Gemayel: Nasrallah's Calls for Protests Eliminates Accord Reached by Pope's Visit
Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel questioned on Monday Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's call for protests against the anti-Islam film that sparked outrage in the Muslim world, noting that he made the announcement shortly after Pope Benedict XVI ended his trip to Lebanon.
He said during a press conference: “Nasrallah ended the accord, reached during the pontiff's visit, through this call for demonstrations.”
“The Lebanese scene cannot tolerate more rallies against the anti-Islam film, especially since there are no guarantees that can make sure that the situation at the demonstrations will not spiral out of control,” he remarked.
He noted that the last week's unrest in the northern city of Tripoli and the riot at Roumieh prison were aimed at thwarting the pope's visit.
Clashes broke out on Friday during a rally in Tripoli held in protest against the anti-Islam movie.
Gemayel questioned the timing of Nasrallah's speech, asking if he will achieve his desired goals.
“We have suffered greatly from abuse against the Cross and Christ because such practices have become common the West,” he continued.
“We understand the outrage against the movie, but is this the right way to defend the Koran?” he asked.
“The circumstances in Lebanon cannot support these rallies,” he added.
Nasrallah had called during his speech on Sunday for a series of rallies throughout Lebanon to protest the anti-Islam film.
“Can Nasrallah guarantee that situation will not spiral out of control? He had admitted in the past that Hizbullah had been infiltrated by foreign forces,” added Gemayel.
“Such actions will only increase the offense and not remove it,” he stated.
Commenting on Iranian Revolutionary Guard head Mohammed Ali Jaafari that Quds Force members were present in Lebanon, Gemayel praised President Michel Suleiman for summoning the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon to demand a clarification over such remarks.
“This is the first time that Iran has admitted to the presence of its forces in Lebanon and Syria,” said the Phalange Party leader.
“We want a clear response from Iranian authorities,” he stressed.
“The president has our support and we are fed up with forces using Lebanon for serving their interests,” he added.
"A number of Quds Force members are present in Lebanon and Syria... we provide (these countries) with counsel and advice, and transfer experience to them," Jaafari said during a press conference on Sunday.
He denied that the Iranian operatives were providing military assistance in Lebanon and Syria.
Source: Naharnet
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