Lebanon's Hezbollah announces arrival of second Iranian fuel ship

Lebanon's Hezbollah announced the arrival of a second ship carrying diesel fuel from Iran. The Iranian ship has arrived at a port in Syria to be transferred to Lebanon. The Lebanese Prime Minister called the arrival of the Iranian fuel cargo a violation of the country's sovereignty.

Reuters reported on Friday morning, September 24, citing the Telegram channel of Al-Manar TV, that a second ship carrying diesel to meet Lebanon's fuel needs had arrived at the Syrian port of Banias.

According to the Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated television channel, the Iranian ship's fuel transfer will ease "Lebanon's crippling energy crisis."

Reuters continues its report by stating that Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati considered the arrival of Iranian fuel shipments a violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

Syria and Iran are under US sanctions.

Lebanon's Hezbollah is also recognized as a terrorist group by the United States.

Lebanon's Hezbollah, which was founded in 1982 by Iranian forces, announced last month the arrival of its first ship carrying fuel from Iran.

Reuters reported last week that the first Iranian fuel shipment was entering Lebanon via Syria by truck, with an armed escort from Hezbollah, in a bid to circumvent US oil sanctions against Iran.

Lebanese Energy Minister Wali had announced that no license had been issued by the ministry to import fuel from Iran.

Lebanon has been in the grip of a severe economic crisis for about two years. Half of the country's six million people live in poverty. The World Bank has called Lebanon's situation one of the most severe financial crises in modern times. The value of the country's national currency has fallen by 90 percent and the financial system has collapsed.

Source: DW