Power Shifts in Lebanon: Hezbollah Faces Political Setback

Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon is under threat as its political opponents seek to diminish its power. Despite facilitating President Joseph Aoun's election, the group's exclusion was evident when lawmakers supported Nawaf Salam over Hezbollah's preferred candidate for the prime ministerial role.

In a significant political development, Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad stated on Monday that the Iran-backed group's adversaries are pushing to fragment and exclude it from the corridors of power in Lebanon.

The statement came after a meeting at the presidential palace with President Joseph Aoun, where Raad expressed that Hezbollah had "extended its hand" by supporting Aoun's election as President of Lebanon, only to have it metaphorically "cut off" by opponents.

On the same day, Lebanese lawmakers threw their weight behind Nawaf Salam for the prime minister's position, marking a stark decline in Hezbollah's political influence, which had backed current leader Najib Mikati's tenure continuation.

(With inputs from agencies.)