to question some of its allies on suspicion of negligence that led one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever.
Mr Geagea, who stands by Mr Bitar, has said Thursday’s trouble was begun by Hezbollah and Amal supporters in Ain al-Remmaneh.
The army initially said gunfire had targeted protesters but later stated there had been an altercation and exchange of fire while protesters were on their way to the demonstration. A soldier suspected of firing towards protesters is under investigation.