Qassem Says Didn't Tell Rivals to 'Look for Another Homeland'

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Thursday clarified recent remarks that have stirred an uproar in the country, noting that they have been deliberately misrepresented.

“Some rabid individuals have voiced insults… and some of them want to attack Hizbullah in any way possible,” Qassem said in a statement issued by his office.

Decrying that “instructions were made to intensively attack an idea that was not raised,” Hizbullah number two said he told opponents to look for “another solution,” not “another homeland.”

“The other solution might be dialogue, counter-evidence or a stance backed by practical steps,” Qassem explained.

He added that he totally opposes “the segregation of citizens,” emphasizing that “no one has the right to ask any Lebanese citizen to leave this homeland.”

“Lebanon is a final homeland for all its sons and the right to disagree is preserved, but what’s needed is for officials to read words carefully so that they don’t mislead the people nor misinterpret the remarks,” Qassem went on to say.

He had said in a speech on Friday that Hizbullah wants Lebanon to be “sovereign, independent and strong,” and that “Lebanon has earned a reputation in the world due to the resistance and due to victories.”

“This is the Lebanon that we want... Those who don’t want it can search for another solution. You do not resemble Lebanon, we’re the ones who resemble it, because those who are attached to a homeland must be attached to it while it is sovereign, free and independent,” he added.