Lebanon on 鈥榚dge of total collapse鈥� warns minister
Lebanon鈥檚 economy minister says the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel risks getting 鈥榦ut of control鈥�
Lebanon鈥檚 economy and trade minister has told the 麻豆约拍 that the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel risks getting 鈥榦ut of control鈥� and could plunge the country into further chaos.
Speaking to HARDtalk, Amin Salam said, 鈥榚conomically, politically, socially鈥� we cannot hold or carry that burden of this war because Lebanon is at the edge of total collapse.鈥�
In recent years, Lebanon has suffered from political dysfunction, entrenched corruption and a deep economic crisis. Mr Salam is part of caretaker government trying to turn around the country鈥檚 fortunes.
But Lebanon is also beset by external factors. Iran arms and finances the powerful Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which Israel sees as a serious military threat on its northern border. Amid the escalating regional tensions since Hamas鈥檚 assault on Israel last October and the ensuing conflict in Gaza, violence has intensified on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel has carried out daily missile strikes in response to Hezbollah rocket-fire.
Mr Salam said he did not believe Lebanon was receiving sufficient support from the international community. 鈥楢ll the nations that were trying to help Lebanon have taken a little bit of a backseat the past few weeks,鈥� he said. 鈥楾he diplomatic movement that we have seen few months ago is not as obvious today.鈥�
