Hezbollah MP Raad: Sectarianism, Corruption in Lebanon Backed by Foreign Powers

In an interview with Al-Manar on Thursday night, MP Raad stated that the sectarianism and corruption in Lebanon is “definitely” backed by foreign powers.

In this regard, the Hezbollah lawmaker cited when the US and the Lebanese Central Bank- along with private banks across Lebanon- made a warning behind the scenes for a small group of depositors to withdraw their money from the banks before the economic crisis started in the country three years ago.

On presidential election, MP Raad stressed that Hezbollah’s approach in this regard is to abide by the Lebanese Constitution.

“As stipulated by the Constitution, parliamentary sessions aimed at electing a new president take place two months before the end of his predecessor’s term,” the Lebanese MP told Al-Manar’s Manar Sabbagh.

“As a parliamentary bloc we primarily adopt a stance that says the presidential elections must be held on time.”

President Michel Aoun’s term ends on October 31, and constitutionally parliament must vote for a successor within a two-month timeframe before that deadline.