Report: Hezbollah says Qassem remarks 'religious', no intention to start a war
Hezbollah has clarified to President Joseph Aoun, through unofficial channels, that Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem’s latest remarks about supporting Iran militarily were “purely religious, not political,” a media report said.
“We do not want to start a war,” the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper quoted Hezbollah as telling Aoun.
“This informal response did not satisfy Baabda and was deemed insufficient by the president, who is deeply dismayed and annoyed by Hezbollah’s performance and Qassem’s remarks in particular,” the daily said.
“Accordingly, no meeting will take place between Aoun and (MP Mohammad) Raad until the Presidency receives an official clarification from Hezbollah regarding the Secretary-General’s statements,” the newspaper added, noting that Aoun has left the task of communicating with Hezbollah to Speaker Nabih Berri.
“Notably, during his last meeting with President Aoun at the Presidential Palace, Berri expressed his own irritation from Qassem’s remarks and the campaign being waged against the president. He stood by Aoun, explicitly declaring his support,” Nidaa al-Watan said.
“The south is still suffering to this hour from the repercussions of the Gaza 'Support War' and has yet to heal its wounds," the daily quoted Berri as saying.
Also following Qassem’s latest speech, Berri expressed his solidarity with Aoun, assuring him that he would attempt to play the role of the "big brother" tasked with speaking to the "younger brother" (Hezbollah) regarding this issue, Nidaa al-Watan said.
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