NY Times: Iran influence in Lebanon grows as Syria lessens
Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 3/14/2006

A New York Times report said Iran's influence in Lebanon is growing greatly, with Iran trying to "win" the influence, not "force it", by helping many organization from the Sunni, Shiite and Christian sects.

The report says that Iran, which helped create, fund, and train Hizbullah, had lost influence in the past to Syria, an influence Syria gained after Syria helped heal divisions between Hizbullah and Amal Movemment and Palestinian factions, but now that Syria is out of Lebanon and its influence reduced while Iran's influence has risen, and Syria is much less of a middle man between Iran and the Shiite groups like it used to be.

The New York Times quotes Lebanese views that foreign powers have always influenced Lebanon, and that the US and Iran political conflicts can have manifestation in Lebanon as a card that can be played to effect Lebanon's stability, or in light of using Hizbullah as a threat against Israel along the Lebanese borders.

Iran had indicated that it seeks to strengthen relations with Lebanon and wants to offer Lebanon greater help, with several visits recently by Iranian officials in this regard.

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