Azerbaijan, Baku, August 11 / Trend, D. Khatinoglu /
Military supply to Lebanon's national army by Iran and this country's military assistance offer don't correspond to reality, however, in the case of the Lebanese-Israeli war, this offer can be realized.
According to the Lebanese University's professor Talal Atrisi, providing military assistance to the Lebanese army by Iran can be only with the consent of all the fronts in the country, which is impossible. But it isn't excluded that Lebanon will ask Iran's help in the case of war.
Aug.9, U.S. suspended its military aid worth $100 million to the Lebanon's army. U.S. accused the Lebanese side of committing armed clash that took place last week at the Lebanese-Israeli border. The U.S. expressed the concern about the military aid could threaten Israel. The clash killed one Israeli and three Lebanese soldiers. After the U.S. declared about suspension of military aid to Lebanon, Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi stated that Iran is ready to help the Lebanese armed forces.
Atrisi said that suspension of financial aid by the U.S. has become shocking news for Lebanon. "The U.S. aid to Lebanon was comprehensive, not only in the field of armament. Therefore, Iran made a similar proposal; as the Iranian-Lebanese relations have slightly improved. However, time is needed to realize this proposal, as well as the consent of all political sides of Lebanon for it. And it is impossible," Atrisi said over telephone from Beirut.
Iran has close relations with Hezbollah organization in Lebanon; it provides this political-militaristic organization with military and financial assistance. Western countries and some Arab states say that Hezbollah has become a tool in Iran's hands.
Atrisi distrusts Iran's assistance to Lebanon. "We need to know whether Iran really intends to assist the Lebanese army, or it makes a political maneuver," he said.
Expert on Iran-Arab relations Hassan Ghanizade said that the Islamic Republic of Iran wishes to help Lebanon in the name of brotherly love and humanity. "The Arab countries support discord between the tribes and religious groups in Lebanon, but Iran is a supporter of stability and national unity in this country. The Arab countries don't want to take into account the rights of 1.2 million Shiites, who are part of the five million residents of Lebanon," Ghanizade said from Tehran.
Iranian expert believes that Iran pays special attention to Lebanon due to the fact that there are many Shiites in this country. "Lebanon's resistance to the Israeli army's attack is important for Iran. There is no difference for Iran which side struggles with Israel: Hezbollah, or official Lebanese army," Ghanizade said.
Lebanese expert Atrisi said that Lebanon is currently located in the center of interest of many circles. There are strong opponents of Iran and Syria within the country. Thus, in normal circumstances Beirut will not accept military aid from Iran. According to him, in the case of the Lebanese-Israeli war, Lebanon will accept military aid from any country, including from Iran.
U.Sadikhova contributed to the article.