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Hezbollah accused of bringing coronavirus to Lebanon

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon has been accused of helping to bring coronavirus to the nation. Opponents of the powerful group point out that Lebanon took three weeks to block flights from Iran, after a woman who had just returned from there tested coronavirus positive on February 20. Hezbollah is accused of causing the delay to ensure its supporters could return home. Denying the claims, Hezbollah is trying to show the Lebanon Shiite community that it is working to protect them from the outbreak.

Many in Lebanon are angry that Hezbollah joined the Syrian civil war to help the Iran-backed Assad government, the Times of Israel has reported. During protests last year, opponents claimed Hezbollah were a ruling elite that should be removed from power.

In the period before flights from Iran were halted, Lebanese Cabinet minister May Chidiac tweeted: “Until when are we going to remain the victims of Hezbollah’s bullying? This is new proof they control the fate of the nation.”

According to the Times of Israel report, Hezbollah says it has enlisted 24,500 members and volunteers to work in a campaign to fight the virus. Hezbollah paramedics and volunteers have been disinfecting shops and buildings and delivering food to people on low incomes in Beirut. Among other measures, they have also been preparing hospital space for coronavirus patients.

Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine reportedly stated the group is mobilizing staff and resources it had prepared for a new war with Israel. These include thousands of doctors, nurses and field staff and 100 ambulances. As of Wednesday, Lebanon had 463 registered cases and 12 deaths.