Lebanese Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh accused Iran of aiding Hezbollah in extending a network of telephone lines that covered most of the Lebanese territories.

In an interview with regional daily Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, Hamadeh said Lebanon should raise the issue with the Arab League and the United Nations Security Council, adding that the Lebanese cabinet would discuss the “Hezbollah communication network file” on Monday.

“[This] issue of communications has been under discussion for a long time, but we were waiting for them (Hezbollah) to respond to the security authorities who requested they stop all infringements,” he added. Hamadeh also noted a written request signed by Defense Minister Elias Al-Murr on behalf of the relevant committee requesting these networks be uprooted.

“Facing categorical rejection and persistent acts, we decided to raise the issue, especially as it coincided with numerous irregularities, including smuggling criminals and fugitives from justice and preventing security forces from implementing the law,” Hamadeh said of the decision to raise the issue of the Hezbollah communications network, adding that the party had transcended “every reasonable limit” and created “what appears to be a state-within-a-state.” 

-NOW Staff