Attempt is being made to involve Lebanon into Middle East crisis – say experts

YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. In an interview with “Armenpress”, director of the Oriental Institute of the NAS of Armenia Ruben Safrastyan said an attempt is being made to involve Lebanon into the Middle East crisis.

“Lebanon is a very fragile state, a very difficult balance exists among various political, religious, ethnic forces there. That’s why I think that the “Islamic State” aims to make a fire break out there. Moreover, there is also Hezbollah’s issue. If they manage to mix up the situation, this will weaken Hezbollah’s positions, but Hezbollah supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad”, Ruben Safrastyan said.

Expert on Turkish studies said Lebanon is a very important state for the Armenian people, Beirut is one of the most important spiritual centers. “In the Soviet times Armenian newspapers were being more frequently published in Beirut than in Yerevan. Now it also maintains its important significance. Thus, if a civil war starts, it will have serious consequences on the Armenian community. Moreover, Lebanon is a leverage for Armenians coming from Syria”, Ruben Safrastyan said.

Editor-in-chief of “Azdak” newspaper in Lebanon Shahan Gantaharyan said a high-level of risk is declared in the country. “It was unprecedented in a sense that during 24 hours 9 terrorist attacks were committed. There are 5 dead, and 28 wounded. Explosion took place in different parts near the refugee camp, the Lebanon army has been targeted. Thus, it means that it has a demonstrative character. There are already assessments that an attempt is being made to transform the terrorist attacks from Syria to Lebanon”, Shahan Gantaharyan said. He said there is a concern that this will continue. He stated that the explosion that took place near the refugee camp is a Christian village. There are no Armenian districts there, Armenians are not living there.

A number of organizations, communities, parties of Lebanon have condemned what had happened. Gantaharyan said official Beirut in the announcements stated that committing these attacks the terrorist groups are trying to open the way to the sea.

It is possible that as a result of these terrorist actions, Lebanon may toughen the entry process for refugees. To the question whether due to these terrorist actions, the flow of Syrian Armenians to Lebanon has been increased, Gantaharyan said a massive influx has not been recorded.

“Of course, some kind of activation is being realized, since wherever they go, the US, Europe or Armenia, the first station is Lebanon”, he said.