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Emile Lahoud: Lebanon Will Not Abandon Diverting Water from the Hasbani River

Feb 12, 2026 February 12, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud reaffirmed the country's commitment to diverting water from the Hasbani River, which also supplies Israel, despite warnings from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that such actions could provoke conflict. This issue highlights ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Israel over water resources.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Lebanon's commitment to diverting water from the Hasbani River underscores escalating tensions with Israel over shared resources.

👥 Key Players

Emile Lahoud MENTIONED
President of Lebanon
"Lahoud's decisions impact Lebanon's foreign relations and regional stability, particularly with Israel."
Ariel Sharon MENTIONED
Prime Minister of Israel
"Sharon's warnings highlight Israel's concerns over water security and potential military conflict with Lebanon."

📰 What Happened

Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud has declared that the country will proceed with plans to divert water from the Hasbani River, which also supplies Israel. This decision comes despite warnings from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that such actions could escalate tensions and lead to war.

  • The Hasbani River provides over 20% of Israel's drinking water from the Sea of Galilee.
  • Lebanon has raised the issue with the United Nations, indicating its seriousness.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran may view Lebanon's stance as a demonstration of resistance against Israel, aligning with its broader regional strategy.
🌍 Regional: The diversion of water could exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region, potentially drawing in other countries.
🌐 International: This situation may attract international attention, particularly from Western nations concerned about stability in the Middle East.

📚 Background

Water scarcity is a critical issue in the Middle East, and disputes over resources often lead to conflict. The Hasbani River is one of several contested water sources in the region.

Water rights in the Middle East Lebanon-Israel relations
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article reflects the official stance of the Lebanese government, which may emphasize national interests and downplay risks of conflict.

President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon has promised to continue plans to divert more water from the river that also supplies Israel. Mr. Lahoud stated that Lebanon will not back down from its decision to divert water from a branch of the Hasbani River towards several villages in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese President mentioned that Beirut has raised this issue with the United Nations and has asked Israel to stop its intimidating tactics. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had stated that Lebanon's plans to divert more water from the Hasbani River could lead to war between the two countries. The Hasbani River provides over 20% of Israel's drinking water from the Sea of Galilee.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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