Nasrallah Says Entire Lebanon Facing 'New Security Situation', Urges Dialogue on Defense Strategy
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday said that all Lebanese regions are going through a “new security situation,” noting that Hizbullah is willing to engage in national dialogue over a national defense strategy “without any preconditions.”
“There's no doubt that we're going through a new security situation,” Nasrallah said in a televised address during the annual iftar banquet held by the Islamic Resistance Support Association.
“We call on people to be cautious and vigilant, not only in the environment of the resistance as those seeking to stir strife might strike anywhere. Everyone must cooperate and security is the responsibility of the state. We must be vigilant and through cooperation we can overcome this difficult period,” Nasrallah added.
But he reassured that “compared to what's going on in the region, we are still in a very good situation.”
“We overcame a lot of plights and conspiracies through people's will, sacrifices, honesty and patience … With the same level of faith, action, will and accuracy, we will overcome this stage and be confident that this resistance is competent and capable of overcoming all the current and coming difficulties," Nasrallah added.
On July 9, fifty-three people were wounded when a bomb blast went off in the Beirut southern suburb of Bir al-Abed, a Hizbullah stronghold. On Tuesday, a bomb in the Bekaa region hit a Hizbullah convoy traveling towards the Lebanese border crossing with Syria, killing one person and wounding three others.
The Bekaa bombing is the fourth time that a vehicle has been targeted by an explosive device in the Bekaa region, which is also a stronghold of Hizbullah.
Hizbullah has dispatched fighters to battle alongside the Syrian regime against rebels seeking the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.
The conflict, pitting a Sunni-dominated rebel movement against Assad, has raised sectarian tensions in Lebanon and Lebanese Sunni fighters have also been killed while fighting alongside Syrian rebels.
Turning to the latest controversy over the army's military operation that ended the presence of anti-Hizbullah cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in Sidon, Nasrallah said: “We call on the Lebanese to be extremely cautious in light of the current divisions. If, God forbid, the army was split or weakened, the country would no longer know peace or stability, as in any security incident that happens we are all counting on the army to prevent chaos."
“Should the army be divided, the state and the country will cease to exist, not to mention that the army is a main factor in confronting the Israeli aggressions,” Nasrallah added.
“The military institution must be kept outside the political disputes and of course we are calling for strengthening this institution and several times we said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to help, but some Arab and foreign states do not want a strong army in Lebanon,” he went on to say.
“I am not theorizing. This is our rhetoric and this our culture regarding the army. We are saying that it is the guarantee and the partner of the resistance and one day the army is supposed to defend this country on its own and we would return to our normal life,” Nasrallah said.
On June 23, gunmen loyal to Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir attacked an army checkpoint near the Islamist cleric's mosque in Sidon's Abra. Eighteen soldiers were martyred and 20 others were wounded in the attack and in the fierce clashes that ensued.
At least twenty of Asir's gunmen were also killed in the battle that ended when the army stormed Asir's headquarters on June 24.
In the wake of the clashes, the March 14 forces demanded a probe into alleged abuses by army troops against civilians and suspects and into claims that Hizbullah fighters had taken part in the clashes.
“Our civilians were demonstrating in the light of day in 1993 when the army opened fire on them. Ten people were martyred and 50 others were wounded but the people in Dahieh did not fire a single bullet on the army. A number of brothers and I went to the area and said no one must attack the army because this is our creed,” Nasrallah recalled.
“The entire world knows that seven civilians were killed in the Mar Mikhail incidents and that no one opened fire on the army,” he added.
“There is the case of martyr pilot Samer Hanna and we admitted that we made a mistake and handed over the perpetrator to the judiciary and the judiciary dealt with the issue,” Hizbullah's secretary-general went on to say.
He called on the Lebanese parties to “protect our last guarantee,” in reference to the army, noting that “as long as this (military) institution exists, we can form governments and hold elections.”
Turning to the issue of Hizbullah's controversial arsenal of weapons, Nasrallah said: “We are willing to engage in any form of dialogue over a national defense strategy without any preconditions, before or after the formation of the new cabinet, because we are honest in seeking to protect our country.”
“I had proposed a defense strategy but no one tried to discuss it around the dialogue table or even outside national dialogue. No one held a seminar over this strategy because they are not serious in discussing the issue. They only want one thing, which is to remove our weapons,” he added.
“This is everyone's country and we must all defend it and regardless of debates, there is a real national need to discuss a national defense strategy,” Nasrallah noted.
He pointed out that “a popular resistance managed through its faith and proper utilization of capabilities to create a balance of terror that is protecting Lebanon from attacks.”
“Can anyone claim that Lebanon has become outside the circle of Israeli threats and ambitions? If anyone believes that, then this is a real tragedy,” Nasrallah said.
He warned that “the expansionist ambitions of Israel know no limits,” noting that caretaker Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil “voiced clear remarks that Israel has started to take our oil and gas, but no one stirred a finger.”
“When any of us approaches the issue of the army, the resistance or diplomacy, we must take the dangers, choices and the feasibility of these choices into account,” said Nasrallah.
“We must not discuss the sex of angels or whether the weapons are legal or illegal, we must rather ask whether we need this resistance or not,” he added.
“The big question is who can we count on to protect our country … What has the Arab League done regarding our problem with Israel?” Nasrallah said.
He asked: “What is the alternative to the weapons of the resistance?”
“Whoever thinks that we enjoy combat is mistaken ... but when an enemy is threatening you, it is your responsibility to fight, defend and protect,” Nasrallah clarified.
He stressed: “The resistance is unbreakable and anyone who tries to defeat any faction of the resistance will fail, as the resistance is not an organization, but rather an enormous and firm popular will.”
“The theories of elimination and isolation will lead nowhere and we don't want to eliminate anyone. We are willing to engage in dialogue and to meet with everyone. We can keep the Syrian topic out of the discussions and we can agree on the Lebanese issues. Why should we stop at the points of contention and forget all the points of agreement?” Nasrallah added.
“Let us be patient in dealing with each other and we have asked our MPs to discuss things in a calm manner. We also call on the Syrians, Palestinians and Egyptians to resort to dialogue, which is the only choice regardless of the level of rivalry and animosity,” he said.
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19 July 2013, 21:48
Nasrallah: Our hand is extended to our rivals and we are willing to engage in any dialogue. Let us pacify the political and media rhetoric in order to overcome this period.
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19 July 2013, 21:47
Nasrallah: Let us be patient in dealing with each other and we have asked our MPs to discuss things in a calm manner. We also call on the Syrians, Palestinians and Egyptians to resort to dialogue, which is the only choice regardless of the level of rivalry and animosity.
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19 July 2013, 21:45
Nasrallah: We do not fear to be eliminated given the country's structure and the balance of power.
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19 July 2013, 21:45
Nasrallah: The theories of elimination and isolation will lead nowhere and we don't want to eliminate anyone. We are willing to engage in dialogue and to meet with everyone. We can keep the Syrian topic out of the discussions and we can agree on the Lebanese issues. Why should we stop at the points of contention and forget all the points of agreement?
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19 July 2013, 21:42
Nasrallah: Compared to what's going on in the region, we are still in a very good situation.
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19 July 2013, 21:42
Nasrallah: We call on people to be cautious and vigilant, not only in the environment of the resistance as those seeking to stir strife might strike anywhere. Everyone must cooperate and security is the responsibility of the state. We must be vigilant and through cooperation we can overcome this difficult period.
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19 July 2013, 21:41
Nasrallah: There's no doubt that we're going through a new security situation.
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19 July 2013, 21:40
Nasrallah: We must protect our last guarantee and as long as this (military) institution exists, we can form governments and hold elections.
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19 July 2013, 21:40
Nasrallah: There is the case of martyr pilot Samer Hanna and we admitted that we made a mistake and handed over the perpetrator to the judiciary and the judiciary dealt with the issue.
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19 July 2013, 21:39
Nasrallah: The entire world knows that seven civilians were killed in the Mar Mikhail incidents and that no one opened fire on the army.
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19 July 2013, 21:38
Nasrallah: Our civilians were demonstrating in the light of day in 1993 when the army opened fire on them. Ten people were martyred and 50 others were wounded but the people in Dahieh did not fire a single bullet on the army. A number of brothers and I went to the area and said no one must attack the army because this is our creed.
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19 July 2013, 21:36
Nasrallah: I am not theorizing. This is our rhetoric and this our culture regarding the army. We are saying that it is the guarantee and the partner of the resistance and one day the army is supposed to defend this country on its own and we would return to our normal life.
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19 July 2013, 21:34
Nasrallah: The military institution must be kept outside the political disputes and of course we are calling for strengthening this institution and several times we said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to help, but some Arab and foreign states do not want a strong army in Lebanon.
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19 July 2013, 21:32
Nasrallah: Should the army be divided, the state and the country will cease to exist, not to mention that the army is a main factor in confronting the Israeli aggressions.
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19 July 2013, 21:32
Nasrallah: We call on the Lebanese to be extremely cautious in light of the current divisions. If, God forbid, the army was split or weakened, the country would no longer know peace or stability, as in any security incident that happens we are all counting on the army to prevent chaos.
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19 July 2013, 21:31
Nasrallah: Israel and the entire world know that Lebanon is no longer an easy prey and that no one can impose its conditions on Lebanon.
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19 July 2013, 21:30
Nasrallah: I spoke of the Galilee in the past and the Israelis took the threat into consideration and today they are dealing with the issue in a more serious manner.
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19 July 2013, 21:29
Nasrallah: Israel has revised all of its plans, maneuvers and discussions in light of the developments in the last few months and the Israelis know that they are dealing with a real and competent force.
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19 July 2013, 21:28
Nasrallah: With the same level of faith, action, will and accuracy, we will overcome this stage and be confident that this resistance is competent and capable of overcoming all the current and coming difficulties.
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19 July 2013, 21:27
Nasrallah: We overcame a lot of plights and conspiracies through people's will, sacrifices, honesty and patience.
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19 July 2013, 21:27
Nasrallah: When the Lebanese decide that Lebanon and its water, land and sovereignty must remain for its people, when they want to prevent the abduction of its citizens, then this choice has consequences and it requires sacrifices for the sake of an independent and immune country.
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19 July 2013, 21:26
Nasrallah: The enemy failed to annihilate the resistance in 2006.
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19 July 2013, 21:26
Nasrallah: The resistance managed to tip the balance in favor of the resistance movements in the region in the year 2000, while in 2006 it managed to defeat the scheme of the New Middle East and it is normal that it is being targeted.
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19 July 2013, 21:19
Nasrallah: What is the alternative to the weapons of the resistance? Whoever thinks that we enjoy combat is mistaken ... but when an enemy is threatening you, it is your responsibility to fight, defend and protect.
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19 July 2013, 21:18
Nasrallah: This is everyone's country and we must all defend it and regardless of debates, there is a real national need to discuss a national defense strategy.
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19 July 2013, 21:17
Nasrallah: I had proposed a defense strategy but no one tried to discuss it around the dialogue table or even outside national dialogue. No one held a seminar over this strategy because they are not serious in discussing the issue. They only want one thing, which is to remove our weapons.
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19 July 2013, 21:15
Nasrallah: We are willing to engage in any form of dialogue over a national defense strategy without any preconditions, before or after the formation of the new cabinet, because we are honest in seeking to protect our country.
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19 July 2013, 21:14
Nasrallah: The resistance is unbreakable and anyone who tries to defeat any faction of the resistance will fail, as the resistance is not an organization, but rather an enormous and firm popular will.
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19 July 2013, 21:11
Nasrallah: What has the Arab League done regarding our problem with Israel?
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19 July 2013, 21:09
Nasrallah: The big question is who can we count on to protect our country.
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19 July 2013, 21:07
Nasrallah: We must not discuss the sex of angels or whether the weapons are legal or illegal, we must rather ask whether we need this resistance or not.
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19 July 2013, 21:05
Nasrallah: When any of us approaches the issue of the army, the resistance or diplomacy, we must take the dangers, choices and the feasibility of these choices into account.
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19 July 2013, 21:04
Nasrallah: The expansionist ambitions of Israel know no limits and the energy minister (Bassil) voiced clear remarks that Israel has started to take our oil and gas, but no one stirred a finger.
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19 July 2013, 21:03
Nasrallah: Can anyone claim that Lebanon has become outside the circle of Israeli threats and ambitions? If anyone believes that, then this is a real tragedy.
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19 July 2013, 21:02
Nasrallah: A popular resistance managed through its faith and proper utilization of capabilities to create a balance of terror that is protecting Lebanon from attacks.
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19 July 2013, 21:01
Nasrallah: We don't claim for one moment that we have the same number of troops as the Israeli army or weapons and equipment similar to those possessed by the Israelis, but this is the school of resistance, which does not endorse the classical approach about military, security, demographic and economic balance.
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19 July 2013, 20:55
Nasrallah: Since its inception, the resistance sought to achieve several objectives: the liberation of the occupied Lebanese land; the liberation of the captives and detainees from the prisons of the enemy and its collaborators; and contributing to protecting the Lebanese territory and people from Israeli attacks and threats, alongside the army and the security forces.
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19 July 2013, 20:53
Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a televised address during the annual iftar banquet held by the Islamic Resistance Support Association: The first part of the speech will be about the resistance, which has a clear vision, mission and objectives.
19 July 2013, 22:03
25
blah blah blah israel
blah blah blah resistance
same story different day--and since when did hizb iran give a hoot about the palestinians? only when iran figured out that the other stories weren't working.
19 July 2013, 23:52
13
so, what you are saying is that I can think and your M8 minions (sorry, I forgot FPM isn't part of M8, YEAH RIGHT) are well, minions.
Politics has ruined this country and you are part of the problem--now deal with that. And remember this Bassil boy--just because I am anti M8 in every possible way, I am not M14--I know your tiny tiny brain can't deal with such things which I find amazing because they always find a way to rationalize you and your allies's bad behavior. I noticed your masters have paid you well as you have pasted your comments everywhere.
I almost feel sorry for you--not really, everyone is entitled to be an idiot--you included.
19 July 2013, 22:05
39
so do your 'resistance' pay their electricity bills or are they just thieves pretending to be a 'movement'?
19 July 2013, 22:11
27
Nasrallah: The expansionist ambitions of Israel know no limits and the energy minister (Bassil) voiced clear remarks that Israel has started to take our oil and gas, but no one stirred a finger.
Started to take! Really? Look hassin ya Iranian merc gasbag no cool lying to your Ashura brain-damaged idiots during Ramadan while wearing a fake religious cleric's costume!
Listen Ashura brain-damaged morons I am the voice of truth as opposed to the Iranian merc hassin's voice of a liar liar oily turban on fire, this is what Bassil actually said:
The Daily Star 06/Jul/2013 - Bassil told reporters that in theory Israel could extract Lebanese gas near the Israeli field through advanced technology... "We can’t say that a disaster has taken place now, but nevertheless we should take actions to prevent Israel from taking our gas and oil in the future"
19 July 2013, 22:11
26
People, it is a hopeless situation to try to make sense with these thugs. As I said before, the only way out for Lebanon is that Hizbullah MUST be destroyed… Totally destroyed.
I said this before, the civil war in the US – One of the bloodiest civil war ever – would not have ended if it wasn’t for the Northern Army destroying the Southern Army and force them into surrendering. The Southern Army would have never laid down their weapons if their army wasn’t destroyed… They would still be fighting till this day…
History teaches us that sometimes war is the answer…
19 July 2013, 22:38
00
"Nasrallah: Since its inception, the resistance sought to achieve several objectives: the liberation of the occupied Lebanese land; the liberation of the captives and detainees from the prisons of the enemy and its collaborators; and contributing to protecting the Lebanese territory and people from Israeli attacks and threats, alongside the army and the security forces. "
If this really was their goal from the beginning then why the hell didn't they volunteer in the army? How can ANYONE believe this bullshit?? Why would Iran be so benevolent to Lebanon as to provide money and resources to liberate Lebanon? Seriously, (again), how can anyone believe this man!!
19 July 2013, 23:13
38
I dont why you guys still pay attention to his meaningless speeches. You give him too much importance. You shouldn't even read the transcripts on naharnet. Im only interested in finding out what he'll be saying when he appears before a court of justice to answer for his crimes. Preferably in the Netherlands, at the Hague.
Going back to the kitchen, I'm making moghli in honour if the newborn nephew... Dany Zacharie Jeffrey ;-)
A+
19 July 2013, 23:17
00
"defeat the scheme of the New Middle East"????? Iraq, Egypt,Syria and Libya are destroyed. Kurdistan is being created as we speak. This illiterate monkey played into the hands of Kissinger's grand scheme. The problem with Arabs will always be their superego - whisper in their ears that they are eternal and they will believe it. look at Kadafi, Sadam, Bashar and every dictator we have in the middle east they all think they can sit on the throne forever... they still do!!!!!
19 July 2013, 23:41
36
Nasrallah: Our hand is extended to our rivals and we are willing to engage in any dialogue.
Meaningless dialogue is all you are wiling to do... you hold Lebanon hostage.
20 July 2013, 01:07
02
As much as I hate to agree with him, Lebanon is now facing a life and death situation. Priorities have to be re-thought by all. I support the call for dialogue as I do not see any other way to set things somewhat right. I know we've tried and Hezb failed us before, but what alternative do we really have? Status quo is just killing us. I am now only interested in some stability to get the economy back on track.
20 July 2013, 01:10
12
Nasrallah on Friday said that all Lebanese regions are going through a “new security situation,” noting that Hizbullah is willing to engage in national dialogue over a national defense strategy “without any preconditions............
I thought he is the one with the precondition that the arms of the Iranian Islamic resistance is not up for discussion.
20 July 2013, 01:14
11
the resistance is not an organization, but rather an enormous and firm popular will...............
Does that mean it is ethical to hit their civilians since each and everyone of them is HA?
20 July 2013, 01:28
11
Every problem King Rat discussed, Hezbollah created. Hezbollah put its interest in securing its logistical resupply lines ahead of the interests of the Republic without the advice or consent of the duly elected officials of the Lebanese people. Everything else he had to say is pure, unadulterated lies made to justify that which cannot be justified.
20 July 2013, 01:53
12
The resistance is moot. This new resistance is an Iranian dangling carrot to scare and distract the Lebanese people from foreign agenda. Here, it is clearly Iran. You may also include Israel since even though Iran barks about wiping Israel from the face of the earth, they are mutually and deeply engaged in commerce for their respective gains.
20 July 2013, 02:32
13
The real Nasrallah in this video. Anything else he says is BS and lies:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OEiWzEdh2OU
20 July 2013, 13:22
12
Phoenix, di' el muy muy
Nasrallah follows Al Wali al Faqih in Iran. He is not going to change by listening to Lebanese word of wisdom.
20 July 2013, 15:37
02
@phoenix. Bravo!!! Your post is more than an indictment of Hezbollah, it is a call to action. You have given the Lebanese people the rationale to do that which Nasrallah will never do voluntarily. He will never go home voluntarily. It will require the people to be proactive. If he will not voluntarily disarm, and spare the nation further catastrophes, the consequences of of unilateral insular decision-making, then the nation has a duty, as a matter of self defense and survival, to disarm Hezbollah.
Now when the resupply line is broken and Hezbollah is stretched thin with its fighters in far away Syrian battle fields, Nasrallah is now at his most vulnerable. To save him and to save the nation, the people need to organize to effect the involuntary disarming of Hezbollah.
21 July 2013, 05:46
01
The only defence we need is against Hezb. If there was no Hezb, there would be peace in all of Lebanon.
