Nasrallah says Shebaa tent aimed at highlighting occupation of Ghajar, other areas

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday said that his party has erected a tent in the occupied Shebaa Farms to stir debate inside and outside the country over Israel's occupation of the northern part of the Ghajar village and other border points, urging a decisive Lebanese stance.

“Israel built the fence in Ghajar before the two tents were erected. One of the two tents is in an undisputed area and the other is behind the withdrawal line,” Nasrallah said, in a televised address marking the anniversary of the 2006 war with Israel.

“By placing a tent in the Shebaa Farms, we are placing a tent in Lebanese territory, and the international mediations started after the tent was erected,” Nasrallah noted.

Nasrallah also warned that Hezbollah’s fighters have instructions to act should Israel target the tent.

Apparently responding to remarks by Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, Nasrallah stressed that “what's happening now is not a demarcation of the land border,” adding that “Israel must end its occupation of the border points.”

“The Lebanese stance on Ghajar must be decisive and this is Lebanese territory and the efforts of the state and the resistance will be integrated,” Hezbollah’s leader went on to say.

Turning to domestic issues, Nasrallah said his party does not want to “abolish the Taif Accord” nor to secure “tripartite power-sharing,” noting that “the rumors that are being spread are aimed at creating a sectarian atmosphere.”

“The advocates of sovereignty are the ones talking about federalism and about changing Lebanon’s structure,” he said.

As for the presidential file, Nasrallah said his party does not want “constitutional guarantees,” seeing as its “real guarantee” lies in “the president as a person.”

“We had confidence in General Michel Aoun personally and we trusted him because he is honest and does not betray,” Nasrallah said. “Over the past six years, we felt that the back of the resistance was secure and would not be stabbed,” he added.

“We have not supported Suleiman Franjieh before communicating with the FPM and we have not nominated him to impose him on Christians but rather because he is one of the top Maronite leaders in the country,” Nasrallah said, stressing that “dialogue should not be conditional.”

“We are a large segment of the Lebanese people and we have the right to add a condition to the characteristics of the president,” he said.

“It is true that we will come to the dialogue table with a single name, Suleiman Franjieh, but we will engage in discussions,” Nasrallah added.

He also reassured that Hezbollah “will not use the force of the resistance to impose anything inside the country,” revealing that some FPM activists had wanted Hezbollah to “impose General Michel Aoun as president” following the May 7, 2008 clashes.

“There can be no solution in Lebanon except through agreeing with each other and when there is readiness for dialogue we will be ready to take part in it at any time and in any place,” Nasrallah added, noting that Hezbollah is awaiting the proposals that will be carried by French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian during his upcoming visit to Lebanon.

“Our choice is partnership and cooperation because Lebanon can only survive like this,” Nasrallah stressed.