Nasrallah Calls Netanyahu's Claims a 'Farce', Says Iran, Syria Not Blocking Govt.

W460

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims about the presence of missile plants near Beirut airport as a “farce,” as he emphasized that Tehran and Damascus are not blocking the formation of the new government.

“Netanyahu's psychological warfare over the missiles was a farce,” said Nasrallah in a televised speech commemorating the late mother of slain Hizbullah commander Imad Mughniyeh.

“Our silence over our weapons is deliberate and purposeful,” Nasrallah noted.

Referring to the tour of the alleged missile sites that caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil organized for the foreign ambassadors in Lebanon and the press, Nasrallah described it as “an initiative from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry” that was not coordinated with his party.

“We laud this move,” Nasrallah added, thanking Bassil for the initiative and hailing his "advanced diplomacy."

“Our policy is based on 'constructive silence' and we do not give 'free information' to the enemy,” Nasrallah went on to say, while noting that he understands the Lebanese government's concerns over the image of a sensitive public facility such as Beirut's airport.

“No one must aid the enemy in its psychological warfare against our country and government,” Nasrallah emphasized, pointing out that Israel had sought to “scare and intimidate people” through SMS messages that were sent during the peak of Israel's diplomatic and social media offensive over the alleged missile sites.

“I want to thank people for their sarcastic responses to the allegations of the incompetent Israeli officials. This is the responsibility of everyone in Lebanon,” Nasrallah added.

Turning to the stalled cabinet formation process, Hizbullah's chief said his party has “nothing new to say” regarding the issue.

“We are waiting for what the coming days will carry and we stress the importance of speeding up the formation process,” Nasrallah said.

“Iran is not interfering in the cabinet formation process in any way and I can confirm that Syria is not interfering. This is a Lebanese affair and a Lebanese decision can be taken,” Nasrallah added, noting that “the region and the world are preoccupied” with other issues.

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