Syria Opposition Asks Hizbullah to 'Withdraw' from Syria, Warns of 'Disastrous' Consequences
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Syrian opposition on Sunday called on Hizbullah to end its military involvement in Syria's conflict, warning that the party's “interference” could have “disastrous consequences.”
In a statement, the main opposition National Coalition urged Hizbullah to "immediately withdraw its forces from Syrian territory", adding that the group's involvement in Syria's conflict "could drag Lebanon and the region into an open-ended conflict with disastrous consequences."
"The Coalition calls on the Lebanese government ... to take all the necessary measures to put a stop to the actions of Hizbullah, which is flagrantly involved (in the conflict) on the side of the Assad regime," the statement added.
The situation in the border area could "explode", said the group, while calling on rebel "Free Syrian Army brigades in Homs province to show restraint and to respect Lebanon's sovereign borders out of keenness on the safety of civilians."
The Coalition also called on the international community to “shoulder its responsibilities in preserving security, condemning these violations and urging the Lebanese government to control its borders.”
Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad made new advances Sunday on the rebel stronghold town of Qusayr near the border with Lebanon, reports said.
Activists say the army, backed by pro-regime fighters and Hizbullah, is aiming to crush insurgents in villages surrounding Qusayr, and to then launch an assault on the town itself.
Three new shells launched from the Qusayr area landed in Lebanon's Hermel region, the country's National News Agency reported, in what rebels described as retaliation for Hizbullah's involvement in Syria's war and for allegedly firing from across the Lebanese border.
Two of the shells hit the outskirts of the town of Hermel and the other hit the Qasr area, said NNA.
Qusayr has been under rebel control for more than a year. It is strategic because it lays on a route linking Damascus to the coast.
"Loyalist troops backed by Hizbullah have taken control of important villages near Qusayr," said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Qusayr-based activist Hadi al-Abdallah told Agence France Presse that Hizbullah fighters were instrumental to the army's advance.
"The only reason why the regime is advancing in the Qusayr area is because of Hizbullah's troops. Hizbullah fighters advance on the ground, while the (Syrian) air force gives them cover," Abdallah said via the Internet.
Among the flashpoint villages were Radwaniyeh, seized on Saturday, Burhaniyeh and Tal al-Nabi Mando, which is strategic because it lies on a hilltop and overlooks rebel-held areas.
The army meanwhile secured the road linking the Lebanese-Syrian border along the Orontes river to the west of Qusayr.
The fighting has left dozens of people dead this week.
There has been no comments from Hizbullah about the latest fighting but in the past it denied any involvement in the Syrian war.
21 April 2013, 17:05
67
Lol, no offense but neither the FSA nor HA respect Lebanon, do you think they're gonna give a crap about what you say? Wishful thinking.
21 April 2013, 17:06
45
To both of you, Syria and Lebanon are a playground for your amusement, if they don't respect Lebanon, do you think they're gonna listen to you and leave Syria?
21 April 2013, 17:34
02
The Syrian Opposition spokesmodels, who wear suits and take money from Qatar and Saudi Arabia and orders from the CIA have to say something so somebody will think it is worthwhile to give them more money . Meanwhile ignorant, brainwashed, unemployable ,youthful killers put their lives on the line to kill fellow Muslims. As for the West, they will give you money but they already have their hands full protecting Israel, they will not protect Lebanon. This killing goes on until you people get wise up, that means it goes on forever.
21 April 2013, 18:20
97
WTF are u on about the roar ha gaining respect ??? they dont give a shit about lebanon all they care about is their people the shia period. All ha is doing is bringing war to lebanon but like u care u living in arncliff it wont affect u but God help us
21 April 2013, 18:24
88
and are u forgeting who is invading who its ha in syria not the other way around
21 April 2013, 18:40
107
If HA is in Syria, who are they threatening in Lebanon? HA is in Syria, so fight them there. I guess they learned from the Israelis, when things are not going too well, take it on the rest of the country.
When Syria was in Lebanon, I don't think the syrians were very upset about it. But the loving lebanese with a big heart, turn against each other, as long it might benefit them. HA is defending Bashar because it is allied with him. And M14 are allied with FSA, hoping Bashar will disappear with HA and then there is nothing to stand in their face when they are ruling.
Look who is calling who a ho.
21 April 2013, 19:10
67
hizb iran has a tactic of bringing the war to lebanon for then "defende" us and say you seeee.
what would you have done with out us protecting you.just like 2006 war.
they know they are on expiring date.
and STILL they blame 14 march and the west for bringing war on our "brothers"
hahahaha.
"al hail the long bearded rats"
21 April 2013, 19:57
78
again
any Lebanese fighting in Syria deserves death.
any Lebanese fighting in Syria does not deserve the support of the Lebanese people, and will not be supported for any reason whatsoever, because they are all executing foreign orders. let them rot in hell
22 April 2013, 09:49
40
first off: I am a Christian and proud of it.
second: why are you being sectarian? all shia are not hizbushaitan!
third: yes we all know what hizbushaitan and amal are about, especially after may 7, the drug trade, theft, kidnappings, ...
fourth: we all see what hizbushaitan is doing in Syria....
21 April 2013, 21:12
52
Say no to crack cocaine lol. You must have been dropped on your head as a child Roar.
21 April 2013, 21:57
76
Hezbollah is Lebanon's cancer..... Quickly we need chemotherapy to eradicate it before it spreads to the entire region.
21 April 2013, 22:03
52
what respect? I think your brain is running the wrong way down under..
22 April 2013, 01:21
14
HA To end their involvement in Syria? Are you kidding ? Let the FSA which are a front for the fanatical Jihadist extremist take power ? No thanks . HA are doing a fine job thank you very much, by keeping these Sunni extremist at bay ! Take a close look what is happening around the world with these Sunni fanatics , give the balance against evil axis and that's the Sunni extremists which HA are upholding !!!!
22 April 2013, 01:24
25
Without HA these Sunni extremists will be running all over Lebanon by now ! Whether you like them or hate them thank god for HA !!!!
22 April 2013, 03:44
40
Hezbollah must get back to Lebanon. We don't want Syrians to interfere in our internal affairs so we shouldn't in theirs. We have an army I'm sure it will do it's duty at the right time.
If the chiia insist on taking us to a war, then let us split the country because I'm not willing to see my country going on war just because of a party taking orders from abroad.
Or you respect the lebanese army and its gov, or lets divide Lebanon once for all and each his faith.
22 April 2013, 15:08
00
The only reason that the Sunnis of Syria have not yet defeated the Shia alliance is due to the limited weaponry and support....
