Nasrallah Says No New Israeli War on Lebanon

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah denied remarks attributed to him and published in Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper that Israel plans to wage war against Lebanon in the summer, and announced that his party is willing to assist in resolving the current economic crisis in the country.

“These reports are unfounded and wrong in timing and substance. I have never said, not even to myself, that Israel is planning to wage war on Lebanon, and I did not say that I might be killed during the process,” said Nasrallah in his Monday televised speech.

Ruling the possibility of an Israeli aggression, he described al-Rai’s report as “empty and baseless.” He denounced the timing saying it harms Lebanon which is looking forward to its summer tourism season as it grapples with an economic crisis.

Al-Rai claimed in its report that Nasrallah has warned Hizbullah officials of an Israeli war on Lebanon, fearing he could be killed.

On the economic crisis, Hizbullah leader urged political parties to cooperate together in order to find a way out of it.

“There is political consensus on the need for a solution, the problem will affect us all,” he said, pointing out that resolving the crisis needs “cooperation,” noting “the solution will not be easy.”

He said Hizbullah is “part of the state” and is willing to shoulder responsibility, “we are part of the state and people, and we are ready to bear responsibility. Approval of a state budget is only the beginning of financial and administrative reform. Discussions underway are our chances to stop corruption.”