Qassem says state in charge of defense but Hezbollah to stay as 'resistance'
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has acknowledged that arms should be exclusively in the hands of the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces to “control security in Lebanon and for defense.”
“We are not against them being in charge and we reject the approach of militias and that anyone share the state in protecting its security,” Qassem said in an interview on al-Manar TV.
“But we have nothing to do with this matter. We are a resistance -- a resistance against the Israeli enemy -- and we defend our land when the enemy attacks us,” Qassem added.
“They are saying that the state can deter the Israeli enemy. Let them show us what they can do against this enemy. We don’t mind that they do the confrontation, but as a resistance we consider Israel to be a threat and an occupier,” Hezbollah’s leader went on to say.
Stressing that “the resistance has the right to continue,” Qassem noted that “it has nothing to do with the state’s administration or with the state’s arms and preserving internal security.”
“If some believe that the president’s remarks are targeted against us, we do not consider them as so,” Qassem added.
Responding to a question about the Lebanese demands to have the decisions of war and peace in the hands of the state, Hezbollah’s leader said that “so far Israel has started all the wars.”
Qassem also noted that Hezbollah retained some of its capabilities despite the latest war with Israel and that it still possesses the ability to use them.
“We used them in the appropriate way and reached the (ceasefire) agreement and this capability is still present,” he added.
As for Israel’s continued occupation of five strategic hills in south Lebanon, Qassem said: “How much can you stay in these points? This resistance will not let you stay there. The resistance and the people of the resistance will not allow you to remain. Today there is a chance: the Lebanese state is following up on the matter and we have agreed that it continue that.”
“Should the occupation continue, it must be confronted through the resistance, the army and the people,” he added.
Addressing Hezbollah’s supporters, he called on them to be “patient” and to “take some rest.”
“Usually in wars, there are periods of rest. Now you can rest and be assured that your leadership and resistance and these heroic men who stood in the confrontation are still present,” he said.
Qassem also pointed out that “Hezbollah is always realistic and objective,” because “it acts according to balances and not in a random way.”
Source: Naharnet
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