Nasrallah Urges 'Liberation Strategy alongside Defense Strategy', Slams March 14's 'Blackmail'
Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday called on the national dialogue committee to agree on a “liberation strategy” as well as on a defense strategy, accusing the rival March 14 camp of “blackmail.”
Recalling recent remarks by MP Mohammed Raad, head of Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc, Nasrallah said “remarks about a liberation strategy are not new.”
“Today, we need a defense strategy because Lebanon is threatened by Israel which is violating its airspace everyday, and we need a liberation strategy because the Shebaa Farms and the Kfarshouba Hills must be liberated,” Nasrallah said in a televised speech during the annual iftar banquet organized by the Islamic Resistance Support Organization.
“We need a liberation strategy and we call on the national dialogue committee to devise a liberation strategy as well as a defense strategy. If they don't want to do that, the people have the right to say that the state has forgotten about the land and we will shoulder that duty,” Hizbullah’s leader added.
Hitting back at rival March 14 figures who have said that his party has not yet submitted a paper on a national defense strategy to the national dialogue committee, Nasrallah said: “Until this moment, Hizbullah's paper on the defense strategy has not been discussed although it was submitted in 2006, but no one has debated it.”
“They will not engage in discussions, neither around the dialogue table nor anywhere else, because they are not seeking debate. They have pledged to the U.S., and I don't want to say to Israel, that they will remove the weapons. They are not seeking to protect Lebanon,” Nasrallah charged, referring to the March 14 camp.
“There is one objective: the U.S. wants the weapons, give it the weapons. The March 14 forces have submitted papers revolving around one objective: give your weapons to the army,” Nasrallah added.
He recalled that “several days ago, one of March 14's great leaders said ‘do not tire yourselves out with discussion, because (Syrian) President (Bashar) Assad's regime will fall tomorrow and Hizbullah will surrender its weapons.’”
“He's not concerned with protecting Lebanon,” added Nasrallah.
“They are not seeking to reach a defense strategy that would protect Lebanon but despite that we will not boycott dialogue sessions and we do not want to disrupt dialogue sessions like some are claiming,” Nasrallah stressed.
Last month, President Michel Suleiman postponed a national dialogue session after the March 14 camp decided to boycott the all-party talks.
The next dialogue session is scheduled for August 16.
The March 14 camp had decided to boycott the session over “the refusal of Hizbullah’s leadership to discuss the issue of arms.”
The March 14 forces have announced three preconditions to take part in any upcoming dialogue session: “Handing over the complete telecom data (related to the attempt on MP Boutros Harb’s life), including the IMSI, to the security agencies; lifting the political and factional cover off the suspects; and abiding by the Lebanese Constitution which underlines the exclusive authority of the state over arms.”
But Nasrallah accused the March 14 forces of “seeking blackmail through the issue of telecom data and the other issues.”
“They have claimed that our camp wants dialogue in order to secure the survival of the government and this is incorrect. They want to topple the government and form another through dialogue,” Nasrallah charged.
Turning to the issue of equipping the army, Nasrallah said: “We all agree that we want a strong army, but is the government willing now to accept weapons from Iran for the army? Iran wants to equip the army like it equipped the Resistance. Iran is also willing to help Lebanon in power generation, roads and huge investments, but that is forbidden because of the American veto which no one in the political system dares to defy.”
Hizbullah’s chief stressed that “what protects Lebanon is a balance of terror with Israel.”
He also noted that “you cannot place the weapons under the authority of the state which is not able to resolve the issue of EDL contract workers or to end a sit-in.”
“This sectarian system is too weak to be able to take the decision to defend Lebanon. The moment arms are placed under the state's authority, we will lose the balance of terror because the Americans will then pressure the state not to retaliate against Israel under the threat of economic sanctions,” added Nasrallah.
over 11 years
hey stooge dont be mad because your significant other in ryiad ducked out of town, like they say in the good old west if ya cant stand the heat get out the kitchen hom...
over 11 years
marmaroun...a lil of both technically its true abt the fact they are kind of safegaurding lebanon but only from israel now abt not seeking power and that stuff..thats all the lies right there specially if its lebanon they r protecting then y did he send a brigade to support the assad regime??
over 11 years
lol... where did you read that he sent a brigade...naharnet?
over 11 years
we appreciate the efforts of the Resistance and we used to look up to the Resistance and we used to love Hassan Nasrallah for his wisdom we did not know then that his allegiance is for Iran and not Lebanon things have changed since he was put to the test
over 11 years
" In all countries across the world, resistance movements would usually assume power".. what does this supposed to mean????? anyone with common sense could educate us plzz!
over 11 years
"we used to consider that the Resistance's arms are not subject to discussion and today we believe that we offered a concession by accepting to discuss weapons"
Your arrogance has no limits.
over 11 years
Your resistance and arms are destroying Lebanon. Look around you and see for yourself what is happening.
over 11 years
"They have pledged to the U.S., and I don't want to say to Israel.." who are the "they" Hassan, the Lebanese president because he's set the agenda of the dialogue table. Or maybe the "they" is Assteez Berri who set the agenda of the original dialogue table.
over 11 years
HA, it's very easy. Either they adapt to the new geoplotical configuration or they fall in disgrace, including with their current supporters.
over 11 years
Noussralla is an arrogant liar...put down your turban and move to Iran.
over 11 years
Instead of throwing insults, provide professional and constructive criticism. This type of immature political attitude will not lead your country anywhere.
over 11 years
I still sometimes get surprised when I see a decent comment met with so many thumbs down. My fault.
over 11 years
@fadson,
Could you please explain to me the concept of the "Wilayat el faqih" agenda thing. I never really knew what it is.
over 11 years
@applepie,
On this website, a racist comment gets over 30 thumbs up. Muwaten is probably the most racist and uneducated person here for his constant insults on the Shiite sect, and yet he gets thumbs up.
I ask for a politically correct response, and I get thumbs down.
Hence why I don't take these thumbs up/down seriously lol.
over 11 years
@eagledawn
Did you ever read Muwaten's comments? They constantly involve racist statements towards a sect and advocate its annihilation.
As for ratings, I clearly said I don't care about them. I was just pointing out that in this website, racist comments seem to get higher ratings than constructive ones.
As for your assumption that I don't know what wilayat al faqih is, I don't have to type it in google, for I have a pile of books that informed me on it. While this was in the original protocol of Hezbollah, Nasrallah and the later senior management have abandoned this goal. This more pragmatic approach led to hardliners to leave the party, e.g. Sobhi Tufayli.
over 11 years
allouchi, I think he should take that turban with him, we don't want that crap left here, lol.
over 11 years
Ok tayyeb Nasrallah !!
It's enough you showed your real face no respect to the state the people and the army. Your weapons are the reason for Lebanon's weakness. It's okay keep talking soon things will happen to Hezbollah you could never imagine. You are not the only one with weapons just remember that !!!!
over 11 years
Main problems with Lebanon.
-A sectarian system in which the people are divided and don't trust individuals that come from other sects, nor will they vote for politicians that come from other sects. Thus politicians are unaccountable and are free to do whatever they please.
- An indebted balance sheet in which the government holds outstanding debt with no real economic agenda that will attract investment and means to repay its debt.
- No rule of law, which is due to the corruption of government officials across all party lines. Business and the economy cannot flourish.
-As a result, One-third of the population lives below the poverty line.
These fundamental problems have Lebanon have very little do with Hezb's weapons. If you believe they do, please list me how.
over 11 years
No hezb= more stability= development= economical growth= more security= more tourism= more money= more foreign investors= more jobs etc... Get it gcb??
over 11 years
Mowaten, your claim is a myth. Leave the Israelis alone and they'll leave you alone.
over 11 years
@thepatriot
It is true that in the eyes of foreign investors, the presence of Hezb does impede stability in Lebanon. However, while removing Hezb's weapons is a step towards stability, this is not a guarantee.
The problem with Lebanon is its sectarian system and the people's sectarian attitude. Even if or when Hezb's weapons are removed, other sectarian incidents will erupt because we still did not solve the fundamental problem of Lebanon (which is our sectarian attitude).
Furthermore, anywhere we've seen strong economic growth has been accompanied with strong state institutions. With a state that can't even address our basic needs such as water and electricity (which has little to do with Hezb's weapons), it is tough to envision strong economic growth.
over 11 years
I am not saying that Hezb's weapons aren't an issue in this country and they should be addressed (to the contrary of some M8's beliefs), but seeing so many M14 supporters blame every single issue on Hezb's weapons is illogical and is contrary to the evidence.
over 11 years
@Mowaten,
I do not believe some M14 don't regard Israel as a threat. Saad Hariri, at least publicly, constantly identified Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace. We all agree that we are still technically at war with Isreal I believe.
Of course some have ulterior motives. Some elements on one side believe to be overpowered by this Shiite armed group, and many parts of the Lebanese population feel threatened by it (whether they should be threatened is an entirely different matter). Therefore, politicians representing these elements of the population seek to bolster their status by undermining Hezb's credibility. Some of Hezb's actions also did not help itself, such as the clashes in May 2008, and a questionable provocation of war in 2006 that brought back Lebanon's economic development by 15 years according to the UN.
over 11 years
@Mowaten,
I don't actually believe Hezb will take over the state and establish Islamic law. They could have done this a long time ago and yet they didn't.
The problem with Hezb is that it takes actions without the legitimate consent of voters, which is antithetical to a strong democracy. Furthermore, it is not seen anymore as a Lebanese resistance group but rather as a Shiite armed group. This provokes negative sectarian attitudes and destabilizes Lebanon. Its further support of the Assad regime, which even prior to the uprising was violating human rights, also provokes hatred among the Lebanese Sunni community.
That being said, while I believe that now Hezb's weapons should be addressed, I don't believe its removal will solve Lebanon's problems, nor do I think that it should be the first step. To me, we have more fundamental problems that we should address, and to constantly discuss Hezb's weapons diverts attention away of some of the Lebanese people's most basic issues.
over 11 years
Mowaten, as far as I'm concerned the arabs and lately Hezbollah started them all, beginning with 1948 and ending with 2006.
over 11 years
Furthermore Chouf, your statement "You are not the only one with weapons" incites civil war. You claim that Hezb is bad for Lebanon for they don't respect the people and the army and the state, even though you are willing to disrespect those institutions by inciting violence.
Quite contradictory.
over 11 years
@ momo hahahahaha... why would israelis invade us and not Jordan, Egypt, KSA, you name it. We are no longer in an invasion era. Get real, you are ridiculous!
@ gcb I agree with some of ur arguments, but u can't have a state when u have an armed militia that declares wars!
over 11 years
i wonder if this man and his followers know that more than half of lebanon hates him...
over 11 years
So did he eat with people or was he doing it over the video phones again?
over 11 years
he is feeling the heat from bilad el sham...that's all.
over 11 years
Nasrallah Slams March 14's 'Blackmail' Who the %$@!@X@!@ do you think you are to make such comments you worthless space on earth. You have the balls to point fingers at people 'blackmailing' while your "modus operandi" is to execute/assassinate/terminate through brutal force and weapons! SCUM of SCUMS!
over 11 years
so he did accept to discuss weapons? That is good news! At least they will start talking again...
over 11 years
If the goal is liberation of Shebaa Farms and the Kfarshouba Hills then 2006 was a failure.
over 11 years
Lebanon needs a liberation strategy to liberate it from Hezbollah. Lebanon needs a defense strategy to insure that it will not be in need of liberation again.
Israel would have no military concerns with Lebanon, but for the Iranian weapons platform that Nasrallah has made of Lebanon. If Lebanon, indeed were armed by the US and the US had a significant investment in Lebanon, this is the best insurance against Israeli incursions into Lebanon. How much of Jordan is occupied by Israel? None, King Rat. Why? They have a peace treaty with Israel and US Support.
The best guarantee against the 5th most powerful military in the world is alliance with the First most powerful military in the world.
Now, crawl back into your hole and have some cheese.
over 11 years
100% Beiruti... 100%...
over 11 years
Uhhhh was the 2006 war to liberate Shebaa Farms and Kfarshouba Hills? If so they didn't win then they lost Ghajar too. Are Shebaa Farms and Kfarshouba Hills even Lebanese? Look at the mess the electricity, economy, foreign policy, and security are in Lebanon. The Hezz are running the show and making a mess of everything. Nassy seems to also forget it was him and his thugs who left the other gov't and made it fall. Now they don't want to let go when the ship is sinking. Anyway the Shia don't run real businesses like the rest of the country so why should they care. This tactic only causes the normal Lebanese to leave.
over 11 years
The army is more than able to liberate all the remaining parts occupied by Israel. Arms should only be in the hands of the state; enough posturing and Bla Bla Bla. We need to be a respectable country with one leader and one armed group. Nasslalah's days are numbered as Syria inches towards liberation. So, sooner or later he will ahve to surrender one way or another.
over 11 years
Inna Al A3mar Bi Ayadi Allah...
over 11 years
Lol benzona, that's too damn funny, but you're dead on.
over 11 years
Chouf Hezb Iran has weapons but no heart brother ,people had enough of them that they are ready to fight them with bare hands.
over 11 years
Why would buy weapons from Iran or Russia all they have is junk .
over 11 years
Toni, what in the hell has Syria resisted? Hell they haven't even fired one shot at the Israelis occupying the Golan, same goes for Iran, what they do best is sponsor terrorism and assassinations.
over 11 years
ha ha what a funny man he is, first he says weapons with the army would be destroyed by Israel straight away and then says army should take weapons from Iran and contradiction?
over 11 years
Please, if this is how you understood it, then I suggest political analysis is not for you. You should know what he meant even if you don't support his views.
To clarify, he meant that the army at its present state cannot defend itself from Israel (which is true). Therefore, it can only defend itself if its upgrades its equipment (which is true).
Then he suggests we upgrade the army through Iran in order to increase its capabilities (which I believe we shouldn't).
over 11 years
you tried war lets try peace!you used force give us democracy,if you have to follow ideology you know other lebanese do not.Lebanon is famous not coz heziboullah,it was coz its freedom and multiculture.You getting stronger and isreal getting stronger you develop your tactics and so they do in results more dead people.right!
I just read a report about expectation of the isrealian people will dead n case of the next war between lebanon and iran the number is 200 people.but in the oher hand what would be the number in the lebanese side disability+dead people(?????)
over 11 years
I don't care who supplies our energy, whether it's Iranian or American. If a foreign company is willing to do business and add to our economic growth, then so be it.
Why do we have this attitude of which foreign forces we should allege to? Any foreign company that is willing to address our basic needs should be welcomed.
over 11 years
Can someone please explain to me of what are the drawbacks or the danger if Hazbula gave up their weapons to the state? Maybe Isreal will be relieved and not so threatened? I'm struggling to realise if there still will be a threat to lebanon from isreal if hazbullah gave up their weapons, appart from Isreal occupying lebanese land (which can be resolved hopefully through dialog)what else will lebanon have to fear from Isreal? Thanx for any answers :)
over 11 years
I certainly don't like any ideas of Iran supplying Lebanon with any energy or help. In the end, they will want favours in return and that can be a negative outcome for lebanon.
over 11 years
@fake puppet leader of the Party of Terror and Intimidation, you are quite the smug arrogant liar. Those who have their heads so far up your chimney consume everything you dish out obediently and without question because they depend on you to tell them whether it is night or day on account their heads are in your chimney and they can’t see anything on their own anyway. The rest of us however, know exactly what you are and dismiss and your entire party of thugs shar7an w’faslan. I don’t claim to know God’s plan nor do I question his wisdom, but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t ask him what Lebanon ever did to deserve to be punished with having to suffer at your filthy Iranian hands.
over 11 years
gcb thank you for providing me with free education. Monsieur Nasrallah did say convential weapons and an official army can't resist Isreal (making it useless) and then he did say it would be good to get weapons from mama Iran which would make a strong army (understand capable of resistaing Israel).
Bottom line what matters isn't convential army or resistance, what matters is power in the hands of the Shia be it through a militia or through (an even more complete) control of the army by the pasdarans
over 11 years
Another entertaining clueless clown
over 11 years
hassouna do you know that the zionist are watching every speech and move you do ? like everyone suggested go back to your corner and stay quiet as you see no one like you anymore and us the lebanese are disgusted from you and from your speeches but it looks like god decided to send you from this planet to somewhere else so let us leave in peace already before the israelis get you and send you to hell your getting on everyone nerves take care hassouna
Satan