Rage in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The president asks for help to disarm the Shiite organization

The president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, accused the pro-Iranian Hezbollah of wanting to “cause the collapse of Lebanon” and proposed “direct negotiations” with Israel, which has been bombing the neighboring country for a week, writes AFP.

The Israeli military launched the strikes in retaliation for an attack by the Shiite group on March 2. According to Lebanon's Ministry of Health, 486 people, including 83 children, were killed and 500,000 people had to leave their homes.

Citing the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Parliament on Monday postponed by two years the parliamentary elections that were supposed to take place in May.

During a video conference with the heads of European institutions, Aoun accused Hezbollah of wanting “to cause the collapse of Lebanon (…) for the benefit of Iran.”

“The Collapse of Lebanon for Iran”

He proposed “a total armistice” with Israel and declared himself in favor of direct negotiations between the two countries under international patronage. Aoun also requested logistical support for the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the ceasefire was the “best chance” to “avoid chaos” in Lebanon. She called on the Shiite organization to disarm and abandon any action against Israel, which she said had resorted to “disproportionate” retaliation.

On Monday, the Israeli air force launched new strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut targeting Hezbollah's financial company, Al-Qard Al-Hassan. At least one person was killed and 12 others injured.

Al-Qard Al-Hassan, which enjoys great popularity among the Shiite community for its interest-free or microcredit loans, has around 30 branches.

In response, the Islamist movement claimed 15 attacks on Israeli positions, including two military bases, one in Haifa, the other near Tel Aviv.