Israeli airstrikes: Lebanon’s prime minister says no contact with Hezbollah for weeks

Mr Najib Mikati’s statement indicated that Hezbollah leaders were moving with care since Israeli airstrikes against the group.

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Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati says he has had no contact with Hezbollah representatives for weeks.

Mr Mikati told news broadcaster Al Arabiya this is happening even though the group has put up two Cabinet ministers and has 13 representatives in the Lebanese parliament.

“There has been no communication with Hezbollah since the middle of last month,” he said.

He did not reveal how he had communicated with the Iran-backed Shiite organisation in the past.

Mr Mikati’s statement indicated that Hezbollah leaders were moving with care and restricting contact with others since Israel began expanding military operations in Lebanon several weeks ago.

Hezbollah leaders were thought to be changing their location frequently following the killing of leader Hassan Nasrallah and other senior commanders.

Prior to the Israeli military offensive against Hezbollah, the group played a major role in Lebanese public life. 

Apart from its military activities, it also provided social services, including schools and hospitals and entered into coalitions with other political parties in Lebanon. 

(dpa/NAN)