Qassem says govt. responsible for making Israel honor withdrawal deadline
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech Sunday that Israel "must withdraw from all of the Lebanese territory that it has occupied" on Feb. 18.
"There can be no excuses, no five points or other details under any pretext or any title. This is the agreement," he said.
Qassem was referring to a proposal put forward by Israel that its forces would remain in five border points after the deadline. Lebanese officials have so far rejected this.
Qassem said it was "the primary and exclusive responsibility of the Lebanese state at this stage to apply all political pressure" to ensure that Israel withdraws fully.
Internal tensions have risen in Lebanon in recent days ahead of the deadline and after Lebanese authorities revoked permission for an Iranian plane that had been set to travel from Tehran to Beirut, leaving dozens of Lebanese passengers stranded.
The decision came after Israel had alleged that Iran was sending cash to Hezbollah via civilian flights and said it would "use all available means" to stop it.
The outgoing deputy commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, was injured Friday when protesters attacked a convoy taking peacekeepers to the Beirut airport.
Qassem said Hezbollah was "against the attack on UNIFIL" but also criticized the Lebanese Army for tear gassing protesters who gathered "peacefully" on Saturday. The army has since clarified that it fired tear gas after protesters blocked he airport report, attacked military vehicles and wounded 23 soldiers.
Qassem criticized the Lebanese government for banning Iranian flights, a decision that he said came after Israel threatened to strike the runway if the Iranian plane landed at Beirut airport.
"The problem is not that (Lebanese authorities) are ensuring the safety of civilians at a difficult time," Qassem said. "The problem is that this is the implementation of Israel's command. We are facing a real problem. Where is the national sovereignty? Are we employees of Israel, implementing the demands of the occupation?"
