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German Report: Evidence that Qatar Funds Hezbollah

Die Zeit says has evidence on Qatari funding for Hezbollah
Die Zeit says has evidence on Qatari funding for Hezbollah
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German Report: Evidence that Qatar Funds Hezbollah

Die Zeit says has evidence on Qatari funding for Hezbollah
Die Zeit says has evidence on Qatari funding for Hezbollah

Documents have shown that Qatar funds Hezbollah in Lebanon, German news outlet Die Zeit reported.

It said a German contractor, anonymously listed as “Jason G.”, has evidence that the Qatari government was aware of groups funding Hezbollah.

Jason G., who reportedly worked for various security and intelligence agencies and ran a business in Qatar, came across the information while working in Doha, according to the newspaper.

Qataris and Lebanese people sent money from Doha to Hezbollah, it said, adding that the donations have been processed with the knowledge of influential government officials through a charity organization in the Qatari capital.

The report also said that Jason G. had come across information of an arms deal from Eastern Europe that was being handled by a Qatar-based company.

Jason G. claimed he had held six meetings in Brussels with representatives from the Qatari government.

A number of times he received 10,000-euro payments and was later given another 100,000 euros to keep the report under wraps.

In July 2019, Jason G. reportedly entered a deal with Qatar, according to a contract seen by the newspaper, and which stipulated that the man would work as a consultant for Qatar and promise not to release his information in return for Doha not prosecuting him for espionage.

But the newspaper said that the agreement between Jason G. and Qatar fell through, despite an offer of 750,000 euros to keep the information quiet.

In April, Germany banned all Hezbollah activity on its soil and designated the Iran-backed group a terrorist organization.

It is also trying to push the European Union to do the same. The EU classifies Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist group, but not its political wing.

After April’s announcement, German police conducted raids on mosque associations in cities across Germany which officials believe are close to Hezbollah.

The domestic intelligence service in the German state of Bremen said last week the Al-Mustafa community center is involved in the financial support of Hezbollah.

The center was part of associations that were raided by German police in April.

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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.