Hezbollah Says Iran Fuel To Reach Lebanon Thursday
Faizan Hashmi Published September 14, 2021 | 01:30 AM
Beirut, Sept 13 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Sep, 2021 ) :Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has said that a first delivery of Iranian fuel would arrive Thursday in Lebanon to help ease dire shortages in the embattled country.
Lebanon is facing one of its worst-ever economic crises, with more than three out of four Lebanese considered to be under the poverty line and mains electricity only available a handful of hours a day, while petrol, bread and medicine shortages are sowing chaos across the country.
Last month Nasrallah announced that a shipload of fuel for Lebanon would depart from its key ally Iran, in defiance of US sanctions on Tehran.
At the time he did not say where the ship was headed to or how the fuel would reach Lebanon, but insisted that others would follow.
On Monday, Nasrallah said in a television address that the first shipload of fuel had reached the Syrian port of Banias, where it was being unloaded.
"It is expected that the transport of the fuel will begin on Thursday," he said, adding that it would be carried overland to Baalbek region, in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, where it would be stored before its distribution.
He also thanked the group's other regional ally, Syria, for receiving the fuel and providing trucks to transport it to Lebanon.
Nasrallah said Monday that Hezbollah wanted to distribute the Iranian fuel free of charge to institutions such as state hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages and the Red Cross.
The rest, he added, would be sold at "below cost" to bakeries, private hospitals or companies that run private generators.
He said Hezbollah "is not looking to make a business out of this but wants to help ease the people's hardships".
Hezbollah, which has fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the Syrian conflict, is designated as a terrorist group by much of the West.
But the Shiite movement is also a major political force in Lebanon and the only group to have kept its arsenal of weapons following the end of the country's 1975-1990 civil war.
Nasrallah was speaking hours after Lebanon's newly formed government held its first meeting to discuss how to address the country's woes.
He welcomed the formation of the government after 13 months of political wrangling and said its priority should be to "ease the suffering" of the Lebanese.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt committed to developing gems, jewellery sector: Minister
Three new bills introduced in Senate
Nine dead, 1,318 injured in Punjab road accidents
Ukraine, Russia exchange fire, at least seven dead
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
Joint venture decided for action against MEPCO’s defaulters
Modern irrigation system imperative to deal with water scarcity: UAF VC
Bringing 4.4mln hectares suitable land under olive cultivation to address econom ..
One woman died after speedy bus overturned
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
Parliament committed to resolve public issues on priority basis: Ghulam Mustafa
Collaborative Care of Diabetes Centre inaugurated in Faisalabad
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago