Hezbollah’s plan to take over Lebanon’s Tripoli

Hezbollah in Lebanon is seeking to exert its influence over Sunni-dominated seats or cities as its popularity has collapsed in southern Lebanese cities.

Tripoli is Lebanon’s second capital and largest economic city, controlled by Sunni MPs.

Informed sources revealed that Hezbollah will seek to penetrate the city through the upcoming parliamentary elections, which will be held on May 15.

Tripoli: Target

The sources revealed that Hezbollah has no affiliated candidates in Tripoli, but there are agents and representatives who will work for the party, and will be supported in the next elections.

MPs from the Consultative Gathering are the closest to the party in all Lebanese cities, led by Tripoli candidate Faisal Karami.

Observers believe the party will make broad political efforts and allocate significant financial support to attracting additional seats in the first and second northern districts of Akkar and Tripoli.

Observers confirmed that the party is seeking to increase its Sunni representation to a minimum of 10 MPs by penetrating the constituencies that used to constitute a solid Sunni base.

Iranian Tripoli

Lebanese analysts believe that Hezbollah aims to turn Tripoli into an Iranian emirate, the most important economic city in Lebanon.

Analysts confirmed that Hezbollah seeks to isolate Tripoli from Lebanon. They call it “Tripoli of the Levant”, and they always try to demonize its people.

A Lebanese source confirmed that Tripoli is not only the second capital of Lebanon, but also the center of gravity for the first independence, the second independence reservoir, and the largest economic city.

He continued: “Hezbollah’s penetration of Tripoli would be a major gain for Iran and a chance for anyone to escape Western sanctions on Iran”.

He added: “that Hezbollah is backing a Sunni candidate and will recruit its proxies to promote it until it succeeds in the election, compensating for its losses from the collapse of its popularity in the south and achieving Iran’s greatest victory in the Levant”.