Qassem urges govt. and world to act 'more effectively' as to Israel's attacks
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has urged Lebanon's government and the international community to act "more effectively" to make Israel comply with the November truce, which largely ended more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group, including two months of all-out war.
In a televised speech commemorating slain Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine, Qassem added that Lebanon and Hezbollah had fulfilled their commitments under the ceasefire, and the army has deployed in south Lebanon, "while Israel has not withdrawn, has not stopped its attacks."
Qassem said that "Israel wants to end the resistance," referring to Hezbollah.
Israel "thinks that continuing its pressure and aggression could lead to the political end of the resistance," he said, adding: "This will not happen."
After heavy Israeli strikes in the Nabatiyeh area of south Lebanon last week, Qassem said Israel was "playing with fire."
He urged the Lebanese state and ceasefire sponsors Paris and Washington to act "more effectively" and to let Israel and its backers "know that we will not submit to threats and pressure."
He also called for swift efforts towards reconstruction.
President Joseph Aoun said last month the Lebanese Army was now deployed in more than 85 percent of the south and that the sole obstacle to full control across the frontier area was "Israel's occupation of five border positions."
Lebanese authorities have vowed to implement a state monopoly on bearing arms, though Aoun has said disarming Hezbollah is a "delicate" matter that requires dialogue.
Hezbollah, long a dominant force in Lebanon, was heavily weakened in its latest war with Israel.
Under the deal, Hezbollah was to withdraw its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River and Israel was to pull all its forces from south Lebanon, however it has kept troops in five areas it deems "strategic".
The Lebanese Army has been deploying in the area as Israeli forces have withdrawn and has been dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure there.
Israel's military still carries out regular strikes in Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure.
The ceasefire deal was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon, and that calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://mobile.naharnet.com/stories/en/312730 |