2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

SYRIA-LEBANON
cities with house-to-house raids and civilian massacres.
In October 2012, Hizballah officials admitted openly
that Hizballah had operatives in Syria. In December,
senior Syrian defectors to the opposition reported that
Hizballah operatives had been trained to deploy Syrian
chemical weapons. These developments reflect the
strong support that Hizballah’s leaders have expressed
for the Syrian regime over a period of years.
Growing Hizballah Power
Undermines Lebanese Stability
Following Lebanon’s 2005 Cedar Revolution,
which ended Syria’s 30-year occupation of Lebanon, the United States became one of Lebanon’s
largest donors. Since 2006, America has provided the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with more
than $800 million in security assistance.
Despite this effort to build Lebanese institutions independent of Hizballah, the terrorist group has greatly
strengthened its political power. In May 2008, Hizballah launched attacks on civilian neighborhoods in
Beirut, placing the country on the brink of civil war. Weeks later, the pro-Western March 14th movement
and Hizballah reached a temporary agreement granting Hizballah increased leverage in the cabinet. The
following year, Hizballah suffered an electoral setback in parliamentary elections.
However, the pro-Western majority was unable to actualize its electoral success in the formation
of a new government. Instead, it was forced to form a unity government with the Hizballah-led
opposition, which was able to block any legislation of consequence. Hizballah used its position to
defend the assassins of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In January 2011, Hizballah
forced the government to collapse over the U.N.’s efforts to bring to justice Hizballah members who
had played a role in the Hariri slaying. Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah pledged to
“cut off the hand” of anyone attempting to enforce indictments against Hizballah officials.
Hizballah exploited its political power to install the pro-Syrian Najib Mikati as Lebanon’s prime minister,
leading the U.S. to temporarily suspend the provision of any lethal equipment to the Lebanese Armed
Forces. The Hizballah-backed government remains politically paralyzed in the shadow of the Syrian
uprising and the uncertainty of President Bashar Assad’s rule.
Hizballah, which has consolidated political power in
Lebanon, serves as Iran’s proxy in the unstable country.
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