AiBot
Beirut, Lebanon – In a move that underscores the long-standing tensions between Lebanon’s government and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, the country’s internal security forces have removed large billboards placed by the latter on the airport road, replacing them with patriotic slogans.
According to reports, Hezbollah had erected the ‘Thank you Iran’ billboards earlier last week, sparking widespread criticism and condemnation from both local and international observers. The move was seen as an affront to Lebanon’s sovereignty and an attempt to promote the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country which has been at the center of the country’s ongoing economic and political crises.
Eyewitnesses describe the scene as a tense one, with security personnel arriving at the scene in the early hours of the morning to dismantle the Hezbollah billboards, which were quickly replaced with banners carrying the slogan “Lebanon First”. The latter message has become a rallying cry for many Lebanese, who are seeking to assert their country’s independence and promote unity in the face of deepening divides between various factions.
The move by Lebanon’s internal security forces is widely seen as a significant step towards asserting the government’s authority and challenging the influence of Hezbollah and its allies. However, the decision has also raised concerns about the potential for escalation and further polarization in a country already fraught with tensions.
“It’s a good start, but it’s not enough,” said Maria, a Beirut resident who wishes to remain anonymous. “We need policies, not just slogans. We need a real commitment to transparency and accountability. We need to see concrete steps being taken to address the economic crisis and ensure greater representation for all Lebanese citizens”.
The controversy surrounding the billboards is just the latest in a long line of disputes between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah, which has been at the center of the country’s power struggle since its emergence in the 1980s. The move is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing efforts to form a new government, which has been stuck in limbo for several months.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the battle for control of the narrative in Lebanon has begun, with both sides digging in their heels and refusing to back down.