Bassil says Shiite unity 'not enough' as FPM warns against political exploitation

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil said Thursday that the Shiite unity is not enough and that the resistance needs national unity.

"Kahale represents for all of us a great symbol of struggle," Bassil said.

He added that national unity is needed for the well-being of the country and the resistance, as national unity would give the resistance greater immunity.

Bassil also stressed the importance of developing a national defense strategy that would organize the use of arms.

Earlier on Thursday, the Free Patriotic Movement said that Kahale's victims fell due to "shortcomings from Hezbollah or the security forces" and warned against "exploitation attempts by politicians and journalists."

A truck belonging to Hezbollah had overturned on the Kahaleh highway Wednesday and was followed by clashes during which a Hezbollah member and a Kahaleh resident were killed.