«TIsrael has decided that all of Lebanon is a target” says in “Vima” o Ziad Shebibformer governor of Beirut (2014-2020). We met him in Athens this week and, before we proceeded with the interview, he explained that the post of governor of Beirut also falls under the system of sharing power between the religious communities (eg the president must always be Maronite, the prime minister Sunni , the president of the Shiite Parliament, etc.).
Mr. Shebib, Greek Orthodox in religion, explains that “Lebanon’s religious diversity led to this power-sharing system. But over the years, especially after the civil war (1975-90), this system divided communities, warlords took political positions, became ministers and parliamentarians, and ruled the country with a civil war mentality. That is, instead of ending the civil war, it became a “cold civil war” that continues to this day.
How is the situation in Beirut?
“Theoretically, it is dangerous everywhere in the capital, as Israel has decided that all of Lebanon is a target, so there is no safety in the North either. The Israelis bomb civilian targets and claim that Hezbollah officials were there. But there are neighborhoods, in the capital or areas in Mount Lebanon and in the North, where there is a greater sense of security, which however does not reflect reality.”
How do the Lebanese see Hezbollah?
“It’s not black and white. Hezbollah was created by Iran at the time of Syrian influence in Lebanon. Over time, he annihilated the other organizations that were fighting the Israeli occupation of part of Lebanon and came mainly from left-wing parties, especially the communist one, and began to monopolize the resistance.”
Do all Shiites in Lebanon support Hezbollah?
“Not all of them. Mainly those within the Shia community who follow the Iranian way of thinking. There are Shiites who support the Amal party and others the communist party. I think if a cold-blooded assessment of the data was done, it would show that over 50% of Shiites do not support either Hezbollah or Amal. There are Shiites who are secular and others who are religious, but they don’t follow the Iranian way of thinking.”
After Israel’s invasion of South Lebanon, did Hezbollah become more popular or the other way around?
“It is not measurable because many remain in shock over the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. When a community loses such a personality it feels that all the past suffering returns and relives it. Little by little they will begin to wonder about the future and what will happen to them and to Lebanon. From the Christian community, many believe that Hezbollah is dragging the whole country into war, but there are also those, fewer, who support it. Members of all communities support Hezbollah, not as a religious entity but as a vehicle of resistance.”
How do you see the future?
“I don’t think there is anyone today who can see the end of the tunnel. The tunnel is very long. The war could last months or more. There is no political solution on the horizon that has been seriously put on the table and is being discussed. There is nothing today to restrain the Israeli desire to continue the war until it achieves the disarmament of Hezbollah.
On the other hand, the Iranian regime is back in the game, and the last few days have seen two visits by high-ranking Iranian officials to Lebanon. Both called on the Lebanese to “resist” and fight for Lebanon and Gaza, linking the two fronts. This connection dragged all of Lebanon into the war. Because if the Lebanese side had agreed to a truce with Israel weeks ago, without linking it to ending the war in Gaza, things could have taken a different turn. But now it’s too late for everyone.”
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