Loyalty to Resistance: Confronting Terrorists in Arsal Outskirts is Everyone's Duty

Hizbullah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc stressed Thursday that it is “everyone's duty” to confront the jihadist groups that are entrenched in the outskirts of the Bekaa border town of Arsal, as it urged the government to take action.

“Confronting the threat of the terrorist gangs that are occupying Arsal's outskirts is everyone's national duty,” the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

“The government must shoulder its responsibility and perform its duties in this regard,” it added.

“The resistance is always ready to defend Lebanon and its people, not to mention that it is a legitimate right, and it supports the army and the military and security institutions in this issue,” the bloc went on to say.

On Sunday, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah hinted that his group would try and eliminate militants from Arsal's outskirts if the Lebanese state failed to do so.

“The state must shoulder its responsibility ... Our people in Baalbek and Hermel will not tolerate the presence of a single terrorist in the outskirts of Arsal and the Bekaa,” said Nasrallah.

His remarks were swiftly criticized by al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri, who emphasized that “the defense of the land, sovereignty and dignity is not Hizbullah's responsibility, not in Arsal, nor in its outskirts nor anywhere else.”

Separately, Loyalty to Resistance responded to remarks that were voiced at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon by head of al-Mustaqbal bloc ex-PM Fouad Saniora.

“As long as there is a threat, the legitimacy of the resistance will remain, in line with the international law and the international treaties and charters, no matter how much some try to fabricate lies,” the bloc said.

“Some remarks that were voiced by some members of al-Mustaqbal movement are aimed at stirring problems and distorting the facts.

“But they will not enable them to cover up for their party's involvement in the embracement of the gangs of takfiri terrorism in Lebanon and these groups' attacks on the army and security forces,” it added.

Turning to the issue of the lengthy presidential vacuum, the bloc said the fact that the void has entered its second year should “motivate all parties to elect a president who would respond to this critical period.”

But it stressed that the new president must be “representative of a Christian majority” and must “enjoy the general approval of the Lebanese people so that the constitutional institutions can regain their status and role.”

Y.R.