US hits out at Hezbollah but still sending coronavirus aid to Lebanon

American official says Hezbollah trying to 'distract' Lebanese public with false claims but sending aid to help fight the pandemic is 'the right thing to do'

A Lebanese policeman fines a motorist for violating strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each and Sundays will be banned for driving, as part of a plan to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

Customers wearing face masks and gloves queue outside a supermarket, during a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beirut, Lebanon. REUTERS

Abu-Hattab rides his horse on a deserted street after security forces began implementing strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each and Sundays will be banned for all driving, as part of a plan to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

A Lebanese woman sits at her home's entrance during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the historic part of the southern coastal city of Saida. Lebanon's President called on international donors to provide financial assistance to the crisis-hit country as it grapples with a severe economic downturn compounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

A Lebanese man sitting by a fresh produce stall checks his phone in the market of the historic part of the southern coastal city of Saida. Lebanon's President called on international donors to provide financial assistance to the crisis-hit country as it grapples with a severe economic downturn compounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

Lebanese security forces stop vehicles at a highway checkpoint in Nahr al-Kalb, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut, as authorities implemented further measures restricting the movement of cars, trucks and motorcycles to three assigned days per week. AFP

A driver argues with Lebanese policemen after he received a fine for violating strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each and Sundays will be banned for driving, as part of a plan to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

A Lebanese man stands by his pigeon pen on the roof of his house in the historic part of the southern coastal city of Saida. Lebanon's President called on international donors to provide financial assistance to the crisis-hit country as it grapples with a severe economic downturn compounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

US officials have slammed Hezbollah's "false" claims it is trying to influence the appointment of top Lebanese banking officials, telling The National that the Iran-backed group was attempting to "distract the Lebanese people."

The rare direct public rebuttal of the US-sanctioned group comes days after Hezbollah officials and a pro-Hezbollah media have alleged that America’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea, is directly interfering in the appointment of senior officials at Banque du Liban (BDL).

Hezbollah MP Hasan Fadlallah last week accused Ms Shea of directly “requesting” a candidate for one of the four vice-governors at the central bank, which is headed by Riad Salameh.

The terms of the four deputies expired over a year ago, and replacements were set to be appointed by ministers last week before Prime Minister Hassan Diab abruptly withdrew the item from the agenda.

Mr Diab said he was disappointed with the mechanism for which the candidates were brought forward, using political motives and not experience or skill. It is unclear when the appointments will be made or discussed next.

Hezbollah has been a vocal critic of the central bank’s fiscal and monetary policies, as well as the work of Mr Salameh.

Although a pro-Hezbollah Christian leader threatened to withdraw his ministers, which would also endanger the fate of Mr Diab’s cabinet, Hezbollah continues to insist that the appointments did not take place because of American influence.

An official at the US Embassy in Beirut vehemently denied these accusations.

"These false claims are yet another of its efforts to distract the Lebanese people from Hezbollah's devotion to its own malign interests rather than the best interests of the Lebanese people," the official told The National.

The US has expressed concern about the new Lebanese government, formed at the start of the year, as its traditional allies did not nominate ministers. Instead, the alliance of Hezbollah affiliates and allies put forward the names for Mr Diab’s administration.

But despite tensions between the US Embassy in Beirut and Hezbollah bursting out into the open that risks years of security and development assistance, Washington is pushing ahead with “humanitarian aid” to Lebanon as part of its global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country has 548 confirmed cases of the virus, 19 deaths.

Lebanon is currently experiencing its most severe economic crisis in decades and a shortage of US dollars is making it difficult to acquire necessary medical equipment.

The government has yet to implement economic reforms requested by the international community to unlock badly needed grants and loans.

The official pointed out that this was not part of an economic rescue plan for Lebanon but Washington will continue to provide humanitarian aid because it is “the right thing to do.”

The Lebanese pound has depreciated by more than 60 per cent against the dollar in a matter of months, and the country holds the third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world.

Beirut also defaulted on foreign currency debt for the first time last month.

To help Lebanon in its fight against the pandemic, the US will provide 2,000 rapid-response test kits later this month as well as donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the official said.

The donation of tests has not previously been announced by the US or Lebanese authorities. The Lebanese army said in March it had received 17,000 masks and 120,000 medical gloves from the US.

“US assistance, monetary and in-kind contributions, expertise, and technology have been indispensable to the global effort to combat Covid-19,” said the diplomat.

Hezbollah has also rolled out its own assistance plan for the Lebanese state to fight against the virus.

The group took journalists on a tour of predominantly Shia neighbourhoods in south Beirut last week to show off ambulances, testing centres and members from tens of thousands of members the Iran-backed party says it has deployed in the campaign to help the Health Ministry, which is run by a Hezbollah minister.

Doubling down on the “terrorist organization,” the Embassy official said, “Hezbollah’s support of terrorist and illicit activities demonstrates that it is more concerned with its own interests and those of its patron Iran, than what is best for the Lebanese people.

“The fact is that the US has remained a steadfast partner of the Lebanese people, contributing nearly $3 billion since 2006 to security and economic development programs, with a focus on education and local development.”

We believe in effective multilateralism that is focused on helping those in need, not scoring political points.”