Report: Nasrallah to Punish Perpetrators Behind Celebratory Fire

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah emphasized that he will take severe regulatory measures against any of his supporters who fire guns into the air during his speeches, al-Akhbar daily reported on Saturday.

“Don't be surprised if one day you hear that a certain division of Hizbullah has been dissolved because of shooting firearms into the air. The decision will be announced in media outlets,” al-Akhbar quoted Nasrallah as saying.

His comments came in a speech marking the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts Association.

Nasrallah described the problem of random celebratory gunfire each time he makes a televised appearance as “humiliating and a disgrace.”

He expressed frustration and anger over the issue, particularly that several people were hurt and others were fatally wounded as a result of this habit.

Celebratory gunfire breaks out in Beirut and its Southern Suburbs each time Nasrallah makes a televised speech.

Last week, Wissam Bleiq, a member of Beirut's firefighting department was killed in the capital after media reports said a member of the alleged Hizbullah Resistance Brigades was the reason.

Speculation had emerged on whether he was the victim of murder or a stray bullet.

Another two teenagers in Beirut's southern suburb were hospitalized after sustaining gunshot wounds during a speech for Nasrallah.