Activist’s killing new blow to Lebanon’s Hezbollah

By Mahmut Geldi

BEIRUT (AA) – After losing its significant amount of financial resources with the Beirut port explosion last year, Lebanese group Hezbollah is now the focus of pressures by the local and international community after the killing of prominent Shia political activist Luqman Salim south of Lebanon.

The death of Salim, who is known for his criticism of Hezbollah, came amid efforts to form a new government in Lebanon as the country is facing its worst economic crisis aggravated by the massive blast that rocked Beirut's port on Aug. 4.

“The interest of the international community in Lebanon increased after the explosion at the Beirut port. The issue of Hezbollah's weapons has started to be brought into question, with some arguing that the topic should be put on the negotiation table,” Lebanese political analyst Munir al-Rabih told Anadolu Agency.

Al-Rabih noted that discussions are underway on the need for radical reforms at Beirut’s Rafiq Hariri International Airport, which is seen as one of the most important sources for financing Hezbollah.

The port blast, which shook Lebanon to its core and caused massive destruction in the capital, came at a time when Lebanon was reeling under a crippling economic crisis, amid a struggle against the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lebanese researcher and author Alan Sarkis said that the port explosion was a blow to Hezbollah.

“Hezbollah has been using ports, airports and border crossing points for the shipment of its weapons and missiles. The group has been using the Beirut port for its financing and the survival of the Syrian regime,” Sarkis noted.

Underlining that Hezbollah lost its control over the port with the explosion, Sarkis said: “Hezbollah is no longer able to act as it wishes in the Beirut Port as the international community is closely following up developments in Lebanon after the blast.”

Lebanon’s official news agency reported on Feb. 4 that Salim's body was found in his car with four bullets in his head and one in the back.

Salim, 58, was a prominent Shia activist known for being a fierce critic of the Hezbollah paramilitary bloc, which wields great influence in southern Lebanon. He was subjected to threats by Hezbollah affiliates.

Few hours before the announcement of his death, his sister posted on Facebook about Salim's disappearance after visiting a friend in southern Lebanon.

Salim’s murder sparked reactions across the country. Several rallies took place in the cities of Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon against his assassination.

The United Nations on Feb.4 called on the Lebanese authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the killing of Salim.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz