Financing and armed strength of hezbollah

Financing

After the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the greater|longrange| part|portion| of the territory of Lebanon in 1985 Hezbollah began creating its own arsenals of weapons|arm|. In comparatively short space of time Hezbollah was able to mobilize a considerable number of new members.

From the beginning of 90-th Hezbollah began to be transformed from a purely military|battlefield| force into active political force|strenth| of Lebanese society. Undoubtedly that the character|nature| and trends of transformation processes,|Carbro| taking place in Hezbollah, were noticeable influenced by the politics of Iran and Syria in Lebanon and in the region in whole.

Secretary General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah said in the interview to a Turkish newspaper:

“We are an independent Lebanese organization. We do not take orders from anyone. But this does not mean that we are not going to form alliances. We are on the side of Iran and Syria. They are our brothers. We are going to oppose any attack directed at Tehran and Damascus to the last drop of our blood just as we do in Lebanon. We uphold global resistance against global imperial terrorism.”

Thus Hassan Nasrallah recognizes that Hezbollah gets assistance from Syria and Iran and so is influenced by them.  At the same time this influence is limited, especially if the question is about everyday activity of Hezbollah. When the question is about Islam theory and practice, Teheran plays a priority role.

During the last years the influence of Syria on all important spheres of life and activity of Hezbollah was considerably extended. Mainly it happened because of Damask managed to prove to Teheran and Hezbollah that Syrian territory is|appear| the only reliable and safe channel to transport military and civil|citizen| cargo to Hezbollah. Moreover, the actions|act| of Lebanese authorities largely depend on the will of Damask.|argue|

According to information from 2000, about 100-150 of militants of Hezbollah were trained with participation of Iran, while Syria played a weightier role in providing the|ADM| support to Hezbollah. Considerable part|portion| of financial|cost| help to Hezbollah comes from Syrian military contingent in Lebanon and also from a number of Arabic states. A part of weapon|arm| and military instructors for Hezbollah are sent directly|immediately| by Damask.

Syria views Hezbollah as an effective instrument of pressure on Israel on issue of return of the Gollan Heights|heigt|, avoiding in such way open|reveal| armed conflicts with Israeli military|battlefield| machine|vehicle|.|tool|

It is evident that Iran traditionally plays the main role in the supply of weapon|arm| to Hezbollah and in preparation of soldiers. As well as Syria, Iran aims|seek| to preserve its influence on Hezbollah to use|utillize| it|her| as a tool to influence the situation in the region.

Iranian|Iran| help to Hezbollah differs from the Syrian one in greater|longrange| depth. Iranian|Iran| support is more ideologized|. |weighable|

Iran regularly sends|direct| planes with supplies for Hezbollah to Syria. According to some information during 1999-2000, monthly|once a month| 4 planes of type|typestyle| “Boeing-747” were sent from Teheran to Damask with military cargo for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. At the beginning of|in the beginning of| 2000 Iran delivered to Hezbollah a consignment of the newest anti-tank weapon|arm|.

As for the cost equivalent of Teheran’s help for Hezbollah, the information about its size|dimension| is substantially different.

So, according to some information, the annual assistance of Iran to Hezbollah is estimated at an average of|evaluate| 30 million dollars.

Other sources suppose that Iran annually renders to Hezbollah financial|cost| help in amount of 65-100 million dollars. A part of these means Hezbollah uses to build schools, hospitals|nosocomion| and dwelling-houses in Shia districts|region| of Lebanon. Such discrepancy in information possibly arises because it is difficult|complex| to calculate|estimate| the cost of cargo delivered to Hezbollah. Probably it is a question of few|a little| million dollars per year of gratuitous|non-repayable| financial assistance from Iran to Hezbollah. |cost|

The fact, that the most of Iranian Moslems were Shias, as well as members|limb| of Hezbollah, contributed to establishment of closer ties between Iran and Hezbollah. Therefore Hezbollah adopted|imitate| Iranian|Iran| ideology. In spite of|regardless of| assistance from Iran, Hezbollah does not always listen to the advice of “senior|firstborn| comrade” and often operates|act| independently. This causes|call| dissatisfaction of Teheran, which does not always approve of the tactic of organization.  Leaders of Hezbollah have today to show|display| more flexibility in relationships with its sponsors and especially with Iran.



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