Mustaqbal: Hizbullah Military Parade a Threatening Message to Region, Lebanese State

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday condemned Hizbullah's military parade in Syria's Qusayr, describing it as a “threatening message” addressed to the Lebanese political arena and the region.

The parade carried “messages that Hizbullah sent in various directions, the first of which was that it once again confirmed that it puts Iran's interest before the national interest,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

“It addressed a threatening message to the world, the region and the Lebanese arena, especially to the Lebanese state,” Mustaqbal added.

“This step indicates that Hizbullah does not care about the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese or about the beginning of the new presidential tenure,” the bloc said, noting that President Michel Aoun stressed in his oath of office his intention to “restore the State's role, presence and prestige.”

Pictures distributed on social networking websites showed hundreds of Hizbullah fighters taking part in the military parade alongside dozens of tanks, armored vehicles, howitzers and heavy-caliber machineguns.

Pro-Hizbullah media outlets said the parade was held on November 11 to mark “Hizbullah's Martyr Day”.

Separately, Mustaqbal reiterated its call for all political parties to “facilitate the formation of the Cabinet.”

“The new government will have to address a host of issues and files, topped by restoring confidence in the State and its institutions, boosting efforts to revive the economic and social situations, and approving an electoral law for the parliamentary polls, which must happen on time and without any delay,” the bloc added.