Nasrallah Reassures over Lebanon Security, Vows to Continue Confrontation with Saudi

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah reassured the Lebanese on Tuesday that the country is not “on the brink of civil war” despite the political and sectarian tensions, as he vowed to continue his criticism of the Saudi policies in Lebanon and the region.

“Since the announcement of the suspension of the Saudi grants, we have entered a new phase of political conflict and Saudi Arabia aggravated it through media campaigns,” said Nasrallah in a televised speech addressing the latest developments.

“Saudi Arabia has asked its citizens to leave Lebanon over security concerns although its considerations are political,” he added.

Nasrallah was referring to a series of Saudi measures against Lebanon and Hizbullah that on February 19 when the Saudi foreign ministry announced that the kingdom was halting around $4 billion in military aid to the Lebanese army and security forces. The kingdom later slapped sanctions on individuals and firms accused of ties to Hizbullah and advised its citizens against travel to Lebanon while urging those already in the country to leave it.

Saudi Arabia has linked its move to Lebanon's refusal to join the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in condemning attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran last month, and alleged Hizbullah "terrorist acts against Arab and Muslim nations."

The tensions in Lebanon were further aggravated over the weekend when Saudi-owned MBC television aired a TV show that poked fun at Nasrallah, prompting angry Hizbullah supporters to take to the streets in several regions where some of them burned tires and shouted insults against Riyadh and its Lebanese allies.

“Some articles and media reports have claimed that Hizbullah was preparing its 'black shirts',” Nasrallah said in his speech, referring to Hizbullah's 2011 alleged show of force, when unarmed, black-clad Hizbullah members reportedly roamed Beirut's streets.

“There is no doubt that the youth protests that erupted as a reaction to a TV show have contributed to increasing concerns and anxiety among the Lebanese,” Nasrallah admitted.

He however described the protests as “spontaneous” and stressed that Hizbullah is “keen on stability, security and domestic peace in Lebanon.”

“We say it clearly that what happened will not make us prepare for a May 7-like campaign or other moves,” he reassured.

“The national and ethical considerations oblige us to reassure everyone that the country is not on the verge of a civil war or a confrontation,” Nasrallah added.

Commenting on MBC's satirical show, Hizbullah's leader described it as “a sign of weakness.”

“They can engage in a political and media battle against us but not at this low level. The video does not deserve a response and it reflects their weak choices,” he added.

As for the chaos and insults that accompanied the protests of Hizbullah's supporters, Nasrallah underlined that “this approach is inappropriate and the reactions must be calculated and measured.”

“There is no need to take to the streets no matter what happens and you must seek responses that do not serve the objectives of the enemies and rivals,” he added, addressing his party's supporters.

“Israel wants strife in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia is seeking to stir strife in any country that contains Sunnis and Shiites. Should we serve their goals?”

Turning to the issue of the suspension of the Saudi military aid, Nasrallah noted that “all indications suggest that the grants were suspended upon the death of King Abdullah and not because of our stance.”

“We are being blamed for grants that were suspended more than a year ago, regardless of whether Saudi Arabia has the money to pay them or not,” he said.

Nasrallah also defended Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, who has faced a storm of criticism in Lebanon over his stances at the Arab League and the OIC.

“Jebran Bassil is aggrieved and he condemned the attack against the Saudi embassy in Tehran several times. The uproar could be part of a political campaign against Bassil and (Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel) Aoun,” Nasrallah added, pointing out that “Hizbullah is capable of confronting on its own and does not need to embarrass its allies.”

Pledging to maintain the verbal confrontation against Riyadh despite its latest measures, Nasrallah added: “Saudi Arabia started confronting us in 2005 but we remained silent.”

“The scheme of sending booby-trapped cars from (Syria's) Qalamun to Lebanon was overseen from Saudi Arabia and nowadays Saudi Arabia is fighting a direct war in Yemen. It was not possible to remain silent over Saudi Arabia's crimes in Yemen and we will not remain silent now,” he added.

“Saudi Arabia has tried to pressure us into falling silent but it has failed. It wants to pressure us through the Lebanese, but it is doing whatever it wants against the Arab countries and peoples and we cannot remains silent,” Hizbullah's chief went on to say.

“Does Saudi Arabia have the right to punish Lebanon, its state and its army because a certain party has decided to raise its voice?” he asked.

Addressing Riyadh, Hizbullah's chief added: “If they have a problem with us, let them keep it with us, and let them spare Lebanon and the Lebanese.”

Y.R.

Timeline
  • 01 March 2016, 22:05

    Nasrallah: If they have a problem with us, let them keep it with us, and let them spare Lebanon and the Lebanese.

  • 01 March 2016, 22:04

    Nasrallah: Does Saudi Arabia have the right to punish Lebanon, its state and its army because a certain party has decided to raise its voice?

  • 01 March 2016, 21:57

    Nasrallah: Saudi Arabia has tried to pressure us into falling silent but it has failed. It wants to pressure us through the Lebanese, but it is doing whatever it wants against the Arab countries and peoples and we cannot remains silent.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:53

    Nasrallah: The most honorable thing I did in my life was the speech I delivered on the second day of the Saudi war against Yemen.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:51

    Nasrallah: The scheme of sending booby-trapped cars from Qalamun to Lebanon was overseen from Saudi Arabia and nowadays Saudi Arabia is fighting a direct war in Yemen. It was not possible to remain silent over Saudi Arabia's crimes in Yemen and we will not remain silent now.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:48

    Nasrallah: Saudi Arabia started confronting us in 2005 but we remained silent.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:36

    Nasrallah: Lebanese Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil is aggrieved and he condemned the attack against the Saudi embassy in Tehran several times. The uproar could be part of a political campaign against Bassil and Aoun. Hizbullah is capable of confronting on its own and it does not need to embarrass its allies.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:33

    Nasrallah: We are being blamed for grants that were suspended more than a year ago, regardless of whether Saudi Arabia has the money to pay them or not.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:30

    Nasrallah: All indications suggest that the grants were suspended upon the death of King Abdullah and not because of our stance.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:29

    Nasrallah: Our morals prohibit us from cursing or insulting anyone at the personal level. We are concerned with unveiling the facts and actions and not with launching personal attacks.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:25

    Nasrallah: Hizbullah's officials must meet with those who took to the streets to warn them against going back to the streets because this period is sensitive.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:23

    Nasrallah: Israel wants strife in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia is seeking to stir strife in any country that contains Sunnis and Shiites. Should we serve their goals?

  • 01 March 2016, 21:21

    Nasrallah: This approach is inappropriate and the reactions must be calculated and measured. There is no need to take to the streets no matter what happens and you must seek responses that do not serve the objectives of the enemies and rivals.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:15

    Nasrallah: The video does not deserve a response and it reflects their weak choices. The street protests that followed the video were a spontaneous reaction by people who considered what happened an insult.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:12

    Nasrallah on MBC's satirical show: This video is a sign of weakness. They can engage in a political and media battle against us but not at this low level.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:03

    Nasrallah addressing rival camp: This government is your government and we only have a modest share in it. There is also an interest in our dialogue with al-Mustaqbal.

  • 01 March 2016, 21:01

    Nasrallah: The presence of the government is a national interest.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:57

    Nasrallah: The national and ethical considerations oblige us to reassure everyone that the country is not on the verge of a civil war or a confrontation.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:55

    Nasrallah: Hizbullah is keen on stability, security and domestic peace in Lebanon, and we say it clearly that what happened will not make us prepare for a May 7-like campaign or other moves.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:50

    Nasrallah: There is no doubt that the youth protests that erupted as a reaction to a TV show have contributed to increasing concerns and anxiety among the Lebanese.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:48

    Nasrallah: Some articles and media reports have claimed that Hizbullah was preparing its “black shirts.”

  • 01 March 2016, 20:45

    Nasrallah: Saudi Arabia has asked its citizens to leave Lebanon over security concerns although its considerations are political.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:43

    Nasrallah: These statements are aimed at stirring strife between Shiites and Sunnis in Lebanon.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:41

    Nasrallah: Statements of unknown source have claimed that Hizbullah intends to enter Sunni regions and that Tariq al-Jedideh was a target and some parties circulated the content of these statements, which has sparked anxiety in the country.

  • 01 March 2016, 20:38

    Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a televised speech on the latest developments: Since the announcement of the suspension of the Saudi grants, we have entered a new phase of political conflict and Saudi Arabia aggravated it through media campaigns.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 19
Thumb mincanada 01 March 2016, 20:59

Come on Hassuna. Take over the country and let us remove the masks. I am fed up with us covering you and with you being "keen" on peace when what you mean is keen on ruling us but making us believe we have a say. I want truth and truth is you need the cover of the state and the people of Lebanon to hide behind because if you came out and said you are the ruler, the world would treat you differently than a rouge party is a country.

Missing patriot10 01 March 2016, 21:01

When will this filthy terrorist die.

Missing humble 01 March 2016, 21:11

It is an obligation for all MP's to go to Parliament. Those who don't go are the ones who are destroying the country. Full Stop.

Thumb beiruti 01 March 2016, 21:13

Such arrogance!! Lebanon is not going to get into turmoil because it is Hezbollah's decision that it not. Its his call??!! So if Nasrallah wants Lebanon to go up in smoke, its his call and no one else has a voice or a say in saving their own country??!!!
When, Lebanon will you end this guys rein of terror in your country?

Thumb mincanada 02 March 2016, 01:07

Unfortunately, that is exactly right. We have been covering for an Iranian take-over. I say we stop. Let him take over for real and see what the world does.

Missing humble 01 March 2016, 21:17

They have created so much hatred....so great divisions...they keep threatening us thinking that this will work to make us their slaves...

Thumb shab 01 March 2016, 22:13

Filthy murdering militia

Thumb wassupmanigga 01 March 2016, 23:51

Such arrogance...he sounds like a snake that eats its own tail...he won´t last, he is mortal after all.

Thumb wassupmanigga 01 March 2016, 23:52

Can anyone explain with concrete arguments how if he is the leader of a so called political party, why isn´t he a public figure as in out in public? why does this political party have so many weapons? its confusing for us ignorant people.

Thumb EagleDawn 02 March 2016, 00:41

The day this iranian sectarian terrorist is brutally murdered is the day we celebrate our independence.

Thumb EagleDawn 02 March 2016, 10:09

and urinate on his grave

Thumb mincanada 02 March 2016, 01:09

This is exactly how HA and Iran cover themselves with the state and the people.

Thumb cityboy 02 March 2016, 02:48

what world are you talking about, the same world that gave us is israel in the heart of our lands, the same world that has never done anything about israeli crimes. keep dreaming about your fantasy world.

Thumb cityboy 02 March 2016, 05:34

i don't respond to sectarian scum.

Thumb mincanada 02 March 2016, 01:19

نصرالله: هل يحق للسعودية ان تعاقب لبنان ودولته وجيشه لان هناك "حزباً" رفع صوته؟
No Hassuna, you are not a party, you are the defecto ruler of Lebanon and the world has known this since 2005 but has been silent. We will be silent no more.

You are acting as the "Murshid" This is not our government as you say. You rule this government and all its decisions. Its army and its decisions.

Thumb mincanada 02 March 2016, 01:23

That is why we have a confessed criminal called smaha running around free in the country.

Thumb liberty 02 March 2016, 02:21

Nasrallah: The most honorable thing I did in my life was the speech I delivered on the second day of the Saudi war against Yemen.

attacking Saudi Arabia and calling for the death of the Saudi Royal family is now more honorable than fighting the zionist enemy and waging the 2006 war.

Thumb liberty 02 March 2016, 02:26

بالاسماء... 13 شاباً من "حزب الله" سقطوا مع "علاء البوسنة"
http://www.annahar.com/article/322519-بالاسماء-13-شابا-من-حزب-الله-سقطوا-مع-علاء-البوسنة

Thumb liberty 02 March 2016, 02:55

أمّا الرياض، يضيف الديبلوماسي، فقد اتخذت قرارها الأخير إزاء لبنان بعد مجموعة تطوّرات منها سياسي، مثل موقف لبنان في الجامعة العربية ومنظمة المؤتمر الإسلامي، ومنها أمني أيضاً، حيث تزامن هذا القرار مع معطيات ومعلومات موثّقة (بالصوت والصورة) حصلت عليها السلطات السعودية (جرى بثّها تلفزيونياً بعد يوم واحد من صدور القرار السعودي) تكشف النقاب عن تدريبات ميدانية يجريها «حزب الله» لمجموعات من الحوثيين في اليمن لتنفيذ ما سُمِّي «عمليات استشهادية» في قلب الرياض.