Nasrallah Reassures over Lebanon Security, Vows to Continue Confrontation with Saudi
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.
Source: Naharnet
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