Lebanon's Hezbollah says it will begin importing fuel from Iran

Group will bring in petrol and diesel from Iran in the coming days

Motorists queue outside a petrol station in Beirut as Lebanon suffers from a severe fuel shortage. Getty

Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah will begin to import petrol and diesel from Iran, its leader said on Sunday.

Lebanon is in the midst of a severe fuel shortage that has caused long queues at petrol stations and extended power cuts to up to 22 hours a day.

Hospitals, bakeries and other essential centres have said dwindling stocks could cause them to shut down.

"I assure you, yes, God willing, we will definitely bring diesel and gasoline from Iran," Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said.

He said the government was no longer able to provide fuel.

In June, he said the logistics needed for such a step were in place and that Hezbollah could bring in the fuel while bypassing the central bank, to avoid breaching US sanctions.

On Sunday, he said Iran assured him it would stand by Lebanon, and he blamed the Lebanese government and American influence for the lack of a response to the Iranian offer.

"It's settled," he said.

He said he would inform people of the timetable in the next two to three days.