Changes

After the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, caused by a stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored there for years, [[Hezbollah]] faced a strong backlash.

After the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, caused by a stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored there for years, [[Hezbollah]] faced a strong backlash.

<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/lebanons-powerhouse-hezbollah-hit-backlash-after-blast Lebanon’s Powerhouse Hezbollah Hit by Backlash After Blast] By Associated Press, VOA, August 30, 2020.</ref><ref>Sune Engel Rasmussen and Nazih Osseiran, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/beirut-explosion-unleashes-public-anger-at-hezbollah-lebanons-most-powerful-group-11597350861 Beirut Explosion Unleashes Public Anger at Hezbollah, Lebanon’s Most Powerful Group],  WSJ, Aug. 13, 2020.

<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/lebanons-powerhouse-hezbollah-hit-backlash-after-blast Lebanon’s Powerhouse Hezbollah Hit by Backlash After Blast] By Associated Press, VOA, August 30, 2020.</ref><ref>Sune Engel Rasmussen and Nazih Osseiran, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/beirut-explosion-unleashes-public-anger-at-hezbollah-lebanons-most-powerful-group-11597350861 Beirut Explosion Unleashes Public Anger at Hezbollah, Lebanon’s Most Powerful Group],  WSJ, Aug. 13, 2020.

''The Iranian ally becomes a target of public resistance, particularly from a new generation... The throngs of antiestablishment protesters marching in Beirut after last week’s devastating explosion have turned their sights on one group above all: Hezbollah, the powerful, Iranian-backed Shiite political party and militia that has in recent years become a nearly untouchable force in Lebanon.

''The Iranian ally becomes a target of public resistance, particularly from a new generation... The throngs of antiestablishment protesters marching in Beirut after last week’s devastating explosion have turned their sights on one group above all: Hezbollah, the powerful, Iranian-backed Shiite political party and militia that has in recent years become a nearly untouchable force in Lebanon. Hezbollah, which since its birth has billed itself as a bulwark against Israel and other foreign powers and a protector of Lebanon’s Shia population, is facing new, public criticism as an impediment to political reform. Critics say the group helps cover up systemic corruption and has focused its attention abroad instead of dealing with a deteriorating economic situation at home.''

Hezbollah, which since its birth has billed itself as a bulwark against Israel and other foreign powers and a protector of Lebanon’s Shia population, is facing new, public criticism as an impediment to political reform. Critics say the group helps cover up systemic corruption and has focused its attention abroad instead of dealing with a deteriorating economic situation at home.''

''“They are the biggest obstacle to the project of founding a strong state with working institutions,” said Nizar Hassan, a 27-year-old activist with the Lebanese rights group Li Haki. “They are to blame for a lot of this.”''</ref>

''“They are the biggest obstacle to the project of founding a strong state with working institutions,” said Nizar Hassan, a 27-year-old activist with the Lebanese rights group Li Haki. “They are to blame for a lot of this.”''</ref>