Western security source claims Hezbollah receiving arms and cash via Beirut port

Al-Arabiya television on Tuesday quoted a Western security source as saying that Hezbollah has “re-imposed its control over Beirut’s port,” following the 2020 catastrophic explosion at the facility that killed around 220 people and devastated swathes of the capital.

“Through its Unit 190 and Unit 700, Iran’s Quds Force will depend on sea smuggling operations, whether directly to Lebanon or through intermediary countries,” the source said.

“Hezbollah is operating with total freedom at Beirut’s port through a network of collaborators belonging to the customs administration and the inspection authorities at the port,” the source added, noting that the alleged network is supervised by Hezbollah security official Wafiq Safa.

“Through his agents at Beirut’s port, Safa is seeking to facilitate the smuggling of equipment, arms and money, without any inspection or supervision,” the source claimed.

The source accordingly warned that “Hezbollah’s use of Beirut’s port, which is the most important port in Lebanon, jeopardizes Lebanese interests and threatens foreign investments,” calling on the Lebanese state to “act urgently in light of Hezbollah’s violations and plans for Beirut’s port that threaten a repetition of the August 2020 disaster.”