continuous updates...
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Hamas threats force Israel to withdraw
Friday, Jan. 21, 2009
Israeli army "retreats" from Gaza
Israel no longer "military power"
Arabs humiliated by Hamas victory, says Iran
Israeli troops meet pull-out "ultimatum"
Israel has completed its troop pullout from Gaza within the one-week deadline Hamas had given to Prime Minister for his soldiers full withdrawal.
Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire on Sunday, after which Hamas responded positively by giving the IDF a 7 day deadline to withdraw all its forces from Gaza.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on Sunday declared the Israeli pull-out request as a "great victory" for all Palestinians, saying Tel Aviv had failed to achieve its objectives.
Iran's Foreign Minister said that the "outcome of Gaza offensive shows Israel is no longer in a position to boast of its military capabilities in the Middle East". Mr Mottaki said the "declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by Isirael indirectly acknowledges its admission of defeat; such defeats have burst the regime's bubble of delusion". The Israelis were under "the delusion that they can attain their goals within a week, but today they acknowledge that they had made mistakes in their estimations about Hamas' resistance and military capabilities".
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said "Arabs have been humilaited". He told Hamas leaders in Gaza that their victory has disgraced United Nations, United States, Israel and middle east's hypocrites: "Your jihad has disgraced Zionist regime and all its allies. Israeli army has faced “humiliation” in the face of your “patience and sacrifice” shown by “the brave holy warriors and the oppressed people of Gaza”. Ayatollah Khamenei denounced Arab "traitors" in the gaza crisis. He sent message to Prme Minister Ismail Haniya saying: "Be proud of your patience, courage and sacrifice." He said Arabs will suffer the same fate as Jew. In a 625 AD battle, Prophet Muhammad defeated the Jews of Medina and expelled them from Arabia.
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- Israel declares ceasefire
- Hamas declares "victory"
- Iran congratulates Hamas on defeating Israeli plans in Gaza
Monday 21 January 2009
President Ahmadinejad is first world leader to congralutate Palestinians on their victory against Israeli army. He also called on Arab to break off links with Israel and its allies.
Ahmadinejad said this was "the victory of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza."
Israel gave up its war in Gaza on Sunday and said it is withdrawing its forces.
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Friday, January 16
- Israel blows up UN food depot in Gaza
- Top Hamas leader rejects Iraeli demands to end the war
- Iran President slams Arabs for their silence on Israel
Israeli war planes bombed UN depot and destroyed its food storage compound in Gaza. Hundreds of tons of food aid and medicines were blown up with used white phosphorus bombs. The war enters the third week. UN sectretary general was in Israel and said he was shocked at the incident.
Hamas leader in Syria said he will not bow to Israeli condition to end Gaza war. Speaking to summit in Qatar, Khalid Meshal vowed he would not accpet unjust demands from nyone. "I assure you, despite all the destruction in Gaza, we will not accept Israel's conditions for a ceasefire," the Damascus-based leader told the gathering which included some of Israel's most hardline foes. "We tell our loved ones in Gaza, the aggression will soon crash on the rock of your steadfastness," Meshaal said at the opening of the meeting. "Our demands are: That the aggression stops, that the enemy retreats completely from Gaza, that the blockade is lifted without ever returning to it, and that the border crossing at Rafah (on the Egyptian border) is opened," Meshaal said, adding that only Egyptian and Palestinian forces are to supervise the border. Arab League chief Amr Mussa acknowledged that there was "chaos" in Arab ranks over the Gaza crisis as Arab foreign ministers gathered in Kuwait City for a separate, official meeting. The "Arab situation is in a very big chaos," Mussa told reporters as he entered the talks, which began two hours late. "It is regrettable and harmful."
The summit, attended by Israel's vehement foe Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and 13 of the Arab League's 22 members, went ahead despite objections of the Palestinian leadership and regional heavyweights Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Before arriving in Qatar, Ahmadinejad accused Arab states of complicity in 'genocide' being carried out against Palestinians in Gaza: "Unfortunately, some states in the Arab and Islamic region tolerate or support this rare genocide with silence or a smile of satisfaction," he said in a letter to Saudi King Abdullah, referring to the Israeli operation in Gaza. "Your Excellency, the king of Saudi Arabia and the custodian of the two holy mosques.., it is expected from you to break the silence over this obvious atrocity and killing of your own children," Ahmadinejad said in the letter, carried on his website. In a stinging rebuke to Arab leaders, Iranian President said on Thursday some of them were standing back in silence and even supporting Zionist attacks on Gaza: "(They) are expecting that this defenceless people's existence will be broken and that they surrender to the oppression of the occupiers," he said, urging King Abdullah "to break his silence and announce his view" on the crisis. Iran does not recognise Israel's right to exist and the president says the Jewish state is destined to disappear, a position he repeated in his letter to the Saudi monarch."With God's help and relying on the Gaza people's resistance and belief in God, undoubtedly the Zionist regime will fail and will eventually collapse," he wrote. Iran has publicly backed Hamas in Gaza as some Western and Arab states have sought to isolate the Islamist group. Analysts say Iran has highlighted its support to win over the Arab public and emphasise its influence in the region to the United States. In another message, Ahmadinejad took the unusual step of addressing Israeli troops, calling on them to disobey their commanders. He also urged "residents of occupied Palestine," a reference to Israelis and Palestinians, to publicly protest. "You soldiers of the Zionist regime ... Why should you kill innocent women and children? The time has come for you to protest against your commanders and disobey their orders," he said in the second message, also published on his website. Iranian hardliners have staged a series of protests in support of Palestinians, in particular gathering outside the Jordanian embassy and Egypt's diplomatic mission. Both Arab countries have peace treaties with Israel. Protesters have focussed on Egypt, which does not have full diplomatic ties with Iran, for closing its border with Gaza. In an interview with Iran's Arabic-language satellite channel Al-Alam, Ahmadinejad urged Egypt to open the crossing. The Saudi government, which sees itself as the leader of mainstream Sunni Islam, has refrained from explicitly blaming Hamas for the offensive, but writers close to the government have blamed Hamas for aligning itself with Shi'ite power Iran. Saudi Arabia has long been wary of Iran and its ambitions in the Gulf.
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January 16: Kaufman: Israeli "Nazis"
UK Jewish lawmaker: Israel behaving like Hitler's Germany
British MP says Israel is "acting like Nazis"
A Jewish member of Britain's parliament accused Israel of exploiting Holocaust guilt to justify its actions in the Gaza Strip.
MP compared the Hamas militants in Gaza to Jewish resistance fighters during the Second World War.
A prominent Jewish MP has compared the actions of Israeli troops with Nazis who forced his family to flee Poland.
Sir Gerald Kaufman, of Manchester, drew the parallel during a Commons debate on the Gaza conflict: He was brought up as an orthodox Jew and Zionist, told Parliament in London: "The present Israeli government ruthlessly and cynically exploit the continuing guilt from Germans over the slaughter of Jews in the Holocaust as justification for their murder of Palestinians. My grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came to her home town. A German soldier shot her dead in her bed. My grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israeli soldiers murdering Palestinian grandmothers in Gaza. We had an IRA bomb in Manchester which destroyed much of the centre - we didn't send troops over to Belfast to murder 1,000 Catholics. I am not going to stand by and keep silent when the Israeli troops - with a dreadful government sending them there - kill large numbers of innocent people..."
Some MP thought that Sir Gerald Kaufman has been highly critical of Israel's actions.
Kaufman's chilling and devastating speech during the Parialementt debate on Gaza - in which he compared Israeli "murderers" to Nazis - was breathtaking box office and showed that at 78 Sir Gerald remains one of Parliament's star performers.
Kaufman said "A few days ago on TV, the spokeswoman for the Israeli army, Major Leibovich, was asked about the Israeli killing of, at that time, 800 Palestinians. The total is now 1,000. She replied instantly that '500 of them were militants'. That was the reply of a Nazi. I suppose the Jews fighting for their lives in the Warsaw ghetto could have been dismissed as militants."
After condemning the Gaza operations, the Labour MP called for an arms embargo on Israel.
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Calls for Arab League to move to Venezuela
Wednesday, January 14:
Kuwaiti Member of Parliament called for Arab League to move their headquaters from Cairo to Caracus.
Waleed, a Kuwaiti Islamist MP, called on Wednesday for shifting the Arab League headquarters to the Venezuelan capital after that country's President expelled the Israel's ambassador because of its onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
Mr Waleed said the muslim instituation should be taken to Venezuela. President Hugo Chavez shamed the Arabs by expelling the Israeli ambassador after its war on Gaza.
He criticised Egypt, which hosts the headquarters of the 22-member Arab League, for"refusing to open the Rafah" border to allow the passage of food and medical supplies to the battered Palestinian territory. His call was echoed by other MPs who also called for sending more aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.
Waleed said that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "has proved that he was more Arab than some Arabs."
President Chavez expelled Israel's ambassador to Caracas in protest against the Israeli killings of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel retaliated a day later, saying it was expelling Venezuela's charge d'affaires.
Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania, the only Arab countries to have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state, have ignored public calls to expel Israeli diplomats. An Israeli trade office in Qatar also remains open.
970 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli in 18 days of air bombing campaign in Gaza. 4250 people had been wounded. Most of the deaths and injuries are civilians including women and children. Only 3 Israeli civilians had died in the same period.
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Iran calls for boycott of Israeli goods
Tuesday, January 13:
Iran urged Muslims to refrain from any business transaction which could benefit the enemiesof Islam.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on all Muslims should avoid buying or promoting anyIsraeli-linked product: "Since the Zionists are now at war with Islam, Muslims should avoid any action which might bring profit to [Israelis]."
"The purchase, import, re-import and promotion of any product whose profits will be given to Israeli occupiers directly or indirectly is forbidden and Muslims are prohibited from doing so," Khamenei said.
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Hamas predicts victory against Israel
Monday, January 12
The defiant leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip vowed on Monday the Islamists would emerge victorious from the war in the Palestinian territory as Israeli tanks advanced on the main city
After 17 days of conflict which have so far killedmore than 900 Palestinians, Ismail Haniya made a rare televised address only hours after his Israeli counterpart threatened to hit Hamas with an "ironfist" if it did not end the rocket attacks which the war itself is designed to halt.
"We are approaching victory," Haniya, the Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, said in his broadcast from an undisclosed location.
"I tell you that after 17 days of this foolish war, Gaza has not been broken and Gaza will not fall."
Haniya also said the "blood of children" who have been killed in the conflict would serve as a "curse which will come back to haunt" United States.
On Sunday, Iran has also said that Israel faced "defeat" in Gaza.
Defense Minister Mustafa Najjar said "Israel will face a humiliating defeat". He said war in Gaza will be worse for Israel that its 33-day war with Lebanon in 2006.
Iran: Bush 'guilty of condoning Gaza genocide'
Friday, January 10
Top Iranian religious cleric has criticized the Bush administration in U.S. for condoning the genocide carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Ayatolallah Ahmed Khatami slammed Bush: "He leaves office with a trackrecord filled with the murder and massacre of thousands."
The religious leader said "US media outlets have reported that no other American president has told so many lies. In his November 10 United Nation address, Bush used the words, terror, terrorism, and human rights more than 37 times… this is while the U.S. is on the front line of violating human rights."
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Saturday January 10:
Gaza clinic has been destroyed by Israel
Janet Symes of Christian Aid said the clinic for mothers and babies in Gaza, which it funds along with the EU, has been destroyed in an Israeli bomb. Marked ambulances had been parked outside the clinic. The clinic, which was run by the Near East Council of Churches, was struck by a missile after a 15 minute warning was sent to the building's owners.
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Egypt fails to open border to help Palestinians
Tuesday, January 6:
Beirut - Lebanon
Leader of the powerful Lebanese Hezbollah group Hassan Nasrallah reiterated his criticism of Egypt for "failing to open the Rafah border" with Gaza and attacked the U.N. Security Council for "not acting" to condemn the Israeli aggression which began Dec. 27.
Nasrallah slammed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on 6th Jan. for refusing to open the Rafah border crossing:
"A senior Egyptian official asked the Security Council if it needed to see more than 650 Palestinians killed and 2,500 injured in order to act responsibly. And I ask Egypt: Do you need more than 650 dead people to open the Rafah crossing permanently to help the people of Gaza toward their victory? I am only asking (Egypt) for the opening of a crossing and not another front."
Celebrating his victory over Israel in 2006 war, Hezbollah chief promised to make the next war look like 'a walk in the park'.
Nasrallah hailed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for expelling Israel's ambassador to Caracas saying that all countries, including Arab states, must follow his example.
"Arab governments must learn from this great Latin American leader how to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people and must severe relations with Israel," he said.
Nasrallah said his guerrillas are ready to finish Israel: "Lebanon war was just a walk in the park compared to what we have in store for you."
The Hizbullah chief pointed that Hamas had two choices: "Either to extend the truce with Israel and die of hunger, or end the truce and break the siege.
During the gathering, Nasrallah told thousands of supporters that only the Hamas leadership in Gaza is the decision-maker and it alone accepts or rejects calls for calm. "The resistance was never and shall never be anyone's pawn."
During his address Nasrallah mocked Israeli calls for toppling Hamas:
"I tell Olmert, the loser, the defeated leader in Lebanon, that you cannot beat Hamas and Hizbullah," Nasrallah vowed.
"Your jets will not frighten us, and your threats will not frighten us. We are ready for any aggression," Nasrallah said, adding that in the event of a new offensive on Lebanon "you will discover what is waiting for you."
Nasrallah called for massive rally on Wednesday 7 Jan: "Regardless of weather, you are called upon to renew your commitment to the resistance and to renew your animosity to Israel and the Great Satan which orders Israel (to kill Palestinians)."
Hezbollah chief chastised "Arab leaders" for trying to mediate a truce between Hamas and Israel, instead of siding with the embattled Palestinians in Gaza. (Report Jan.6)
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Israel to "lose war in Gaza"
Friday, 2 January:
Beirut - Lebanon
Nasrallah says Israel is doomed to failure despite its massive offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah says the Arab leaders of the region are collaborating with the "Israeli aggressor" in Gaza.
On Wednesday, five days after Israel launched its all-out aggression against the Gaza Strip, Arab foreign ministers met in Cairo to seek a common position in response to the Israeli attacks on the impoverished area.
Arab foreign ministers agreed to send a ministerial delegation to New York in order to seek a solution to the crisis. The meeting ended with no apparent results other than the officials urging a cease-fire in the Palestinian territory.
"Why have the Arab foreign ministers delayed their trip to the Security Council until Monday? They could have sent their delegation on Wednesday," Nasrallah responded on Friday.
Hezbollah leader told a crowd in Beirut that the Arabs trip was delayed to give Israel ample time to destroy Hamas.
"We repeatedly told them during our 2006 war, amid Israel's bombing campaigns in Lebanon that we don't seek anything from the Arab leaders, just leave us alone," continued Nasrallah, suggesting that certain Arab leaders are partners in the Israeli crimes against Gaza.
Nasrallah had previously stated that if Arab world cannot alleviate the problems in Gaza, they must avoid fueling tensions on the issue. (Report Jan.2)
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Editorial:
Gaza slaughter shows in its full bloody fury the Arab hatred of Iran. Jews themselves are not blood thirsty people they are made out to be. It is Arabs leaders who are pushing Israel to commit slaughter in Gaza, just as the same Arab leaders urged Israel to wage war on Lebanon in 2006. Powerful Lebanese leader Hasan Nasrallah revealed in speech on 28 December 2008 that Israel was used as a weapon by Arabs to destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon. U.S. is desperately seeking to settle the 60 year old Israeli-Palestinians conflict. U.S. is now using Arabs, and, in turn Arabs are using Israel, in a deadly power game in Middle East.
Previous stories:
http://hasannasrallah.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html
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Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Hezbollah history
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Hassan Nasrallah - Lebanese leader
born August 31, 1960, Beirut, Lebanon.
Nasrallah, Lebanese militia and political leader who served as
Secretary General of Hezbollah ("Party of God") from 1992.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was raised in the impoverished Karantina district of eastern Beirut, where his father ran a small grocery store.
As a boy Nasrallah was an earnest student of Islam.
After the outbreak of civil war in Lebanon in 1975 caused the family to flee south from Beirut, Nasrallah joined Amal, a Lebanese Shia paramilitary group with ties to Iran and Syria. Soon afterward he left for Najaf, Iraq, to study at the Shia seminary there.
Following the expulsion of hundreds of Lebanese students from Iraq in 1978, he returned to Lebanon and fought with Amal, becoming the group’s Al-Biqa Valley commander. Following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Nasrallah left Amal to join the nascent Hezbollah movement, a more-radical force that was heavily influenced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Nasrallah rose through Hezbollah’s ranks, and in 1988, when tensions with Amal flared, Nasrallah fought on the front lines. He assumed leadership of Hezbollah in 1992 after his predecessor, Sheikh Abbas al-Musawi, was killed by an Israeli missile. As a leader and cleric, Nasrallah relied on charisma and subtle charm to express his message. He was not a fiery or intimidating speaker. Rather, he came across as thoughtful, humble, and at times humorous. He emphasized the importance of Arab dignity and honour.
Under Nasrallah, Hezbollah staged attacks on Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon until Israel withdrew in 2000. Nasrallah was not unscathed in the effort. In 1997 his 18-year-old son, Hadi, was killed while fighting Israeli forces. Nasrallah was also credited with arranging a prisoner exchange with Israel in 2004 that many Arabs considered a victory.
In July 2006, in an effort to pressure Israel into releasing three Lebanese jailed in Israeli prisons, Hezbollah paramilitary forces launched a military operation from the south, killing a number of Israeli soldiers and abducting two. This action led Israel to launch a major military offensive against Hezbollah. At the beginning of the war, some Arab leaders criticized Nasrallah and Hezbollah for inciting the conflict. But by the end of the 34-day war, which resulted in the deaths of 1,000 Lebanese and the displacement of some one million others, Nasrallah had declared victory and had emerged as a revered leader in much of the Arab world, as Hezbollah was able to fight the Israeli Defense Forces to a standstill—a feat that no other Arab militia had accomplished.
Hezbollah - (“Party of God”) - Lebanese organization
Also spelled Hizbollah, or Hezbullah, etc.
Hezbollah - Main militia group and political party that first emerged as a faction in Lebanon following the Israeli invasion of that country in 1982.
Shia Muslims, traditionally the weakest religious group in Lebanon, first found their voice in the moderate and largely secular Amal movement. Following the Islamic Revolution in Shia Iran in 1979 and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, a group of Lebanese Shia clerics formed Hezbollah with the goal of driving Israel from Lebanon and establishing an Islamic state there.
Hezbollah was based in the predominately Shia areas of the Biqa Valley, southern Lebanon, and southern Beirut. It coordinated its efforts closely with Iran, from which it acquired substantial logistical support, and drew its manpower largely from disaffected younger, more radical members of Amal. Throughout the 1980s Hezbollah engaged in increasingly sophisticated attacks against Israel and fought in Lebanon’s civil war (1975–90), repeatedly coming to blows with Amal. During this time, Hezbollah allegedly engaged in terrorist attacks including kidnappings and car bombings, directed predominantly against Westerners, but also established a comprehensive social services network for its supporters.
Hezbollah was one of the few militia groups not disarmed by the Syrians at the end of the civil war, and they continued to fight a sustained guerrilla campaign against Israel in southern Lebanon until Israel’s withdrawal in 2000. Hezbollah emerged as a leading political party in post-civil war Lebanon.
On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah, in an attempt to pressure Israel into releasing three Lebanese jailed in Israeli prisons, launched a military operation against Israel, killing a number of Israeli soldiers and abducting two as prisoners of war. This action led Israel to launch a major military offensive against Hezbollah. The 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Lebanese and the displacement of some 1,000,000. Fighting the Israeli Defense Forces to a standstill—a feat no other Arab militia had accomplished—Hezbollah and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, emerged as heroes throughout much of the Arab world. In the months following the war, Hezbollah used its prestige to attempt to topple Lebanon’s government after its demands for more cabinet seats were not met: its members, along with those of the Amal militia, resigned from the cabinet. The opposition then declared that the remaining cabinet had lost its legitimacy and demanded the formation of a new government in which Hezbollah and its opposition allies would possess the power of veto.
Late the following year, efforts by the National Assembly to select a successor at the end of Lebanese Pres. Émile Lahoud’s nine-year term were stalemated by the continued power struggle between the Hezbollah-led opposition and the Western-backed government. A boycott by the opposition—which continued to seek the veto power it had been denied—prevented the assembly from reaching a two-thirds quorum. Lahoud’s term expired in November 2007, and the presidency remained unoccupied as the factions struggled to reach a consensus on a candidate and the makeup of the new government.
In May 2008, clashes between Hezbollah forces and government supporters in Beirut were sparked by government decisions that included plans to dismantle Hezbollah’s private telecommunications network. Nasrallah equated the government decisions with a declaration of war and mobilized Hezbollah forces, which quickly took control of parts of Beirut. In the following days the government reversed the decisions that had sparked the outbreak of violence, and a summit attended by both factions in Qatar led to an agreement granting the Hezbollah-led opposition the veto power it had long sought.
In July 2008 Hezbollah and Israel concluded an agreement securing the exchange of several Lebanese prisoners and the remains of Lebanese and Palestinian fighters in return for the remains of Israeli soldiers, including the bodies of two soldiers whose capture by Hezbollah had sparked the brief war two years earlier.
Links:
See articles below from 2000 to 2008.
---------------------
Hassan Nasrallah - Lebanese leader
born August 31, 1960, Beirut, Lebanon.
Nasrallah, Lebanese militia and political leader who served as
Secretary General of Hezbollah ("Party of God") from 1992.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was raised in the impoverished Karantina district of eastern Beirut, where his father ran a small grocery store.
As a boy Nasrallah was an earnest student of Islam.
After the outbreak of civil war in Lebanon in 1975 caused the family to flee south from Beirut, Nasrallah joined Amal, a Lebanese Shia paramilitary group with ties to Iran and Syria. Soon afterward he left for Najaf, Iraq, to study at the Shia seminary there.
Following the expulsion of hundreds of Lebanese students from Iraq in 1978, he returned to Lebanon and fought with Amal, becoming the group’s Al-Biqa Valley commander. Following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Nasrallah left Amal to join the nascent Hezbollah movement, a more-radical force that was heavily influenced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Nasrallah rose through Hezbollah’s ranks, and in 1988, when tensions with Amal flared, Nasrallah fought on the front lines. He assumed leadership of Hezbollah in 1992 after his predecessor, Sheikh Abbas al-Musawi, was killed by an Israeli missile. As a leader and cleric, Nasrallah relied on charisma and subtle charm to express his message. He was not a fiery or intimidating speaker. Rather, he came across as thoughtful, humble, and at times humorous. He emphasized the importance of Arab dignity and honour.
Under Nasrallah, Hezbollah staged attacks on Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon until Israel withdrew in 2000. Nasrallah was not unscathed in the effort. In 1997 his 18-year-old son, Hadi, was killed while fighting Israeli forces. Nasrallah was also credited with arranging a prisoner exchange with Israel in 2004 that many Arabs considered a victory.
In July 2006, in an effort to pressure Israel into releasing three Lebanese jailed in Israeli prisons, Hezbollah paramilitary forces launched a military operation from the south, killing a number of Israeli soldiers and abducting two. This action led Israel to launch a major military offensive against Hezbollah. At the beginning of the war, some Arab leaders criticized Nasrallah and Hezbollah for inciting the conflict. But by the end of the 34-day war, which resulted in the deaths of 1,000 Lebanese and the displacement of some one million others, Nasrallah had declared victory and had emerged as a revered leader in much of the Arab world, as Hezbollah was able to fight the Israeli Defense Forces to a standstill—a feat that no other Arab militia had accomplished.
Hezbollah - (“Party of God”) - Lebanese organization
Also spelled Hizbollah, or Hezbullah, etc.
Hezbollah - Main militia group and political party that first emerged as a faction in Lebanon following the Israeli invasion of that country in 1982.
Shia Muslims, traditionally the weakest religious group in Lebanon, first found their voice in the moderate and largely secular Amal movement. Following the Islamic Revolution in Shia Iran in 1979 and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, a group of Lebanese Shia clerics formed Hezbollah with the goal of driving Israel from Lebanon and establishing an Islamic state there.
Hezbollah was based in the predominately Shia areas of the Biqa Valley, southern Lebanon, and southern Beirut. It coordinated its efforts closely with Iran, from which it acquired substantial logistical support, and drew its manpower largely from disaffected younger, more radical members of Amal. Throughout the 1980s Hezbollah engaged in increasingly sophisticated attacks against Israel and fought in Lebanon’s civil war (1975–90), repeatedly coming to blows with Amal. During this time, Hezbollah allegedly engaged in terrorist attacks including kidnappings and car bombings, directed predominantly against Westerners, but also established a comprehensive social services network for its supporters.
Hezbollah was one of the few militia groups not disarmed by the Syrians at the end of the civil war, and they continued to fight a sustained guerrilla campaign against Israel in southern Lebanon until Israel’s withdrawal in 2000. Hezbollah emerged as a leading political party in post-civil war Lebanon.
On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah, in an attempt to pressure Israel into releasing three Lebanese jailed in Israeli prisons, launched a military operation against Israel, killing a number of Israeli soldiers and abducting two as prisoners of war. This action led Israel to launch a major military offensive against Hezbollah. The 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Lebanese and the displacement of some 1,000,000. Fighting the Israeli Defense Forces to a standstill—a feat no other Arab militia had accomplished—Hezbollah and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, emerged as heroes throughout much of the Arab world. In the months following the war, Hezbollah used its prestige to attempt to topple Lebanon’s government after its demands for more cabinet seats were not met: its members, along with those of the Amal militia, resigned from the cabinet. The opposition then declared that the remaining cabinet had lost its legitimacy and demanded the formation of a new government in which Hezbollah and its opposition allies would possess the power of veto.
Late the following year, efforts by the National Assembly to select a successor at the end of Lebanese Pres. Émile Lahoud’s nine-year term were stalemated by the continued power struggle between the Hezbollah-led opposition and the Western-backed government. A boycott by the opposition—which continued to seek the veto power it had been denied—prevented the assembly from reaching a two-thirds quorum. Lahoud’s term expired in November 2007, and the presidency remained unoccupied as the factions struggled to reach a consensus on a candidate and the makeup of the new government.
In May 2008, clashes between Hezbollah forces and government supporters in Beirut were sparked by government decisions that included plans to dismantle Hezbollah’s private telecommunications network. Nasrallah equated the government decisions with a declaration of war and mobilized Hezbollah forces, which quickly took control of parts of Beirut. In the following days the government reversed the decisions that had sparked the outbreak of violence, and a summit attended by both factions in Qatar led to an agreement granting the Hezbollah-led opposition the veto power it had long sought.
In July 2008 Hezbollah and Israel concluded an agreement securing the exchange of several Lebanese prisoners and the remains of Lebanese and Palestinian fighters in return for the remains of Israeli soldiers, including the bodies of two soldiers whose capture by Hezbollah had sparked the brief war two years earlier.
Links:
See articles below from 2000 to 2008.
---------------------
Nasrallah victory speeches
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Speech two days after the start of the war with Israel:
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
Speech on 14th July 2006:
"Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings!
To begin with, in this first address that I make to you since Operation
True Promise [capture of two Israeli soldiers] and the
events that followed it, I would like, to begin with, to offer my
appreciation and condolences to the families of the martyrs, those who
gave the dearest of their loved ones during these hard and difficult
days, and for all they have given in the noblest confrontation and
battle that the modern age has known or rather that all history has known.
I want to salute the wounded, and beseech God — be He glorified and
exalted — to sustain them, heal them and bring them health. I also wish
to salute our steadfast people in all the cities, towns and villages who
are standing firm and immoveable, rooted in their land as they are
rooted in their faith. I also salute my brothers the Mujahideen, the
steadfast resistance fighters, enduring hardship at their posts and in
all our ranks, ever ready for sacrifice in the path of what they
believe. They always have and always will regard their own safety
lightly and hold their heads high with pride.
In this first address that I give in these days following Operation True
Promise, I would like to say a few words — a word to the Lebanese
people, a word to the resistance fighters, a word to the Zionists, and a
word to the Arab rulers. I will not offer words to the international
community because I have never for one day believed that there is any
such thing as an international community, just as many in our nation feel.
First, I say to the Lebanese people: dear people — who embraced the
resistance, by whom the resistance was victorious, and for whom the
resistance won its victory on 25 May 2000 — this people who were the
makers of the first victory in the history of the Arab struggle with the
Israeli enemy, despite the basic inequality in forces, and in spite of
the fact that the majority of our Arab brothers and the majority of our
Muslim brothers abandoned us and despite the silence of the whole world,
this Lebanese people made the miracle of the victory that stunned the
world and humiliated the Zionists. Those Zionists look upon this people
in a special, unique way because they accomplished in the history of the
struggle with them a special and unique accomplishment.
The battle today is no longer a battle over prisoners or the exchange of
prisoners. It might be said that the Zionist enemy is responding any
time there is any operation where men are captured anywhere in any part
of the world, by any army or any state that has borders and regulations.
What is taking place today is not a response to a capture of their
soldiers; it is a squaring of accounts with the people, resistance,
state, army, political forces, regions, villages, and families that
inflicted that historic defeat on that aggressive usurper entity that
has never accepted its defeat.
Today, therefore, this is a total war that Zionism is waging to clear
its whole account with Lebanon, the Lebanese people, the Lebanese state,
the Lebanese army, and the Lebanese resistance, in revenge and reprisal
for the victory they won on 25 May 2000.
Dear steadfast, mujahid, and noble people, I know that the overwhelming
majority of this people, in their minds, hearts, wills, culture,
thoughts, love, passion, and sacrifice are a people of nobility,
dignity, honor, distinction, and pride, not a people of servility,
subservience, submissiveness, and surrender. I say to you that in this
battle we are faced with two choices — not we, as in Hizballah, or as in
the resistance, the Hizballah resistance — but Lebanon as a state, a
people, an army, a resistance, and a political power — we are faced with
two choices: either to submit today to the conditions that the Zionist
enemy wants to dictate to us all, using the pressure, support, and
backing it has from America, from around the world, and, I’m sorry to
say, from Arabs.
Either we submit completely to its conditions, which means taking
Lebanon into an Israeli age under Israeli domination — in total
frankness this is the extent of the matter — or we stand steadfast. That
is the other choice: that we persevere, that we persevere and confront.
I, relying on God the Exalted, and on my faith in Him and the mujahideen
and in you, knowing this people and this enemy, just as I always used to
promise you victory, now I promise you victory once again.
During the Grapes of Wrath in 1996, or Operation Settling of Accounts in
1993, in the beginning they had the upper hand and our situation was
much worse. But today, the situation is different. Believe me, and I
mean this, the situation now is different. All that we need is to
persevere, stand steadfast, and confront them united, and I know and I
will bet that the majority of our people are a people of steadfastness,
a mujahid [struggling] people who can sacrifice, who have no need for
pep talks. What I’m saying now is only by way of completing the idea,
and affirming the choice, and clarifying what this means.
Now, as for my words for the resistance fighters, for my dear and
beloved brothers: upon them rest the hopes of every Lebanese, every
Palestinian, every Arab, every Muslim, every free and decent person in
this world, every oppressed, tortured victim of injustice, every lover
of steadfastness, courage, dignity, values, and nobility — the
characteristics they embody by their presence on the field of battle and
in their fight with this enemy, the fight of valiant heroes. I say to
them: today, after God the Highest, you are the hope of our Nation. You
are the symbol of our nobility. Our honor is in your hands.
This honor is yours and by means of you, our honor is preserved. After
God the Exalted, it was you who were responsible for the victory of
2000. Today it is you, before all others, who are responsible for
preserving the victory, for achieving liberation, standing steadfast,
and with honor. This places demands on you that you, in practice, have
proved until now and during these days that you are entirely worthy of,
as you are worthy of our esteem. Those who put their trust in you, after
God, their charge is great, the reward will be grand, and the mighty
victory — a clear triumph — is near.
To the Zionists, to the people of the Zionist entity at this hour I say
to them: you will soon discover how foolish and stupid are your new
rulers, your new leaders. They do not know how to assess reality. They
have no experience in this area. You Zionists say in opinion polls that
you believe me more than you believe your officials. So now I call on
you to listen well and believe me. Today we have persevered despite the
attack that took place last night in the southern suburbs. However the
attacks multiply in every village, neighborhood, street, and home in
Lebanon, there is no difference between the south Beirut suburbs, the
City of Beirut, or any home in south Lebanon, in the Beqaa, or the
north, or Mount Lebanon, or any corner of Lebanon.
The equation has now changed. I will not say today that if you strike
Beirut, we will strike Haifa. I will not tell you that if you hit the
south Beirut suburbs, we will hit Haifa. You wanted to get rid of that
equation, so now we and you have got rid of it in actuality. You wanted
open warfare, and we are going into open warfare. We are ready for it, a
war on every level. To Haifa, and, believe me, to beyond Haifa, and to
beyond beyond Haifa. Not only we will be paying a price. Not only our
houses will be destroyed. Not only our children will be killed. Not only
our people will be displaced. Those days are past. That was how it was
before 1982, and before the year 2000.
Those times have come to an end. I promise you those times have passed.
Therefore you must also bear the responsibility for what your government
has done, for what that government has undertaken. From now on, you
wanted open warfare, so it will be open warfare. You wanted it. Your
government wanted to change the rules of the game, so let the rules then
be changed. You don’t know today whom you’re fighting. You are fighting
the children of Muhammad, of Ali, of al-Hasan, of al-Husayn, of the
Prophet’s family, the Prophet’s Companions.
You are fighting a people who have faith such as no one else on the face
of the earth possesses. And you have chosen open warfare with a people
who take pride in their history, their civilization, and their culture,
and who also possess material power, ability, expertise, knowledge,
calm, imagination, determination, steadfastness, and courage. In the
coming days it will be between us and you, God willing.
As to the Arab rulers, I don’t want to ask you about your history. I
just want to say a few words. We are adventurers. We in Hizballah are
adventurers, yes. But we have been adventurers since 1982. And we have
brought to our country only victory, freedom, liberation, dignity,
honor, and pride. This is our history. This is our experience. This is
our adventure.
In the year 1982 you said and the world said that we were crazy. But we
proved that we were the rational ones, so who then was crazy? This is
something else and I don’t want to get into an argument with anyone. So
I tell them simply: go bet on your reason and we will bet on our
adventure, with God as our Supporter and Benefactor. We have never for
one day counted on you. We have trusted in God, our people, our hearts,
our hands, and our children. Today we do the same, and God willing,
victory will follow.
The surprises that I promised you will begin starting now. Now, out at
sea off the coast of Beirut an Israeli military vessel that attacked our
infrastructure, that struck the homes of our people, our civilians; you
can see it burning. It will sink and with it dozens of Zionist Israeli
troops. This is the beginning. There will be a lot more said before the end.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God!"
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Nasrallah's address at height of the war with Israel:
Speech on 29 July 2006:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful
May the blessing and peace of Allah be upon our lord prophet Mohammad (p), his infallible household and his chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.
May peace be upon all of you...
Allah says in his glorious book, "In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful: "God hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Quran: and who is more faithful to his covenant than God? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme." Allah the Almighty Speaks the Truth.
Brothers and sisters, Beloved ones;
On the eighteenth day of the barbaric Zionist attack on Lebanon, the barbaric Zionist-US attack on Lebanon, it is my duty to address you again and display several points that are connected to the various aspects of the present confrontation, politically, operationally, publicly, and officially on the level of Lebanon and the level of the nation. I would like to particularly conclude my message by saying a few words in reply to the message of the combatants that was circulated yesterday.
First, I will begin with the field because what is happening on the ground is the conclusive element regarding the developments of the confrontation. It is also tied to the political developments and the attempts of pursuing a solution for the crisis. This is one of the blessings of the field legendary steadfastness of the resistance in Lebanon, Lebanese people, Lebanon in its entirety, sects, areas, spectrums and institutions.
It is evident to this moment that the Zionist enemy has been unable to accomplish any military achievement. It is not me who is saying this; they are saying, the entire world is saying, and the political and military analysts are saying this issue. When they talk about the war, they say that the enemy is seeking a military achievement that can enable it enter a certain settlement. Everyone admits to this moment that the enemy has been unable to accomplish a military achievement. On the other hand, destroying the infrastructure, killing the civilians, and demolishing the buildings do not mirror a military achievement pertaining to the military significance. Instead, this is a barbaric and monstrous accomplishment, which cannot allow it [the enemy] to invest it on the political field.
To this moment, the enemy has been unable to accomplish any real military achievement. Instead, it is facing wide military failures and receiving fatal blows on the military level. Briefly, until now, regarding this aspect, the most important battleship of the marine has been destroyed, and it is one of three. This is on the field of the sea. Its marines received a fatal and disgraceful blow. Besides, the enemy ground forces, the most important brigade of its ground forces, which is Golani brigade, was inflicted with a disgraceful defeat. Even one of the senior officers of this brigade said that the force that was destroyed at the peripheries or at the triangle of heroism, manliness, courage and magnanimity, the triangle of Maroun Errass-Bint Jbail-Aytaroun, represented the spearhead of Golani brigade. This is the crème of the elite of the Israeli army. It was entirely destroyed, inflicted with deaths, injuries, and psychological illnesses. One can watch some of the images. Why some of the soldiers were being moved on the stretchers while lying face down? This is because the injuries were in their backs. This crème was running away like the mice from the battlefield.
On the level of the air, there is a restricted hovering of the helicopters, and there is a total dependence on the warplanes. Until now, thousands of raids, thousands of explosive tons, destroyed bridges, buildings, roads, and killed civilians and women. The Israeli air force has been unable to stop the shelling of the settlements. Instead, the shelling entered the after-Haifa stage with full capacity.
Besides the frustrations and failures, the enemy seeks to hide its losses. It is not us who seeks to hide its losses. The information we received from the field confirm that its losses are much larger than what the enemy announces. It is employing a gradual announcement. Why should the enemy until now impose severe restriction on the media means and its news? This is because it does not want its people and our people realize the size of the financial, human and spiritual losses that are being inflicted upon this enemy.
Moreover, the polls that are being announced, we have information form inside that they are being fabricated as part of the psychological war. However, there are facts which the enemy cannot conceal from its people, our people and the world.
Brothers and sisters; throughout the entire Arab-Israeli conflict, when did two million Israelis have to migrate or stay in shelters for 18 days and more. This number will also increase as we expand our attack in the after-Haifa stage. Striking the city of Afoula and its airbase is the beginning of this stage. There are several cities in the center that will become targets for the after-Haifa stage should the barbaric attack continue on our homeland, people and villages.
Can the enemy hide the size of the gigantic financial and economic losses that damaged this entity? I will leave the answer to the specialists in this field. However, the most important loss according to the view and moral of the people of this entity with its leadership, invincible army and great security apparatuses with their capacities resides in the fact that they are facing a small country of small number in size, people and capacities, coupled with a public resistance of limited financial and human capacity, but it is rigid pertaining to willpower and faith.
This issue explains the words of Shimon Perez, that it was a battle of life or death to "Israel". Surely he does not mean that the resistance in Lebanon will conquer and liberate Palestine as well as eliminate and exterminate the entity. But he truly understands that should this Lebanese magnificent steadfastness and this heroism see victory it will kill the hegemony, haughtiness, supremacy, and spirit upon which his entity rose. Hence, this enemy will have no future left. This is the story of life and death in the present battle of "Israel".
When the nation of this emerging state loses its trust with its legendary army, this means the beginning of the end of this entity. This means that "Israel" was a state built for an army, and that there is no state army in "Israel". When they begin feeling that this army is becoming weak, fragile, defeated, disgraced and failed, surely the issue will become an issue of life or death.
Brothers and sisters; the only way open for the enemy is to pressurize Lebanon, the resistance, the state and the people. This issue merely pertains to increasing the humane and social ordeal via the displacement of more people, the killing of more civilians, and the destruction of more homes and infrastructure. It is hoping to employ this ordeal in its political pressure on everyone in order to achieve through politics that which it could not achieve through the military might. This issue can be frustrated O people through your endurance, steadfastness and rigidity.
Within this context, Miss Rice is returning to the region and trying to impose its conditions again on Lebanon to serve its project of the new Middle East and to serve "Israel". At this point, we must understand - knowing that we have information that the Israeli has become ready and willing to stop the aggression, because it is now afraid of the unknown and further implication - that he who insists on continuing the aggression on Lebanon is the US administration.
Today, more than ever, "Israel" seems to be an obedient and executive instrument of a US project and decision of this context. For Lebanon to win the war, it requires a political will. This means Lebanon needs and political will that is not less than the will of the resistance fighters at the battlefield and not less than the will of the steadfast and displaced people as well as those in solidarity with them of all the Lebanese people.
Today, Lebanon needs a unanimous national will in order to preserve all these sacrifices from being wasted.
We are keen to provide this will and this solidarity. We are keen at this stage that the government be strong and bear its national responsibilities for the sake of Lebanon and its people. We are keen to cooperate with the government and all the political currents and forces as well as present Lebanon as united and coherent, embracing that which will guarantee and preserve its national interests. We are behaving upon this basis. However, the government is surely required to act while inspired by that which the Lebanese are expressing of their steadfastness, unity, and rise above the injuries with the willingness to sacrifice.
We must all understand that, despite this destruction, and because of our steadfastness, we have a historic chance in Lebanon in order to liberate each span of our soil, restore the prisoners and guarantee our national sovereignty sparing our skies, water, land, and human beings from the Zionist penetration and attack.
O Lebanese; it is important for us to maintain our steadfastness in order to triumph God willing. And we will triumph, God willing. I would like to comment on the issue of the victory, the employment of the victory, and the gifting of the victory which I heard a few days ago. I read several articles and listened to several political interviews. The question is: what if the resistance wins? I also knew that some individuals of some political currents, I do not want to say the leaders of these currents, some individuals have been frightening their bases from the outcomes of this victory of the resistance. I would like to evidently answer to Lebanon and its nation first, remember the experience with this resistance in the victory of 2000, and how it behaved.
Second, from now, I confirm that the victory will be for Lebanon in its entirety, areas, sects, currents, and its official and public institutes, Lebanon above all. It will also be a victory of each Arab, Moslem and noble Christian in this world who took a stance against this aggression and defended Lebanon through word, deed and support. This victory will give the resistance and its people in particular a stronger motive for further love and rapport among all Lebanese, especially those who gave them their support through politics and media coupled with those who received and embraced them with generosity in Sidon, Mount Lebanon (north and south), Beirut, Biqaa and northern region. This victory will provide a motive to rebuilt Lebanon, more beautiful than ever; Lebanon the beautiful but the powerful, Lebanon the beautiful but the dear one. This victory will provide a motive for unity and integration. It will not be an element of suppression or superiority. This defeat of the enemy will represent a powerful motive to manifest our national consensus that was materialized through our people at present and through the values of Lord Christ and the values of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HH). This pertains to embracement, solidarity, loving, brotherhood, keenness, cooperation, and affection that were portrayed by all people.
Briefly, I wish to responsibly say, hoping that no one will misunderstand, to all Lebanese people: no one among you must be afraid of the resistance victory. Instead, you should be afraid of its defeat. This is how a patriotic person should behave.
Brothers and sisters, we are witnessing escalating popular rises throughout the entire Arab and Moslem countries as well as the world in solidarity with Lebanon and Palestine. This certainly gives us further strength and warmth. It also makes us happy. We thank and appreciate them for this entire issue.
In this context, some words, stances or Fatwas might also be released which may damage the unity of the stance and the spirit of the battle. We must not be influenced and attracted by them. Beware; none of us must be drawn into unsuitable reactions because our false reactions will be like those Fatwas that will only serve our enemy and the enemy of our country and nation.
I would like to especially thank their eminences the clerics and jurisprudents of the Moslem world with the leaders of the Moslem movements throughout the Moslem world. They are intercepting the attempts of sedition and rupture that target the lines of the Moslems, particularly at this critical stage.
Regarding the regimes and governments, we did not ask any of them to fight with us or defend us. All that we asked was that they do not create a cover for the aggression on our country and nation. Knowing that they can offer enormously for Lebanon, all that we ask at minimum is that they employ their capacities, powers and friendships in order to stop the aggression.
Anyhow, when any positive change occurs regarding any Arab state towards Lebanon, after which this state present aid and support as well as exert efforts to stop the war on it, we will receive this issue with love, thanks and appreciation.
We are not pursing enmities or disputes; we are seekers of unity, friendship, cooperation and solidarity. All that we seek is goodness and pride for our homeland and nation. For this cause, we present our lives and blood, which are our most precious possessions.
Since we are talking about the regimes and governments, I would like to comment on some subjects discussed over the past days, including critical none questioning issues on Syria and Iran, as well as questions that were directed to us. They ask where your allies are in this harsh battle. I am satisfied today to say that they (Iran and Syria) have never encouraged anyone against Lebanon and never contributed in presenting any cover for this war. They never compromised against the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine, neither in the past, nor at present or in the future. One must know that the doors of compromise are open. Still, they (Iran and Syria) keep siding by Lebanon and its people and resistance. They are employing all their capacities with their allies in the world to stop the Zionist aggression on Lebanon without any biddings or shows. They do not want to be accused of joining the line of the crises, which may be employed for regional interests. And they only seek goodness for Lebanon and its people and resistance. This is all what we seek from them.
At this point, I would like to commend the great embracement which Syria is offering with its leadership, government and people, to tens of thousands of the Lebanese emigrants. We have been receiving news on the appropriate care, generosity and care. This issue makes us proud and this is how we think of them.
Brothers and sisters, I reach the final chapter of my speech. I have a word to the people, an answer to the letter of the resistance combatants, and a word to the enemy and the world.
To the good people who are steadfast in their villages and cities, to those forcedly displaced, to those enduring and trusting in victory, to those who amazed the world with their patience, steadfastness, trust and tenacity, to the old men and women, children and sick people, to the families that are seeking refuge outdoors under the sky while they maintain their will and courage without any damage, I cannot find the words that may compensate for your rights and positions.
I say to you that my brethren and I will defend you with our souls, blood and spirits. We will defend your tears, wounds, steadfastness and pride. My loved ones, you will return to your homes with your noses up, proud as ever and forever. We are only promised with the victory that you love. I must say to you, may God remunerate you in this life and the afterlife. You are the most noble, most generous and purist people.
To the mujahideen I say, I received your letter and heard your words. I swear to God, you are like you said. Yes, you are the true promise and you are the imminent victory, God willing. You are the freedom of the prisoners, the liberation of the land, the defenders of the homeland, honor and dignity. Brothers, you are the authenticity of the history of this nation and you are the salvation of its soul. You are its civilization, culture, value, love and gratitude. You are the slogan of its heroism. You are the immortality of the cedars in our summits, the humbleness of our wheat spikelets in our valleys. You are the self-esteemed people like the high mountains of Lebanon that empowers the powerful and overcomes the haughty. After God, you are the hope and bet. You have been and will remain the hope and bet. I kiss your heads that made all heads high. I kiss your hands that get the grip on the firelock, shooting with the help of God at the killers of his prophets and slaves, shooting those spreading mischief on the land. I kiss your feet that are sinking in the earth without trembling or swaying from their positions even if the mountains had to sway.
Brothers; you, who lent their brains to God and watched the far lines of the enemy, my reply to you is my thanks to you because you accepted me as one of you, a brother of yours. This is because you are the leaders, you are the lords, and you are the crown on the head and the pride of this nation. You are the men of God through whom we will triumph.
To the enemy and the world I say, regardless of how long this war may take, we are prepared regardless of how precious the sacrifices may be. We were born from the womb of this war. We will not be defeated or broken in the battle of will. To Bush and Olmert and each assaulting autocrat I say (seek your goal and do your best, I swear to God, you will not omit our name, and you will not eliminate our inspiration. Your gathering will vanish and your days are numbered. "And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!"
May peace be upon all of you...
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Nasrallah's address when the war with Israel was at its most intense, and Israeli army and tanks were about to roll into Lebanon:
Speech on 3 August 2006:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful:
[Quoting verses from the Koran:]
"Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you": And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: "For us God sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs."
Peace be upon all of you...
Once again, I address you today as we are entering the fourth week of the open war which "Israel" declared against Lebanon. As usual, I find myself concerned to talk about several points and issues that are relevant to the field, political and public developments that are occurring on the level of this confrontation. I will mainly concentrate on some field issues because of their significance and because I have been telling you since the first day that the field is the main, crucial and decisive element of this battle, added to other significant and key elements that must not be ignored or overlooked. This is why I will try in my speech to focus on some of the field aspects due to their criticality and significance regarding the ongoing battle.
As I speak, your brethren and children of the resistance combatants are enduring heroic battles along the frontline in south Lebanon, in each town, village, highland, mountain and outpost. This is where I begin, from the battles which the freedom fighters are conducting against a group of brigades, as the enemy declared. This issue is nothing new; this is a group of Israeli enemy brigades, the crème of the brigades, the crème of the parachutists, and armored brigades, which are operating within the shade of a heavy and violent cover by the Israeli air force.
These battles on the ground are taking place at present. They began since the first day of war and aggression. Since the first day, there have been confrontations on the ground. But what is occurring at present is that these battles have become more comprehensive, wider, and more violent. We all remember the confrontations that took place in Maroun El-Rass, Aytaroun, and Ayta Shaab at the early days as well as the historic and heroic battles that took place at the triangle of men in Bint Jbail, Maroun El-Rass and Aytaroun.
Over the past two or three days, this operational confrontation on the field took different forms with the participation of a number of brigades and tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers as well as hundreds of Israeli tanks and vehicles. However, on the opposite side, the freedom fighters stand up to them with courage, valor, and strength, intercepting this advancement. The fact that a few days have past, one can still see that the fighting is still taking place at the frontlines and in the front villages and outposts.
The Zionists as well have been surprised by this confrontation on the land since the start. But now, they are receiving confirmation on their first conclusions which they concluded from the battles of Maroun El-Rass, Aytaroun, Ayta Shaab, Bint Jbail or any other battle that is giving them confirmation through the events of these days. The two most important issues on the level of the field are protruding as follows:
The first issue relates to the human element, the way which the Israelis used when they came and infiltrated or surrounded a certain town, leaving a back road for the fighters to escape and turn tail. But in all the battles which they endured until now, the fighters have been maintaining their positions, fighting to the last breath and last bullet despite all the harsh and difficult conditions which they have encountered. Therefore, the Israeli has been surprised by the present confrontations, by the human element of the resistance. The experience has proven until now and will prove in the future the same issue; that they are men who have a certain level of faith, will, courage, steadfastness and willingness to sacrifice lives. This is the issue about which I have spoken and said that these entrenched feet do not tremble and will not vanish even if the mountains had to vanish. The Israelis are experiencing this issue in every post and in each battle.
Speaking further on the human element, by asking all the military experts they will say that what is occurring is like a miracle; that complete brigades with their tanks and vehicles and under the heavy cover of the air force are attacking groups of the resistance in this or that village, in this or that post. Still, those men maintain their positions, fighting, keeping steadfastness and falling as martyrs. They even find the initiative by attacking and inflicting materialistic and human losses upon the enemy. This is a miracle when measured by the military and materialistic measurement. However, when measured by the men of God, this becomes a natural issue because this is the meaning of faith, will and honesty.
The second element is the capacity that was available at the resistance, this was also surprising. The enemy was shocked by the ability, quality and quantity that destroyed its tanks and military machines, which are the most advanced, important and most powerful tanks and military machines in the world. Still, the freedom fighters or mujahideen have been intercepting and destroying these tanks. The entire Israeli military tactic depends mainly on the deep penetrations using tanks and armored vehicles. But when the tanks cannot move, the movements of the enemy officers and soldiers become slow on the ground. This is the situation.
Today, when they advance or penetrate some locations, they start seeking for places where there is no resistance in order to keep advancing. But sooner than ever, the resistance takes the initiative in the places of their advancement, haunting, killing and expelling them. These abilities are presently available pertaining to quality and quantity. In other words, this is the antiarmor capacity at the resistance coupled with the numbers about which you heard or seen through the TV screens and special agencies. Until now, we did not display any images because at the frontlines the issues can be difficult. The number of the tanks and machines that have been destroyed until now is very large. I confirm that the Merkava tank or the Israeli military vehicles have been also intercepted, deactivated and frustrated because of the human element that possesses a high level of steadfastness and military abilities which have been abundant on this field, thanks to God. Those two elements have been clearly surprising for the enemy.
Regarding the issue of the ground confrontation, I would like to stress on the following points:
First, pertaining to the battlefield, the ballistic issue as well as the remaining issues about which I will talk, the enemy, has been employing a policy of clear, abundant and open lies. This is the nature of the enemy and it can be part of its psychological war. Anyhow, some employ this policy and lie in the psychological or non-psychological wars. For example, in the battle of Maroun El-Rass, the fighting took place for days. But the enemy said that it took control of Maroun El-Rass since the very beginning. Also in the battle of Bint Jbail, the enemy said it controlled the city of Bint Jbail. Instead, Bint Jbail maintained steadfastness and fought until one of the Israeli analysts or senior military observers said in his article: Are we controlling Bint Jbail or is Bint Jbail controlling us? At present, through its statements, the enemy is trying to portray itself that it occupied, controlled, entered and took control of wide areas of south Lebanon. Most of these issues, without saying in their entirety, are untrue and lies and they are part of the psychological war which the Israeli enemy is employing.
The second point relates to the prior one. First, the enemy is trying to present a victory, which is different from the psychological war. It is trying to say that I achieved the so-and-so achievement. I have listened to the Israeli media means saying that after violent battles the Abbad outpost of Hizbullah has been placed under control. There is no such outpost with the name of Abbad which belongs to Hizbullah. There is a point at the international border opposite to the Abbad outpost; it is an observation point that has been evacuated since the very first day, where there has been no fighting. Still, they say that they controlled the outpost of Hizbullah after violet battles. I do not know what violent battles they are talking about and with whom they fought. Did they fight each other? Anyhow, on the second point, we are facing land battles and I said a clear policy since the first day. We do not have a policy of clinging on to the geography. Therefore, we have no intention for our fighters and mujahideen to be killed in defense of this point, this hill or that village. Our way of fight is not geographic. As I said, we are not a regular army and we do not use the way of the regular army. We rather use the way of the guerillas. Therefore, it would be useful for us to allow them advance into the entrances of the villages because this will give us a chance of a direct engagement in order to inflict human and materialistic losses upon them. This is our aim on the ground. Our aim is to inflict the largest possible number of human and materialistic losses upon the enemy. This issue is being achieved until now, thanks to God, in a great level. After this, when the enemy says it entered this hill or that village, this will neither change our strategy of combat nor our tactics or the morale of our fighters. On the contrary, when the enemy says that it entered this village or that hill after 23 days of fighting and heavy bombardment and ground battles while employing several brigades of the army, elite and reserves, what kind of achievement can this be?
This in fact is an achievement of the resistance, knowing that this village and that outpost have lasted until today while we know that the way of the Israelis is in using their tanks and brigades to invade and enter tens of kilometers within a few hours, but still, they are only advancing a few meters within days into south Lebanon. This is on the level of the battlefields at first.
Second, with respect to the sea, this is also part of the policy of hiding the losses about which I talked earlier. First, I would like to stress on the statement that was issued by the Islamic Resistance, that the resistance missiles targeted an Israeli warship type Saer 4.5 opposite to the coast of Sour. The Israelis denied it, the issue ended at this point and the case was closed in the media. But since I am talking about the field operations, I must point to this issue and say that when we first struck the warship (Saer 5) opposite to the coast of Beirut, the Israeli enemy immediately denied the issue. But the ship was by chance close to the seashore and we were able to shoot the missiles and take footage of the hit. After we played the footage, the Zionists were forced to admit that there was a military ship that was hit and that they had missing soldiers with a search mission for them. With respect to the second strike, I confirm that it took place, but there is no necessity at present to exploit the issue because the technical means defined the location of that ship for us, hence we managed to hit it, and the coordinates confirm that this ship has been hit, but this time off the coast of Sour. There was heavy fog and the ship was very far from the seashore. However, this issue has been accomplished. Anyhow, in a battle of this kind, it is normal for the enemy to hide the issue and emerge through the media to say that Olmert was onboard this ship which Hizbullah claims it had struck, and that he has been sailing in open. How can we know that Olmert was riding the same ship which we hit or any other ship?
Second, regarding the missiles bombardment issue, despite of what the Zionist enemy said until now on this field, the missile shelling of the settlements in north Palestine reaching after Haifa will continue; rather, it will continue with a higher rhythm pertaining to quality and quantity. Yesterday, the Islamic Resistance fired more than 300 rockets into the northern settlements and shelled the settlement of Beit Shan or Beesan and the city of Afoula in the after-Haifa Israeli depth using Khaibar. A few days ago, the Israeli enemy said that it will suspend its air strikes on Lebanon for 48 hours after the massacre of Qana. Its aim is to let the steam and ease the environment as well as lessen the impact of the massacre it had perpetrated. The enemy took this step. We also suspended our strikes, knowing of course that the enemy did not commit totally but partially. We stopped striking the settlements in north Palestine for two days.
At this point, I wish to point to the stupidity, arrogance and ignorance of the leadership of this enemy. Look to the mistake it has committed. This of course is evidence to us. Olmert read a speech of victory and announced that "Israel" won the battle. He also said that he indeed managed to destroy the entire military infrastructure of Hizbullah. Perhaps, he mainly relied on the 48 hours during which the shelling of the Zionist settlements stopped. These same words were repeated by Shimon Peres, the "stupid" prime minister; also his "senile" deputy said the same words adding that the military infrastructure of Hizbullah has been completely destroyed and that its Secretary-General fled the country. This arrogance and this ignorance prevented them from approaching the truth about which Lebanese and Israeli military experts talked. Even news reporters can understand more than this arrogant political and military leadership of the Zionist enemy. This is because the truth, as these experts understood, was that the resistance and its leadership took a decision to stop shelling the settlements for 48 hours. This is because we wanted to give the people a chance to rest and move the injured and sick people as well as let the people depart the towns that are experiencing difficult humane crisis, and give chance to lift the wreckages. This is the real reason. Hence, when the resistance stopped the shelling for 48 hours, this means, on the military level, that the resistance leadership is in full control, not only of the fronts, but also of all the launching pads of the missiles. This is why no individual action or violation took place. Therefore, there are forms that are operating efficiently and there is a leadership that gives the order, times the launching of the missiles, and there is a base along the front receiving orders and obeying.
This is the correct reading of the 48-hour stoppage of missiles launch. But how did the enemy read it? Therefore, as soon as the truce (suspending air strikes on Lebanon) ended and the Israelis resumed their raids again on our villages, cities, infrastructure and capital city, the Islamic Resistance fired in one day yesterday more than 300 rockets into the settlements, knowing that the usual daily record was 100, 150 or 170 missiles. We did not wish the brothers to launch this number, but this quantity yesterday was intended as it was today. The resistance also shelled Afoula and Bait Shan. The resistance can also, as I can confirm after yesterday's and today's performance, fire the number it wishes or the number ordered, targeting the depth it seeks or the depth ordered. It can fire in the morning or in the afternoon or at night. We have no problem regarding this aspect.
This is the truth regarding the ballistic issue. Therefore, we can find that the Israelis were frustrated; and I can say that what happened was like a scandal for Olmert, Peres, the minister of war and the staff commander. The Israeli media means and senior Israeli political and military analysts began talking about this issue. We heard Olmert's retraction speech in which he said to the people, we did not promise you that we will stop the rockets, we did not promise you with this or that issue. He did promise them, his promise has been videoed. Anyhow, this Israeli frustration and this Israeli scandal are part of the aspects of the confrontation that forced the enemy staff commander yesterday to launch more threat to the Lebanese, and he said that he was studying the possibility of striking the Lebanese depth including the city of Beirut. Anyhow, this is an intimidation and part of the psychological war, but there may lurk a serious will behind it as well.
At this point, I would like to comment on this intimidation. First of all, the Lebanese depth, irrespective of Beirut city, is being shelled each day, and it neither needs a new decision nor a new lesson. The entire south, the entire Mount Lebanon, Bikaa, Baalbeck, Hirmil, Akkar, Tripoli, Jubeil, Kesserwan, Matn, Baabda, all are being shelled. There is no place of the Lebanese depth that has been spared until now. Pertaining to one of the aspects of the challenge, this Israeli scandal forced the enemy Chief of Staff yesterday, to further intimidate the Lebanese and said that he was studying the possibility of striking the Lebanese depth including the city of Beirut. This intimidation is part of the psychological, and a serious intention may lurk behind it. At hits point, I would like to comment on this intimidation with the following points:
First, the Lebanese depth except Beirut is being shelled each day and does not need a new decision or a new lesson. The entire south, the entire Mount Lebanon, Bikaa, Baalbeck, Hirmil, Akkar, Tripoli, Jubeil, Kesserwan, Matn, Baabda, all are being shelled. There is no place of the Lebanese depth that has been spared until now. Yes, Beirut city was spared, but from the words of the Chief of Staff, I believe that the intimidation targets Beirut city.
Second, regarding the city of Beirut, knowing that the entire Lebanese people are one nation, one blood, one dignity, and one security, where no area is different from the other, yet Beirut's particularity is that it remains the capital. Hence, he is threatening to strike the capital city. At this point, I will not use the same terms which I used in the past, like when I said Haifa and beyond Haifa. I do not want to leave any margin for the analysis. As long as the enemy says it is studying the method that it will employ to reach the end, I want it to hear from me very clear words. If you bomb our capital city we will bomb the capital city of your usurping entity. If you bomb the city of Beirut, the Islamic Resistance will bomb the city of Tel Aviv, knowing that they can with the help of God.
Third, at this point, I wish to confirm to the enemy leaders and nation, this nation is living on false hopes and lies. Your entire air strikes and land invasions could not stop our rockets; even if you took several kilometers from the border, even if you occupied the land to the south of Litany or the north of Litany, even if you reach Beirut, you will not be able to achieve this goal. Anyhow, the enemy political and military leaders and its analysts began acknowledging this fact. But I wanted to confirm it with assertion and the help of God (The Exalted).
Fourth, regarding the rockets and the settlements, I would like to confirm that our shelling of the settlements, in the north or beyond Haifa or Tel Aviv, and since the issues are now clearer, is a reaction and not an action. If you attack our cities, villages and capital, we will react. And any time you decide to stop your attacks on our cities, villages and infrastructure, we will not fire rockets on any Israeli settlement or city. Naturally, we would rather, in case of fighting, fight soldier to soldier on the ground and battlefield. We are worthy of this battle and we are its men.
After this field narration, yes, I must admit that this enemy, within the recent period that was given to it by Condoleezza Rice, the period of the past week, managed to accomplish two great and significant military achievements, which I must recognize. The first is its perpetration of the massacre of Qana, killing women and children inside a safe shelter, after which it arrogantly justified its crime by saying that the resistance was firing from that house or from the vicinity of that house. Later, it denied but started to say again today that the information which it received confirmed that there were fighters from Hizbullah inside that house. It fell as a victim of this false information, this failed intelligence. I do not believe that there has been a wrong tip since the start. I believe that the Zionists intended to kill women and children in Qana because they know that we are human beings who are rich with sympathy.
It is true that we have a strong and steady volition, yet at the same time, we are full of sympathy, affection and love. We are sympathetic towards our people, women and children. They [enemy] want to pressurize us exploiting this point. I said this issue in the last speech. Suppose we accept their story of the wrong information, still, the question is: Is the killing of more than 800 civilians until now, most of whom are women and children, derives from false information? Alternatively, is this the morality of the Israeli army and the values of this barbaric and monstrous Israeli army? This is their first achievement that was accomplished within the period that was given by Condoleezza Rice. Now of course they are working on making people forget the Qana Massacre and that it must be absorbed locally, internationally, humanely, informatively and politically. We cannot allow this issue to happen. This is the responsibility of the media means, politicians, elite, intellectuals and all people. I am saying this at the time in which I can confirm that Qana is no longer alone and strange in the massacre, other villages share it this calamity such as Sreefa, and other numerous villages throughout Lebanon.
The second important achievement was the night commando that raided the city of Baalbeck. The TV showed us footage of this night commando. But in fact, there were two airdrops in that area. The two airdrops took place at the peripheries of the city of Baalbeck, not in the heart of the city. The target was Dar El-Hikma Hospital, which is located at the peripheries of the city. The second airdrop took place in a neighborhood, also at the peripheries of Baalbeck.
The first airdrop targeted a hospital, wow, a great achievement. An Israeli commando with tens of warplanes and helicopters dropped soldiers and officers in order to attack a hospital at the peripheries of Baalbeck, not to attack a military outpost. They entered the hospital in order to obtain important information that is hidden there as they claim. Still, they entered the hospital while firing bullets and throwing grenades inside its rooms. This in fact was a military failure and intelligence failure. This operation lasted several hours; the battle was confined to the vicinity of the hospital, where the fighters or mujahideen who are usually existent in that area took the initiative to confront the commando. This was intelligence failure. A great airdrop targets a location where it was revealed later that there were no leaders; not even the hospital manager was present; and there were no injured soldiers of the resistance. Imagine this: a great commando that seeks to cease wounded fighters of the resistance cannot face the young men of the resistance in Bint Jbail, Ayta Shaab, Taibe, etc... They dropped the commando to capture injured soldiers of the resistance, yet the surprise was that the hospital was empty. There was only a medical cadre of five people working in the ER. This enemy behaves with a mentality that does not regard sanctities or moral values. Hence, this hospital could have been subjected to bombardment or any other threat.
The second airdrop targeted one of the neighborhoods of a mountainous area in Baalbeck. There, the air force, prior to parachuting, destroyed a number of the houses that surrounded the targeted residence. Then, an officer and his soldiers were dropped to enter a civilian house, where a group of families, men, women and children, gathered. They kidnapped a number of men. The story was that the names were identical. I know, and we the Lebanese know that we have a problem regarding this issue. Sometimes in the airport or at the border, a man is detained because his name is identical to the name of other wanted man. It might take time to investigate the name of the father, mother, and date of birth in order to confirm the identity of the wanted person.
This was a great commando operation that took place in that neighborhood in Baalbeck, targeting an old man who is dear to his family and dedicated. His only guilt was that his name is Hassan Nasrallah. This is the intelligence of the enemy. This is its great Mossad and security. This is its great army, hence kidnapped those civilians. At this point, I would like to say that these are hostages. Those five civilians, snatched from Baalbeck, must be regarded as hostages, not as prisoners of war. The whole world that condemns the kidnapping of hostages must condemn them [enemy] and must demand their unconditional release before any exchange. This was a kidnap operation, the kidnapping of hostages, not capturing. Anyhow, in the end of these great achievements, which took place during the US, Bushist and Riceist, period, so to speak, the enemy Chief of Staff stood up to say: all that we wanted to do in Baalbeck was to prove to Hizbullah that we can reach anywhere. What is this great achievement? Did it deserve all these efforts which they exerted on this field?
Anyhow, your true image has been revealed to us through the confrontations on the battlefield. I say to the Zionists, I hope they can still hear me under the recent utter control of the media means: you are the victims, likewise the Lebanese and Palestinians, of a complex that exists at your Prime Minister Olmert. What is this complex? Everyone pays the cost of this complex. Olmert wants to prove that he is a great leader, and that he is like Sharon, Rabin, and the historic leaders that ruled this usurping entity. In this domain, I can say that he succeeded in one issue and failed in another. He succeeded in being like Sharon, Rabin, Begin, and those resembling them, when he perpetrated the massacres and the daily killing of women and children as well as destroying the houses in Palestine and Lebanon. Yes, I acknowledge this issue for him in this field; he is no lesser than them regarding this field.
On the other hand, regarding the field of the political command, military conception, administration, and performance, until now, he [Olmert] has proven that he is the most failure, hopeless and stupid Prime Minister ever to rule the entity of the Zionist enemy. I also say to them: let each Israeli ask himself a question at present about the performance of his political and military command, and question this entire war which they conducted after the capturing of the two Israeli soldiers. Did it lead to the release of the two Israeli soldiers? Will it bring back the two Israeli soldiers? Never... Instead, he could have negotiated like Sharon did in the past. But he did not want to employ this style. He went extreme. They must also ask themselves and their leadership a question after they said that the aim of this war was to restore the capacity of deterrence at the Israeli army. Did this capacity enhance? They said that they wanted to correct the image and reverence of the Israeli army. Was this image corrected or was it tainted further and further?
The current war proved that the Israeli army is a gigantic, blind, ignorant, stupid and incapable military machine. It can only kill old men, women and children as well as destroy the infrastructure. And I say to the Israelis: ask Olmert, where are his highly aimed great promises which he declared since the first day of the war, the beginning of the aggression? Yesterday, we heard him washing his hands of all these high aimed great slogans of this fruitless war. I confirm to everyone, to the enemy and the friend as well as the entire world, you cannot eliminate Hizbullah as you cannot eliminate the movements of the honest resistance in Palestine. You can never do so because the resistance is not a regular army. The resistance is not a regular state. Instead, the resistance is a nation that possesses faith, volition and self confidence as well as loves martyrdom and rejects indignity and humiliation. No one can defeat this nation. They can kill its men, women, children and elderly; they can destroy its buildings and residences on top of their heads. But they cannot defeat it or end the war against it. This is because this war will renew with each rising generation, with each new birth, with each fury, with each emotion, with each act, faith and with us. And I can confirm to you that the resistance will never be broken or defeated.
I reach the last part which pertains to the political part. I say this: I would like to confirm to our Lebanese people and the peoples of our nation as well as the world. I want to be very clear. The killings, massacres, destruction, atrocities and barbarism that have taken place since the first day of the war and continue to be, Bush and his US administration are the first ones to be blamed. In our opinion, Olmert and his government are mere executive tools of this war. I want to stress on this meaning and say that the blood of the women and children in Qana as well as the blood of all the old people and innocent civilians whose blood was shed in Lebanon are tainting the faces of Bush, Rice, Rumsfeld, Cheney and this US administration. This administration is the assassin, murderer and assailant. Until now, this administration has been thwarting all attempts to stop the aggression and it is designing the terms and trying to dictate these terms. This issue must be clear to each Lebanese, each Moslem and Christian, and each noble person in this world. We are explaining this issue to eliminate any confusion.
I repeat to all Lebanese, today we are at war; but the war ends and it will end. I do not want you to ever forget that this US administration, the friend, ally and love of Lebanon, whose heart is aching for the nation of Lebanon and wants it to live in an oasis of security and peace, and wants it to be a democratic example in this region, this US administration may become the gamble of some people in the future, knowing that it has been the gamble of some people in the past. I hope that we will never forget this issue for our coming days, months and years. At this point, I want to confirm, regardless of the outcomes of this war, Lebanon will never be American or Israeli. Lebanon will never be part of the New Middle East which Bush seeks with Rice. This is conclusive God willing.
Regarding the second issue of this political part, I want to say to he who loves Lebanon and wants to eagerly help Lebanon. Thanks to God, the delegations are arriving to Lebanon. The Arab and international interest is increasing. I confirm to you as everyone knows that this, first of all, is due to God (The Exalted) and the steadfastness of the freedom fighters and the excellent situation in the battlefield and the steadfastness of the immigrants or those remaining in their homes, and it is due to the Lebanese people embracement of this honest resistance. The delegations are increasing and the interest is increasing. We thank them for this, may God accept their deeds.
However, I say to those who love Lebanon and want to help it, they must be attentive; we in Lebanon, or these houses in Lebanon were not destroyed because of an earthquake. "Israel" destroyed these houses. The people were not displaced because of a hurricane, Tsunami, flood or volcano. "Israel" forced them to leave their homes, killed the women and children of this country. "Israel", armed with a US decision, weapons and missiles, perpetrated this entire bloody and devastative scene. We do not want anyone to treat Lebanon as a humane and miserable condition to which he offers medicine, food, and some money. Anyone who does so is thanked. But this issue does not mirror love towards Lebanon. If you really love Lebanon, you, knowing you can do so, must raise your voices. It is important to raise them during the internal sessions and meetings which you conduct with the Americans and others. What you say in open today, the entire world, all Lebanese, and all Arab and European delegations know who is thwarting and hindering the stoppage of the Zionist attack on Lebanon. It is Bush and the US administration. Go to them and prove there that you love Lebanon. Raise your voices there and be men for one day. Save your dignity and face.
At this point, I wish to say to the rulers in the Arab and Moslem countries of the new Middle East, there will be no place for your thrones if you abandon your moral and national responsibility in fear of your thrones. But in the new Middle East, you will have no thrones left for you, and maybe you will have no countries left for you. These countries of yours will be divided by the geopolitical map of the new Middle East. They will be divided into small cantons and countries on the basis of denomination and sects. This great state will not be the same in greatness. And this rich country will not be the same in richness. No throne or chair will be spared. For the sake of your thrones I say to you, gather between your humanity and chairs, and act for one day in order to stop this aggression on Lebanon. I, since the first day, said this issue and never wanted and pleaded anything from you. I am being cautious for you and for our country and homeland. This is how the help should be for he who wants to help Lebanon.
In the end, my salutation and the salutation of all of my dear ones, the brethren of the Islamic Resistance, to the families of the pure martyrs who are the eye, candle, heart and slogan of sacrifice, generosity and highest defense, to the wounded who are sustaining the pain of the injuries and maintaining their steadfastness in their land, to those who migrated from their lands and homes to other lands and homes, to those who are embracing the immigrants and the resistance, informatively, publicly, socially, financially and spiritually, to all of those who support us in this world and express this attitude of mine through the media, politics, demonstrations, sit-ins, and all forms of employed methods, our salutation to all of them.
The last salutation goes to the freedom fighters, the courageous heroes who are proving the face of Lebanon the victorious in 2000, proving the real face of Lebanon, defending Lebanon, and defending the nation. Together, they are defending the nation which America and "Israel" want to divide again, beginning with Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places.
I conclude by sending my greetings to the mujahideen. And I remind the Zionists that they have only one choice, stop the aggression and return to the political approach. No one will save you from you trouble. If you are betting on the US administration thinking it is capable of saving you, I must tell you that it is too weak to even save itself in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not come to save you in Lebanon. What can it do? It can only dictate. We refuse dictations; we refuse to accept any term. We said this issue and we repeat it. I leave the matter to be politically solved through the internal discussions. And we are careful regarding this framework. But I must say to the Israelis, your gamble on the Americans is futile. Your gamble on continuing the war and aggression is fruitless. Your gamble on the retreat of our will or the will of our nation in Lebanon is also fruitless. The only right and correct bet is by stopping the aggression and listening to the political approach and ending this stupidity which you committed and will only end in Lebanon's victory. Lebanon is a country of a great nation. Lebanon is a great country. Lebanon is the country of the resistance. Lebanon is the country of unity.
Peace be upon all of you...
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Nasrallah's address when Israel was trying to secure United Nations ceasefire agreement:
Parts of the speech on 9 August 2006
"I address you anew as we approach the end of the first month of this barbaric and aggressive war which the Zionists imposed on Lebanon and on every human being, stone, location, and symbol in Lebanon...
When the prime minister presented the seven-point plan and was discussed in the government, we dealt positively with this plan... The Lebanese Government proposed a seven-point plan, but the Americans and the French responded with the draft resolution that has been submitted to the Security Council.
The least that can be said about this draft resolution is that it is unfair and unjust and gives the Israelis more than what they wanted or asked for... this draft resolution in essence wanted to give the Israelis through politics and international pressures what they failed to obtain through fighting.
You will not be able to stay on our land. If you enter it, we will drive you out by force. We will turn the land of our precious south into a graveyard for the Zionist invaders
The government's decision on its preparedness to send 15,000 soldiers from the Lebanese Army to be deployed in all this area will greatly help Lebanon and its friends to press for amending the draft resolution, which is being prepared and debated at the Security Council, and will open the way for an appropriate political treatment that can lead to halting the aggression against Lebanon.
... This [planned deployment] is, in our opinion, an honourable, national solution because it is the national army that will be deployed on the border, and not invading forces, mercenary forces, or forces that take orders from the enemies, but the national army that takes orders from the elected Lebanese Government - in this sense, as a solution, we accept it...
The deployment of the Lebanese Army will help preserve sovereignty and independence. This is a better and a more appropriate alternative to the deployment of international forces, especially since we do not know which orders they follow or what their mission or duty will be.
Here, I come to the field developments in the ongoing war. In the last televised speech, I said that the enemy will resort to, in light of the continued military failures, further attacks against the infrastructure, civilian installations, and civilians. This is exactly what has been taking place; namely, more massacres...
The killing of civilians, including men, women, and children, is taking place deliberately since it is the only painful method available to this military helpless and bloodthirsty enemy to put pressure on the Lebanese, the resistance, and the state.
In addition, there is continued targeting of residential places and systematic destruction of houses and buildings in the southern suburb. For instance, there are vacant buildings, but everyday they come to demolish a number of these buildings. Are these not war crimes? Is not the killing of children and women a war crime? Is not the demolition of vacant buildings that are distant from the battlefield and that are not used in any way and have nothing to do with Hezbollah's leaders and fighters considered a war crime? This is in addition to the continued destruction of what remains of the Lebanese infrastructure.
Does anyone believe that all these bridges, roads, and infrastructure were destroyed only to cut off the resistance's supply lines? Is this a logical and reasonable matter or the goal is to destroy the infrastructure to exercise pressure on the Lebanese? The killing of civilians aims to put pressure on the Lebanese and the destruction of houses aims to put pressure on the Lebanese so as to surrender, yield to, and accept the Israeli conditions on the basis of which the war was originally waged.
As a matter of fact, it is very regrettable and unsurprising that the Security Council's draft resolutions hold no blame for the Zionists over all their war crimes, massacres, acts of genocide in Lebanon, and systematic destruction of Lebanon. The capture of two Israeli soldiers in a purely military operation deserves all this condemnation and denunciation by the international community, whereas the response which destroyed buildings, killed people, and violated all laws and norms does not deserve any blame.
... We are still holding fast in the field. We are still strong and capable. This, in itself, is a great achievement for the resistance and a big failure for the enemy in achieving the targets they announced with regard to the resistance. We are still fighting in the front villages and frontline. Although, we do not intend to retain territory, the hero and valiant resistance men insist on continuing to fight until the last bullet.
Imagine that fighting is continuing in the border town of Ait al-Shaab until this minute. The same thing is happening in other border towns. Your sons and brothers among the mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance are in fact making miracles there and setting an example of heroic and brave jihad that is unprecedented in history.
So far, a large number of Merkava tanks have been destroyed. This point is important. Over 60 Merkava tanks and a large number, scores of military bulldozers and scores of military personnel carriers have been destroyed so far. More than 100 tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and military bulldozers have been destroyed until this hour.
I will not speak about the killed and wounded among the settlers [Israelis], but I will speak about the officers and soldiers. So far, more than 100 officers and soldiers have been killed and more than 400 officers and soldiers have been wounded in the confrontations, dozens of them are in critical condition, as admitted by the enemy itself. This concerns the ground confrontation.
As for the rocket bombardment, the activity of the resistance is still the way it was in the first days. When Olmert said that Hezbollah was no longer the way it was, your sons and brothers, the mujahideen of the resistance, answered him by 350 rockets, which fell on various Zionist military bases and colonies in northern occupied Palestine [Israel].
Until this moment, the enemy has failed to reduce or weaken this rocket capability that is available to Hezbollah and the resistance. Consequently, the residents of these areas have remained in shelters and a large number of them have left. This is in addition to significant economic, material, financial, and human losses, which the enemy is still hiding.
Notice that throughout the previous Arab wars, the Israelis used to declare their losses, while the Arabs used to hide them. But today, when Lebanon is bombed, buildings are destroyed, martyrs fall, massacres are committed, despite the negative psychological impact of these scenes sometimes, everything is declared. The Zionists, meanwhile, are hiding everything. Where do hundreds of rockets fall? So far, they have spoken about more than 3,000 rockets that have fallen on them. We assert to you that these rockets are guided by God and are guided technically and are not fired indiscriminately.
In all events, the Israelis have so far not managed to control the border strip, which they said they want to go back to, as the case was previously¿ Nonetheless, I tell the Zionists: You can come to any place; you can stage an incursion; land your airborne troops; and enter this village or that point.
However, all of this will cost you a great deal. You will not be able to stay on our land. If you enter it, we will drive you out by force. We will turn the land of our precious south into a graveyard for the Zionist invaders.
To the Arabs of Haifa I have a special message. I say that we have been pained and are still pained for the loss of your martyrs and for your wounded. I urge you, I appeal to you to leave this city. I hope you would do that. In the past, your presence there and what happened to you has made us hesitate in attacking this city... Please spare us this hesitation and spare your blood, which is our blood, and leave this city. "
For full text see below...
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Full text of Nasrallah's address when Israel was trying to secure United Nations ceasefire agreement:
Speech on 9 August 2006:
Peace be upon all of you;
Again, I address you as we approach the end of one month since this hostile and barbaric war was imposed by the Zionists on Lebanon, on each man, stone, position, outpost and slogan in Lebanon. As usual, I wish to touch on several topics pertaining to either the political or the battlefield subject. For a start, I wish to talk about some political developments, after which I will end with the battlefield. As an introduction to the political situation and developments, we are still relying on a solid and strong reality on the field, attested by the enemy before the ally. Therefore, the points that I will explain regarding the political situation are still based on the truth as well as the strength which is still fighting and confronting in the battlefield.
Since this battle started, we, regarding the political and informative performance, have been dedicated in giving consideration and attention to a group of important and critical basics and aspects. As for us, especially that we are taking part in the political approach or confrontation as they say, since the beginning, we have been stressing on a main principle. This is the unity of line coupled with the national and public solidarity as well as the official solidarity pertaining to the level of the state and its institutes. We also worked on strengthening the position of the state, particularly that of the government pertaining to the negotiations and the preservation of the national rights. As I said in a previous message, founding cooperation is necessary to establish a political will as part of the will of the combat and the public steadfastness in order to depart this battle while maintaining at least our national rights and our national dignity. Therefore, over the past weeks, we stressed on a number of issues. Now, I wish as a start to put emphasis on them.
First: we must not join any political or informative debate with any Lebanese team, party, or figure, regardless of the addressed criticisms or words that may be said. Unfortunately, some people are reiterating exactly what the Israeli officials and press are saying. Nevertheless, I stress on all my brothers as I confirmed in the past not to be engaged in any political or informative debate regarding these matters. Our priority is steadfastness coupled with the political, public and national solidarity that flow in favor of our country's interest in general. The other sensitiveness, obsessions, trivialities and some behaviors that damage the truth and does not serve our country's interest must be overlooked.
Second: What we asked from the émigrés of our good and steadfast citizens, which I confirm now, is to give consideration to the area or atmosphere in which you are existing pertaining to some of the formalisms, customs, traditions, activities, slogans or information. Regarding anything that may provoke any sensitivity in the places of your whereabouts, especially in the areas that embrace you with dignity, honor and responsibility, it is your responsibility as well to give this aspect the necessary consideration because there is someone who from time to time tries to incite certain sensitivities in order to spread weakness, flaw, or certain error in the arena of the steadfastness of the émigrés and displaced people existing in the arena of the public embracement. This issue serves the Israeli at first because any flaw in the front of the steadfastness shortens the distance for the enemy to achieve its goals.
Third: Regarding the city of Beirut in particular, we have already wished and I wish again to say to [requesting] the youth organizations, brothers in the parties and the people in general, we want to avoid any demonstrations or huge rallies so that they will not provide a fertile ground through which some people may sneak in to create a security flaw or to establish opposite slogans. This will lead to divisions on the street. The most important issue regarding this filed resides in our keenness and quest to establish a governmental and political solidarity in the country on the two political and official levels.
Since early days, we learned that the Israelis and Americans had the keenness and worked with dedication to create sedition and division among the Lebanese inside the Lebanese government as well as between the political powers. To prove this issue, we, since early days, found out from our close observation of the Israeli media that some Israeli officials and senior authors of the Israeli journalists have been saying that there were governmental parties in Lebanon contacted them and stressed on them not to stop their attack, and that this was the golden and historic chance to eliminate the resistance in Lebanon, particularly Hizbullah in Lebanon. Naturally, we do not believe this Israeli gossip and we classify it as part of provoking the Lebanese against each other. Another proof was the statement of the US-Zionist ambassador to the UN Security Council John Bolton, yesterday or the day before, when he told one of the US TV stations that when he heard that the Lebanese government had reservations or protests regarding the US-French draft resolution he was surprised at the Lebanese government attitude because he had already made the necessary coordination for this draft or resolution with the Lebanese government and the Israeli as well. We also disregard these words because the aim is to find a crack between the participating forces in the government as well as establishing disunity between the resistance and the state. Anyhow, there are clear and serious attempts on the political and informative level as well as on the provocative. These attempts are being exerted to damage this established solidarity, and they have been evident over the past weeks and days of the present war.
After this point, we acted and behaved with responsibility when the Prime Minister presented the 7-points plan, which was discussed by the cabinet. These points were recorded in the cabinet session's report, yet we all had the same emphasis to present a unanimous approval to this plan in order to face the world with it. I pointed to this issue in a former message and we informatively passed our reservations and remarks. Hence, the Lebanese government presented the 7-points plan to suggest a proposal or a concept regarding the political solution required to stop the aggression and war. After that, we relied on this plan to be presented to the international community and Arab countries. Consequently, the Arab countries came to support and approve the Lebanese governmental 7-points plan, a part of which pertains to the deployment of the army.
Anyhow, the Lebanese government presented the 7-points plan that was faced by the Americans and French via the draft resolution presented to the UNSC. The least one could say regarding this resolution is that it is unfair and inequitable. It also gives the Israelis more than that which they seek. In all cases, we were satisfied with the thorough, strong and solid observation that was presented by parliament speaker Nabih Beri, in his comment on the US-French draft resolution presented to the UNSC. The 7-points plan and Lebanese solidarity were intercepted by this draft, which was prepared to reach a decision. This draft in fact aims to give the Israelis through politics and international pressure that which they could not obtain through fighting. Lebanese, Arab and international quests began in one way or another to modify the US-French draft resolution in the form that will satisfy the Lebanese demands, in accordance with the governmental 7-points plan. Anyhow, as this political and diplomatic quest and as this political and diplomatic great battle go on, he who sides by Lebanon will be distinguished from he who utterly prefers "Israel" to Lebanon.
Keeping in line with these political quests, we were told that the government had the initiative to gather in order to take and announce a decision pertaining to the deployment of the army at the borderline, knowing that the Lebanese army is present in the south, south Litany. Some people, when they speak, they say the deployment of the army in the south. In fact, the army as an army is not present near the borderline where there are Lebanese security forces of the Internal Security and some of the Lebanese army intelligence and security apparatuses. Therefore, the government expressed its willingness to send 15000 soldiers of the Lebanese army to be deployed in the entire area. They said that this will help Lebanon enormously as it will help the friends of Lebanon to pressurize further regarding the amendment of the draft resolution that is being prepared and discussed by the UNSC. And that it will open the way for a suitable political approach that will lead to the stopping of the aggression on Lebanon. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the Lebanese government declared its decision and willingness, which came out of unanimity, knowing that many people focus on this world of unanimity, the result until now tells us that the US administration is still insisting on its terms and adheres to its arrogance and immoderation. Today in particular, it sent Mr. Walsh to Lebanon, synchronizingly with the Israeli government's decision to widen its ground offensive. Their aim is to frighten and pressurize the Lebanese government and people so that they accept the new old terms which Walsh brought to Lebanon.
Anyhow, regarding the political issue, there is a point on which I would like to comment and give answers because it brought questions to the politicians and media means. This point is worthy of explanation and clarification. It pertains to our position on the deployment of the army at the borderline area. We, in the past, used to oppose the deployment of the army at the borderline, not because we doubt the army, God forbid; this army is a national army and we have been praising it and praising its dogma, leadership and combination since many years. We expressed, in more than one occasion, our trust in the army and its leadership, officers and soldiers. This army is also part of this nation; it derives from its men, youths and children. It does not differ from the reality and essence of this high-esteemed and loyal nation. When we protested or expressed our reservations, it was not because we fear this army. This is because this is a national army and the children of this nation must not fear it. In fact, we used to fear for the army from its deployment at the international borderline. The issue is very clear. If you station a regular army at the international border facing directly the enemy that could anytime attack it, it means that we are stationing this army right inside the mouth of the dragon; are as popularly said, "Inside the muzzle of the cannon." An army that does not possess tanks, armored machines, air force, or sufficient air cover, can be at risk of being destroyed in a very few days once attacked at any moment. The battles that took place in the south until now emphasize this issue. The resistance lasted until now in Ayta Shaab, Kfarkila, Adayse, Taybe, Bint Jbail, Aytaroun and all the front villages was because it does not have a classical and regular presence. Instead, it has a qualitative way of being existent and does not have any air cover. The Israeli enemy can strike and destroy but it cannot nail the determination of the mujahideen nor can it limit their ability to move. We fear for the army of being at the frontline.
Why now we agree with the government? I will return to explain the considerations on the deployment of the army at the borderline. Still, we cannot hide our fear for the army after its deployment at the frontline with its present condition and capacity, especially that the sticking points between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy remain unresolved, particularly Lebanon's continual vulnerability to the unstoppable Israeli land, sea and air violations since the Israeli withdrawal in 2000 until today. Deployment means placing the army inside the mouth of the dragon. This is why we fear for the army. There is another fear which we also used to express openly. We used to say that when the army goes to the border, it must protect Lebanon and defend the homeland; and that it must not protect the enemy. Anyhow, this assignment, the mission of guarding the homeland or guarding the enemy is not tied to the decision of the army command. Instead, it is tied to the decision of the political authority.
Now, in its latest meeting, the Lebanese government said and decided that the main task of the army was to defend and guard the homeland through its existence at the border as well as maintain internal security. If there is a clear decision, this fear becomes nonexistent. Moreover, if everyone believes that the army deployment helps finding a political exit that would lead to the stopping of the aggression, this will be a dignified national exit with respect to us because the one that will be deployed at the border is the national army, not invading forces, mercenaries, or forces that work under the command of the enemies. It will be the national army that works under the command of the elected Lebanese government. This exit, in this sense, is accepted despite its adversities which I mentioned earlier. We will not stand as an obstacle in the way of any decision or option of this sort.
These are the facts; the deployment of the Lebanese army will maintain the sovereignty and independence. This is the best and most suitable alternative instead of the international forces-we do not know under whose command they will operate and what is their mission and job that they will perform. Yes, we said, as it was unanimous through the 7 points, that the enhancement of the UNIFEL forces will work as a supportive agent for the Lebanese army to perform its task and duty. There are several issues that have been reiterated pertaining to the stage that will follow the deployment of the army in the borderline area, or in fact, completing the deployment of the army in the area south Litany River. I will not discuss this issue at present; I will leave it to be discussed internally because it fountains from our caution, responsibility and solidarity required at this stage for several reasons. Therefore, we at present, although there is a Lebanese national unanimity on the government's plan with its adherence to the 7 points, find that the Americans keep defusing any possibility in reaching a draft resolution that may take into consideration the Lebanese national demands and rights. The American keeps working hard to impose "Israel's" terms on Lebanon in order to achieve all the interests of "Israel" at the expense of the interest of Lebanon.
At this point, I would like to call again on the political willpower and political steadfastness as well as avoid submission to the US dictations and pressures regardless of their kinds and regardless of the situation on the field, which is solid and strong. I will talk on this issue in a moment. I call on the Lebanese government to further political steadfastness with adherence to the 7 points on which we agreed as Lebanese. This is because any overlooking of the items of this plan, which was regarded in our opinion that it maintains the minimum level of the national rights and demands, is a betrayal of the unanimity to which we have been keen throughout all the past stages.
This is where I reach the point of the environments of the existing war, the battlefield. In my last televised speech, I said that the enemy will, as a result of the military failures that are still continuing until now, seek refuge at further bombardment of the infrastructure and civilian foundations as well as will attack civilians.
These issues are in fact occurring. There are further massacres extending from Bekaa, to Sheyah, to Ghaziye as well as other countless places. This is where the lies of the Zionists manifest. These lies are reiterated by the enemy leaders and officials. For example, their press said, as it was repeated yesterday by the Israeli ambassador to the UN, which they are bombing this or that place because there are missiles launching pads which Hizbullah uses. Were these missiles launching pads present among the people in the procession in Ghaziye, where the enemy shelled Ghaziye at the same time when the people were bidding farewell to the martyrs? Was the residential neighborhood in Sheyah that is crowded with families, men, women and children harboring missile launching pads on top of the buildings, launching missiles on the Zionists? These are nothing but words and meaningless claims. They are deliberately killing innocent civilians, men, women and children because the only way possible for this militarily incapacitated savage enemy is bloodshed in order to pressurize the Lebanese and the resistance as well as the state. They keep striking the residencies and systemically destroying the buildings and houses in the southern suburb. For example, there are empty buildings, yet the enemy comes everyday to demolish a number of buildings.
Aren't these war crimes? Isn't the killing of women and children a war crime? They are killing children who have no relation to Hizbullah leaders or fighters. Isn't the constant destruction of the remaining infrastructure a war crime? Who can believe that all these bridges, roads and infrastructure have been destroyed merely to prevent lines of provision to the resistance? Is this issue logic? The only aim behind the destruction of man kind and infrastructure is to pressurize the Lebanese. Killing the civilians pressurizes the Lebanese. Destroying the houses pressurizes the Lebanese. They want to pressurize the Lebanese to force them surrender and submit to the Israeli terms for which this war was mainly started. In fact, it is pitiful, regretful but ordinary when we see a draft resolution inside the UNSC that does not contain any blame to the Zionists for their perpetrations, war crimes, massacres, and genocides in Lebanon coupled with the systematic destruction in Lebanon. Imagine, capturing two Israeli soldiers, which is a mere military operation, deserves all this condemnation and censure from the international community whereas the retaliation that goes extreme in destroying the structure, killing man kind, and exceeding all laws and customs does not even deserve a blame.
We are not surprised because the UNSC cannot even condemn "Israel's" killing of its soldiers who are operating as part of its forces in south Lebanon. Certainly this council, helpless in condemning "Israel" for the massacre of Qana, will be helpless, because of the utter US Veto, in blaming "Israel" for all the barbaric actions in this present war. There are two examples from which we can learn brothers and sisters. First, we must understand that this enemy is of a hostile, savage and barbaric nature; we are living next to it and they want us to live with it in peace. Live in peace next to the killer of the women, killer of the children, and monstrous destroyer of the houses, which regards no limits in its barbaric monstrosity. The barbarism of this enemy is boundless. Second, we must understand the UNSC that does not possess any ability and capacity in protecting Lebanon; and that all the present plans, discussions and decisions focus on how can "Israel" be protected, not how can Lebanon be protected. Keep this lesson in mind.
I reach the direct reality on the field. I say yes, we are maintaining our steadfastness on the battlefield. We are still strong. This is a great achievement for the resistance and a huge failure for the enemy pertaining to its declared aims towards the resistance. We are still fighting at the front villages, frontlines, knowing that we are not bind by the geography. However, the heroic fighters are determined to maintain their positions and fight until the last bullet. They will fight as long as there is one bullet, one bomb, one rocket, and as long as there is a possibility to fight. They are still fighting. Imagine, as I speak, the fighting goes on in Ayta Shaab town, directly at the border. The same situation exists in the rest of the front villages. Your children and brothers, the mujahideen in the resistance, are in fact making miracles and presenting a struggling example, heroic example, courageous example, which is peerless in history and present time.
We are fighting in the front towns as well as the frontlines. Yesterday, the mujahideen or freedom fighters of the Islamic Resistance attacked an Israeli outpost in Jal El-Alam, right at the border, and they were also engaged in a fight in Labouna. They caused casualties in the enemy lines. Your struggling brothers are still fighting and taking the initiative at the frontlines and front positions. The Israelis can sneak at night into some valleys and make airdrops in some rear lines. But soon afterwards the mujahideen discover them, attack and cause casualties in them. Today, the Israelis admit that they are transporting provision and aid via the helicopters and animals. This is because the movement of their vehicles and armors is open in the southern soil. It makes them an easy hunt for the mujahideen of the resistance.
This is the reality on the field. Until now, there are a large number of Merkava tanks that have been destroyed. This detail is important. I must mention that more than 60 Merkava tanks have been destroyed until now with a large number of military bulldozers, soldier carriers. The sum exceeds 100 tanks, soldier carriers and military bulldozers of the destroyed machines. I am not talking about the dead settlers or the wounded settlers. I am only talking about the officers and soldiers. More than 100 officers and soldiers have been killed until now in the battles. More than 400 officers and soldiers have been wounded until now in the battles. Tens of them are critical as the enemy admitted. This pertains to the confrontations on the battlefield.
Regarding the ballistic bombardment, the efficiency of the resistance remains the same as it was in the early days. Moreover, when Olmert said that Hizbullah is no longer as it used to be, your children and brethren of the Islamic Resistance replied by firing more than 350 missiles that fell on the different military bases and Zionist settlements in north Occupied Palestine. Until now, he failed in weakening this ballistic capacity available for Hizbullah and the resistance. This will cause longer stay of the settlers in those areas inside shelters and a large number of them will migrate. This is also causing great damage to the economy, finance, material and humans, which the enemy keeps hiding.
Know this, throughout the Arab wars, the Israelis used to say what they had and the Arabs used to hide what they have. On the other hand, today, when Lebanon is bombed or when buildings are destroyed, people martyred, massacres perpetrated, despite the negative rare influence of these scenes, yet we say what we have, but the Zionists conceal today what they have. They are hiding everything. Where are the hundreds of rockets falling? Until now they are saying that more than 3000 rockets have fallen on them. I assure to you that these rockets are divinely aimed as they are technically aimed. They are not striking randomly. But the Israelis are applying a metallic cover on the media. Yes, sometimes they circulate through some media means that a rocket fell on an empty road or forest or valley in order to nail the determination of the freedom fighters and say that their missiles are useless. If the resistance missiles are useless, let the media means and world reporters take pictures of all the places that were targeted by the resistance missiles. Until now, as it really happens in Lebanon, the journalists visit all the areas and take pictures to reveal to the world where exactly the tons of explosives, which the enemy warplanes drop, are falling.
Anyhow, today, the smaller Zionist cabinet appeared with a decision to widen the ground offensive synchronizingly with the visit of the US Secretary of State aide, Mr. Walsh to Beirut. Is this decision part of the psychological war to pressurize the Lebanese and make them accept that which Mr. Walsh brought to them? Alternatively, is this decision serious and real for the ground? What are the limits of this decision? Do they want to expand further to reach to Litany River? Anyhow, the Israelis have been unable until now to control the borderline area, which they said they want to take it back to its past stage. I said that the fighting is still ongoing in Jal El-Alam, Labouna, and the frontlines and front positions. The enemy might focus on Taybe front because it is the nearest to the Litany River, after which it will say to the world we reached the Litany River. The separating distance between Galil Finger and Litany River from Taybe side is simple and modest.
Anyhow, I say to the Zionists, you can come to any place, you can invade, and you can drop your air-borne forces and enter this village or that point. This is nothing new. I will repeat. All this issue will be very costly for you. You cannot stay on our soil. If you enter our precious southern land we will turn it into a cemetery for the Zionist invaders. Those who are fighting you at the frontlines are fighting you with courage. We will wait you at each village, each highland, and each valley. And in each stage, thousands of freedom fighters will be waiting for your. These fighters are ready, determined, and courageous. They are keen like their brothers who are fighting at the frontlines in the battlefield. This is what is waiting for you. This is what we love and want. We want the aggression in its entirety to stop. But should there be a combat, you are welcome to the combat on the battlefield, which is occurring as I speak. You are the cowardly ones who are killing our old men, women and children, destroying our houses. On the other hand, we are killing your officers and soldiers, destroying your tanks and bases. This is the reality on the field, which honors us. We are facing you with this reality.
In conclusion, I wish to confirm to the Lebanese people first and the government. In spite of the suffering of the émigrés and steadfast civilians, Lebanon still relies on a strong reality on the field. The enemy is the one that is confused, helpless and unsuccessful until now. There is an unprecedented procedure that took place, where the enemy discharged the commander of the northern region and assigned the deputy chief of staff of the enemy army to lead the front. This is an important and serious development which the military experts understand well. I call on the Lebanese people and government to further steadfastness as the resistance is steadfast. And I call on our displaced citizens as well as those who are sheltering them to further patience. This is because you, particularly after all these sacrifices, have expressed, said, and rejected contempt, humiliation and submission. We cannot let the enemy achieve its interests at the expense of the sacrifices and blood of the martyrs. All that the enemy has seen from us until now is, I will say what the master of the martyrs and our leader Sayyed Abbas Al-Musawi said, "Until now, you have seen a fraction of our adversity". You are welcome to the wide ground offensive in which you will see all of our adversity, God willing.
To the Arabs of Haifa, I have a special message. We have grieved and we are grieving for your martyrs and wounded people. I beg you and address you asking you to leave this city. I hope you will do so. Over the past period, your presence and your misfortune rendered us hesitate in targeting this city, despite the fact that the southern suburb and Lebanese depth were being shelled and Haifa was or was not being shelled. I hope that you will relieve us from this hesitation and save your souls which are our souls. Leave this city.
To each mujahid of the resistance, to each mujahid who is still fighting, to each mujahid who lies in wait, to all the heroic lively fighters who have been true to their covenant with God, never changed (their determination) in the least and will never change, God willing, I read to them the words of their prince (p): "Fix your foot on the ground. The mountains may vanish but you may not. Lend you mind to God. Look at the far lines of the people. And knoweth that there is no help but from God, the Exalted. Brothers, you've done well. Until now you've made miracles and became the legend. The world in its entirety is observing you. All the nobles in this world are observing you. The nation and the Lebanese people are betting on you. The families of the departed martyrs, the wounded and the people who are enduring the suffering of displacement and steadfastness with all the free people are observing you. You are as you were, as you said and as we say: you are the hope, you are the venture, and you are the imminent victory. We pray for you and we are with you. May God help you, fix you, cherish you, and provide you with victory. You are the noblest of God's creatures. Along your side we have seen only victory, pride and dignity. The end of this battle will only bring degradation, humiliation and defeat to our enemies the Zionists as well as to all of those who are satisfied with their hostility and are betting on the aggression of these Zionists, who spread mischief on earth, the killers of the prophets.
May peace be upon all of you.
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Nasrallah's address in the last days of the war with after Israel when Israeli army knew it could not defeat Hezbollah:
Speech 12 August 2006:
Peace be upon all of you;
After greetings and praying for the safety of our Mujahideen and struggling heroes, our self-esteemed, steadfast and loyal nation, each dear, honest and supporting person who supports us with words, actions and love, today I wish to address you to talk about the main issue, the international resolution that was reached tonight. Therefore, I will comment on this resolution and explain the way required to deal with the events over the next few days. Also I want to explain our political comment with our attitude on this decision in its entirety.
To begin with, I wish to confirm that if it were not for the steadfastness of the heroic, brave and noble freedom fighters with the steadfastness of our brave, great, loyal and self-esteemed nation as well as the steadfastness of the Lebanese political forces and Lebanese state with its various political, security, military and civilian institutes, in other words, if it were not for the steadfastness of Lebanon in its entirety, we would have been facing at present awful political and security outcomes; our enemy would have been standing in the position where it would have imposed its political and security terms on Lebanon and taken it to a new reality that would have been more worse than the 17-May agreement. This could have been the case taking into consideration the open or concealed goals of the Israeli war on Lebanon coupled with the US open aims of this war on Lebanon. Therefore, today we are facing the natural, accepted and possible outcomes of the great steadfastness that was expressed by the Lebanese people through the various positions.
On the issue of the UNSC resolution I wish to explain the way required to deal with the obligations and outcomes of this decision irrespective of the political attitude about which I will talk in a few minutes with our remarks, reservations and evaluation. In the beginning, I wish to stress on the resistance way in dealing with this issue over the past few days:
First: Should an official time of full cessation of hostilities or war actions, whatever they call them, be reached through the effort of the UN Secretary-General with the coordination of Lebanon and the enemy government, the resistance will abide by it without any hesitation. In this context, before or after this announcement, I confirm that the resistance is a reaction. Hence, when the Israeli hostilities cease the reactions expressed by the resistance will definitely and naturally cease.
Second: Anything that may ease the return of our displaced citizens and émigrés to their homes and towns, anything that may ease the humanitarian and relief aid, we will be fully prepared to provide our best possible cooperation required for the transitional period.
Third: In the past, through our political attitude and existence in the government, we said that we agreed to the notion of the Lebanese army deployment aided with UNIFIL forces. This is our stance and we will abide by it. Once the deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces is decided they will receive from the resistance the best cooperation, facilitation, and required readiness, God willing.
Fourth: Since they are talking about hostilities, it is apparent that the Zionist enemy understood from this word, as explained by its leaders today, that it gives them the right to accomplish their ground and field action, regarding it as self-defense coupled with an impulse that flows in line with the accomplishment of some military and ground targets of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. In this context, as long as there is an Israeli military movement and Israeli ground hostility with Israeli soldiers occupying our soil, these give us the natural right to face and fight them, defending our soil, homeland and ourselves. Therefore, as long as the Israeli practices an occupation and hostility the resistance will be our natural right and the right of all Lebanese people. We will practice this resistance through the mean which we believe is useful and helpful.
In this framework, as was mentioned yesterday through the words that advanced the voting on the UN resolution and confirmed that the 1996 April understanding will be the ruling frame of any ground confrontations of this sort, I must confirm in a natural form our commitment to the April understanding and we call on the enemy to abide by this understanding. This will be the case on the level of action for the next few days. This is because the real problem of this resolution is that it did not declare a comprehensive ceasefire with the withdrawal of the occupation forces. Instead, it mentioned the cessation of hostilities, which may draw different interpretations to explain the aim behind the hostilities. In other words, I want to reach a point to say that no one in the resistance, government, Lebanese people and Lebanon must make a mistake and imagine that the war has ended by midnight when the UNSC took this decision. The war has not ended and the proof is the ongoing aggression. Today, there are several attempts to advance through several fronts associated with airdrops in some areas and air strikes in other several areas causing destruction and demolishment. At present, nothing has changed. It seems that nothing will change tomorrow as well. The US administration seems to have given the consecutive periods to the Israelis to accomplish ground achievements because the UNSC did not meet until after one month has passed since the beginning of war, the war of the aggression on Lebanon.
In addition, there is persistence that no comprehensive ceasefire should go into effect. Therefore, today is Saturday, and the enemy has a chance tomorrow for its government to meet and give its reply on Monday after the necessary coordination. Even after announcing the cessation of hostilities, the enemy has several days ahead under the pretext that it will not cease fire until the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces begin the deployment process in the places of the enemy's withdrawal. After all, this mechanism or this way gives the Israeli enemy at least several days to continue its aggression in different forms. We must maintain our alertness in Lebanon and must not behave on the basis that the war has ended. Hence, Lebanon, the people of Lebanon, the state of Lebanon, the army of Lebanon, and above all the resistance must not be taken into surprise, giving the enemy the right in the end of the war to kill, destroy, deeply penetrate, spread mischief and do all the ugly deeds because the war will end within a few days.
This is a terrible misunderstanding in which we must not be involved. Therefore, the resistance today is still encountering heroic battles and will continue these confrontations and execute its national, dogmatic, humane and ethical duty in opposing the monstrous and barbaric archenemy which regards no limits for its ambitions and hostilities. This will be the case of our performance for the next days and phase.
Regarding the resolution, we do not want to start a general evaluation of the decision at present or evaluate how far it adopts the Lebanese demands pertaining to the 7-points plan that was unanimously approved by the Lebanese, or how far it approaches these demands, or pave the way to approach these demands. Anyhow, I believe that the discussion and situation passed this kind of estimations and discussion. But I want to be brief and say the following points:
First: Regarding some of the aspects of this resolution, we believe that it is unfair and unjust when it tries to blame the resistance that executed a limited military operation, not to forget the lies which we heard yesterday in the UNSC, pertaining to the US Secretary of State and the Israeli ambassador. The fact was that two Israeli soldiers have been captured, period. The Israelis began targeting the residential buildings, cities and bombed the southern suburb. In other words, they began the war and attacked the civilians after which we began shelling the settlements in north Occupied Palestine. The words that are being reiterated by the Americans and Israelis, and unfortunately by some UN officials, presenting the case that Hizbullah captured two soldiers and launched thousands of rockets into the north were untrue and nothing but lies, deception and clear fabrication. In fact, it is utterly unfair and unjust and an act of victimization when the resistance is blamed for a military operation of limited actions, results and repercussions whereas at the same time the UN resolution spares Israel from being mentioned, blamed or condemned for its hostilities, perpetrations, horrific massacres, the killing of more than 1000 civilians in Lebanon, the killing of women and children in Qana, Sheyah, Qaa in Britail, Akkar and Sreefa, coupled with countless massacres and crimes across the Lebanese towns, and the destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure. Anyhow, this is one of the aspects which I mentioned for ethical, human and political reasons.
There are other items towards which we have reservations. But we will not discuss them until after a serious ceasefire is reached. This is because we want to discover or actually display the intentions of the Israeli enemy through this tactic that was used by the US and "Israel" which divided the issues to two stages, first the cessation of hostilities, and later ceasefire.
Moreover, there are other items in this resolution which we regard as Lebanese internal matters that must be discussed within the government, within the framework of the national dialogue committee. We, the Lebanese, the political forces in Lebanon, are concerned in discussing and concluding these issues. We will present our ideas and views through the government, through our participation in the government or through our general participation in the national political cadres that discuss issues of this kind. Our ministers will express this fundamental attitude and these reservations in the cabinet session that will be summoned today to take a certain official stance for the Lebanese government. We surely appreciate all the efforts that have been exerted on the political and official fields and resulted in an outcome that pushed away that which could have been worse. In other words, there are other worse issues, other several bad issues that could have been included in the UN resolution. The political and diplomatic efforts helped and were successful by benefiting from the steadfastness. At this point, I repeat and reconfirm that we can benefit from the legendary steadfastness of the resistance and Lebanese nation that succeeded in driving away that which could have been worse. Today, the Lebanese government can definitely act with a national responsibility and can behave in the way that renders it patriotically responsible. We will not be an obstacle ahead of any decision. The Lebanese government decision is appropriate, but our ministers will record our reservations on the resolution and some of the items and prefatory articles of this resolution, which we regard unfair and unjust.
Over the next stage, there are great responsibilities added to the burden of the Lebanese government, Lebanese state in general. These are tied to the security, building, humanitarian and political aspects. After stressing during the war period, we again with this issue reconfirm at present that we still need the national solidarity and consensus for the next stage and the stage that will follow the end of the war. I must stress on the significance of the national solidarity and national unity in order to challenge the future entitlements, which are imminent and are of high significance, seriousness and criticality-if the Israeli enemy feels that in the end it did not achieve its declared or undeclared aims of this war and did not leave and will not Lebanon in peace, we must be prepared to face certain gravities. We can only face them through our solidarity, awareness, alertness as well as national unity, which were expressed through different forms over the past few weeks. We must preserve this unity for the next stage.
At present, surely I will not be engaged in evaluating the war and its aftermath or that which is being discussed at present or will be discussed through the several informative and political arguments. This is because I believe we are still at war. Our priority at present resides in the cessation of the aggression as well as in the ceasefire which is being expressed as the Israeli hostility. There is also the restoration of our land, the achieving of security and stability in our country, the return of the displaced and émigrés. After this, we will discuss each event.
We do not want to rush things, I call on everyone to feel that we are still at the challenge, but we must behave with the same feelings, emotions and responsibility which we all employed since the beginning. For now, the political effort will continue. The Lebanese government will adopt the stance it believes to be suitable. The quests will continue to define the time of the so-called cessation of hostilities. We will see how the issues will turn up over the next days and what will be of the real performance of the enemy. In this context, I said in the beginning, we will approach with reality and with the required positivism, especially on the ground. But we all must be cautious and alert. The enemy is continuing its military actions, especially on the ground. The Israeli army has a freehand pertaining to movements. It seems that the real reasons or part of the real reasons behind the ongoing military operations, especially on the ground, which will continue for days, are tied to internal matters such as the same Israeli army, the Israeli government, and the aftermath within the Israeli entity.
Therefore, at present, in Lebanon and after defining the possible political framework to solve the war issue via the UN resolution, the Israelis are still continuing their war. I am saying that they are continuing their war for mere internal reasons that are tied to the image of the Israeli army coupled with an attempt to present certain achievements that will save face. Anyhow, regardless of the aims of the continued war, even on the ground and field, we in the resistance, your brothers, children and beloved ones who fought the most beautiful heroic battles and displayed the images of masculine, heroism, magnanimity and self-esteem on the land of south Lebanon, are continuing their work and will continue the intercept and challenge.
Regardless of the steps which the occupation army will take as it tries to advance further into this or that area, or tries to bypass and exert great efforts to reach the Litani River or any other point, after which it will tell the Israeli entity and the world that it reached the Litani River, that it is occupying a certain territory, regardless of any situation or any image which the enemy army seeks to present through its ongoing aggression, I confirm that the resistance remains existent, strong, solid and brave, inflicting upon the enemy further and further losses within the lines of its officers, soldiers, tanks, and machines as well as its boats as happened yesterday and as is happening today pertaining to the tanks' massacre that was reached by the Islamic Resistance mujahideen in south Lebanon. These mujahideen will continue their duty. We are all with them hoping that the end of this war will be very soon. And Lebanon with its nation, resistance and state will only emerge triumphant, dignified, and self-esteemed, God wiling.
Peace be upon all of you.
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Nasrallah's address declares "Divine Strategic Victory" over Israel in the 30 days war.:
Speech on 14 August 2006:
I commend myself to God’s protection from the Evil one, the Rejected.
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Merciful.
Praise be to God the Lord of the universe.
Praise be to God alone, who fulfilled His promise, supported His servant, and alone defeated the parties.
Peace and blessings be on the last Prophet, our master Muhammad;
his purified household; virtuous companions;
and all prophets and messengers.
God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
On this great and revered day on which our honourable and chaste people return to their villages, towns, houses and neighbourhoods, I address my message to you. I would like to emphasize some issues and matters in this message.
First of all, I do not want to assess or discuss in detail what we are currently witnessing, but I want to say briefly and without exaggeration that we stand before a strategic and historical victory for Lebanon - all of Lebanon, for the resistance, and for the whole nation.
I will leave the details of my talk, its scope, proof and facts to the coming days. This is because I want to devote my words on this occasion to the martyrs and the sacrifices of martyrs - the martyrs of the resistance and the martyrs of all resisting and honourable parties and forces. I address my words to the martyrs of the army, security forces, civil defence forces and the media. I also address my words to civilian men, women, and children who were martyred - particularly the martyrs of massacres starting with Marwahin on the first days and ending with yesterday’s massacres in the Al-Brital, Sufayr and Ruways areas, as well as the residential complex of Imam Al-Hasan, peace be upon him, in Beirut’s southern suburb.
My message on this occasion is devoted to the men of the Resistance, sacrifices, firmness, steadfastness, people, kinfolk, beloved ones, friends, patience, trust, perseverance and the faithful ones in Lebanon and outside Lebanon who stood by us throughout this war.
I do not think that I am qualified or can express what is in my mind, heart and feelings, or can explain this matter while sitting in front of a camera. The right setting for this is during a forthcoming meeting with people, beloved ones, the mujahideen, and through direct talk with them. Therefore, I will leave what is related to this matter to that forthcoming meeting, God willing, so as to discuss all this and to talk about the issues of prisoners, the other occupied lands, Gaza and the suffering of its people, Palestine, sacrifices, injustice, the historical responsibility, the historical turning point, as well as the upcoming stage.
The second matter that I would like to discuss is the displaced persons and their return to their homes and the stage after their return. First of all, I would like to greet all those who held their ground in the battlefield of confrontation and who endured unbearable things as the size of bombardment from the air, land and sea was unprecedented in the history of Lebanon. The size of the destruction the Israeli enemy inflicted on the infrastructure and houses, which directly harm families, is also unprecedented in any Israeli war on Lebanon. The enemy left behind huge destruction and devastation, which express its rancour, brutality and powerlessness. In the past few days alone, it destroyed thousands of homes in the south, in [Beirut’s] southern suburb, in Al-Bekaa, and in all Lebanese areas, with extreme emphasis on the southern Lebanese areas and Beirut’s southern suburb, with the goal of course being hurting the people and punishing them for their position, honour, chivalry, commitment, faith, humanity and pride.
At any rate, we must thank and salute those who were patient throughout their displacement and forced migration and returned today to their areas, lands and homes, even if demolished, and I wish to especially thank all the residents of the areas [that welcomed the displaced] as well as all the sects, political parties, the state and its institutions, all humanitarian organizations, and all those who helped embrace our displaced people during the difficult time of the war.
I turn now to those returning to their areas, to the steadfast, and to the rest of the people to speak about the homes that were destroyed or damaged. There are two classes here, and I will only talk about residential units and homes - the other matters pertaining to the infrastructure, economics, and other areas of damage and destruction, I put discussing them at a later period, and I believe what is pressing for now is the issue of homes and houses because they provide shelter for these noble families.
Regarding the houses that were damaged but are still habitable, starting tomorrow morning, the brothers in the towns, villages, and cities will take the initiative and will contact and visit the owners of these homes to offer direct and swift assistance in order to kick start the restoration of these homes back to a habitable state as fast and as early as possible.
As for the demolished homes - the harder issue - I wish to first reassure these honourable families [whose homes have been demolished] that they need not worry. What I said in the first days of the war was not simply meant to boost your steadfastness. No, today is the day I keep my word and fulfil this promise. God willing, you will not need to ask for help, stand in any lines, or go to certain places; our brothers, who are your brothers and sons, in all areas, towns, villages and neighbourhoods will, God willing, come to your service starting tomorrow morning.
We will work together on this matter. We cannot of course wait for the government and its heavy vehicles and machinery because they could be a while, at any rate, the government’s movements will come to light in the near future, but what we can do is work together along two simultaneous tracks starting tomorrow. The first being securing a reasonable sum of money for each family to help it rent a house for a year and buy decent and suitable furniture for this house, because the reconstruction of houses and apartment buildings requires months, and the natural alternative for now is for people to rent and furnish houses. This will start tomorrow, and I can say that in the coming few days, all these cases, even though great in number and serious, will be covered. So far, the initial count available to us on completely demolished houses exceeds 15,000 residential units. We understand that this is a monumental and serious affair, but, God willing, we have enough resolve for this task and achievement.
The second track is clearing the rubble and kick starting construction, with hopes that in a few months time, we would have rebuilt all the houses that have been demolished. The matter here is also one of determination - determination and faith, patience, tolerance, sincerity, planning, accuracy and hard work, through which we were able to confront the aggression, hold out, and triumph, and through these exact same principles and feelings, we can overcome the hardships of reconstructing and triumph, God willing. In this context, I call on all engineers, for it is not enough that we secure funds, but there is a need for solidarity, initiative, and cooperation on the part of engineers, construction material dealers, and furniture dealers - no one should raise prices due to the surge in demand. They must act humanely and patriotically.
We also need hands-on efforts and workers when considering the sheer size of the construction work needed, but given the possible shortage in manual workers as a result of the circumstances the country witnessed in the past months, we must all volunteer and work alongside the owners of these homes on rebuilding them. I call on all Lebanese young men and women to volunteer with the same patriotic and moral spirit we witnessed during the confrontations, embracement [of the displaced], and civil defence efforts, and in the enthusiasm, amity, affection, love and concern for the people. I especially call on the young men of Hizbullah, on our brothers in all institutions and sectors, on the mujahideen, on the mobilization and recruitment officers, on the students, on the union people, on the freelancers, and on everyone, and I tell them that we must all converge on the construction battlefield in every village, neighbourhood and city. Let us place our personal considerations aside. We must contribute to all the requirements of this construction, even in terms of normal simple labour. I believe the large numbers and thousands we are speaking of here - if we take a day, two days, a couple of days, or a number of hours every day from each brother or person, we would be able to organize a huge effort and secure significant financial resources. At any rate, this is a grand and monumental effort.
The expatriate donors from all over the world can always support us. They are also welcome to contribute and participate. In order to complete the victory, we should begin the reconstruction, especially building the houses as they were built and even better so that those honourable people would return to them. Without the steadfastness of those people, we would not have been able to achieve this victory.
The last issue in my message is related to the controversy which began several days ago over the weapons of the [Islamic] Resistance. Of course, I do not want to talk about this controversy. However, I want to touch on this issue in a responsible and careful way.
O brothers and sisters.
During the fighting, and when your beloved people from the mujahideen of the Resistance - who were showing heroism, writing epics, and making miracles - there were discussions held in the closed rooms and in private channels on how the situation would be in the area located to the south of the Litani River. In particular, the issue of deploying the Lebanese Army there, the issue of the borders, the UNIFIL. They also discussed how the status, position, and the future of the weapons of the resistance would be, in addition to the way the resistance would act if this deployment takes place.
These were responsible, serious and careful discussions held by our older brother [Parliament] Speaker Nabih Birri, who is truly a great national guarantee. I hope that all those who opened this file to the mass media to listen to him and his voice, I hope they would observe his wisdom in dealing with this sensitive, serious and decisive issue.
At any rate, these discussions were held before and after the issuance of the UN Security Council resolution, until the last session of the Lebanese government. This issue was raised and some discussion took place over it.
We were surprised to see some government ministers leaking this story; namely the story of this discussion and the disagreement in viewpoints to some local and Arab television stations.
The discussions and arguments began to grow bigger and bigger. What should have remained a discussion behind closed doors, has become a public discussion. I believe that there is no national interest in such a discussion and it is unbecoming. Nevertheless, I call for returning this discussion to its normal and responsible channels, which are known. At the end of my speech, I will comment on how to end this discussion.
In all cases, we had preferred not to enter into this argument because we think it does not serve the national interest, but serves the interest of the enemy who began to witness internal sharp disputes inside its military institution at the political and military levels, between the government and opposition, between the left-wing and right-wing parties, in the media, and on the street. Apparently, some parties want to force Lebanon to enter into disputes that are not in Lebanon’s interest.
Out of care, love, responsibility and calmness, I would like to draw the attention of some of those gentlemen and political parties - who disclosed the discussion to the media and to the public - to some issues and to their mistakes in this context.
First, there is a mistake in timing at the psychological and moral level, especially when the discussion began before the ceasefire or the so-called military operations while Lebanon was being bombarded and its infrastructures were being destroyed.
All the Lebanese areas and all the Lebanese people were targeted. Specifically, the people of the south, the residents of Al-Bekaa, and the residents of the [Beirut] southern suburb had the lion’s share of the attacks. Those people represent a major segment of the Lebanese people.
I would like to draw the attention to the wrong psychological timing.
There is a great segment of people who, like all other Lebanese, believe in the resistance, who hold on to the weapons of the resistance, who are proud of the resistance, and who offer great sacrifices. There were approximately one million displaced people whose houses were destroyed - some 15,000 residential units were destroyed as I have just said. Most of the civilian martyrs were from the south, Al-Bekaa, and the southern suburb. Most of the massacres were committed against residents of the south, Al-Bekaa, and the southern suburb. These families, whom you saw on television screens leaving their homes, were women, children and elderly. Those who remained on the battle fronts were the youths, who were fighting gallantly, bravely and steadfastly. They were making a real legend and the Israeli enemy stood before them puzzled. The enemy was weak and cowardly. It was defeated without being able to achieve any of its goals. Meanwhile, at this difficult and decisive psychological and emotional moment, some people sitting behind their desks under air conditioners were talking calmly and advising people on the weapons of the resistance and talk in their rhetorical language. They have always been saying that we are speaking a rhetorical language. They are the ones who are speaking rhetorically.
I will not touch on the essence of this rhetorical language. This is unethical, incorrect, erroneous and unbecoming, whether this idea that they are talking about was true or not.
How could they imagine that those people - the great segment of the Lebanese society, those who embrace them, those who believe in them, and those who support them - are emotionless?
Do they think that those people and these huge segments of the Lebanese society and those who embrace them, believe in them, and support them have no feelings or emotions? Do they think that all of those are political leaders with a high sense of awareness and with no emotions or feelings? What are those people doing? What are they saying?
Are those people mere stones or slaves that have to listen and obey when some political elites in Lebanon speak? This is wrong and a big mistake.
Of course, we exerted huge efforts so as not to have reactions, because what happened was insulting. And I urge people, the masses of the resistance, and the lovers and supporters of the resistance to ignore what they heard and what they may hear because the country’s solidarity and unity are the most precious things that we should care for. We endured killing, destruction, devastation, wounds, and displacement; therefore, we can endure the harm that some people might cause in this regard, although I urge those people to stop this harm. I urge them out of real concern, sense of responsibility and love, to fully understand the current psychological, emotional and moral situation.
It is true that they are talking to people whose houses were destroyed and whose children were killed, but those people emerged victorious in a battle where huge Arab armies would have been defeated. We emerged from the battle with our heads held high while our enemy was defeated. Our enemy is the one suffering powerlessness and weakness and who is going to set up investigation committees and take many measures.
For that reason, you are talking to victorious people who offered great sacrifices and paid a dear price for this victory, which Lebanon, the nation and everybody achieved. This should be taken into consideration.
On the other hand, the strange thing is that talk used to be about the condition of the weapons and the resistance in the area south of the Litani River.
Nobody now, even the enemy or the international community, is asking Lebanon to quickly disarm the resistance. This issue was regarded as part of the long-term and lasting solution. But we, unfortunately, heard some voices saying that if the area south of the river should be demilitarized, then why should there be any weapons in the area north of the river, and what is the use of the resistance weapons in the whole of Lebanon, so we should start discussing the issue of all the weapons, as of now. Their intention was not to discuss this issue, but to demand an end to this issue.
Our dear and loved brothers, this matter can not be settled hastily in this way. I advise people to avoid provocation and exaggeration, or attempting to exert pressure by invoking humanitarian and security considerations.
We know that among the most important goals of the US-Israeli war, which was launched recently on Lebanon, is disarming us and ending the presence of these weapons, but they failed. I also urge you to read or listen to what the enemy’s foreign minister said. She said that even the strongest army in the world cannot disarm Hizbullah.
Hence, this matter can not be settled through provocation or exaggeration. It was not settled through the destruction of houses, the killing of children and women, or the launching of the fiercest battle in Lebanon’s history. Therefore, we should be careful when we tackle this issue.
The issue under discussion now is the situation on the southern side of the river. We have been discussing this issue with the concerned and serious parties. Consequently, you are committing a mistake and going further than what the Americans and the Israelis are demanding of Lebanon. This is surprising in fact.
Thirdly, in this regard some people said that they wanted Hizbullah to hand over its weapons to the state. Have those great people liberated Shab’a Farms and secured the return of people to their lands in Shab’a Farms? Do they ask us to hand over our weapons because they freed prisoners? Do they come to us with real guarantees of protecting Lebanon against the Israeli enemy, which is still threatening? Olmert was levelling threats before I came to have this message recorded, Lebanon is still being threatened and might be attacked any time.
Who will defend this country? Who will teach the enemy a lesson? Who will make the enemy pay a heavy price? Today, we can proudly say that if any Israeli government decides to launch war in the future, it will take into consideration that war with Lebanon will not be a picnic. War with Lebanon will be very costly in terms of human, material and economic losses, as well as in terms of the loss of dignity and image.
The Zionist enemy is carefully considering this and the next days will uncover the real losses on many levels as a result of this current confrontation.
What alternatives do you have? Is it the Lebanese Army? We support the deployment of the army in the area south of the river and we have said this before. But can the Lebanese Army, with its current conditions and capabilities, fight a war if a war is imposed on Lebanon? Is it the UNIFIL? Would the UNIFIL, even if supported by 10,000 or 20,000 or 50,000 soldiers, stand to defend and protect Lebanon if Israel attacks Lebanon? This is out of the question.
Therefore, this is an issue that is linked to the country’s destiny and the protection of the country, and we should not deal with it lightly or with such haste. This is a complicated issue and we have said that we were ready, and are still ready to discuss it. On the table of dialogue, we have talked a lot about it. The persisting excuse was - and now we go back to rhetoric - spreading the state’s sovereignty. We agree to the spreading of the state’s sovereignty. At any rate, we are part of the state. Are we outside the state? We are members of the government and the Chamber of Deputies. We are a significant part of this country. We believe in the state, but which state? The strong, capable, fair, defiant and reassuring state that would make every Lebanese feel that it represents him. This is what we unanimously agreed upon on the table of dialogue. Is the state we have now that kind of state - a strong, capable, defiant and fair state that can reassure all the sects, sectors, and political currents in Lebanon? This needs some thinking. On the table of dialogue, we have always had this discussion, and I insist on this point. There were some people who would say that withdrawing the resistance weapons is a basic condition for building the strong and capable state. I say the opposite. The building of the strong, capable, defiant, and reassuring state is the natural beginning for this state to come to the Lebanese people and to the people of the south to tell them: O our people, we are a strong, capable, and defiant state that can protect your dignity, blood, honour, and pride, and you do not need to have any mass structures called resistance or special weapons called the resistance weapons. The beginning should be the building of a strong, capable state that can defend the people and the country’s honour. This should not be the end. This would be very wrong.
In all cases, I wish to conclude by saying, let us return the discussion to its natural place. I believe that continuing the row over this issue will make Lebanon lose its strength. Now, Lebanon’s strength lies in its resistance - and I do not mean the resistance as such, but its general resistance, which includes steadfastness, solidarity, and direct presence in the field, as well as the resistance - and national unity. If we preserve these two factors of strength, we can build the strong, capable state with its army and security agencies and its political and civilian agencies. In that case, such a state will provide the solution to all the current problems in the country. Do not waste the current factor of strength in the country. Do not enter into matters and rows that would squander resistance and unity, because this would not help in the building of the strong and capable state, which we all agree is the solution and the only way out for Lebanon’s future. All of us in Lebanon can then live under this state which protects everybody, preserves everybody’s dignity, defends everybody, and reassures everybody.
Therefore, let us return this discussion to its natural circles and to the real point of discussion now. I say that through serious discussion and through the wise men we have in the country, and our feeling of responsibility and away from the media and public discussions and one-upmanship, I am certain that we can arrive at suitable solutions that can achieve the national interests from all its aspects.
Finally, I congratulate those returning to their homes on their victorious return. I assure you and I assure them that you are the people of this land, you are the owners of this land, and you are its honour and dignity. With you, homes will be rebuilt, dignity will be established, and history will be made.
God’s blessings and peace be upon you.
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Nasrallah's address on "divine victory celebrations" after a brutal war against Israel:
Speech on 22 September 2006:
I seek God's protection against the cursed Satan.
In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate.
Praise be to Almighty God;
blessings and peace be upon our master and prophet,
the last of the prophets, Muhammad; his good, righteous, infallible family members; his noble companions; and upon all the prophets and messengers;
O beloved and honourable ones; O most honourable, pure, and generous people, may God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you; [applause].
Praise be to God, who fulfilled His promise to us and who granted us, Lebanon, and the people of Lebanon victory over the enemy of Lebanon. Praise be to God who made us proud, enabled us to hold fast, and gave us security. Praise be to God, on whom we relied and to whom we turned repentantly. As He promised, He has always been the best protector. Praise be to God for His victory, assistance, and support.
Brothers and sisters, Ladies and Gentlemen.
On 22 September, you once again surprised the world and truly proved that you are a great, proud, loyal, and courageous people. [Applause]
Rally involves risks
For some days now, many people have been waging a psychological war on this rally, just as they waged a psychological war on the Resistance. [Boos] They said that this square would be bombed and that this podium would be destroyed in order to scare people and keep them from coming. On 22 September, you prove, by crowning the victory rally, that you are more courageous than [you were on] 12 July and 14 August. [Applause]
Standing before you and amongst you involves risk for you and me. There were other choices, up until just half an hour ago, we were discussing [my participation]. However, my heart, mind, and soul did not allow me to address you from afar nor through a screen. [Applause]
The utmost one expects is for the enemy to make a mistake or commit a crime. However, does this enemy not know who we are? We are the sons of that imam, who said: Are you threatening me with death? We are used to death and our dignity is derived from the martyrdom God grants us. [Applause]
You are all welcome - from the fighting and resisting south, to the steadfast Al-Biqa, to the loyal north, to the proud mountain, to the Beirut of Arabism, to the [southern] suburb of loftiness and dignity. You are all welcome - from the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon; you are all welcome - from Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, and every country that came to us to celebrate and rejoice.
God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you; peace be upon your martyrs and the families of your martyrs; peace be upon your wounded people and their bleeding wounds; peace be upon your prisoners; peace be upon your blood and tears; peace be upon your orphans and widows; peace be upon your demolished houses; peace be upon your burnt property; peace be upon your souls and strong will, which is stronger than the mountains of Lebanon.
"Strategic, historic, divine victory"
Brothers and sisters,
We are today celebrating a big strategic, historic, and divine victory. How can the human mind imagine that a few thousand of your Lebanese resistance sons - if I wanted, I would give the exact number - held out for 33 days in a land exposed to the skies against the strongest air force in the Middle East, which had an air bridge transporting smart bombs from America, through Britain, to Israel; against 40,000 officers and soldiers - four brigades of elite forces, three reserve army divisions; against the strongest tank in the world; and against the strongest army in the region? How could only a few thousand people hold out and fight under such harsh conditions, and [how could] their fighting force the naval warships out of our territorial waters? By the way, the army and the resistance are capable of protecting the territorial waters from being desecrated by any Zionist. [Applause] [And how could their fighting] also lead to the destruction of the Mirkava tanks, which are an object of pride for the Israeli industry; damage Israeli helicopters day and night; and turn the elite brigades - I am not exaggerating, and you can watch and read the Israeli media - into rats frightened by your sons? [How did this happen] while you were relinquished by the Arabs and the world and in light of the political (human solidarity was profound though) division around you?
How could this group of mujahidin defeat this army without the support and assistance of almighty God?
Resistance depends on planning, organization
This resistance experience, which should be conveyed to the world, depends - on the moral and spiritual level - on faith, certainty, reliance [on God], and readiness to make sacrifices. It also depends on reason, planning, organization, armament, and, as is said, on taking all possible protective procedures.
We are neither a disorganized and sophistic resistance, nor a resistance pulled to the ground that sees before it nothing but soil, nor a resistance of chaos. The pious, God-reliant, loving, and knowledgeable resistance is also the conscious, wise, trained, and equipped resistance that has plans. This is the secret of the victory we are today celebrating, brothers and sisters.
This victory requires a courageous stand like your stand today. You are today sending an extremely important and serious political and moral message to the Lebanese, the Arabs, and the entire world - friends and foes. You amazed the world when you, as a people in Lebanon, held fast from 12 July to 14 August. They wagered on our division. You - the displaced and those who sheltered [the displaced] - remained fast throughout this stage. When 14 August came, their wager was that the presence of the displaced in the areas to which they were displaced would put pressure on the resistance to impose more conditions on it. The resistance did not submit to any conditions.
Once again, you amazed the world when the displaced returned in their cars and trucks, and some on foot. At 0800, the southern suburb of Beirut, the south of Lebanon, and Al-Biqa were full of their proud and honourable residents, who returned with raised heads.
You are today amazing the world and telling the American, who a few days said, "we received good signs from Lebanon that the popularity of the resistance has receded, and it has started to weaken", that this is the people of resistance. [Applause] These are the masses of the Resistance.
I tell this American: You should address a message of slander to the lying writers of reports, who sends you wrong information on which you build wrong calculations.
Brothers and sisters, we should today stress that this war was an American war in terms of decision, weapons, planning, and desire, and by giving several deadlines for the Zionists; one, two, three, and four weeks. What stopped the war is the failure of the Zionists. If you recall the last days, the largest number of tanks was destroyed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the largest number of the occupation soldiers was killed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the helicopters crashed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Therefore, the Zionists realized that if they had continued [the war], it would have been a disaster. The Americans intervened and even accepted the drafts [of resolutions] for the war to stop. They stopped the war not for the sake of Lebanon, not for the sake of the children of Lebanon, not for the sake of the blood of women in Lebanon, and not for the sake of beautiful Lebanon. They stopped the war only for the sake of Israel. They came to peddle it to us in Lebanon; namely, that our American friends stopped the war. [Applause]
In the first two and three days, our American friends did not agree to stop the war, and they refused [to stop it] on the first, second, third, and fourth weeks. Could they not see the beauty of Lebanon for a month? They wagered [changes thought] - this statement was used in some diplomatic channels - the decision was to crush Hezbollah, and after crushing Hezbollah, accounts would be settled with all its friends, allies, and those who follow the nationalist, truly sovereign and independent line in Lebanon. What stopped the war - after the help of Almighty God - were your resisting sons and these loyal, proud, and courageous people, who supported the resistance from the border to the border, and who embraced its spirit in their mosques, churches, monasteries, and schools. This is what stopped the war. If anyone deserves to celebrate the victory, then it is you who are present here. You deserve it because you made the victory.
"We feel that we won"
We sometimes differ and ask: Was what happened in Lebanon a victory or a defeat? I do not want to go into semantics, but I tell you: Whoever feels that his option, plan, line, and vision has triumphed, feels the victory and speaks about it. And, whoever feels that he has been defeated and has fallen, speaks about defeat.
We feel that we won; Lebanon won; Palestine won; the Arab nation won, and every oppressed, aggrieved person in this world also won.
Our victory is not the victory of a party. I repeat what I said in Bint Jubayl on 25 May 2000: It is not the victory of a party or a community; rather it is a victory for true Lebanon, the true Lebanese people, and every free person in the world.
Don't distort this big historic victory. Do not contain it in party, sectarian, communal, or regional cans. This victory is too big to be comprehended by us. The next weeks, months, and years will confirm this.
Resistance dealt a blow to New Middle East plan
It is enough to say, on the basis of the direct results, that your resistance and steadfastness foiled all the aims of the aggression, and that this is a victory. Our resistance and steadfastness dealt a severe blow to the New Middle East plan, which Condoleezza Rice said would be born in the July War [Boos]. But it was stillborn because it was an illegitimate child. Your resistance and steadfastness exposed the deceptive US policies that speak about human rights, freedoms, democracy, and respect. Your steadfastness and resistance exposed the United States and raised the level of awareness before the level of hostility - the main thing is awareness rather than hostility. It raised the level of awareness and hostility not only in the Arab and Islamic world, but in the whole world.
Thanks to your steadfastness and resistance, Chavez, a man about whom I can say that he is a great Arab indeed, made that statement in the United Nations yesterday. [Cheers] The Lebanese resistance today inspires all resistance men, all free men, and all honourable people in the world, as well as all those who reject US subjugation and degradation of the world. This is our victory and this is the result of our battle.
Resistance is model for "steadfastness"
Moreover, your resistance, which offered in the 2000 victory a model for liberation, offered in the year 2006 a model for steadfastness; legendary steadfastness and miraculous steadfastness. It is strong proof for all Arabs and Muslims, and all rulers, armies, and peoples.
Yesterday, a group of Arab states went to the Security Council to beg for peace and a settlement. I tell them: I am not speaking to you about removing Israel, I am speaking to you about the settlement you want. How can you obtain an honourable settlement, while you announce day and night that you will not fight? You do not want to fight for Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, or even Jerusalem. How then can you obtain a reasonable settlement, while you announce every day that you will not use the oil weapon? In fact, even if anyone comes to speak to you about the oil weapon, you deride him, saying: This is backwardness. You do not want to fight, boycott, use the oil weapon, or even allow the people to come out in the street, or the resistance in Palestine to be equipped. You are besieging it and withholding funds from it. In fact, you are starving it and cutting off salaries for the sake of Condoleezza Rice [Boos].
How can these states secure a just and honourable settlement between quotes? Does the Israeli recognize them in the first place? I tell you: The Israelis today view the Resistance and the resistance men in Lebanon with great respect. As to all those lowly ones, they are not worth anything. Even the Arab initiative calls for a stand. It calls for men and power. If you can't use power, you can at least threaten with it. The talk that we are weak will not do.
The people of Lebanon gave strong proof to all the peoples of the world. The Lebanese resistance provided strong proof to all Arab and Islamic armies. Arab armies and peoples are not only able to liberate Gaza and the West Bank and East Jerusalem, they are simply capable of regaining Palestine from sea to river by one small decision and with some determination. The problem is that when one is torn between two choices and is asked to choose between his people and his throne, he chooses his throne. When he is asked to choose between Jerusalem and his throne, he chooses his throne. When he is asked to choose between the dignity of his homeland and his throne, he chooses his throne.
What is distinct about the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine is that they chose the dignity of their people, holy places, and freedom and offer their leaders, sons, and dear ones as sacrifices to join the throne of God Almighty.
This is the equation. Today, your resistance broke the image of Israel. We have done away with the invincible army. We have also done away with the invincible state. Indeed, we have done away with it. I am not exaggerating or voicing slogans. It is enough for you to read what is going on in occupied Palestine, what the Zionists are saying, and what is going on between the Israeli generals and commanders.
Olmert protested again today because we are holding a victory rally. Yediot Aharanot published the results of an Israeli poll today that asks: Who do you think is suitable to be prime minister in Israel? How much did Olmert get? He got seven per cent. [Boos] As for the heroic War Minister Amir Peretz, he got one per cent. [Boos]
The image of this Israel, which is shaken in its political entity and military establishments and defeated in its intelligence, has changed today. No Arab ruler or regime can make further concessions to it, submit to its humiliating terms, or tell the nation: There is nothing we can do with Israel.
Once, an old man, who knew his time, place, and era, said: If every one of us carried a bucket of water and threw it on occupied Palestine, Israel would disappear from existence; yes, just a bucket of water. Two or three hundred million people standing up to Israel can defeat it, especially when a few thousand in Lebanon defeated Israel. This argument has fallen. We should enter a new phase and a new time; namely, the time when we dictate our conditions and restore our dignity, freedom, sovereignty, and holy shrines.
Support for Palestinians
Brothers and sisters: On this day, the day of divine victory, there are those who expect an internal talk about Lebanon, and I will certainly do that. But before I switch to internal talk, I would like, as on 12 July, emphasize two points: Our hearts, feelings, grief, and pain are today in Palestine. They are in Gaza, Ramallah, and Nablus. They are in Jenin, Jerusalem, and every Palestinian town, village, and camp that are being bombed daily. The Palestinian people are being killed every day and Palestinian houses are being destroyed every day while the whole world is silent; the Arab world before the world at large.
Until when will this silence continue? Until when will we endure this shame? Nobody is asking you to deploy your armies to defend the Palestinian people. Let us just give support to these people, be it moral, political , financial, or armament. In Palestine, there are leaders, scholars, factions, movements, youths, men, women, and children who can repeat the divine miracle on the land of Palestine.
The second message is, before speaking about Lebanon, we as Lebanese should see Iraq as a model. Had the war in Lebanon succeeded, the Americans would have applied this model in Lebanon. They wanted to apply this model in Lebanon. In the war, we the Lebanese offered martyrs from the Resistance, the army, the security forces, the civil defence, the Red Cross, the news media, the establishments, the different parties, and all our beloved people. But how many were martyrs? Never mind, were they 1,000 or 1,200 martyrs? In Iraq, some 10,000 to 15,000 people are killed every month in a chaotic war that is administered, financed, and incited by the Americans and the Mosad. The resistance in Lebanon protected Lebanon from civil war. [Cheers]
Some say that the resistance in Lebanon pushes for civil war. Never! Had Israel won, Lebanon would have been pushed to civil war, and you would have heard voices calling for federalism, cantons, and division. The Israeli language would have become current anew.
Message to Iraq - patience, calm, unity
Iraq is a model, which we must always ponder. Our message to our people in Iraq must always be: Patience, calm, unity, wisdom, communication, avoid sedition, and don't wager on the enemy.
As to Lebanon, our message in Lebanon today is: Come all. No one should outbid anyone on this subject. We all believe that our salvation and hope is in building a capable, strong, just, proud, and clear state. This is the hope. And this is supposed to be the issue of unanimity among the Lebanese.
We announce from this place, with the blood of our martyrs; we announce, precede matters, and say, any talk in Lebanon about partition is an Israeli talk, any talk in Lebanon about federalism is Israeli talk, and any talk in Lebanon about cantons is Israeli talk. We the Lebanese, our fate, decision, and wish to God should be to live together in one state. We are against its partition and division. We are against its federalism and division into cantons.
What will protect Lebanese unity is a strong, capable, and just state. What will protect Lebanon's sovereignty from Zionist greed is a strong, capable, and just state.
What will tackle social and livelihood crises for the Lebanese and the residents in Lebanon is a strong, capable, just, clean and proud state. This is what we all aspire to. A strong and capable state means a state that can proudly regain every inch of its occupied territory and protect every drop of water from Al-Wazzani River to Al-Litani River and Al-Hasbani River; that can stop the enemy from encroaching on its sovereignty daily; and that can assure its people that it is truly protecting them with arms, power, reason, unity, organization, planning, and national will. As for tears, they do not protect anyone.
We want a strong, capable, just, clear, and independent state that rejects any foreign trusteeship or hegemony; a noble and proud state that does not succumb to any humiliating terms; and a clean state where there is no room for theft or waste. This is the state that we need.
I tell you, while we are in the resistance festival, that this is the natural key to tackling the issue of the resistance. Here we come to the issue of the weapons and to those who are dying to resolve this issue. I tell them: Don't tackle the results. Come and let us tackle the causes. I am not after slogans, but logic. Argue with us on the basis of logic.
The resistance is the result of several causes - the occupation, the arrest of prisoners, the plunder of waters, the threat to Lebanon, and the attack on Lebanese sovereignty. These are the causes. Tackle the causes and the results will be tackled easily.
"We do not want to keep the weapons forever"
When we build a strong, capable, and just state that protects Lebanon and the Lebanese, it will be easy to find an honourable solution to the question of the resistance and its weapons. I would like the Lebanese to hear clearly. I and my brothers get excited sometimes and say all kinds of things. Let us speak with some responsibility. We do not say that these weapons will remain forever. And, it is not logical for these weapons to remain forever. There is bound to be an end to them. The natural key is to tackle the causes and the results will disappear.
Come and build a strong and just state, protecting the country and the citizens and their livelihoods, waters, and dignity, and you will find that the resolution of the resistance issue will not need even a negotiation table. It is a great deal easier than that.
But, what is happening now? Instead of the Israeli leaving Shab'a Farms, he is extending the strip northward. Instead of the Israeli resolving the problem of the border points, he moves forward to Al-Khiyam and Marwahin. Instead of our benefiting from our legal right to the Al-Wazzani River, the Israeli builds pipes to steal the water. Is this how to protect the country and its resources?
Therefore, any talk about disarming the Resistance - to some people the word "disarming" is a bit heavy; fine, how about surrendering the resistance weapons? Any talk about surrendering the resistance weapons under this state, this authority, this regime, and the existing situation means keeping Lebanon exposed to Israel so it can kill as it wants, arrest as it wants, bomb as it wants, and plunder our land and waters. We certainly cannot accept that.
We did not fight since 1982 so that ... [change of thought] You know the youth in the Resistance. They spent their entire youthful years in the Resistance. They did not live a life of prosperity, ease, extravagance, or calm. Some of them spent 24 to 25 years in the Resistance. The Resistance will not end while Israel is still occupying our land, violating our honour, undermining our security, and plundering our waters and resources. Never! I swear to God.
This is the only natural, logical, reasonable, responsible, and patriotic option. As for the other options, I want this big rally, which is attended by these good and kind faces, and this public that comes from all of Lebanon's communities and areas and many political trends and parties; I want to tell them: Wagering on ending the resistance through pressure, threats, and siege is a losing wager. Wagering on ending the resistance by dragging the Resistance into sedition with the Lebanese army, as some people think, is a losing wager. The army and the Resistance are two dear, loving brothers that no one can separate. Those who wager - and I am not talking about the inside; it can be the outside or the inside, take it as you like, whoever is behind the wager - on disarming the resistance through a new war, Israeli or otherwise, I refer them to Livni, [addressing the audience] you know Livni, right, and Peretz. I refer them to these two persons; the foreign minister and the war minister, to hear from them, as well as from former Defence Minister Moshe Arens, the strategist, a clear sentence, and I repeat it for them to hear. They say: We wanted to dismantle Hezbollah as a whole, but we have found out that there is no army in the world that can dismantle such an organization. [Cheers]
I tell them: No army in the world can make us lay down our arms. No one can do that, so long as these loyal and brave people believe in this Resistance. I am not threatening with arms. I am wagering on this people who embrace the Resistance. I am wagering on that old, noble woman, who stood among the debris and said: My house in Beirut was destroyed and my house in the south was destroyed, but we are for the Resistance and the Resistance weapons. Several others said: if Al-Sayyid Hasan surrendered the weapons, he would be a traitor. I tell you: I pledge you, O our brave, loyal, and great people, I do not aspire to end my life with treason, but with martyrdom. [Cheers]
Therefore, all these wagers are losers, because there are people in Lebanon and a resistance in Lebanon that reject occupation, humiliation, and despotism and are ready to sacrifice themselves and their beloved sons for the sake of their country. Yes, today, Lebanon, and without exaggeration, is no longer small in the Middle East. It is a great power with your support. The West and Israel take it seriously and the oppressed in the world view it with respect, appreciation, and pride.
Therefore, let me end this point by saying - so that no one will continue to worry - we do not want to keep the weapons forever. I reiterate, as in the past 25 years, these weapons are not for the interior. They were not used in the interior and they will not be used in the interior. This is not a Shi'i weapon... [words indistinct] and the Christians. This weapon is for the Sunni, Druze, and Shi'i. This weapon is for all the Lebanese. It seeks to protect Lebanon, its sovereignty and independence. I pledge you that the identity and endowment of this weapon shall remain as it is. This is a pledge before God, the nation, and the martyrs.
Therefore, the key is, come and let us build a just, strong, resisting, proud, honourable, and clean state. If this objective is too big, and so that we will not remain in theory, let us go straight to the subject. We will not stand today and say: Whoever has failed in the test has failed and whoever has succeeded has succeeded. We will not speak this way. I will say: Come all, no matter how we differed, competed, and matters were difficult between us on the psychological and political level. We are in a real impasse in Lebanon now. No one can say, we are a majority, nothing has changed, the country is proceeding well, and everything is fine. This is not correct.
Impasse in Lebanon - political, not sectarian dispute
There is a real impasse in Lebanon today, especially after the war. There is sharp national division and not sectarian division. What exists now is not a dispute between Shi'is and Sunnis, or between Muslims and Christians, or among Druze, Sunnis, Shi'is, and Christians. There is a national political division. There are major strategic and political options, on which Shi'i, Sunni, Druze, and Christian political forces agree and others, on which Shi'i, Sunni, Druze, and Christian political forces disagree. When some Shi'is said things different from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, they thought that we would grieve. We were happy when others came forth in supporting the other stand, which proved that the dispute here is not sectarian, but political. [Cheers]
Look at the miscalculations. Even when they want to hurt us, they benefit us. Therefore, we are before a national division. And, my appeal today in the rally of the victory, which was created by Lebanese from all communities and areas, I would like to warn and say: Do not allow anyone to transform political divisions into sectarian or communal divisions. It is forbidden to manipulate sects and communities in defence of political options. This is playing with fire. This is sabotaging the country. This is destroying the country. Yes, we are split by political divisions. We compete, discuss, and differ. We attack each other in the news media. We turn to the street and to the elections. All these peaceful and democratic mechanisms are legitimate and allowable. This is what we would like to emphasize.
National unity government is solution to political division
Therefore, as long as there is a political division and serious challenges - and I will return to these shortly - to confront these challenges, I say that the team currently ruling in Lebanon cannot continue in power, cannot work. It cannot. [Applause] The natural solution is to form a national unity government. When I speak about a national unity government, I do not mean bringing down anyone, cancelling anyone, or dismissing anyone but as I said on 25 May: Come and let us close our ranks and stand side by side to defend Lebanon, to protect Lebanon, to build and construct Lebanon, and to preserve Lebanon and unify it.
With all frankness, the current government is not able to protect Lebanon, reconstruct Lebanon, or unify Lebanon. [Applause] However, when we say the current government we do not mean that we want to cancel, remove, or erase anyone at all. We say: Come, all of you, and let us protect, reconstruct, and defend.
Therefore, building a strong, just, and capable state begins first by a serious national unity government. Here I am not raising a slogan for local consumption. Let them hear me. I am not raising a slogan for local consumption, or to gain time, or to appease allies or friends. This is our serious project and we will work for it with the utmost strength during the next stage. [Applause]
Drafting a fair electoral law
The second measure in building the just, capable, and strong state begins by drafting a fair electoral law in which all communities and all political currents will have a realistic opportunity to have a genuine representation, and in which no community will feel that it has become a follower of another community. That is how we can build the just, strong, and capable state. That is the way to solve all our problems.
Resistance has more than 20,000 rockets
Here I will briefly discuss the remaining issues and challenges. Now, the issue of the Resistance. I said a short while ago that there is something related to the current reality. They have come to blockade the sea. Why? To protect Lebanon? No. The German chancellor, God's peace be upon her [laughter by the crowd], said that the German navy was playing a historic role in protecting Israel's right to exist. I like some of these stands and I will talk about them later. They come from the sea and they want to blockade the airspace and the borders. I tell them: Blockade and close the borders, the sea, and the skies. This will neither weaken the will nor the arms of the Resistance. [Applause] We have engaged in war for 33 days. This is not mere rhetoric. We had been prepared for a long war. What we offered in the war was a very small part of our resources. In Bint Jubayl I said that we had more than 12,000 rockets and the poor ones [Israelis] started calculating, based on 12,000. Then we explained things and said that 12,000 does not mean 13,000. [As heard] There might be more. Today, I say to those who want to close the seas, the sky, the deserts, and the borders, and I say to the enemy as well, that the resistance today has more - pay attention, underline the word "more" - than 20,000 rockets. [Applause]
Within a very few days and after emerging from a fierce war, the Resistance restored its entire military and organizational structure and its armaments. [Applause] The Resistance today is stronger that it was on the eve of 12 July because during the war it added to its experience fresh experience and acquired new wisdom and new resolve and determination. I tell those who wager on the weakness of the Resistance that they are making a miscalculation.
Today, 22 September 2006, the Resistance is stronger than at any time since 1982. [Applause] Concerning the resistance, its strength, and its weapons, we say: Rest completely assured.
Prisoners only to be released as an exchange
The second issue is the prisoners. Your prisoners and children will return, God willing. All of them will return, God willing. [Applause] In the name of the resistance, I promised you on 12 July and I told you in the name of the men of God and not in my name and the name of my father but in the name of the resistance men that if the entire universe comes it will not be able to save these two prisoners except through indirect negotiations and an exchange process. [Applause] After 12 July, the entire universe came and you remained steadfast and the prisoners remained in our hands and they will not be released except with the return of the prisoners whose release and return we are demanding. [A man among the crowd utters indistinct words and Nasrallah responds] "God willing". So we ask the world to be certain about this.
Shab'a Farms will not be relinquished
Thirdly, there is the issue of Shab'a Farms and Kfar Shuba Hills. Delegations from these good and steadfast towns have been worried of late as a result of the new arrangements in the border region. I assure them that the Shab'a Farms and Kfar Shuba Hills will not be relinquished. Nobody will relinquish a single inch of the occupied Lebanese territories. Never. [Applause] I tell you that during the war and the political negotiations there was a genuine opportunity to liberate the Shab'a Farms, and the Americans were about to agree, and indeed they agreed, but they went back on their promises, as is their wont, and said: We cannot return the Shab'a Farms to Lebanon now. Why, because we do not want to offer a victory to Hezbollah. I tell them: Return them to whomever you want and offer a victory to whomever you want, but return them, return them. [Applause]
We could have regained the Shab'a Farms and the Kfar Shuba hills during the war if there had been a serious political will, a serious political unity, and an integrated political resistance. But I stress to you that these are on their way to liberation. All current violations will then end. The state is the one currently present there. The Lebanese Army, which is our national army, is present there and the UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] has risen to 5,000 in number. In the past when the Resistance was on the borders, any bulldozer advancing even 10 meters would be hit and forced to retreat, and none dared to enter. Now our border is open and they enter here and there every now and then. What happened has happened but what about the future? This issue is not linked to the Lebanese army. The Lebanese army has courage, will, and determination. Its officers and soldiers are the brothers of these resistance men. There is no difference between them. The issue is linked to political decision.
Will the Lebanese government turn the Lebanese army into a unit in charge of counting complaints and recording violations? This will be humiliating to the Lebanese army. Neither the army nor the Lebanese people accept this. Our army's task is not sitting in the border area and counting the Israeli violations as the United Nations did in 1972. The task for which our army went to the south upon a decision from the current government was defending the country and protecting the citizens and their livelihood and security. The country's sovereignty and territory are now violated and the citizens are kidnapped and assaulted every now and then and their farms are attacked. What is the government's political decision? We have thus far been patient because we do not want to commit any violation of Resolution 1701, which is not sacred, of course, because we know that any simple violation by us even if it is done in legitimate defence of ourselves, a hue and cry will be raised. Israel has been committing violations, attacks, and transgressions all the time but the world remains silent. Be assured that we will not be patient for long. Hear me well. If the state and government fail to carry out their responsibility towards protecting the land and citizens, the Lebanese people will assume this responsibility as they have done since 1982. [Applause] I tell the Zionists: If someone gives you security assurances from above or under the table, these will concern him and not the resistance in Lebanon or the people of Lebanon. [Applause]
What we are required to do then is sharpen our national zeal and stand behind and support our national army so that it will be equipped with the best equipment in order to guard the homeland - villages, towns, farms, farmers, churches, and mosques - and not protect anyone else.
UNIFIL to support Lebanese army, not to spy on Hezbollah
To the UNIFIL, which they turned into something that is much larger than a reinforced UNFIL, we say: We welcomed you and I reiterate our welcome of you within the framework of your clear mission, which is supporting the Lebanese army. Your mission is not to spy on Hezbollah or disarm the Resistance. This is what UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and several officials said. Thus far, I have not heard any country participating in the UNIFIL say that it sent its sons and soldiers to defend Lebanon and the Lebanese. They are ashamed of us, brothers and sisters. They are ashamed of saying they came to defend us, but they talk about defending Israel. Well, the UNIFIL forces are welcomed as long as they abide by their mission. I call on the UNIFIL command in Lebanon to be alert because I have received information that there are some who want to drag these UN forces to collision with the Resistance. I heard that it was said at some meetings that the presence of the UN forces will restore the internal balance of power in Lebanon. This is serious talk. The UN forces came for a specific goal and they should not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs or be involved in such things.
The point before the last is about political arguments and counterarguments. We did not seek political rivalry with anyone. We heard much harmful talk during the war and we remained silent and were patient. Political and media rivalry and attack on the resistance and on us continued after the war. Things reached an unbearable limit in recent statements. The almighty God wants believers to have broad minds, patience, and great hearts. But He at the same time does not accept humiliation for them. The media and political attacks on the resistance in Lebanon after the war - we put up with this during the war - reached a limit that could be tolerated only by prophets and we are not prophets. My brothers and I are not prophets. [Applause]
Pride in relationship with Iran, Syria
We understand things if one or two persons stand up and say things. If three persons say them, we will continue to comprehend what they say. Entire political forces met at Bristol [Hotel]. They brought their deputies, leaders, and members of political bureaus to show that the rally was big. They then issued a statement in which they said the war which took place in Lebanon was an Iranian war for the sake of the Iranian nuclear file, or a Syrian war to obstruct the international tribunal. Actually, we did not tolerate that although we - and I repeat this on the day of victory - take pride in our relationship and friendship with the Islamic Republic of Iran under the leadership of His Eminence Imam leader Al-Sayyid Khamene'i, may God keep his shadow. [Applause] We also take pride in our relationship with Syria - leadership and people. Yes, leadership and people under the leadership of President Bashar al-Asad. [Applause]
We are independent and sovereign and our history testifies to this more than their history. [Applause] But to say that this war - which America and Israel launched and which Condoleezza Rice said was hard labour for the birth of a new Middle East and about which Olmert, Peretz, and others said all sorts of things, and which the Arabs said was the sixth war while the Zionists said was the first in the history of Israel - was fought by us for the sake of the nuclear issue and international tribunal is both shameful and insulting. Our houses were destroyed and our children and women were killed but we continued to fight. I care for all those who care for me and for my turban and beard and those who tell me not to engage in an argument. The party's youth and leadership can engage in such an argument. But there is a limit. Even I and my turban and beard are not more honourable than this resistance and these people. [Applause] If my turban and beard have honour, it is then an honour bestowed by you and this resistance and the blood of martyrs. [Applause] I call for stopping these arguments and avoiding silly, harmful, and harsh phrases. We must remain within the framework of logical and reasonable political competition because we have a common destiny and we must finally build Lebanon together. But I, Hasan Nasrallah, will not remain silent over any insult to the people of the resistance. [Applause]
A few days ago, a big leader in the 14 February forces said - I know some people will ask me why I should say this but I will tell you [changes thought]. None is allowed to stand up and say even calmly that the Resistance masses are thoughtless. Are you thoughtless? [Chants] Who accepts this insult? No, no, no, I respect his masses. I, however, respect their masses and their youth and women. I respect their options if they are national. But we will never accept any insult to the masses of the resistance by anyone. He has to apologize. Yes, he has to apologize. [Applause and chants] We are not a totalitarian party, regime, or faction. Neither my father nor grandfather was a Bek [originally a Turkish title given to rulers of tribal groups; currently used with the name of Lebanese Druze leader Walid Junblatt]. Also my son will not be a Bek. [Chants and applause]
We do not seek political arguments and counterarguments. We are keen to get out of political division in the country through any dialogue formula. We are committed and are advocates of the state, the state project, the building of the state, and the establishment of the state, but we have dignity. Our dignity is above anything else. We cannot allow anyone to squander our dignity in return for building us a house. The house was destroyed for the sake of our dignity. [Applause] None should imagine that he can satisfy our hunger at the expense of our dignity. We sacrificed our blood for the sake of our dignity. This is how we are. What else can we do? This is how things are for us in Lebanon.
Call for return to calm, reason
Within this context, I call for a return to calm and reason. We are on the threshold of the blessed month of Ramadan. May God return the happy occasion to all Lebanese. We pray to the almighty God to grant us success this month so that we can fast and pray for Him. I hope that the blessed month of Ramadan will be an opportunity for meditation and reflection and return to one's self and to seeing facts. Get out and see facts and do not let things become dubious to you. Do not build things on miscalculations.
Brothers and sisters, once again I greet the martyrs, the families of the chaste martyrs among all the Lebanese, the wounded, the detainees, all communities, movements, and regions which embraced and helped the resistance. I greet every Arab and Muslim people in the world. I greet every person, faction, and party. I will not get into names because the list is long and the ones I forget are more than those whom I remember. Therefore, we will be satisfied with this generalization.
Thanks to all. As we said during the war: May God grant you victory and God has granted your victory. We said may God help you and He has done so. I will conclude as I did in Bint Jubayl on 25 May 2000. I told you: O people of Lebanon, O people of Palestine, O peoples of our Arab nation. The era of victories began on 25 May 2000 and the era of defeats came to an end. There will absolutely be no defeat. Happy Ramadan and I wish you well on every historic and strategic victory. You are the most honourable, generous, and pure among people. God's peace and blessings be upon you. [Applause and chants]
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Nasrallah's address of victory and congratulations to his Lebanese people on the first annivarsary of triumph against Israel:
Speech on 3 August 2007:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Salam (Peace) be upon you oh most honorable of people, who made the glory of the nation, you were the makers of the victory, heroes of the resistance, the meaning of sacrifice and symbols of steadfastness.
I bless and congratulate you for the recorded victories and those yet to come in the course of mankind’s history and that of the nation.
At this dear gathering in this honorable region, I do not want to repeat nor speak about current events, but I will continue from where I left off when I spoke in Bint Jbeil about the overall situation.
But first of all I want to speak about this Bekaa region.
It is from inside the sacrificing Western Bekaa here to the Middle Bekaa, reaching to Northern Bekaa as well as Baalbak and Hermel region ever supercilious to injustice... that I want to immediately start talking about this region:
- Firstly- its position during the war, to give it some of the credit it is owed
- Secondly- its position in this nation
- Thirdly- our position in this nation.
Here I like to describe and remind as briefly as I can possibly make it, as I will try not to be long tonight, but I will give the subject its fair time to describe what happened.
As for the place of this region to resistance and Jihad during the July 2006 war.
In the beginning, the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel sent its finest sons, the dearest to its people and was not reluctant to give of its finest men, arms and supplies in spite of its difficult circumstances.
Your sons fought in the front lines, and here I want to comment on the absurdity of the Zionists when they explained and analyzed their military airdrop operations, that they wanted to get at Hizbullah combatants.
To them I say Hizbullah fighters were on your borders and you failed to harm them, just as they confronted you in Baalbek and at Bouday.
Secondly this region offered the best of its mujahideen sons to the battlefields of the South and the Bekaa, Mujahideen martyrs and resistance fighters.
Thirdly this region suffered very heavy aerial bombardment, a severity never witnessed here before. I do not believe that similar circumstances were experienced by this region ever before, where thousands of homes were damaged as it faced the aggression.
The outcome and results were civilian Martyrs, leading to massacres in more than one town, many periled in this war, and many others bore the situation with reckoning and contentedness. Houses were demolished, a large part of the people had to flee the area, a great part steadfastly remained and another was forced to migrate to safer areas, but all this did not affect the will of the people of this region.
Everyone used to treat the area of Baalbek-Hermel on the basis that it was the reservoir of the resistance and not a conflict front-line, but in the July war it was turned into a front line. We never talked of preventing military airdrops and the alike, but we committed ourselves to confront and fight landings wherever they occurred in the South.
Many confrontations and military landings occurred, which were confronted by the resistance fighters and the Lebanese army, such as the airdrop landing in the vicinity of the Tyre region, failed to achieve its objectives.
In Baalbek the enemy was able to get on the ground at Dar-al-Hikma Hospital, but there too the enemy was confronted by resistance fighters, Mujahedeen and bullets; martyrs fell from the resistance and innocent civilians and enemy soldiers were killed, subsequently the “Israelis” were forced to shell houses and homes to secure their soldiers’ landing and exit.
The same thing occurred in Bouday, when the Mujahideen frustrated a landing operation killing the commander of the paratroopers unit or his deputy.
Yes, in Usairah too there was a large scale military landing. Here we speak about them reaching the ground but landing on a huge military and moral failure, for they came believing they are here to arrest the Secretary General of Hizbullah, or party leadership.
It is natural to expect me or the operations headquarters to be held in Baalbek, but they failed.
For a substantially large military force, commandeering these military landings, coming with the expectation of arresting all the resistance leadership, to be confronted and frustrated represents a moral and security failure to the enemy along with its media and its public.
In any case, in the face of airdrops our brothers took on the enemy and confronted them.
Just like the north and south of the Litani River, this region became a front-line, and a forward area in which the brothers fought. Right through the 34-day war, this area held onto all its Mujahidin and weapons, and did not hold back on giving and providing reinforcements and supplies for the duration of the period.
The brothers in leadership remained there for the whole time; it is them who were targeted by the “Israeli” landings.
The people of the region too extended their partnership in this war when they quickly returned to their homes, so as not to remain in the circle of displacement, without having any regret on their position, commitment and sacrifices.
Despite all the difficulties of living conditions, this region remained as it has been and will continue to be an essential partner in the manufacture of this divine and strategic victory for the Arabs, Islam and Muslims. Therefore, you have helped to thwart the objectives of this aggression.
You gave, endured and sacrificed with patience, a quality that is not new to the Bekaa and Hermel, for this is its natural position in the battle.
This region was the first to respond to the call of Sayyed Musa al-Sadr for the founding of the resistance and taking up arms to confront the “Israelis”. Your sons were the first to embrace the Islamic resistance from its early beginnings, when it was founded in your area of Baalbek, when a group of clerics met, headed by the Martyrs’ Master, the Islamic Resistance Sayyed Abbas Musawi (God bless his soul).
Here was the beginning and the start, the name of Hizbullah was in its beginning, when you embraced hundreds of thousands of Mujahideen in the West Bekaa, who trained among you, where they felt aided and supported. It was for this stand and position you have withstood many "Israeli" bombings and attacks and sent your sons to fight.
Martyrs in all the regions stand witnesses today to your history in this resistance. You are partners in the launching of the resistance and its continuation, just as you are partners in its protection and embrace until this moment today.
You know what the resistance was exposed to when its existence and weapon were targeted through all forms of pressure, yet you never abandoned it.
You were the partners in the Divine Victory. You have done this and everyone knows that this area of Lebanon was partner and supporter of the South the resistant, the wounded and the occupied.
The people of this region never used the excuse that ‘there are no occupied areas here’, in order to avoid stand up to the enemy of the nation.
On behalf of all of Lebanon and the entire nation as well as all those who felt the glory of victory, I salute you and take pride in your young and old, your tribes, your good spirits and your resolve.
- Secondly, this region’s position in relation to the rest of the state and this nation.
Since the founding of the Lebanese state, leading up to the Taef Accord and through to the recent government, this area has been faced with a single government policy of neglect and inattention, which leads to financial and living crises, even to security issues and more diverse crises.
Some have tried in the recent past and some are still trying today… Some parasites, which try to comment on the position of this area of Lebanon, claim that the negligence this area is faced with is caused by the political option adopted here and that you will rid yourselves of this policy of neglect and that your government will come to your service once you change your political choice, affiliation and position.
This logic encloses deception and lies... so before I make comments here, I should state that I do not address this issue as an attempt to explain or for fear of confusion...because I know you well, and so does the resistance. We know your commitment and resolve. You are the ones who offered your blood, martyrs, and Sayyed Abbas and all the young people, you who gave your blood will not sell your martyrs and blood for money …I know, for certain, that your hearts and swords are with Hussein (pbuh)*, despite the siege, hunger and thirst, but there is a fallacy that should be clarified and a suspicion that must be given an answer:
1- Where was Hizbullah in the early formation of the State of Greater Lebanon? Yet, this area of the French mandate has been exposed to neglect and deprivation since the French Mandate and the State of Independence all the way until the Taef Accord was drawn up, and again from the Taef until today. Where is the state in relation to this area which is still being subjected to deprivation...?
Over the length of this entire period of time where was Hizbullah? Even "Israel" had not existed yet, nor had occupation or resistance to occupation started…
In the early seventies, like many areas, a political path or choice started forming for this region with Imam Sayyed al-Sadr. But what political choice were you being punished for before Imam al-Sadr?
I have doubts about this argument, I say there was no political choice taken at the time, and issues still existed prior to taking the choice of resistance. In that past, this area had not made a political choice to be punished! Yet it still did get punished.
2- Based on this fallacy, we should run a comparison between the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel and between the Muslim and Christian north, and not with the other areas of Lebanon in order to avoid the unreal reasons and make clear the real motives.
If the political identity, Hizbullah choice, is the reason behind this area’s punishment, then why is the North, where there is no Hizbullah, being punished?
In the North there are areas that are probably more disadvantaged. Hence, this is not a matter of political choice.
At times some have also said that this area is a Shiite region.
This is not true either, since all religious denominations and sects are present in Baalbek-Hermel, yet the north suffers the same circumstance. If the reason for punishment is the presence of the Shiites denomination, there are no Shiites in the North, yet why do they suffer the same conditions, both in the past and now?
.. In the recent two years the North voted for team in power, ‘February 14’, as the political choice, how has this helped them and what has changed in their situation? Nothing!...
Thus, this is not the real reason behind such punishment, but I liked to mention that in order to arrive at the main reason. These may be secondary components or additional reasons but definitely not the real reason, as there are regions without a clear political identity that are still being punished with negligence.
So, it is not a political nor sectarian identity .. it is the prevalent governing mentality since the establishment of the State of Greater Lebanon. A mentality that does not recognize any governorates, whether South, North or Bekaa, and considers them as peripheral parts, where the original Lebanon is made up of the nucleus capital and Mount Lebanon, and the governorates and provinces are there to serve this original nucleus, according to their idea, regardless of political consideration, religious denomination or community affiliation.
The real disorder lies here within the governing mentality.
In recent years circumstances in Mount Lebanon along with parts of Beirut became similar to Bekaa and the North and worse than the South and the Bekaa became like the North .. All these areas became peripheral regions serving entrepreneurs, big companies, political feudalists and major banks.
Rather than turning governorates that were considered peripheral to essential parts of the nucleus of Lebanon, more parts were made peripheral. Instead of improving the country after the Taef Accord, everyone was turned to a partner in poverty, deprivation and neglect except certain particular areas that received special attention.
This is the truth we are facing now.
The Taef Accord attempted to address this imbalance in the governing mentality.. And here I am talking about two titles of the Taef Accord: ‘Balanced Development’ and ‘Decentralised Administration’.
1- As for ‘Balanced Development’ of the Taef Accord and since the Taef, you (the ruling team) have been in charge of development, taxes and finance policies…where is the development?
... Please, tell us where is the ‘Balanced Development’?
.. The second clause in the Accord is the ‘Decentralised Administration’, where is it today?
As for electricity, electricity must reach every home and we demand justice, equality and balanced development, otherwise what is the logic behind discrimination in the delivery of electricity and the Taef knows that the real problem lies in the mentality of government.
2- The purpose of ‘Decentralised Administration’ was for the re-division of the nation’s governorates, a matter completely unaccomplished, even after we worked on the issue over several years and reached a workable result, a decision was made but not implemented, because the team in power does not agree on the principal, not even the removal of some administrative issues or improving matters that concern the livelihood of the people that alleviate much suffering.
But such calls fell on deaf ears, and the two titles have not been seriously dealt with.
From the beginning there was a team rejecting the formation of the two governorates of Baalbek-Hermel and Akkar, only wanting to control and have monopoly over everything, even the taxes collected by some municipalities.
This is so because the mentality is one of bank management and tax collection and not spending. A mentality that sees cement before seeing people’s suffering, hardship, tears and concerns.
Herein lies the problem. Therefore, when we came and participated in the government, we hoped to defend our political options. They said the government is serious, and so we hoped to achieve something in the participation, but among the many differences we had with governing team was one over the government’s development plan.
The first demonstration we had was for economic reasons. We were conducting a big political battle that was peaceful, calm and civilized. The participants were from the opposition and every time we took a stand to defend the interests of the people, we were accused of ruining the country.
After the war, the problem grew and reached a difficult level and the issue remained in the defect within the mentality of the government which we sought to correct through peaceful means. And I said once that a balanced development cannot be achieved through the gunpoint and the use of force is not to anyone’s benefit.
We had employed political and civil means, which is why we were participating in the political process. Today, we will continue the political struggle in order to achieve a state of law and institutions, in order to achieve a government that considers all the Lebanese as equals, that defends and preserves their security.
In Bint Jbeil, I said we are not looking for control of the government but for a unified state that preserves Lebanon.
We are looking for co-existence that is real at a time when America brings weapons to inflame a war in the region.
We are seeking unity, cooperation, partnership and synergy because Lebanon cannot be divided, nor can it be defended or built except through the unity of its people. Politics in Lebanon push towards fragmentation and additional political crisis.
Lebanon cannot persist or rise from its slumber to resolve its issues except through cooperation and unity. So, let us implement the Taef Accord. Some see in the Taef only the item of disarming the resistance … strange they are!
As for the armistice agreement of 1948, it has been destroyed, demolished and torn to pieces by “Israel”, filled with the blood of our children, women and men in the South, the Bekaa and all the Lebanese areas from Beirut in the Dahiya, to the mountain region through to the North.
No area in Lebanon has not provided martyrs from civilians, resistance and the army. "Israel" attacks and launches wars against Lebanon. Yet, there are those who insist on bringing up a truce agreement that was once written with "Israel" and repeatedly destroyed by it.
Despite all that, we still agreed and suggested to discuss the resistance weapon as part of a national defense strategy, because we explained that our weapon is a resistance weapon and not a militia weapon.
We do not want to keep this weapon forever. We do not want to continue to shoulder this responsibility. We will forever be grateful when there is a strong state and a strong army that protect Lebanon, its South, villages and all its towns.
I said let us group and discuss the resistance weapon at the National Dialogue table as part of a national defense strategy. I tell you quite frankly our logic was not met with logic and our argument was not faced with an opposing argument.
The reply to the National Defense Strategy we the opposition provided at the National Dialogue table was met with the July 2006 war. Why? Simply because they are unable to face our practical and strategic logic and argument; as experience and the facts prove.
Since they failed to disarm the resistance through dialogue and logic, they took to trying to disarm the resistance by force.
We are not insistent, but out of the Taef Accord they only want to see that Truce with "Israel" and disarming the resistance…Yet, we are still ready to return to that discussion within the framework of a National Defense Strategy, which is acknowledged in the Hizbullah-FPM (Free Patriotic Movement) understanding document.
But naturally, we will not hold such a discussion at the dialogue table before the formation of a National Unity government.
So, let a government of National Unity be formed, to discuss a National Defense Strategy, and we will be ready to commit. However, what will you do regarding the rest of the electorates and governorates you neglect and deprive even of the most basic rights such as in the Bekaa, the North, Baalbek-Hermel and specifically in Akkar.
Again, I reiterate that the problem lies in the mentality and the way of thinking. It is in the priorities.
We want a government that runs a state, and not a bank or company. We are calling for a government that takes responsibility towards nationals of flesh, blood, the emotions of a group of people, people who are equal in rights and obligations.
This is what we call and strive for.
We want for Moslems and Christians to be together.
I do not want to enter into a discussion about the election battle taking place in Al-Matn today, but I want to quickly comment in the last few minutes of my speech on the matter, because I hear the ‘February 14’ rhetoric as it attacks FPM and their opponents in the elections there, blaming them for reaching such a firm understanding with Hizbullah.
Imagine that the FPM’s sin and that of the rest of the Christian sides is that they embraced the people of the resistance during the July 2006 war!
It is a crime to attempt to reach internal peaceful co-existence with the rest of the Moslems in Lebanon! And that they seek to make genuine patriotic choices, hence they form alliances with honorable sides.
I want to comment, because I heard a political leader whose allies in ‘February 14’ had not offered him a parliamentary seat in their allotment. At the time, he was disappointed and dissatisfied, whose name is not worthy of mentioning, when he says to the people: “you have to go into the elections and vote with all your weight (and I do not know how much weight he represents) because this is the battle of Lebanon and its survival”.
They see everything as a matter of life or death, existence and survival and this is how they view the remaining parliamentary seat, a matter of ‘life and death’.
Moreover, what did he say to them, that this battle should not be won by “Michel Nasrallah”, what is his intention by saying that?
In this way he wants to provoke the Christians.
Fair enough. So long as you are using this language, I am compelled to say a few words and address the Christians also.
With whom did the FPM form an Understanding? With Hizbullah…and with whom did the other side form an alliance?
In return, I want to pose the same Christians’ questions…
Did Hizbullah demolish your homes?
Did Hizbullah commit massacres against you?
Did Hizbullah demolish your churches, or prevent you from returning to your villages? Did Hizbullah do that to you or did those you are forming an alliance with commit such atrocities against you?
Is the side allied with the FPM, Marada movement, Tashnaq party, President Michel Murr and others in this election battle today, the one that committed these crimes against the Christians?
Was it Hizbullah who did all that?!
Did you not see how Hizbullah conducted itself with all the Lebanese during the liberation of year 2000, and again I say this without sounding like we are owed anything by anyone, but this is due to our ethics, commitment, and understanding of the nation, religion, culture and morals.
We did not burn a single a house in the South, not a single person was assaulted. We did not carry out any demographic alterations to the area, definitely not. On the contrary, we preserved the people and their dignity.
Knowing that many of the owners of these houses killed our brothers and committed massacres against us, bombed our cities and killed children in Nabatieh and Sidon. Many of them tortured our brothers in Khiam and even assaulted our sanctities and dignity in the torture camps…
But how did we act?
Did we load responsibility on Christians?
How did we behave? …
Hence, keep your impulses, misinformation and lies aside. Yes, there is an understanding between Hizbullah and the FPM. Yes, there are some who shy away from allying themselves with the resistance that fights "Israel" and liberated Lebanon.
Yet, they do not feel ashamed to ally themselves with those who spent their lives in "Israeli" training camps and trenches; those who collaborated and allied themselves with Lebanon’s enemy, who destroyed and burnt Lebanon.
The Lebanese army as an institution whose leadership, officers, soldiers, wounded and martyrs I salute, is our partner in the resistance, war, steadfastness and in victory. It is an institution for all the Lebanese, but we also know it means more to Christians.
This is the structure of this country.
Who is it that weakened, destroyed and fought the army?
Who is it who killed the officers of this army?
Is it Hizbullah?
Or is it those??
Today, I want the Christians and all Lebanese Muslims and Christians to think with realism, seriousness and objectivity to see which are the forces and movements that constitute the defense of Lebanon, and the element of stability and peace in Lebanon?
I salute the army, but you all know that the officers and members of the Lebanese army shot our women and men on September 13, 1993. Ten martyrs fell and more than fifty were wounded. Yet, we refused to fight because our army constitutes our brothers and loved ones and our sons; an institution that forms a guarantee for the entire country.
We thought that the one that gave the order for the army to shoot wanted to instill sedition between the resistance and the army.
We view this army as our army and not as the army we fight, kill and tear apart whenever we want division or civil administration, nor do we embroil it in wars that serve the interests of the American project in the region.
We are keen to preserve the army for the sake of Lebanon and not for us. We are eager to preserve the army for the unity of Lebanon and its peace and stability. This is our nationalistic Lebanese choice that is not at all incompatible with our Arab and Islamic affiliation.
Of course, with the Taef Accord they forgot Lebanon’s Arab identity and the Lebanese-Syrian relations, so much so that they are eager to go to war against Syria, and I put my credibility on the line and say that they endeavored during the July war for "Israel" to go to war against Syria, perhaps they are still working hard now for that war to occur.
Unfortunately this is the existing reality in our country.
As for us, in reality we want our patriotic Lebanese choice. We want our country. We do not have a second option. We offered all these martyrs, you offered the best of your martyrs and dearest sons, and by God nothing in this world is worth wasting a single drop of blood from your martyrs, or a single drop of blood from Sayyed Abbas, Um Yasser or their son Hussain, or any child, woman, martyr or man in Lebanon.
But it is our pride and sovereignty, it is living with dignity and decency, it is our freedom and independence which we cannot accept to forgo. We may overlook it for a while if someone tries to starve us, but we have never forgiven or will we forgive anyone who tries to harm our dignity, pride and sovereignty.
That is why we gave blood and you gave blood. This is our choice today, and we invite them to this choice. I call on them to do away with these tales of claiming that “Syrians …Iranians are behind everything that happens”
When I was at the dialogue table, I challenged them to bring me a single incident in which Hizbullah did something that wasn’t to Lebanon’s national interests, or something that benefited the Iranian or Syrian interests at the expense of Lebanon`s?
I also challenged again to publish the minutes of the Cabinet Ministers meetings held during the war.
The reply to my challenge referred to records of the National Dialogue meetings. What is the relationship, the minutes of the National Dialogue meeting took place before the war?
I say let the Lebanese public see the scandals in the government`s war days so that the Lebanese know and realize what happened.
Again, I say to them when anyone simply classifies someone as being Syrian or Iranian, when every day George Bush does everything to protect this team and defend it while Feltman speaks openly to say “the opposition will not take the guarantor third”.
Do we still need more clarity than this?
Bush even threatens to legally, financially and economically punish anyone who destabilizes the Saniora government. I say to you, and I do not want to frighten you on the security level, but I want to ask why does he frighten and intimidate the Lebanese today?
A message was sent out today to all the Lebanese people that Bush considers the Saniora government as a part of the American national security and a part of the American policy. We on the other hand call for a Lebanese government that acts as a national Lebanese security government and not for American national security.
Undoubtedly, this is a government of American national security, why?
Because it stabs in the back, disowns and abandons the battle to defend Lebanon during the July war. On the other hand, when there is money and support and the wars serve the American project and occupation of Iraq, it rushes to provide it with cover by plunging the Lebanese Army in this battle of Nahr-al-Bared camp, along with its command, while they left the country to roam and tour the world, to conduct meetings and make plans.
How to address this battle?
How to resolve it to stop the bleeding? And many more questions??
They (the ruling team) are no longer concerned. They threw it in the face of the army and its leadership, officers and soldiers, and settled for issuing statements of solidarity now and then.
All we call for is for Lebanon to be Lebanon, keen on preserving its interests, reconciliation and dignity, and a part of this region. Again, I say that the Americans do not benefit any of us with anything.
In the past, the “Israelis” did not accept the Mountain until they prevented the changing equations between fighting parties and forces there.
The choice is to rely on ourselves and on each other after our trust in God.
The resistance in Lebanon triumphed because it relied on the honorable people of the Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, the South, North, the Mountain, Beirut and Dahiya and because it relied on our own arms.
Our martyrs are the sons of our villages, neighbourhoods and alleys, the sons of our dignified families and the blessed wombs, whose heads only bow down to God Almighty.
Let us group together to make a real national Lebanese choice, in order to protect our country, army and build our nation and a national government with a nationalistic, humanitarian and ethical thinking and not one that leans to sectarian, Bank and company oriented thinking, focused on a narrow banking financial and corporate agenda.
Let us put our hands together to disentangle our country, from all foreign projects. We are ready for an internal settlement that is independent of what is happening in Palestine and Iraq.
But do their American masters allow them this freedom since they are the ones who tie things together. We are nationalistic; we are the protectors of the nation.
We are the ones who offered our sons, not the sons of others but our dearest to defend the homeland, its dignity and sovereignty.
Our procession with you, our honorable folks of Baalbek-Hermel and in the Bekaa you are the faithful in your promise, in your pledge, and in your commitment to the path.
We are with you in this procession of resistance, dignity and work to build the state and the development process. Everyone knows that in the absence of a state and everyone knows we are trying on development and the best we can to fulfill the bequest inherited from Martyrs-Sayyed to serve you with all we can.
But these are our capabilities, and we and you, God willing, will continue along this path. And I assure you with all certainty that there are no defeats awaiting you, nor will there be any defeats God willing.
You are a victorious people, resistance and nation alike. Your victories not only started since year 2000, but since 1982, when we made our resolve to resist, sacrifice and give without limit by putting our trust in God.
You are the victors, with your giving trust in God, endurance and more giving.
Victorious alongside God’s great prophets, with all the martyrs and the banner of victory coming from afar, from the unseen from al-Muntazar (the awaited for) God hasten his noble return.
This nation is victorious whereas the era of subservience, bowing down, servility and defeat has gone...
May peace, God`s mercy and blessings be upon you.
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Nasrallah's address on the first annivarsary of victory against Israel:
Speech on 14 August 2007:
I take refuge in God from Satan the outcast.
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, peace and prayers be upon our Lord and Seal of the Prophets Abu Kassim Mohammad the chosen and upon his infallible household, his chosen good companions and all the prophets and messengers.
My brothers and sisters oh most honorable, most generous and purest of all peoples, peace and God`s mercy and blessings be upon you.
Peace be upon you as you assemble here on this good land of earth, in the land of redemption, resistance, steadfastness, dignity and honour, the land of the Southern Dahia suburbs, the land of martyrs and resistance fighters, the enduring and God willing the victorious.
God Almighty says in his glorious book: [verses from the Koran]
"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief. And We wished to be Gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them leaders and make them heirs, To establish a firm place for them in the land, and to show Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts, at their hands, the very things against which they were taking precautions."
The 14th of August of this year is the first anniversary of the ‘Divine Victory’, the divine empowerment and divine promise, that enables the oppressed peoples and makes them the inheritors of the earth, and to ward the tyrants off them, tyrants who slaughtered their children and destroyed their homes.
This year’s anniversary is bounded by great holy festivities for both Christians and Moslems in Lebanon and the world.
This victory anniversary comes, just after the anniversary of the prophet`s Ascension (Israe’a wal Mi’raage), the day the Seal of the Prophets was ascended from the Al-Aqsa Sacred Mosque, from al-Quds (Jerusalem) to the heavens. It also falls on the anniversary of the delivery of the noble prophecy, when God sent his messenger, as mercy to the worlds, bearer of good news and harbinger.
This event today also falls on the anniversary of the birth of the grandson of the Prophet of God, lord of the martyrs Abi Abdullah Hussein (Peace be upon him), the ever rejecting injustice-leader, who taught us how to be in the arena, how to sacrifice and fight with our souls, sons and loved ones.
Also coincides with this anniversary the birth of Ali Bin Hussein Zine El Abidine (pbuh), the captive of Karbala, who taught us how to stand firm in the face of shackles, restrictions and torturers, and we will continue to speak a truth from which we will not budge an iota.
The birth of Abi Fadle al-Abbas (pbuh) also falls on this anniversary, the warrior and wounded soldier whose wounds did not hold him back from continuing his fight in defense of the cause, the leader, the sanctities and sanctums.
Also currently celebrated by the Christians of Lebanon and the world along with this anniversary is the transition of Virgin Mary, Our Holy Lady (pbuh).
These blessed anniversaries for Christians, Muslims and followers of heavenly religions bless the anniversary of our victory on the 14th of August.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, through you and through the Southern Dahia suburb, the enduring, steadfast and struggling for freedom, I wish to address the people of Lebanon, the peoples of the Arab and Islamic world, and all the peoples of the world.
First of all to thank the leaders, scholars, rulers, governments, nations and parties, forces of influence, movements, groups, associations, personalities, individuals and all those who stood by Lebanon and its resistance in the face of the July aggression, the American-"Israeli" aggression against Lebanon, against the people of Lebanon and the entire nation.
I also give thanks to all those who lent a helping hand after the war, in helping rebuild what was demolished, heal the wounds, wipe the tears and stand proud in the face of the coming challenges.
Dear brothers and sisters:
In the speeches of the previous evenings I talked about the goals, results and field events, as well as some of the political realities, but today my talk is about the people, the people of Lebanon, the resistance public, the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds and about all free people who stood in this battle and were among its elements of strength, steadfastness and ultimately among its elements of victory.
Here I will talk:
-First to the peoples of our Arab and Islamic worlds.
-Secondly, to the people of Lebanon and about what took place during the war with the people of Lebanon.
-Thirdly: to the resistance audience, hence briefly touch on the local situation and the reconstruction portfolio
- Then conclude with the prospects of the next phase, where the Zionists and the Americans are beating the drums of war, about the position and what we must do.
These are the titles of my speech tonight, I hope it finds enough time God willing, and accommodation in your big, great and loving hearts.
Dear brothers and sisters,
When this battle began, the United States and "Israel" tried to isolate the resistance and its public from the peoples of our Arab and Islamic worlds as well as the rest of the people and movements in Lebanon.
1- The political discourse and the mega-media owned by America and "Israel" in the world specifically focused on several titles in order to achieve this alienation, thus keep the resistance and its public alone in the face of this cruel and violent war.
First, they focused on the `terrorism` charge which they worked on it for many years. They might have affected some countries in the western world but no longer affecting the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds, or our people in Lebanon. This terrorism charge, for which they have employed all the media, incitement channels and diplomatic effort, began to break even in Europe and in many places; and we challenged them on it.
Today again, I challenge them to hold an international conference to identify a single definition of `terrorism`, to know whether the resistance in Lebanon is `terrorism`, whether it is correct to classify it as `terrorism`.
I say to you that despite the appeal by many of the world`s Governments and peoples, they did not act, because the United States knows very well that any definition put forward for `terrorism`, would apply to the United States as a terrorist state, and will apply to "Israel" as a `terrorist` entity. Therefore, they always avoid defining `terrorism`.
This did not work on the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds. On the contrary, people of the Arab and Muslim worlds rather know that America and "Israel" are the terrorists, and that the resistance movements are honest, clean and humane movements defending the right of their homelands and nation to exist in freedom, sovereignty, dignity and independence.
2- They went to say and strongly promote that this war is between "Israel" and an Iranian-Syrian tool, that it is a regional war with nothing to do with Lebanon, its fate as a homeland and as a people nor with the fates of the Arabs and Muslims on larger scale; that Hizbullah objective of the war is to disrupt the International Tribunal or to provide assistance to the Iranian nuclear file.
They worked on this issue in Lebanon and the world from the first day.
Even this claim collapsed before the large and main declared objectives, spoken about by Ehud Olmert at the beginning of the war, along with the goals announced by Condoleezza Rice.
And the world knew that this war against Lebanon and the Lebanese resistance, that it was to subjugate Lebanon to implement resolution 1559 in order to attach Lebanon to the American-Zionist project, and that it was to pave the way for the auspicious-birth of a new Middle East, a threat to all countries and peoples of the region.
So, since this accusation fell by the wayside, they went to the third accusation, a most dangerous and most malicious ever, they went to the sectarian subject.
They talked to Arabs and Muslims, to Christians and Muslims.
They said to the Christians: `this battle is against an Islamic group, and it has nothing to do with you nor does it target you`.
To the Sunni Muslims they said: `this battle is with a Shiite group, it targets a `Shiite project` and the `Shiite crescent`, etc. ...
They tried to concentrate on the sectarian and denominational titles. They even procured Fatwas (religious rulings) that even went so far as to question `if it is permissible to pray for the Lebanese resistance to be victorious?!`
Even the legitimacy of praying for victory was placed under question, not to mention demonstrating in to support of the resistance, or providing it with money, political support, material support or simply stand by its side.
Here, just frankly imagine opening the file of religious factionalism and sectarianism in the face of the resistance in Lebanon … and when? During the confrontation of the most extreme, violent and longest "Israeli"-Arab war, the Sixth war against an Arab country.
They wanted to drag the matter to the narrow and very limited circle, but with the grace of God Almighty, and the credit here goes back to the senior Sunni Muslim clergy and scholars in Lebanon and throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds, it goes to the leaders of the Islamic movements, thinkers and Politicians, both Muslims and Christians, who stood in the face of this rift, and persisted with stressing the national, Arab nationalist, Islamic and humanitarian dimension of this battle and confrontation.
Thanks also to the wise minds, courageous and sincere voices with whom we managed to thwart this sedition the Americans and the Zionists wanted. We saw demonstrations, sit-ins and positions taken throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds. We saw activities by Muslims and Christians, Shiites, Sunnis and Druze, and followers of different Islamic sects in support of the resistance.
Here, I must specify how I ought to define the thanks to all these minds, pens and voices, which addressed and tackled the seditious attempt, and the attempt to besiege the resistance in service to the Zionist enemy and the US in the region.
In reality, we did not expect more than this amount of sympathy and moral, political and psychological support from the peoples of the Arab and Islamic world.
We are realists and we know everyone`s circumstances. We did not ask for more than this. Oh Arab and Islamic peoples, O all you free people of the world, O Muslims, and Christians who stood by us, we cherish and honour your moral support. We prize your love and prayer.
Even after the victory, they wanted to circumvent it and disrupt its effects in Lebanon and the Arab and Muslim worlds, because the resistance defeated "Israel" and smashed its myth through this longest and heaviest of "Israeli" wars.
Because the resistance resurrected and re-ignited the spirit of hope, confidence and enthusiasm, because the resistance in Lebanon provided an actual alternative to liberate the land and defend the homeland, a substitute for humiliating negotiations imposed by American and "Israeli" conditions on governments and peoples, because the peoples of the world, Arab, Islamic and rest of the world regarded the resistance of Lebanon with high ranking and high symbolism.
They wanted to besiege and isolate the resistance again. So, again the focus was returned to the sectarian dimension, and attempts were made whenever they admitted to the victory, to paint it as a victory for a party or a religious group, and I assure you, as I said on August 14, of 2006, that this victory is for Lebanon, all of Lebanon, the Arabs, all Arabs, Muslims, all Muslims and for the free of the world.
They want us torn apart, divided in war and in battle, country by country, a people at a time, a religion at a time, faction by faction and party by party.
This is their plot, when we are segregated, in dispute, when some resist and others abandon them, they will prevail and we will be defeated.
As for us, in the war we said we fight on behalf of the entire nation, and some have tried to wrongly explain my words, and I said if we won the July war, it would be a victory for Lebanon and the entire nation, and if we lost it would b a defeat for Lebanon and the entire nation.
Had we been defeated in Lebanon imagine the fate Lebanon would have been in?
Would Lebanon be enjoying peace and stability, or would it be pushed into civil war?
Will it be turned to absolute American-"Israeli" control?
What will be the fate of the Palestinian cause? How about the Palestinian people?
What will be the fate of Syria, Iraq and even Jordan, which will be turned to an alternative State?
Even Saudi Arabia, which will be torn apart within the framework of a new Middle East?
What of Egypt even? And so on and so forth…
The New Middle East, which was declared at the beginning of the war, had it succeeded what fate would the region have today?
Had it succeeded, regrettably the Iraqi model of fighting, conflict, schisms and sectarianism would be the dominant model in the region’s countries.
With you we aborted this new Middle East, but they will attempt to revive it again. This is the point I want to conclude with as I address the Arab and Islamic worlds, before I come to address the Lebanese people.
Dear fellow Arabs and Muslims, dear Lebanese:
The Middle East project is originally an old project that dates back to the beginnings of the last century.
To verify this assertion listen to this script.
Theodor Herzl, founder of World Zionism wrote in 1897 in his diary: “A Middle East Commonwealth must be established”, which means there has been talk of a New Middle East since the late 1800, where there is no Arab or Islamic Worlds, but a New Middle East. “Within which the Jewish State”, Herzl says and not me “Jewish has an effective leadership standing, and a leading economic role, it would be the centre to attract investments, scientific research and expertise.”
Moreover, in 1907 published in London in the Campbell Benauman report, the then Minister of English colonies, which he submitted in a conference convened by a group of scholars of history, politics and economics with a number of European politicians during which the situation in the Arab region was discussed.
Look at the text in this report’s recommendation, worked on by Britain and Western countries and later inherited by America to which it renews its commitment with each passing phase.
The text appeared as follows: “the danger on the west lies in the Mediterranean Sea because of the interface it represents between East and West, on whose Southern and Eastern coasts lives one people that shares a unified history and language”; meaning the Arabic language and geography; “as well as all aspects of assembly and interdependence, with their revolutionary tendencies,” meaning not a dormant or subservient people; “and with large natural sources of wealth.”
The report also wondered as to “the fate of the region should education and culture spread”.
So you can see over the past decades the planning imposed even on our rulers to disallow the spread of education and culture, and for the majority to remain illiterate and ignorant, unable to learn and develop.
The report went on to answer that “should the spread of education occur, it will represent a knockout to the existing empires.”
The mentioned colonial Conference put in place schemes and ways to weaken this region and its peoples and facilitate the control and containment of its coasts and the containment of the will of their peoples, along with their resources and wealth to prevent their development, progress and unity.
He identified two main methods:
1- The first and very important thing comes in the formation of an alien human barrier so strange that it remains separate from the structure of this nation and strong so that it can achieve the goal of separating the easterly Arab states from al-Maghreb (westerly) states. The establishment of a force near the Suez Canal that is an enemy of the peoples of the region and friendly to the West.
So, the establishment of the strong state of "Israel" at this location, not because Palestine is the promised land, but because Palestine is the natural barrier between the eastern and western sectors of the nation, overlooking the coasts, the Suez Canal and the oil rich fields, this is first.
2- Second: Here religion, religious feelings and hopes are subjugated to serve the colonial project, employed in the fragmentation of the Arab world into states and multiple entities, which is what happened thus far.
The will of the nation, resistance movements and the aware peoples frustrated them each time they attempted to establish a New Middle East. Then, a time passes before they return again to the ‘New Middle East’ project.
Today, we thwarted this birth, but this does not mean that the Americans, the heirs of the old colonialism, will not re-attempt to fragment our world, to tear apart what is already fractured, and divide what is divided, but this time not on the basis of geography but the basis of sectarian, factional and ethnic basis, to leave them in dispute with one another, weakened by fighting among themselves to be ruled by a mighty "Israel", where America forms the only regional guarantor of civil liberties, ethnic and religious minorities.
Here, we need no mistakes in diagnosing the situation nor in diagnosing the enemy, the friend nor in the setting of priorities, where some collaborators, fools and madmen attempt to assist the original plotters in tearing up this nation and its peoples for the benefit of this project.
This requires that we stay together, together in this battle and in all arenas, to join forces and hands, to refuse whatever may divide us whether religious, as Muslims and Christians of the region, or on sectarian, denominational or ethnic basis, for we, the peoples of this region are its native landholders. We are this area’s real people, it is our natural, legitimate and legal right to live here freely in sovereignty and to enjoy our natural wealth, away from any looting, control or outside domination.
Now, I move onto the second title, to the people of Lebanon, also the proud and loyal in this battle, who was also one of the surprises of the July 2006 war.
In spite of the sharp divisions that existed or still exist, and there is nothing new about that, despite the political climate and media storm that occurred in the beginning of the war and continued during and after the war, what did the Zionists do?
As I said they focused their campaign trying to claim that the problem lies directly with the resistance environment, meaning with the Shiites in Lebanon. So, they attacked the towns, villages, markets, and all places. They displaced more than one million human beings.
When those are forced out of their homes in Lebanon and to Syria as the only neighboring country, under the existing divisions and sensitivities, the plan was for them to clash with the rest of the Lebanese population.
The "Israelis" and Americans expected the sensitivities in Lebanon to prevent the rest of the Lebanese from embracing the displaced, who will in turn be pushed to commit errors. Hence, a civil war will break out, which they were betting on.
But what actually happened?
The rest of the Lebanese sects, religions and movements received the displaced regardless of the political position and party affiliation. All the Lebanese acted humanely, ethically and with a high sense of patriotism. Yes, there was an odd case here and there in the capital Beirut in Mount Lebanon in the north in the Bekaa and in the rest of the south, but not worth mentioning.
Syria too, when the Syrians embraced the displaced they did not discriminate nor were they affected by atmosphere that had previously prevailed in Lebanon. They did not discriminate by sect or religious denomination that had been stirred earlier.
The displaced acted responsibility too, except in incidents also not worth mentioning. They acted responsibly, with a very high nationalist spirit.
Here was the embrace and the surprise. The United States and "Israel" waited for the towns and villages where the displaced went to burst in flames. Yet, the surprise was that the Lebanese accepted each other lovingly, sincerely and honestly.
Here and with all my heart I say to all the Lebanese, communities and movements, both institutions and societies, also the brothers in Syria, as leadership and a people who embraced each displaced person during the 34 day, I tell them that this embracing surprised our enemy and your enemy, and formed a significant component of strength for the resistance fighters and public, which led to making the victory.
Even after the victory and after this moral and humanitarian epic was expressed by the Lebanese socially and domestically, they tried to besiege this victory after the war and disrupt its effects and traces on the internal level, and I do not want to go into all aspects of this topic, but I will address one.
After the victory we stood and said this is a victory for Lebanon and the people of Lebanon, all of Lebanon. They came to play the game of intimidation between the faiths to instill fear between them.
Unfortunately, some leaders in Lebanon with no political plan, without ideology nor persuasion or a civilized thought, unable to accommodate a large group of people, they work through his/their religious denomination by raising their fear from other religions to strengthen his/their control over them.
This is happening in Lebanon and among all Lebanese religious denominations. There is someone without a political project, speech or literature within their religion except only to frighten his/their own people from others.
Now, precisely because of this trend, where they frighten others from the Shiite community in Lebanon, specifically from the Amal-Hizbullah alliance, from the resistance weapon and the like. They worked on this as they are still doing.
Today, we can frankly and clearly find in the Lebanese arena two leadership paths. Here, I am not talking about loyalists and opposition, but about two different paths:
- One being a path of conciliation believes in accord and unity that invites for building bridges, spreading of understanding, calls for the convergence of Lebanese, for internal settlement and to reach internal settlements on all internal issues over which we differ as Lebanese.
- Another being one of confrontation, domineering and intimidation, makes their position stronger by leaning on the American and international community, a path that considers a national partnership suicide, and internal settlement a betrayal deserving the death penalty.
This is the reality in Lebanon today; of course, we call for mutual understanding, extending of bridges to converge onto internal settlements.
Note this difference, to reach a settlement with the enemy some say let the captives stay in the "Israeli" prisons, and actually said this; they said let occupied Shibaa Farms and Kafr Shuba hills remain as they are, and they said that too.
They want to form a settlement with the "Israelis", at the expense of our occupied land and our prisoners in jails, our sovereignty and our future, something they do not see as treason!
Yet, a settlement between the Lebanese to come together, create understanding and cooperation to build one’s country is seen as treason, deserving the death punishment!
Alas, this is due to this methodology of intimidation, where some constantly place us in the position of the accused, who must defend themselves, always demanded to reassure the Lebanese and Lebanon, that is everyday and in every speech I must stand and speak for co-existence, civil peace, the Taif Accord, the unity of the Lebanese and that we have no undeclared goals or ulterior motives, nor a ‘three way power sharing’ of government etc…
I mean must I every day and in every speech re-iterate, as we constantly do, that we stand for co-existence, civil peace, the Taif Agreement, the unity of the Lebanese and that we have no hidden Goals or ulterior motives, that we do not want to take control of the government?
In fact, if one should ask for reassurances since year 2000, and again as was confirmed by what happened in 2006, in addition to what preceded in resolution 1559, the war that followed it, the threats and intimidations that ensued, all that places the resistance and its public in a position where it must be given assurances because it is the one targeted with murder, assassination, mass deportation and demographic change ...
We are tired of this discourse, and what to say, what additional reassurances do we provide?
We have provided everything we can. Our intentions are openly declared. Our conduct is evidently clear. Today nearing the birth of Imam Hussein (pbuh) I can only say a word said by Hussein (pbuh) himself: “he who accepts us as it is the truth, thus God is most worthy of truth; and he who rejects us, then we be patient until God judges between us and our people" then this is the honest truth we declare, these are our intentions and this is our conduct….
I mean what more than that could we do?!
In any case, this trend is a threat to Lebanon. The Americans work hard on this trend of intimidation, segmentation, slicing and raising of doubts and suspicions between sects and Lebanese forces, to introduce themselves as protector and guarantor, as is the case in Iraq.
But O Lebanese, do we not take a lesson and a warning from Iraq?
Has America in Iraq been able to be a protector of Christians?
And where are the Christians in Iraq today?
Has is it been able to be a protector of the Shiites or the Sunnis? And where are the Shiites and Sunnis today?
Was it able to protect the Turkmen or Kurds?
This is the lesson.
Should we return to ourselves or listen to those who meddle in our midst every day and night to disrupt any internal settlement?
Yes, we will once again support an internal settlement, the entrance to which is through a partnership government, away from all the erroneous and unjust interpretations given by some on the formation of a national unity government. Today, the renewed endeavours at reaching a compromise and conciliation are being conducted by the Parliamentary Speaker, and brother Nabih Berri to solve the crisis.
We affirm our support and cooperation with all the initiatives put forward, but who is it continues to declare sharing governing as suicide? Who is it that calls any settlement as an act of treason?
He who makes these declarations is clearly telling the Lebanese and the world who is responsible for closing doors – not us –he who disrupts settlements and initiatives, who insists on not forming a national unity government, on holding elections without constitutional quorum to bring in a President to be used to impose a government on the Lebanese.
Where can this situation push Lebanon to?!
The Lebanese here in politics are invited to a humanitarian, moral and ethical stance akin to the social position they took in the war days. This time not to embrace and save the displaced, but to save the nation and the entire people of Lebanon.
Third: I come to address the resistance community and its public to say that here was a targeting of the most serious, harshest, most violent and most painful one. Here laid the gamble wagered by the Americans and "Israelis", together with their researches and wrong information.
Their gamble was this: ‘if we came to Lebanon, kept aside other Lebanese communities, and focused on the Shiites by destroying their towns, villages, markets, religious institutions, schools and enterprises -of course the bombing touched everyone but clearly the focus was here- if they killed their women and children’.
This means that the destruction was deliberate, the killing of women and children was intentional, and bombing markets and businesses was on purpose.
The objective was the destruction of the infrastructure of the humanitarian, social and economic environment which preserves the resistance or produces it. That was deliberate, therefore, we find, for example, in the southern Dahiya suburb entire neighborhoods destroyed!
Were missiles being launched from al-Dahiya?! No, nothing came from al-Dahiya.
Many of these buildings did not contain even Hizbullah centers, but still they were destroyed. Entire towns and villages were destroyed in the south. Large numbers of houses demolished in the Bekaa and the North and elsewhere.
Why all this?
First, to punish the resistance community, and therefore to say to the Lebanese people and all peoples of the Arab world ‘this will be the punishment and reward for whoever supports, produces and embraces the resistance’.
Secondly, to incite the public against the resistance, to emerge in demonstrations and verbally abuse it, to detract from its stance, to question its path and leadership, to demand its surrender, to hand over its weapon and to say ‘enough, we cannot take it anymore, enough homes destroyed, enough women and children killed, we have given more than we can bear, enough is enough.’
Thus you notice many of the local, and unfortunately Arab and academic media alongside much of the political discourse tried to focus on this aspect. It is true that the sacrifices and the losses were great, but they worked on increasing it out of proportion by two and three fold, to erode the will, consciousness, faith, determination and embrace of the public behind the resistance.
That is what happened, but here we found the greater surprises by the resistance community. How did the resistance public deal with this harsher, most violent and most painful aspect of this war?
How did the people deal with this abuse in the Dahiya, the South, the Bekaa and other areas?
You and I do not forget the pictures of women who stayed back in the frontier villages carrying knives and boiling oil preparing to fight the occupation soldiers. This is our people, this is our public.
How did the displaced behave, how did they express their faith, hope and affection, while the whole world failed to capture even one wrong scene of the displaced, despite the harsh living conditions.
What was the behaviour of the families of the martyrs, the wounded, and those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed?
They simply said “Fida al-Moqawama" ‘sacrifice toward the resistance’.
Yes, we, eastern people focus on the symbol and some faulted us when they were saying, “Fida e-Sayyed Hassan” ‘sacrifice toward Sayyed Hassan’, which is an emotional and sentimental expression with no basis in our culture.
You are not a sacrifice for a person, but you know as well as the families of the martyrs, the wounded, the prisoners and those whose homes were destroyed know that Sayyed Hassan himself, his soul, and his children are ready sacrifices toward you.
Then came the startling, surprising and unprecedented stand in the history of warfare. I searched this in depth during two weeks and did not find a precedent of a people or popular group who were displaced, whose homes destroyed, who were murdered, massacres committed against them, cluster bombs filled their fields and farms, with no cease-fire announced yet, yet upon hearing that there is a ‘halt of hostile activities’ at eight o’clock and at exactly eight their wheels start turning for the return trip, hundreds of thousands of displaced persons begin to head back to the Dahyia, to the South, the Bekaa and to all the villages and towns in Lebanon.
Here was the real victory and the culmination of the real triumph.
When the displaced people prepared for their return, they were told: to where do you return? To your houses, you no longer have homes to dwell in.
And they responded: ‘we return to our villages and put in place tents and inhabit them rather than remain displaced.’
They were told ‘more than a million cluster bombs were scattered in your fields, houses, farms and roads, and it will kill your children, it will explode under you.
They replied: ‘we will go back to our villages, towns and die under the olive tree, near our tobacco plant and would not remain displaced.
You were told: ‘to where do return and the war is not over yet, nor a ceasefire has been declared?’
You said the word of the self-assured ‘we defeated them and they will not dare do anything’.
You also returned as promised, as was your confidence and hope.
You returned home tall, heads high without favour from anyone and with the grace of God Almighty and the blessings of the blood of your martyrs.
The whole world saw hundreds of thousands return within one day, smiles on their faces, covering their tears and pain, declaring their hope, feeling proud and dignified with their victory.
Dear brothers, O Lebanese, O world,
After this epic legendary scene, that is unprecedented in history, do not such a people deserve to be called ‘most honourable, most pure and most kind’ of all people?
This stance taken towards the resistance community and its public is not incidental but a deep and rooted one whose credit goes back to the grand clergy and their culture, thought and unified position, credit too goes also to this historic and strategic alliance between Amal Movement and Hizbullah in Lebanon, and this awareness and maturity is the result of experience and suffering.
Today, the resistance community along with what it possesses and embraces of culture, wisdom and awareness, with this embrace by the Lebanese in the background and the shared understanding, the mutual love and established bridges form a cornerstone of this victory and a pillar of steadfastness.
One of the senior Zionist experts said: “what is the real question ‘Israel’ is facing with?”
The question is no longer on whether "Israel" lost its ability to deter or that "Israel" has failed to demoralize the opponent’s moral, this ended. But this expert says “if this opponent enjoys morale that is the highest since the establishment of ‘Israel’ until now," the question is then: “can ‘Israel’ in truth launch any war again?!”
Hence, he is looking at your confidence that remains intact.
Yes, this is the grass-roots level that is strong, sacrificing, faithful, conscious and rational on which the resistance is founded, a base the resistance still depends on in all its challenges. Therefore, as I said in the first days of the war in July, through trusting in God and my knowledge of you and of this people, and these resistance fighters and this enemy and as I used to always promise you victory, again I promise you victory now.
On the 14th of August, I promised you a good return.
Here, I will open the file of reconstruction, compensation and assistance. I will brief you with my report of what we did in the last year.
Certainly, there are countries, governments, and sides that made great efforts, I thank them for that.
Before and after the Lebanese government lost its legitimacy the government did something, but we all express irritation of this lag. I do not want to touch on this aspect, but I want to present my report:
Ever since August 14, we have tried to be in service of the displaced, the owners of destroyed and damaged homes, owners of institutions in general. I shall mention that what is provided is not considered compensation, but contributions and assistance to heal the wounds.
Compensation must be paid by the State. The State received nearly $ 1 billion to help those affected by the war. This $ 1 billion is the minimum right of the people and must be given to them. What we have done by ourselves, is paid money from a brother to his brother away from legal and official responsibilities. Therefore, it did not exempt the State from providing compensation in the same areas:
First: we started with what was called the "Accommodation file"
This means securing annual rent and house furniture so that no one is left in the street, and thank God for the accomplishment of this file, no one is left on the street. They wanted more than 25 thousand families at the minimum to remain in the streets, but the effort and cooperation with our friends and allies in the political and national forces in different regions, associations, we were able to accomplish this file quickly, including 28 thousand and 300 cases to the value of 133 million and 500 thousand dollars.
Second: repairing damaged houses, other than the houses that were destroyed
The damaged houses which were supposed to be restored -with the exception of the four towns adopted by the State of Qatar, thankfully- in remaining villages, towns and regions received in payments for 113 cases and 820 housing units so far to the value of 190 million and 700 thousand dollars.
Of course, the restoration file is not completed until now, which means there are buildings that will not be brought down, therefore will now be listed for restoration.
In some cases, there are shared sections in the Dahiya where work is still ongoing.
Third: assisting the economic and trade firms and institutions
This type of assistance I will talk about now is, in fact, a contribution and not compensation, and secondly a percentage is marked within it, i.e. we gave priority to homes to return to housing. What we presented is contribution and assistance for direct damages, and not indirect, and this file remains open. We are still trying to secure a communication to improve some of these contributions.
In the economic and trade institutions 12,500 cases worth $30 million
Helping direct agricultural damages to 1,300 cases worth $2 million
Assistance with direct animal damages, 2,000 cases, to the value of 3 million dollars
Assistance for public vehicles which are a source of livelihood, public taxi vehicle, a bulldozer and 2,300 cases worth $4 million.
Support to stricken villages, whose conditions were extremely harsh, $3 million
In order to launch the reconstruction project in southern Dahiya and not have to wait for anyone hoping they would join us later on in the process, $14 million have been paid so far through WAAD reconstruction project,
Support extended to fishermen 3500 cases, to the value of $700,000.
The total amount spent so far is $380,900,000 dollars, ‘now some get upset’ when I say ‘this money is Halal, legitimate and comes without political conditions.’
There are two points I want to stress before I move to the last section:
1- Regarding the subject of demolished homes that has not been treated yet, there exists a delay, and since the state has taken money and has received money to restore these demolished houses, we committed ourselves to pay the difference.
Even in the southern Dahiya, I was clear when I said ‘we and the people’ with the money they will receive as compensation from the State we will build the southern Dahiya. I did not say we alone from our funds alone will build the southern Dahiya. Therefore, the lag in the payment of compensation for demolished homes, led to the delay in the reconstruction of houses in all areas.
Considering that these families still have no homes to go back to, I declare to you that God willing we will again renew our contribution to all families who rented houses for periods ranging from one month to a year, hoping all the reconstruction of all demolished houses would be completed during this year, and we will not need to repeat this process later.
But to avoid any confusion or ambiguities, I want to emphasize that this contribution is for the actual tenant.
The actual tenant is the rent payer. Should the tenant still has a month, two or three or a year delay, we are committed God willing to rent contribution from a month to a year, so that no one goes to the street, nor incur the financial consequences of the delay in rebuilding the destroyed house so far.
Here, I must mention efforts spent by your brothers in the resistance, the Mujahideen, who have worked since the first days on dismantling and exploding cluster bombs especially in the habilitated villages. They were able within a few months of the cessation of hostilities to dismantle and explode 40,000 cluster bombs, offering in this process five dear martyrs from the Islamic Resistance fighters.
I reach the last section, to the position that we must deal with responsibly;
Since the end of the war, there is talk of whether we have seen the end of the "Israeli" wars on Lebanon?
Will we enjoy peace and security and not face a new war again?
Some people said that, and provided their strategic, political, security, military and psychological reading, and so on.
Some people say no. "Israel" will not acquiesce in defeat. It will work to regain its reputation, its ability of deterrence and prestige in the region because if it does not do so, it will be putting itself on the road to extinction; along with this reading those people also provide a strategic, political, military and security reading.
I do not want to enter into this debate to say yes or no, but I want to talk about a responsibility and remind of two matters:
1- First, that in our midst is an enemy whose nature is aggression with historic ambitions for our land, waters and natural wealth. Its plan is based on the logic of force, bullying, frightening and spooking others, where now it is the one spooked.
This is our enemy and this is its nature.
2-The second thing is, we cannot rely on the analysis to say there will be no war. Hence, rest easy and sleep on soft silk.
I do not say THERE WILL BE a war, God willing there is no war.
We, as I said in previous speeches do not want war. We did not even want the July war. they wanted this war for which they placed objectives on the level of the Middle East as a whole, and it was they who pushed the situation into this direction.
In all cases, precaution is our duty, thank God if no war erupts, for ‘and enough is God for the believers in their fight’, and if God forbid Lebanon was faced with a new challenge we would be able to meet this challenge. However, I tell you that preparedness and preparations for war, are the most important means of war prevention. This is what is called a balance of terror and deterrence.
From year 2000 to 2006, that which protected Lebanon and South Lebanon is this balance, because Barak and Sharon were committed to this balance. 2006 war, due to Olmert’s stupidity, and because he is carrying out an American decision where the decision to go to is not his, since the issue expands beyond the question of Lebanon and southern Lebanon to building a ‘New Middle East’ and remapping the region.
Hence, when our enemy understands, and we make him understand that we have the strength to confront, and stand firm, even the strength to win, this will stop and deter him from launching a new war. At the minimum level, it will make him very much hesitate before launching a war of this kind.
This is why when I spoke in a newspaper interview early on of the celebration days that the resistance possesses missiles able to hit every point in occupied Palestine, I was not trying to lure a war, but I worked to prevent one, because by that I am saying to the "Israeli" government, army and people that they must understand that any future war on Lebanon will cost them dearly.
We also learned from the July war experience, and made the required evaluation, discovered our strengths and weaknesses and those of the enemy’s and worked on them, and therefore in an upcoming war, the enemy must know that they will pay very dearly.
I tell the enemy this so they do not think of war.
Some say “you exercise psychological warfare”, true, and this is a part of the battle.
But I exercise honest psychological warfare. I am talking about facts and not lies. I am talking about truths. When the war started and I told them ‘if you want to go to an all out war, then, we will too and I promise you surprises”. It is true this was psychological warfare, but a truthful psychological warfare that was not based on lies.
The surprises came through the sea, when we hit their battle ship, the pride of the "Israeli" marine industry Saar 5. The surprise came also when we destroyed their Merkava IV-generation in the valleys, hills and entrances to villages. There was a surprise when our Mujahidin downed their helicopters in the night and day as well. The surprises continued when they were unable to destroy our rockets and we in turn were able to bomb their interior for the first time in “Israel`s” history over the entire 33 days without interruption. We surprised them with our command and control network. We surprised them with our public and resistance community the most honourable of people, with the Lebanese people, with the peoples of the Arab and Islamic nations and there was victory.
Today, I want to conclude the celebrations of this anniversary, and by the way I would like to thank all who joined us in this commemoration and this victory.
I want to conclude this ceremony and celebrations with a clear promise. Take it as psychological warfare if you like, but an honest psychological war, that if you ("Israelis") are to think of attacking Lebanon, and I do not advise you on this, should you think of declaring war on Lebanon, I will not promise you surprises like the previous ones, but I promise you the Great surprise that can change the fate of the war and the fate of the region God willing.
With this commitment, I place a substantial responsibility on myself and on the resistance. This commitment is an actual commitment. Now, I am not talking about anything related to the future. They themselves (“Israelis”) must analyze. I will not tell you nor tell them, because if I said what this thing is, it will not remain a surprise.
With the resistance I hold this commitment in order to protect Lebanon and the people of Lebanon, and should war breakout, God forbid -and again I repeat that we do not want war, we do not want it- we must be ready, as a resistance, as an army, as a people, as a State.
Yesterday, we all heard the commander of the Lebanese Army say that so far all the Lebanese Army has been provided with is promises, talk and some ammunition which had been paid for. I say paid for from the funds of the Lebanese people.
There is a ban on arming the Lebanese army until it removes ‘“Israel” is the enemy’ from its nationalistic creed. America has never given nor will it allow anyone give the Lebanese army what enables it to defend Lebanon, but the resistance stands alongside the national Lebanese army, its fighters alongside their soldiers, its martyrs along with the army’s, its vigor alongside their’s, and together with the people of Lebanon we will face this challenge.
God willing as we triumphed in May 2000, in August 2006, I forewarn and advise them ("Israelis") that here in Lebanon, resistance, army and people, are all a part of a nation that refuses subservience, rejects humiliation, only afraid of God, only kneels to Him, a nation that fights, every ready to sacrifice and win the decisive historic victory, God willing.
Again through trusting in God, my knowing of you, this people, the fighters of this resistance movement and this cowardly and lowly enemy, who is more fragile than a spider`s web, as I always promise you victory, I promise you victory again.
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Nasrallah's address in support of Palestinians in their resistence against Israel:
Speech on 5 October 2007:
"I welcome you on this day and this evening at the International Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day to fulfil one of the religious and political obligations at hand. This day whose revival Imam Khomeini (May Allah honours his soul) called for to be held on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, since the time, place and occasion have distinctive historical, ideological, political, spiritual and Jihadi particularities.
Out of loyalty to the Imam, I bring to mention that Imam Khomeini and from the beginning of his political and jihad movement in Iran, and his entrance into public life, he believed in the cause of Palestine, fought for it and raised its flag in every place.
From the outset, even as early as the late 1950s when he became the `Marjaa` or the religious reference authority, as well as a person of leadership in religious and political domains, he always raised the Palestine question, in his books, articles, speeches and statements.
One of the most important issues that constituted a source of conflict and contradiction with Shah of Iran was the position taken by the Shah`s regime towards "Israel", its alliance with "Israel", and its position on providing "Israel" with oil fuel either through sale or free of charge, a matter Imam Khomeini considered as the worst of disasters committed by the shah`s regime against the nation of Islam and Muslims.
Thereafter and after various armed Palestinian resistance movements started, the Imam extended his support on the moral, religious, legislative levels as well as politically and financially. So, he issued `fatwa` or religious opinion that gave legitimacy to the payment of funds to the resistance fighters and the Palestinian factions.
This underlines the sensitivity with which he viewed the matter when he issued fatwa allowing payments of this kind.
In such a conflict through fighting and resistance, the revolution triumphed in Iran. Thereafter, the Imam broke Iran`s relations with "Israel", expelled the "Israeli" ambassador and established the first embassy of Palestine on Arab or Islamic land. Hence, the commitment to Al-Quds, Palestine and its people became a stable ideological and political one by which the Islamic Republic regime, people and institutions engaged to.
Imam Khomeini committed himself to this cause until his passed away, whereas his eminence Sayyed Khamenai continued his path in all sincerity and loyalty.
Iran continues to express its strong commitment to this position and has announced today with boldness, courage and clarity via the President of the Islamic Republic in Iran, Sayyed Ahmadinejad before the Friday sermon in spite of all the pressures faced by the Islamic Republic as a result of this attitude.
Imam Khomeini`s declaration of the International Al-Quds Day falls within the context of a long continuum of religious and political commitment to this sacred cause, rather than a seasonal or the odd occasion used by the Imam to pay a compliment to the Palestinian people or the nation. His efforts rather fall in the context of this historic natural movement, the Imam`s approach and commitment, his revolution along with all those who continue down his course, both in Iran and the world.
As for Al-Quds International Day, the Imam wanted this day to be a reminder to the entire nation at the least, a reminder of this great loss that struck the nation in the last century, the occupation of Palestine and the fall of Al-Quds in the hands of the Zionists as one of the greatest misfortunes, tragedies and pains that have befallen this nation, whose repercussions continue to create pain, tears, blood, victims, martyrs, prisoners, detainees over decades and years.
Today is the day when we recall our sacred land, "Al-Quds", "Baitul-Maqdis" Noble Sacred Place, God`s sacred house, the Muslim`s first Qiblah - the first place toward which Muslims turned in prayer before Mecca.
On this day, we first and foremost evoke the suffering, pain and sacrifices of a people.
Unfortunately, today the suffering of the Palestinian people has become secondary and ordinary news items in the Arab and Islamic world, even in the entire world which claims to be civilized, the news has become second row even late news.
When the news is mentioned it has become natural and normal news that ten, twenty or thirty Palestinians are killed every day, that large numbers of Palestinians are wounded and dozens forced into prisons every day.
Eleven thousand Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and with them Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian and Arab prisoners, this is ordinary news. People hear it like any other news. That Palestinian children are killed, their bones shattered by Zionist tanks. This is ordinary news. For thousands of Palestinians to be held for weeks at this or that crossing point, or that some of them die of disease, pain and oppression is still seen as ordinary news story.
Today, we must evoke the suffering and pains, the pain of captivity and homelessness, the continuing pains of hunger, murder and slaughter. This Al-Quds Day is a day of reminder of the people closest to Al-Quds and the suffering inflicted upon them against a backdrop of forgetfulness and disregard experienced by the rest of our nation.
Today, we meet to reaffirm the historical and political realities that we know and we are not talking here about events that took place centuries ago, but before tens of years only.
Some of those present here as well as our fathers remember it well and talk of it, since they lived its era from the beginning of the Zionist occupation of the land of Palestine.
If we entered the heart of every Arab, Muslim person and the conscience of the free and asked them, they would surely respond with the truth that says that historic Palestine from sea to river is a land owned by the Palestinian people and no other.
The truth which says that the State of "Israel" is an entity usurping the land of others; the truth which says that the Zionists foreigners who came from all over the world, formed gangs, and with the support of the British occupation and many countries of the world, they invaded the Palestinians` land, spread corruption, killed, slaughtered, burned, looted, destroyed and established their state through occupation, murder, rape and terrorism.
This does not need documents, statements and witnesses. It is evidenced by the generations and generations who lived through these painful events. Against this reality, many in our nation do not try to evade responsibility, but attempt to disguise themselves from the truth in order to argue why they do not bear any responsibility. Yet, when sitting in closed rooms with them, they very clearly say: "what can we do, it is out of our hands".
This has become the theoretical, realistic and rationale basis to surrender to the settlement process, to negotiations and to giving concessions after concessions.
Everyone knows the truth and what is just, but everyone escapes the responsibility with their fictive weakness as the excuses.
I do not want to enter into self-punishment or self-denial but I want to talk directly about responsibility.
Today, witnessing these horrors and calamities suffered by the Palestinian people, the fact that Al-Quds is still occupied nearly sixty years on, difficult and harsh conditions surround the Palestinians everywhere, and Al-Aqsa Mosque is threatened every day by excavations and similar works carried out by Zionist protests, though flimsy and weak, we must talk about responsibility.
I will not stand here today to say that the nation ought to wield its weapons and for the Arab armies to sweep across the land of Palestine on all borders and frontiers, to liberate this land and this people and lift this historic injustice; such event is to the Palestinian people and to us closer to a dream than reality.
I know even when there was talk at some stage of a Unified Arab Strategy or when the Lebanese were told to wait for a Unified Arab Strategy to fight in, that it was said in order not to fight because there will not be a Unified Arab Strategy under the current reality of the official Arab regime.
The Lebanese and the Palestinians have chosen a different strategy.
The Palestinians announced to the nation that if the nation, its governments and armies do not fight, nor open their borders, that the resistance movements, their leaders and factions will. We will fight as a Palestinian people and adopt the choice of the national, real, serious, Palestinian resistance.
We are a people who made sacrifices, are willing to make more sacrifices, to provide more blood and suffer more pain, but you to stand by our side and support us.
This is what the Palestinian people declared through Al-Aqsa Intifada after the failure Camp David negotiations and after the resounding victory of the resistance in Lebanon in 2000.
The Palestinians declared this strategy and took it a long way further. They began martyrdom operations, popular and military confrontations. Everyone recalls how much this Palestinian people have given during and since year 2000 to this day.
The resistance in Lebanon also lived through this experience and pursued this strategy.
Since 1982, when the resistance did not wait for an Arab strategy for fighting and confrontation, but formed a Lebanese resistance with diverse, numerous and various factions, fought hard and enjoyed the support of some brothers and friends whom we thank for their support, even if the world condemns their support of the resistance.
The Lebanese resistance managed to liberate the major bulk of the occupied territory with Lebanese fighters, Lebanese expertise, Lebanese blood, Lebanese sacrifices and Lebanese will.
Through this strategy the Palestinian people succeeded in freeing the Gaza Strip.
Let me frankly say that had the Palestinian people received the required support from the nation over the past seven years and over the next few years, they would at least be able to liberate `67 territories.
The uprising, which was abandoned by the world, by the great sacrifices made by the Palestinians it was able to shake the enemy entity and push the leaders of this entity to talk and for the first time about the battle of independence and the battle of the "Israeli" state`s existence.
The Palestinian uprising managed to extend and continue until now, a national Palestinian jihad strategy of this type out to receive the support of the nation. Let rulers retain their armies, weapons and jets to protect their regimes, but let them too provide this Palestinian people with the political, media and material support.
Today, this is the posed strategy. No one is talking about forces or armies to fight on behalf of the Palestinian people who have the fitness, the merit, efficiency and necessary capacity for the liberation of the land, but they are people who need help and support.
Today, the nation can do much to Palestine and its people. At the very least, the rulers can themselves stop blockading the Palestinians before asking them to assist in lifting the siege off the Palestinian.
A Part of the blockade suffered by the Palestinian people is practiced by some Arab regimes. This embargo must be lifted and support must be submitted.
Oh brothers and sisters, did you know that there are thousands of billions of dollars deposited by Arab nations in American banks while Palestinians die of hunger, siege, wounds and unemployment.
A people ready to give their blood in fulfilling the entire nation`s duty to liberate Al-Quds, yet this nation is too miserly even with its dollars that are stockpiled in the United States` banks.
Today, the nation ought to concern itself with aiding the Palestinians to overcome their internal crisis. At the same time, we appeal to the Palestinians and especially our brothers in Hamas and Fatah to practice restraint and refrain from any form of armed confrontation, to persevere without despair with the treatment of the dangerous political stranglehold of a crisis.
Governments that are capable of playing any role ought to do so rather than show contentment for the blockade on the Gaza Strip or the government there, or for some to rejoice by saying `we want to fail or thwart this example of an experience`.
All the losses suffered by the Palestinian people today and any of the Palestinian factions are losses to the Palestinians as a whole and the entire nation, and a hand of help and assistance should be extended to them.
We must help the Palestinians towards this cause to uphold the right of return and to refuse any resettlement as well as to reject assimilation in any country as is happening through their forced migration to countries in Latin America, Europe, Australia and others.
This places responsibility on the states that sponsor Palestinians in the Diaspora. Here in Lebanon, meaning the current government, and as we have in the past, we call now again for a reconsideration of the relationship with the Palestinians in Lebanon and of the conditions of the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
If some are speaking today of new risks to a camp here and a camp there, again I reiterate my advise that the security and military treatment should remain the last resort, and priority should be given to the social, humanitarian and ethical treatment, and an outstretched hand to deal in a brotherly manner with all the Palestinians on Lebanese soil.
Within the Palestinian context, I want to warn of the dangers of the international conference that George Bush called for. The danger lies in that the American-"Israeli" plans aim at gaining normalisation of relations for "Israel" and give nothing in return.
For "Israel", to gain normalisation of relations with some Arab countries that do not yet have ties with "Israel", and achieve nothing for the Palestinians, is a real concern and fear shared by many, especially in front of Olmert`s powerless government. How can Olmert, who is too powerless to release a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners to strengthen the so-called peace process, make any real and substantial concessions on the Palestinian track?
Where we must draw attention is the Arab cover. So, I appeal on your behalf to Arab states intending to participate in this meeting, namely, the Saudi Arabian leadership, not to give this gathering such Arab cover, if the outcome is normalization while on the other hand no substantive results are gained by the Palestinian people.
Here, I am not speaking ideologically or in principal, because according to principal and ideology my position is different. So, here I am speaking on the political reality level as they say.
Political logic does not permit granting all these gains to the Olmert government at a time when Arab governments should flock to bring Olmert`s government before an international tribunal to punish those butchers for the crimes they committed and are still committing every day against the Palestinian people, and for what they did in Lebanon in the July war.
Are Olmert`s government and the Zionist perpetrators of massacres to be rewarded with normalization of relations; further concessions and a hand shake, are all these reasonable?
We may not bury our heads in the sand. Have you noticed the Arabs talking about peace while "Israel" is beating the drums of war in the region? Concerning the "Israeli" air force launched a raid against Syria, is it not likely for that raid to have lead to a Syrian reaction and hence possibly war?
The media revealed a few days ago, that there are three "Israeli" armoured brigades stationed in the Golan since before the "Israeli" raid on Syria.
Why are these brigades present in the Golan? What scenario are they preparing for?
Why did the enemy commit such an air raid while readying for a confrontation and making loud and thundering threats?
Violations of Lebanon sovereignty are committed each day, with Zionist reconnaissance planes infiltrating our skies, but as of a few days ago our south, Beirut and the far Bekaa have been witnessing intensive mock air attacks.
Have you asked why?
Have the group in power done anything to end such provocations? Have they called on their American allies to pressurize "Israel" to respect Lebanon`s sovereignty, since this government is in the hands of independentists, sovereigntists, the sons of the `Cedar revolution`!?
Why these mock raids?
Is it psychological warfare or preparatory military manoeuvres?
"Israel" speaks of peace while beating the drums of war, as it prepares for war while on the other hand here in Lebanon we are discussing the resistance weapons, the will of the resistance and the resistance position etc…
This is where we need to be careful.
"Israel" wants to impose its hegemony, conditions and control over the Palestinians and all the countries of the region, over all those going to the International Conference of the so-called peace in the region.
Even the recent raid that targeted Syria, in my opinion it was aimed at rattling the Syrian stand prior to the conference in order to influence the resilience and resistance its regime demonstrated by sticking to their land and legitimate national rights.
Let us not rule out the existence of a coordinated "Israeli"-Americans motive to drag Syria into war, and thus the entire region, because this is Bush`s plan for the area.
His project for the region is not one of peace but war, just as he did in Iraq, Palestine and as he did in Lebanon in July 2006 last year, he now tries to do the same at the entire regional level.
On the Iraqi front, we have all seen and heard the United States Senate`s decision which calls for the division of Iraq. It is true that this decision is non-binding, but only a simpleton and a naive believes or imagines that this decision was made independently of Bush and his administration.
We know that when the Americans want to implement any project, they begin with the media, then politically and psychologically until it becomes the norm, just as the question of Palestine and all its calamities began with a promise from Balfour. The new calamities arriving in the region have now begun with a non-binding decision made by the United States Senate to partition Iraq.
Such a decision reveals the true American intentions we always spoke of, even disagreed about in discussions we had with some of the Lebanese about the new Middle East.
They say that the new Middle East means a Middle East that enjoys democracy, freedom, and sovereignty of States, with no outside intervention in internal affairs, security, peace, stability, economic prosperity and respect for human rights.
We have since witnessed all these headings in the Iraqi arena and saw suffering inflicted on the Iraqi people by the Americans occupying Iraq.
Across TV screens we have seen a large part of the Iraqi population migrate, millions left Iraq and millions are displaced inside Iraq due to the occurring demographic segregation taking place.
Millions of Iraqis are below poverty line, without food for `Iftar` a fast break meal, while they live on distributed food rations.
Imagine the state which possesses the world`s second biggest oil reserve if not the biggest, a state leading the Countries of the world in petroleum exports, yet its people are displaced, migrated, poor and in need for food rations just to eat?
This is the prosperity the Americans promised us: a people without nutrition, medicine, security, stability or freedom.
Where is this freedom in Iraq today?
Americans continue their systematic destruction of Iraq, as they continue their project there.
Today the greatest danger facing Iraq is the new phase it has entered.
Americans along with Zionists and the "Israeli" Mossad stirred up Shiite-Sunni fighting in Iraq, a situation that evolved into Sunni-Sunni fighting in more than one Iraqi governorate, and now they are working day and night to start Shiite-Shiite fighting in more than one Iraqi governorate.
This is the American project: Sunni-Shiite fighting, Sunni-Sunni fighting, Shiite-Shiite fighting, Arab fighting Kurds, Kurdish fighting Turkmen; this is what is happening in the Iraqi arena...
American leaders now consider the Sunnis fighting Sunnis in the Anbar province, one of their greatest achievements in recent months; has this not been presented as a qualitative achievement for Bush, the military leadership and the armed forces in Iraq?
On Al-Quds International Day, I reiterate what Imam Khomeini called as the day of the meek and vulnerable of the world and not only in Palestine.
On your behalf, I appeal to the Iraqi people and say to them `your unity and connectedness, your overcoming of sedition and national reconciliation are all your only choice`.
Your jihad and political resistance and your cooperation are the only path towards saving Iraq and the entire region.
In July last war, the resistance thwarted the new Middle East project from the region`s West gate. Now the proud, faithful, oppressed and sacrificing Iraqi people have to thwart it from the region`s East gate, through bringing down the partitioning project to begin in Iraq but none knows where it stops, nor what disasters and suffering will it inflict on this region and its peoples.
In Lebanon, we recently witnessed a string of assassination operations the most recent of which was the assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem.
When an assassination of this kind is committed against a March 14 figure, it has become a tradition for that group to instantly accuse Syria from the first few minutes. Some even go as far as accusing or blaming Syria`s allies for these assassinations.
When asked for proof, they quickly openly and covertly respond that their accusation is based on ‘political analysis rather than on security or judicial facts or evidence`.
On the other hand, confusion befalls the opposition. Then, after we issue statements of condemnation and denunciation, some philosophise that their proof that Syria or its allies are behind these killings because it is not rational for `March 14` to kill their own leaders.
Since this question is a matter of political reading, I will not then talk about a hypothesis in the security subject tonight, but rather about my conviction, vision and my fundamental belief on the security subject, to present to the Lebanese people, to March 14 leaders along with their audience too, and to the families of the martyrs who were unjustly and aggressively killed by these explosions.
This presentation is for them to think about, reflect on, ponder over and study since the question is one of political presentation and political reading.
I am not saying that March 14 forces kill their own leaders and figures, but I say that the "Israelis" are the ones who kill March 14 personalities and leaders.
If anyone among March 14 wonders why, it would therefore be strange that they wonder! For why would "Israel" not want to kill you?
Are you friends of "Israel" that they will not kill you? Are you their brothers or allies that they will not kill you?
No. You say no and we say no.
So, if you are not their allies, friends or brothers, what is the moral and political obstacle that makes the "Israelis" not kill you?
This is firstly.
Secondly, the existing "Israeli" precedents.
The "Israeli" Zionists killed Jews in Western and Eastern Europe as well as in different parts of the world. They killed sons of their own religious faith to force them to migrate to occupied Palestine.
Because their plan necessitated that those Jews be killed, they killed them.
Jews were also killed by Zionists.
"Israel" has a political project in Lebanon and the region, which it is serving. Therefore, if March 14 blood must be spilled to serve "Israel`s" political project, then as far as they are concerned why not.
During the July war, they spilled blood considered March 8`s together with the rest of the Lebanese society, but the war was launched against the resistance and whoever embraced this resistance.
Whose blood is spilled makes no difference where "Israel" is concerned. Is their any difference between one child and another, one woman and another, one blood or another, because to them their political project is what comes first.
I think the Americans may or may not have prior knowledge of the "Israeli" actions, nonetheless the hand that kills is an "Israeli" hand.
Take the most recent assassinations of MP`s as existing specimens, the assassination of MP Gebran Tueni, MP Pierre Gemayel and MP Antoine Ghanem.
Look at the common observation, MP Gebran Tueni was assassinated a day prior to the Security Council convening - or may be on the same day - to approve in principal the International Tribunal (IT).
MP Pierre Gemayel was assassinated on the day a meeting was held at the Security Council to approve the IT structure.
The third was the assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem on the day the Security Council was to listen to the Executive Report for the establishment of the IT, whose slow formation pace drew American dissatisfaction.
What is this coincidence?
I do not want to defend Syria, but if Syria is the country that suffers most from the IT, why would Syria or any of its allies kill MP Gebran Tueni on the day of ratifying the IT, then MP Pierre Gemayel on the day the IT system was being adopted and MP Antoine Ghanem on the day the Executive report for establishing the IT was being presented?
Who then is it that commits such crimes in Lebanon?
"Israel" and America do.
In Lebanon, relatives of martyrs have an interest in the IT being formed to uncover the killers, but the interests of the Americans and "Israelis" are different because they want to use it to topple the last remaining defiant Arab regime in this region, to force Syria into a regional level settlement, connected to the Arab, "Israeli" and Iraqi issues.
I do not accuse the families of the martyrs who work night and day for the establishment of the IT, but I accuse "Israel". Yes, and take note of the locality where these last three operations were carried out?
Security observers and military analysts have all agreed that these assassinations were carried out by a side that possesses high degree of professionalism, precision, skill and information in addition to a high level of operational capability in these particular localities.
Aren`t the "Israeli" networks the ones with a tradition of security presence in those areas, well informed and with the ability to operate?
The side which definitely has a strong interest in the assassinations in Lebanon is "Israel". Why? Because "Israel`s" project in Lebanon is that of sedition and inner fighting.
"Israel" views the resistance, as growing in strength with every calm day passing over Lebanon. "Israel" considers every day of strife and internal fighting in Lebanon as dragging the resistance internally, making "Israel" more comfortable.
Some say what is there for "Israel" to fear now, that there is nothing in the south?
“Israel” considers the resistance a strategic concern because the resistance as a defence force prevents "Israel" from achieving its ambitions, aspirations and dreams in Lebanon. Therefore “Israel” aims to weaken, drain and exhaust the resistance, and drag it into internal conflict and fighting.
"Israel" remains the primary beneficiary of any internal fighting and sedition in Lebanon, just like the case in Palestine, where the primary beneficiary of any internal fighting is the Zionist occupation, and so is the case in Lebanon.
Some people recently told me that I erred and encouraged them against us when I said `if you kill not one of us but a thousand, we still will not be dragged into sedition`.
They know that if they killed from us we will not be dragged into sedition. This is not an invitation to be killed, but if they do we will take our revenge from the Zionists, not Lebanese.
This is how we think.
Killing us will strengthen the opposition and the people`s rallying around the opposition for the sense of wrong they would be subjecting the opposition to.
Those assassinated were meant to be from the other side of the political divide, because the other side had a one hundred per cent accusation, complete and ready to be issued at will. They do not need facts, judicial or security. They do not even need to wait for an international investigation.
During these blessed Ramadan days, (detainees) are behind bars. There are families who will celebrate `Eed Al-Futr` end of Ramadan celebration in a few days, but there are officers detained along with others in Lebanese prisons by a political and not judicial decision.
After more than two years in detention and investigations, with no charges brought against these persons, the IT Chairman and also Chairman of the Legal Committee at the United Nations clearly stating the matter was outside their area of concern, and that the subject matter concerns the Lebanese judiciary.
Here tonight on this blessed evening, I appeal and call on the Lebanese judiciary to use their conscience and remember that on that grand Day of Judgment, they will have to answer for unjustly keeping them in prison without an accusation, but only for political pressures, calculations and decisions.
In any case, there is a political group in Lebanon with ready pre-accusations, with preset outcomes and an accused already listed on their agenda to be announced upon hearing the news of any assassination or explosion. They do not only make accusations, but also judge and charge all at once, which is why "Israel" delves further into killings.
You (Feb 14) said that passing the International Tribunal (IT) will surely end these killings. Yet, the killings have not stopped.
You had previously said that the establishment of an International Investigation Committee will stop the killing, and it did not.
Even if an IT and an International Investigation Committee are actually formed, the killer still carries a political project. Also, as long as your accusations and hence the IT`s omit the real killer, this real killer remains free at large, making the killer immune from prosecution. By this, I mean "Israel". Hence, even if one hundred ITs are formed, the killings will continue.
I openly accuse "Israel" as the side committing these killings and assassinations in Lebanon. I base my accusation on indications, facts, reading into who benefits, and based on local, regional and international political readings, in addition to tactical and strategic interests.
All the Lebanese ought to make their calculations on this basis rather than on doubt and suspicion, to save Lebanon from going where “Israel” wants to take it to, through spilling this blood unjustly and aggressively.
Pertaining to the assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem, there is another political indicator.
Parliament Speaker Berri`s initiative was approved by the opposition. This in fact was a significant concession from the opposition, which incidentally provided one concession after another, not out of weakness but fear for the country, and its security and stability.
The opposition agreed to waiver its demand for a National Unity government and agreed to a consensual president on the basis that the other group recognises and commits to the two-thirds quorum for electing the president. Until now, they have not yet committed to the two-thirds quorum and every day they threaten with electing a president with half + 1 quorum.
Even when they talk about the opposition, they say the opposition wants to take from us the half + one "weapon", they call it a weapon.
They refused to abide by the two-thirds quorum. However, state Speaker Nabih Berri entered into a debate over a consensual President, an initiative agreed to by the opposition parties and forces.
This is not out of weakness, but keenness for the country`s unity, stability and security; to reach the desired outcome.
But who is it whose interest is for Lebanon not to have a consensus President? Some said Syria!
I guarantee you that Syria accepts a consensus president and is serious about this matter, and I know that.
The side with no interest in a consensus president in Lebanon is "Israel".
Because a consensus President means a government of national unity, while for the "Israelis" who only seeing the resistance weapon in Lebanon, such a government and president do not give the desired `confrontation President` they want.
"Israel" does not want a President who is committed, understands or is even neutral to the subject of the resistance weapon. "Israel" wants a confrontational president.
"Israel" and behind it America want a President committed to disarming and eliminating the resistance.
"Israel" wants a confrontational, seditious President because its project in Lebanon is to sow discord.
MP Antoine Ghanem`s assassination was to derail Speaker Berri`s initiative. This is also a further indication.
In the presidential elections we have heard many statements in the past few days, and that the other side wants a purely Lebanese presidential election.
We also want a purely Lebanese presidential election, without outside intervention neither by the Syrians nor the Americans. It`s wonderful how the Americans forbid the world from interfering, while they interfere themselves and condemn the world for intervention. This is an expression of the level of arrogance, conceit and domination practiced by the American administration in all parts of the world.
They also talked about something else: for the first time, they want for the Lebanese to elect a President.
We support that too, we want the Lebanese to elect a President in isolation from outside interference.
They also said there is no group in Lebanon that could monopolize the will of the Lebanese.
True, the opposition cannot say it reflects the will of the overwhelming majority of the entire Lebanese nor can the loyalists say the same.
But how to arrive to this result?
If we truly want a pure Lebanese presidential election by consensus that reflects the will of the Lebanese people, we have clear peaceful, legal and civil means and the first of which is a consensus President.
Hence, let us agree on a President and thus end the crisis.
When the essential Lebanese political forces or the opposition and loyalists reach consensus on a President, that president would be 100% Lebanese, `made in Lebanon` and reflects the will of the Lebanese 100%.
This is the way.
Ignoring this way means we do not want a consensus President of Lebanon, nor a Presidential elections that is purely Lebanese. The half + one threat means someone is listening to a place outside clearly i.e. outside the interests of Lebanon.
The second option is if we cannot reach a consensus, and why shouldn`t the political class reach such consensus?
They don`t because they may be exposed to external and internal pressures.
The best way is for the Lebanese people to express their will; they say resorting to the will of the Lebanese people necessitates a constitutional amendment!
Doesn`t Lebanon, the people and future of Lebanon at this crucial phase deserve an extraordinary Parliament session to amend the Constitution only this once, and allow the Lebanese people to directly elect their president, away from foreign interventions?
We talk about the will of the people and the Americans talk about the will of the people, a matter that is both funny and sad at the same time.
Let us look at the will of the people.
What is the will of the Palestinian people? What is the will of the Iraqi people? When you draw a settlement or peace agreement, why don`t you run a referendum?
Referendums are permitted in Europe but banned in Palestine, Iraq and also prohibited in Lebanon. Why? Because it is forbidden for these people to express their will.
Let us consider what the Iraqi people want? Why don`t they hold referendums, because they are well acquainted with opinion polls? I mean, for instance, if we put to the poll the questions of the occupation forces remaining in Iraq, or a timetable for the occupation forces withdrawal from Iraq, the result would be that a very high percentage of Iraqis want the occupation out. Therefore, it is natural that no referendum is being held in Iraq over whether the occupation forces stay or leave, knowing full well that that is the key to solving the crisis.
It is natural that no referendum is held on any peace deal in Palestine!
And of course, it is normal to be told here in Lebanon that referendums are a heresy! Who said it is heresy? This practice exists in all democracies.
Let us either amend the constitution only for once so that the people go to elections and thus we will resolve this catastrophe. By this way, the Presidential elections will, for the first time in history, reflect the independent and free will of the Lebanese people.
This is the great challenge before you.
There is also a third option.
If you do not want a constitutional amendment, then let us (the current political forces who could not agree on a president) adopt and accept three or five impartial, scientific and reliable opinion poll institutions, to come and conduct an opinion poll in Lebanon. Then, we would all go to the parliament and vote the personality that receives the highest percentage of support as President of the Republic. Thus, we will be respecting the will of the Lebanese people.
Why don`t you (Feb 14) accept? These are formulas to respect the will of the Lebanese people.
If you say that the `majority` is numeral and that the setup in Lebanon is concordance-consensus, then come forward to work on consensus. You either accept the numeral `majority` or you don`t?
The numeral majority has its requirements, if you accept it.
Whatever the `majority` method you want, it would have its requirements. If you want to say that Lebanon is diverse and is based on a sectarian make up, then this too has its requirements, so why not commit to these requirements?
We are still open and continue to reaffirm that the presidential elections must be purely Lebanese. The Lebanese people must be able to freely express their will for the presidential elections, and we must be able to arrive at a consensual Lebanese president.
Otherwise clear the way for the Lebanese people to deliver a President independent the current conflict, because the `half + one` formula is unconstitutional, and a President chosen by `half + one`, is unconstitutional, illegal, and is the vacuum itself, even worse than a vacuum at the top position.
I want to speak about one remaining point in the presidential elections. We heard a great deal of talk recently about the presidential program being more important than the person.
I want to differ and say, that the person of the President is more important than the program, for two reasons: the first is that the ruling power in Lebanon is not the president but the government. Yes, the President`s thought, intentions, and political aspirations no doubt influence the government`s decision.
The second reason is that the President may submit a program now, only to retract it later. Who can offer guarantees to the contrary? Particularly since in Lebanon nothing is easier than to change colour and sides! And unfortunately lying has become a daily sustenance rather than gallantry, honesty and honour.
Today, when we hear comments such as: this or that politician "Oh is so smart ", it means he knows how to lie and deceive. Yet, one who does not know such tricks is seen as apolitical.
The person behind the president is more important than the program.
What does the president`s person mean?
It means we want a patriotic president, whom experience shows he does not submit to pressures and embassies; experience proves that this person does not give in to pressure or intimidation, has sufficient courage, advances national interests and is ever ready to assume responsibility with earnestness and honesty and delivers on his promise.
This is the person of the president and this person definitely exists. Therefore, he can be reached. We just have to reach accord round him.
As far as we are concerned, the person of the president forms the guarantee and not the paper or speech he announces.
You can say this or that person honours their word, delivers on his promise, is truthful with his patriotism, does not yield to pressure or to being terrorised or enticed, millions of dollars cannot sway his loyalty because his homeland is the dearest thing to him.
Such a person forms a guarantee as far as I am concerned. He can be the President of the Republic of Lebanon, who can protect Lebanon, its unity, peace, stability and security. He can build a real national unity government, a state, and face all the coming challenges and threats coming to Lebanon and the region.
That is our vision. Again, we, the entire opposition despite what was and is being said, we re-affirm our adherence to the country`s unity, peace, security, stability, harmony and dialogue. However, a `dialogue table` for 8 or 9 people going back and forth does not give results.
We always said we have no problem with such and such persons from leaders of the opposition and loyalists sitting together and seriously discussing.
As for me personally, I am unable to attend because of special circumstances that prevent me, but the other brothers are present and are able to assume responsibility.
The Arab initiative comes for two or three days and then goes and that does not suffice. Anyone who wants to help, let him come, sit and hold discussions with everyone. We do not mind, we are open and agree to sit and discuss with everyone, but look for serious frameworks and formulas for dialogue that lead to the desired outcomes.
On the International Al-Quds Day, I can assure you that in the atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan that the future is not frightening as portrayed to us, yes, there are challenges, threats and hurricanes.
Of the major miracles of the Koran, is one when it talked through God`s prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) 1400 years ago, that the Children of "Israel" will spread corruption in this Holy Land and rise to great heights.
The Messenger of God said quoting the revelation and in the Koranic `Ayaat` verses, at a time when there were no Jews in Palestine except for an extremely small number of a feeble few, in an era when the Children of "Israel" were a group of torn apart tribes and scattered in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Yemen and elsewhere.
The Koran came to talk about an event that will happen 1400 years later. This is one of the miraculous and great verses of the book of God Almighty.
This (Zionist entity) has established a state unprecedented in their history. Never before in the history of the Children of "Israel" have they built such a high level State on earth as is the case now with this state.
But the Koran, which over 1400 years ago foretold us that the towering state, spreader of corruption, deadly and insolent state will rise in the Holy Land. It also unequivocally and categorically foretold us that this State will cease to exist, and that (We sent against you [Children of Israel] Our servants given to terrible warfare: They entered the very inmost parts of your homes) [ISRA 17:5], and at a later point told us: (to disfigure your faces, and to enter your Temple as they had entered it before, and to visit with destruction all that fell into their power.) [ISRA 17:7]
When Imam Khomeini declared an international day for Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Khomeini was the Koran`s son, who verily saw God`s credible promise, saw that this Sacred House will return to the owners and will be cleansed from the impurity of occupation and the squalor of the occupiers, God willing.
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Nasrallah's address on Israeli occupation and crimes:
Speech on 16 October 2007:
"First of all, best wishes to you on this happy and blessed Eid al-Fitr.
To begin with our congratulations and condolences go to the family of martyr Mohammed Yusuf Asayli, whose body was liberated from the occupation`s grip last night. In the meantime, our brothers are still working on establishing the identification of one of the received bodies and to whom of the resistance martyrs it belongs.
Congratulations to the liberated prisoner Hassan Aqeel and his family. God willing, God grants him good health, well-being and longevity.
The occasion for this talk is the developments in the negotiation and exchange that occurred, and the horizon towards which we are moving during the next phase.
Of course, I want to speak within the available scope, which does not harm our negotiation process, because in all that is happening, ours remains a humanitarian objective and not a media or political goal.
In the end, there are political and media results which will inevitably occur along the way, but the real goal is the release of the prisoners, all prisoners and the return of the bodies of all the martyrs. Supporting this objective is what governs our behavior, performance and conduct in this regard.
Several months ago, negotiations began between Hizbullah and the "Israeli" enemy through an international mediator assigned by the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, and this assignment was resumed by the new Secretary-General.
In their beginnings negotiations are difficult in nature; because each party wants to present all the files they are interested in, either directly or indirectly. During negotiations the "Israelis" presented everything, what we have a connection with and what not, for example, they talk about the "Israeli" soldiers captured in July of last year.
They ("Israelis") also talk about the bodies of soldiers missing in Sultan Yacoub confrontation in 1982. Then again, they revert back to talking about the "Israeli" co-pilot Ron Arad (went missing when his fighter jet was downed in Lebanon during a bombing raid).
On the other hand, we naturally talk about the Lebanese prisoners and non-Lebanese, that is to say all the prisoners.
We also talk about the four Iranian diplomats whom we believe were handed over to "Israel" after being kidnapped at a Lebanese Forces checkpoint in 1982.
Hence, each party arrives with their files, and concern themselves with following up there cases.
Naturally, the negotiations move with difficulty, initially arduous and tough, but with time, things unravel.
I like to mention that all negotiation processes on such files always took time and this is normal.
Some time ago, we told the international mediator that we had the body of an "Israeli" settler of Ethiopian origin. We presented a card as proof, and that the body existed in our possession. We said that we have no problem discussing the subject or negotiating over it if you (the mediator) liked, because in the end we do not want to hold this body and we are ready for it to return to its family.
On the other hand, there are prisoners and bodies of martyrs held by the "Israeli" enemy. So, we must deal with this issue in a purely humanitarian way.
Of course, at that point the subject was left there for them to deal with. So, they took their time to ascertain and confirm our claim, which is their business.
What was said in the media was true, that this "Israeli" settler was washed up on Lebanese beaches, landing into the hands of some honest and honorable citizens, who found cards with Hebrew writing on the body. They contacted us and handed the body over to us.
Incidentally, I thank these righteous and honorable citizens very much for their initiative and sense of higher responsibility, and for putting their trust in us.
All these details have become part of the current debate and negotiations.
During these negotiations and alongside them, in a proposal to us the international mediator said: "Since the blessed Eid Al-Fitr was coming, how about if you took the initiative with a good-will gesture towards the "Israelis", and ask them for the same good-will initiative towards you?"
We said we have no objection. Of course, we are here talking about good intentions limited to the humanitarian aspect of the issue. We do not talk about the restoration of trust or confidence building, because on the subject of confidence and trust none whatsoever exist between Hizbullah and "Israel". Instead, only bitter hostility between a resistance movement defending the land, people and sovereignty of its country, and an enemy that rapes, kills and assaults.
The subject is not an issue of building trust, but the good intentions are in a specific humanitarian case, related to prisoners and bodies of martyrs.
We agreed and asked what is required. The mediator said two things; first the body of the "Israeli" settler, secondly, information, if you have any on a specific case.
Now the "Israeli" side can talk all they will about what the required information was, we will not reveal any, as we are committed to discretion over negotiation details.
There is a specific case and these are the facts. Of course, this is not a critical issue, such information does not finalize anything but helps pave the way to reach reasonable and convincing results.
Now the "Israeli" side can talk all they will about what the required information was, we will not reveal any as we are committed to remaining discreet on negotiation details.
There are specific cases and these are the facts. Of course, these are not critical issues. Such information does not finalize anything but helps pave the way to reach reasonable and convincing results.
We do not have objections; our part of the good-will initiative was to deliver the body of the settler together with a collection of information and facts in a specific case.
Conversely, we were informed that the "Israeli" initiative was the release of one of the five prisoners captured in the July 2007 war, the name was not identified in the beginning. The release of one of the five prisoners captured in the July war together with the bodies of two martyrs, of course when we talk of five, I here do not discuss names because anyone of these five prisoners is our brother.
We are firm on bringing back all prisoners as well as martyrs, even if we were not informed of the martyrs` identities, the least the "Israelis" could have done, claiming it was difficult, which is possibly true.
Hence, we accepted the "Israelis`" side of the initiative and they ours.
The international mediator stipulated extreme secrecy, which suits us fine, since our preoccupation is accomplishing the goal and not media or politics. This is why there was strong secrecy round the event exhibited by Hizbullah and its officials even to Hizbullah related media channels. It was as if there nothing was taking place, which you would have noticed yesterday. This is due to our commitment to silence.
The reason for this diligent silence is the concern to complete the exchange operation and block any outside interference or biddings on their side as I do not think there is anyone in Lebanon who wants to bid in order to disrupt an operation of this type.
On the "Israeli" side, it is possible for the subject to be entered into biddings. From our experience in the past exchange, we know that the biddings within the enemy`s government and media is disrupted certain aspects of the process, which would have been very beneficial had it been completed.
In any case, in light of the climate of secrecy, everyone may have been surprised, including the families, because news of the event was released on Monday, and because certain procedures had to be conducted on the ground.
Of course, the news was leaked and people found out. Nonetheless, we remained committed and praise be to God, the operation was accomplished with complete success and within the expected outcome, free of any problems, obstacles or complications.
Our assessment and what I like to say to people at this moment is that the exchange that took place, though it is a big achievement, it remains a limited part of an operation, even if the humanitarian value of freeing one prisoner or returning one martyr`s body is humanely extremely valuable.
The subject is not one of numbers, but a humanitarian issue which we ultimately resign to the fact that it is a partial and limited process pending the more important operation.
There is no doubt that what happened yesterday gave an important impetus to the broader and more important process taking place, whether on our side, the enemy`s or even the international mediator.
With regards to the remaining broader aspect of the process, I would like to emphasize the following:
First: I confirm that there are ongoing vigorous negotiations. By this I mean the negotiations are not seasonal or intermittent but prompt and vigorous, which will resume vigorously and well in a few days time.
Secondly: for the first time, I can speak about the existence of positive progress in the basic negotiations associated with the two "Israeli" soldiers and the prisoners.
Thirdly: the continuation of the work and it is clear there is serious and focused effort applied at this level.
These facts make us look forward with hope and optimism that may not have otherwise been available over the past months. I can disclose this aspect and for the first time I talk about hope, optimism and positive progress, and that an opportunity exists to achieve a breakthrough in a whole operation of this type.
I certainly understand the feelings of all the families of the martyrs and that the recovery of the body of the martyr is no less important psychologically, spiritually and even emotionally, than the recovery of the liberated prisoner.
Perhaps the lack of clarity around the names may have created a certain emotional air, given all the families of martyrs and prisoners who were expecting the martyrs to be theirs, the same with the liberated prisoner.
After all, we did not purposely do that. True there was no clarity in the names. Otherwise, we would have informed families of the martyrs and prisoners so that things would be clearer from the outset.
Finally, I must stress, your brothers know this, and here I am not talking about the Lebanese prisoners only, but about the Lebanese and non-Lebanese; on the occasion of this achievement and this exchange, I renew the unequivocal commitment of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon to returning the prisoners and the bodies of the martyrs. This is our main and central issue for which we strive and are every ready to make sacrifices.
I would also like to emphasize to the families that we place a great deal of hope on the crew assigned by Hizbullah for the mission, and their efforts.
This team has had a great deal of experience since the beginning of exchange operations. It has a high level of efficiency, excellent experience and a good sense of a high level of responsibility. Thus, the political decision is decisive and the follow up crew is excellent. I believe that doors previously locked in the circumstances surrounding this file have started to open up.
Now, I can not say anymore than this so as not to cause any damage or harm to the process. However, this process is ongoing, and we hope to reach results soon.
At the end, I must thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the delegation or assistants assigned by him, as well as those we call `the international mediator`, who have truly made great efforts during this period, often overworked, we thank them for this humanitarian effort, in the hope that, God willing, other achievements can be made at this level and we can reach a joyful end to this file with the help of God Almighty."
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Nasrallah's address in defiance of U.S.-backed government orders to give up mobile phones:
Speech on 13 May 2008:
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the merciful. Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds. Peace and Prayers be upon Mohammad, The Last Prophet, and on his family and elected followers, and upon all the messengers and prophets. May Allah's peace and mercy be upon you all.
Certainly, the subject of this press conference that we hold which is the first since the end on the July (2006) war the important and dangerous developments that have been occurring for the past few days in Lebanon.
In the beginning I must say that after the decisions taken by the ruling party on that dark night, a completely new era has begun in Lebanon. Meaning that the date of that session to us is like March 14, 2005, the earthquake of the assassination of PM Rafik Hariri that sent Lebanon into an entirely new era. Lebanon after that dark gloomy session is not what it was before. The ruling party must know that it has entered Lebanon in a completely new phase due to the seriousness, backgrounds and dimensions of the decisions it took.
I will discuss several headlines:
First: The Resistance's communication networks. In this conference we shall call a spade a spade...the phase is difficult but it is also a phase for logic, thinking, and wise decisions.
Second: The airport and General Shokeir.
Third: The current severe political dilemma, dealing with it, and the way out of it.
In the first point I have a definition. In Lebanon people may understand what the Resistance communication network is, but foreigners might think that we have set up a private phone network and a ministry of communication which brings us proceeds illegally, and to answer the deductions made by the ruling party that knows the truth but denies it.
There is a code-weapon in all armies in the world even in armies in the past. Various codes were used, including birds and sounds among other things. Every time infantry and firearms and combat tactics developed, the code or communications developed simultaneously. Hence, any fighting group be it an army or party or militia or security team, all need communication between the leadership and groups and cadres and individuals. This weapon is an elementary part of the administrative organization and control if not the primary factor in any victory and battle leadership.
These communications take various forms and it is a technical issue. Hence, it is crucial that I mention it. There are various radio frequency communications such as a walkie-talkie and cellular phones in which sound is transferred by waves and they take several technological forms. There's also the wire in which sound is not broadcasted in waves. It is transferred in wires from one instrument to another and sound is usually confined. Usually non-wired communications are facilitated and easier, and every person can take his receiver from place to place. Now each of you can hold a cellular phone and talk from the street from any place you chose. It is not so with cables, not so flexible. There is a group of problems with non-wired communication, and I tell u, there is no non-wired communication in Lebanon or the world that is surveillance-proof and cannot be decoded and analyzed.
This is a fact given the technological development in the world. There is an issue of surveillance. Second, there is the issue of interference. The enemy may log onto the communication channel and jam it disconnecting the leadership from the cadres and bases and centers. In result, the entire leadership and control network disperses.
The third issue is targeting. Quite simple, a cellphone tower can be bombed. The wireless network can be bombed similar to what occurred in the (2006) war and in previous wars. Yet the wired communication network, especially if it is secret, is difficult to bomb in the first few days, and may be employed in a wider margin. We in the resistance do not have the capabilities of large armies or the technology of the USA nor the ‘Israeli' technology. Naturally, when we are faced with complicated advanced technology we resort to simplified technology since in the technological scale we cannot match. The best and most effective means to face complex technology is simplification. In result came the wired network. To be precise I can say the wired resistance network is a communication center and a group of cables connected to houses of leaders and centers and resistance related posts. This is the wired communication network. Wired communication is a part of the code weapon of the resistance in Lebanon. It is not a secondary weapon; it is the most fundamental one in the battle, and in any battle. Before the year 2000, one of the most important reasons behind the success of the resistance operations is that when 200, 300 or 400 resistance fighter attack ‘Israeli' posts in the occupied zone, the ‘Israeli' only knew about the attack the second the first shot was fired. This is because we didn't rely on wireless equipment, but on the wired network. In the July (2006) war the most important point, our greatest point of strength, was leadership and control because communication was upheld between the leadership and command centers and operational combat posts. The enemy admitted to this. Remember after the second Qana massacre when a ceasefire was agreed upon for 48 hours to facilitate the exit of the injured and others, how were we able to stop firing when we are not an regular army? It was due to our ability to communicate with all our points in those posts.
As to the declaration of the Minister of Information, and I regret this since he was an old friend, that it is wrong to consider that this weapon protects Hizbullah. I would like to say that many of our leaders have died due to wireless communications and cellular phones. And in the July (2006) war in many posts where we lost wired communication and were forced to communicate wirelessly and by cellular phones, cadres and leaders were killed in operation. Today, when we approach the Winograd report we find that the most important recommendation by Winograd was the necessity to destroy the organization and capacity of leadership and control of Hizbullah in which the communication constitutes a decisive factor. This is the Winograd recommendation which we must not forget, and you can go back to it.
We come to the negotiations that were going on between us and the ruling party in the recent past. You all know that this (communication) network existed before the year 2000 and continued after that, and it is not a new or a recently introduced network. Yes, it is true that it has been developed and advanced, and this is a natural and logical issue. I would like to remind them that when we agreed with them in the sinister quadric-partite alliance that the network was existent then and wasn't a aggression of sovereignty, law, or public money. When the ministerial Declaration was made and talked about the resistance and its arms, and this is part of its arms, this network wasn't an aggression on sovereignty and public money. Now, at this moment, the four-party accord is a dream, an illusion, the matter which angered some members of the ruling party. I pronounce that it is an illusion; they will not see it in this life or in the afterlife. In any case, we will not meet in the afterlife. Yet in this life they will never see it. After the Winnograd recommendations, and after Welch's recommendations and the ‘hot Summer', and after the Lebanese crisis was magnified and after (Terje Rod) Larsen and his report that is useless unless the Lebanese government says, "The Lebanese Government says..." ...and after the insulting report of the US State Department to the (Lebanese) government...thee Government came and reopened the case even though in the past few months we were negotiating and had reached a certain defined agreement and had answered all the questions. They had come before and we had communicated, the subject was brought up and high levels of Lebanese security institution chiefs were put in charge of communicating with us and discussing the (phone) communication network with us and certain distressing issues. We met and answered their issues and they said, "Fine, you have addressed our issues and we have no problems, but there is a cable laid between the (southern) suburb and western Beirut." This cable was laid out in the July 2006 war a few days after the suburb was bombed and not on the first day; we laid a cable between the suburb and Beirut. They told us that this cable spurs fear from this person and that person, and hope u can remove it, and in case of a new war God forbid, we, the official security forces, vow to lay out a new cable. We agreed to that with our hearts, and told them if it relieves you, remove it, and we have removed it. End of story.
The region is undergoing a phase. The issue is not about the wired network. There were gambles on the Government that lost. Certain gambles were put on regional and international developments that lost, lost gambles on wars. Therefore, the war in Iraq and Palestine and Lebanon and even with Iran and Syria was required to be waged in a different manner. They came and opened the issue of the wired (network). The officers came and a meeting was held. What's the problem? They said we have a group of issues you must solve for us. We are a people of negotiation and solving issues, and we want to keep our arms. We don't want to fight for our arms. Fighting is not our objective. They said we want to lay out a network in Jubeil and Kisirwaan. We told them that it is untrue. And the one (Jumblat) who held a press conference and lied for 25 years knows that he was lying. We informed the officers who informed the ministerial committee who in turn informed the unconstitutional government that Hizbullah says, as a matter of fact that it doesn't want to lay down a network in Jubeil and Kisirwaan, and we told them that we lay it only in places where there are leaders and centers and where there are targets. They said, "Fine, what about the North?" We responded that not even in the North. They said, "fine...And the line between the suburb and the South?" We answered, "It is natural. It is crucial since it provides communication between the suburb and the south." They said, "We fear you might lay lines to your allies in the Choof." We said, "We will not lay lines to the Choof, and we vow not to lay lines to our allies." This is the first time I discuss such information. We said, "Fine, There's no problem." They said, "One more thing. This network is a replacement of the Government's network and in effect it will deprive the treasury of proceeds." We told them that this network is for the sole use of the leaders and cadres of the resistance and is not for public use. And if you want to make sure, be our guests. They said there's a third issue, that this network may be used for making international calls. We told them that it isn't possible, and despite that, you can pick up any international call. Be our guests and tell us where the international calls are and let us deal with it. We believe that international calls of this sort are illegal and are deemed a source of dissolute money and a theft of public money. They said this is perfect. The officers went and said the atmosphere was positive and matters were going well. Then they came back and said we have a deal: we overlook your wired communication network in trade for stopping the strike in Beirut. They want a compromise to overlook the resistance's wired network. Here, I would like to ask: Had we accepted this proposal, would the resistance network have become legal and not against the law and a theft of public money? What kind of government is this? This isn't a government, it's a gang! It is not a government of law or institutions. It's a gang. It's not even a militia. Shame on it! It's a shame to use internal issues to overlook the issue of the resistance's arms. It is a patriotic internal issue associated with defending this country and confronting the Zionist enemy. Second, the communication network's decision is mine, but the decisions relating to the strike camp lies in the hands of all the opposition.
The issue ended at this level and we provided assurances and showed our willingness (to cooperate) by saying ‘be our guests and come examine (this network) and see that there are no international calls on it and that it isn't for public use and that it takes nothing from the government given the fact that there are phone networks in various places in Lebanon for religious institutions and political parties in Lebanon some of which are licensed and others not so. Allah willing the members of parliament will soon reveal some details in relations to this. But apart from this side, this issue is related to the resistance, with the struggle with ‘Israel', and with defending this country. Yet the topic has risen to the surface again via the Prime Minister Mr. Walid Jumbtatt since it has become clear to me that it is wrongful to say ‘the government of Fuad Saniora' since Fuad Saniora is a poor employee for Walid Jumblaat. And when the latter wants to fire and employee he tells the employees (like Mr. Saniora) to fire them. Of course he (Jumblaat) is an employee for Condaleeza Rice...The Government of Mr. Walid Jumblaat has returned to stir up the topic again and waged a comprehensive attack starting from the camera and conluding with the airport. And it is possible the he (Jumblaat) brought the Frensh Member of Parliament to the suburb. And on the occasion, have you any idea where the mp was arrested? He was arrested in the very alley of my house with camera taking pictures! Who took him there? A person from the Progressive Socialist party!
They took him so that we would arrest him! I tell you, we will not be merciful with the security of any of our leaders at all. They will say kidnap or detainment, not a problem. The issue was brought up and reopened and, hence, the government held a meeting and took decisions that you are aware of. This is what happened up to now.
The second point in the issue of the wired network is describing the decision. I would like to describe the government's decision after the report of the US Department of State which ‘insulted' them. They used the same phrase which came in the State Department's report. They are employees that abide to the text. Fine. A ‘hot summer' and internationalization and after 10 hours of calls made to the countries and capitals that covered the July War, the sinister decision was made which you heard of and which considered the Hizbullah's resistances wired network an aggression against sovereignty, and law and public money, and they requested from the judicial authorities and security forces to pursue everyone that is charged with establishing this network. First, this decision is a declaration of war and a commencement of war from the government of Walid Jumblatt on the resistance and its arms and a commencement of war from the government of Walid Jumblatt on the resistance and its arms on behalf of and for the benefit of the United States and ‘Israel'. We have no doubts or confusion on the subject. It's as clear as the sun at midday.
Second: this decision revealed the truth of this party and its backgrounds, the truth of its commitments, and the truth of its behavior and performance during the July 2006 war the results of which saddened it (the party).
Third: This decision aims at confiscating the prime factor that protects the resistance's leadership, cadres and infrastructure, and aims at exposing (the resistance) as an introduction to assassination and death, and the destruction of its infrastructure. Hence they become partners in killing and assassinating even if by only by providing introductions and opening the way.
Fourth: This decision is aimed at stirring discord between the national Lebanese army, security forces and the resistance after the failure of all previous conspiracies and collusions that were foiled by the patience, wisdom, attention, and responsibility of the resistance and the army leadership. Today they want to push the Lebanese army and the Lebanese security forces into direct combat with the resistance through assigning the issue of removing and disabling this network to them. This is our description of the decision, of course it is also aimed at providing subject matter for Mr. Larsen for the UNSC, supervising UNSCR 1959 so that it is not said ‘Larsen said...' but ‘The government said...' In its simplest terms this is our description of the decision. I wish not to venture regionally and internationally, and into Bush's visit to the region and very long commitments...
Our response to this decision is, naturally, that he who declares war against us and begins a war with us, be he a father or brother, it is our right to face them with defending our rights and arms and resistance and existence. The wired network is the most crucial part of the resistance's arms, not just a crucial part. From Bint Jubeil I talked about it and was clear and transparent during that election period. And I wasn't searching for electoral voices. The government's Prime Minister Mr. Walid Jumblaat was present sitting and swaying his feet around while I was giving a speech and clearly said, "The hand that extends to the resistance's arms whomever it is for and wherever it comes from...we will cut it!" Today is the day of truthfulness to that decision.
The ‘Israeli' hand extended to the resistance's arms in the July war and it was cut. In the interior (Lebanon), there have been attempts that have not yet reached the level of seriousness, action, and the commencement of a war. But after the gloomy decisions of the dark government we consider that a war has been waged and it is our duty to defend our arms and resistance, and the legality of our decisions. "He who has warned is excused!" To us the issue has passed all red lines. There will be no lenience with anyone whoever it be wherever it be. We also know, and our information confirms that the issue of the wired network is but a first step to be followed by other steps. And if we are tolerant with the wired network issue, tomorrow we will face a battle on the missile and anti-armor missiles and on every capability the resistance ahs to defend itself and its country or to confront any future ‘Israeli' aggression.Second: Te subject of judicial reference. This communication network is under the control of Hizbullah, and therefore Hizbullah owns the network. I, the Secretary General, am the owner of the network and its editor-in-chief, as the media might put it, and it's main financer, and I am a user of this network in which many loyal mujahidin worked implementing my decisions. Despite the illegal reference from the unconstitutional government and I don't believe in the legality of this reference, the Lebanese judiciary can send a judge in the appropriate place on the level of security and allow me to meet him, for I too have a litigation against those who took the decision that they have taken a decision in favor of the US and ‘Israel' and to ignite a civil war. Let the law (rule) between us. As to the rest, the people who facilitated, aided, and considered that they helped the resistance, they are untouchable, be that person an engineer, a company, a mayor, an employee, a contractor, a day laborer... Harming them is equivalent to harming me. Harming any cadre in the resistance in Lebanon is unacceptable, and is equivalent to harming our weapons.
Forgive me. We are in a completely new era. We will arrest those who seek to arrest us. We will shoot anyone who shoots at us. We will cut the hand that extends to (hurt) those young men. There is no need for this entire story. Come, let us talk and see who contradicts the law and who is assaulting public money. It is a shame that, today, the Lebanese Prime Minister (Walid Jumblaat) confesses that he is a thief and admits on TV that he has two notebooks. He admits to lying - the difference between lying and a liar is that lying becomes a second nature to a liar. He's a liar with 25 years of experience in his confession and a killer in his confession. Today, the person ruling the country, and it is required of leaders, religious leaders, and sects to follow his plan, is a liar, a thief, a murderer! He heads the government today, gives out orders, and lays out red lines...while the resistance and the fathers and sons of martyrs who, if not for them Lebanon would have become ‘Israeli', are to be sent to court?! Nobody will take anyone to court! This is not a government. It's a gang dominating people even if the whole world supported them, even if Bush rendered his support to it daily. This is a condemnation in their right, not ours!
The second title: The issue of the airport. Its subject is not General Wafik Shokeir though its title is General Wafik Shokeir. After the parliamentary elections we were massively pressured to dismiss General Wafik Shokeir in order to bring a new general I don't want to name. Many names were presented and we rejected them. There were problems over this issue. Why the insistence? I would like to say that General Shokeir doesn't belong to Amal movement or Hizbullah or to any other opposition party. He's a general in the national institution (the Army), and we all agree on its patriotism and its pioneering unifying role. We all agree on the army. (He is) Like all other patriotic officers that are the sons of this institution, they were raised to apply the law and not abide to (party) leaders.
The issue from the beginning is when this government was formed they wanted to put their hand on the airport not to steal because they already are stealing. Now in the airport there are several issues, entering and exiting, that concern them (the government), and even General Shokeir doesn't know about them. Many are the boxes and baggage that have entered and left the airport and God knows what is in them: weapons, money, white (drugs), green (money), black (weapons)....God knows. This is existent. Yet this is not the story. The issue is that it is required of the Beirut airport to become a base for the FBI, CIA, and ‘Israeli' Mossad. Quite honestly this is the issue. If not, where is the security disorder in the airport? Trips arrive and depart and so are people, and there is no problem at the airport or in its vicinity at all. Yes, the presence of a patriotic general that abides to the law whom they know very well through his patriotism is an obstacle in transforming Beirut's Martyr Rafiik Hariri airport into a spying base for the United States and the Mossad, Shabak, Shin Bet, etc. This is the issue. That's why it is required that General Wafik Shokeir should be fired meanwhile they weren't able to in the past. Even after we resigned from the government they attempted that, but they faced the obstacle of His Excellency President Emile Lahoud who would refuse to sign such decree. Now this unconstitutional government which believes that it has the jurisdiction of the president has taken this step. What is intended is bringing a general loyal to one of those leaders who are employed by the CIA and FBI. This is the airport's story in a nutshell.
Quite frankly we cannot tolerate the presence of a CIA, FBI, or Mossad base in our neighborhood. People's blood, dignity, and safety are more precious and over any other consideration. Yet the logic of the government and gang exists. His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan called the Deputy Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and told him that this issue can't be dealt with in this manner, and if General Shokeir was negligent in the issue of the cameras which is a ridiculously absurd obvious issue, let there be an investigation and send it to court...We will not defend negligent generals that have broken the law. And if he is not negligent, why do you want to fire him?
His Eminence Sheikh Qabalan and everyone that has stood by General Shokeir in this matter is not defending a Shiite general; he's defending a patriotic general. Since when General Shokeir is desecrated all patriotic generals in Lebanon will be desecrated. And every general will observe that his security institution and government are not protecting him, and that the ones that protect him are the political leaders. The last thing left in this country is the army, and if it crumples nothing will be left. These couple of days what has stopped a civil war from breaking out is a national willpower in the country and the presence of a military institution... and if the patriotic generals are desecrated the country is gone. We look at the issue at a deeper level than the airport and farther than the issue of General Shokeir. The issue is preserving what has been left of this country, the army with the hope that matters in this country will straighten up again. He (Saniora) promised him (Qabalan) and told the latter "Allah willing..." But he (Saniora) is but an employee. The true Premier (Jumblat) told them no, he had taken the decision to fire General Wafik Shokeir. Why didn't he (Jumblat) hold a press conference in Clemenseau, but went to AL Mukhtara and make the decision to fire (Shokeir) from there? Employees must follow their orders
His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
They didn't investigate or prosecute or even give General Shokeir a chance to defend himself. And what is he charged with anyway? This is how gangs work: We are the government and are not a government within a government. The day of Mar Mokhayel incidents seven young men like primrose were killed, slaughtered. We did not take revenge on anyone or judge anyone. All we did was be bear the pains of our wounds and said that we wanted an investigation, a prosecution, and that the negligent be held responsible. Who is the government and who is the gang in this country? Who had the logic of a government and who has the logic of a gang in this country?...the ones who are killed, slaughtered, pleading for an investigation and prosecution or the ones who in absentia prosecute the chief of airport security after tens of years of military service as a result of a absurd ridiculous charge titled as a surveillance camera on a container in the presence of thousands of similar cameras in the area and in Lebanon? Who is the gang and who is the government? Therefore in this matter the decision that is issued by an unconstitutional government is unconstitutional... and General Shokeir will keep his post as chief of airport security and will bear his responsibilities in airport security. And any other offices that takes this post is an impersonator and must be aware that he is an impersonator and that he is previously adjudicated of coming to implement a decision to transform Rafik Hariri International Airport into a base for the CIA, FBI, and Mossad... whomever the officer may be... Shiite, Sunni, Durzi, Christian, or Muslim, they are all the same! Treason and treachery have no religion, have no sect!
The third and final title is the current crisis. They are the ones who pushed matters to this current crisis. We were being patient. We were killed, and killed, and killed...and we remained patient. We considered that we were killed in a homeland issue and that it is fine as long as there is a government, Judiciary, and a power struggle. But when they took these decisions they created a new crisis.
To us, we have entered a new stage. Here, I do not declare war. I declare (our) oppression and a decision to defend ourselves. I declare that after that dark gloomy night's decisions is different from before them. After today, we will not be killed in the streets anymore! No longer will we accept being fired at from anyone! We will not allow conspiracies against our weapons! We won't tolerate any subjection of our existence and legality anymore! ... Even if all the armies in the world came (to subject us)... This is our decision today in all clarity and transparency.
Whoever wants dialogue will get dialogue. Whoever wants a settlement will find the doors to settlement wide open. What is the way out of the crisis? Two phrases. First, annulling the unconstitutional decisions of Walid Jumblaat's unconstitutional government. Second, answering Chairman Nabih Berri's previous call for national dialogue. There is no other way out nor is there any (other) solution. There is a party that declared war on another party, and we are not the ones who started. A party declared war on another party and you tell me to come and solve the issue. This is how we solve the matter and we have no problems on our part.
I would also like to address the Arab and Muslim nations which everyone in Lebanon is addressing today. Yesterday we heard voices we didn't hear throughout the July war for 33 days, and didn't observe this warmth, these emotions and enthusiasm when ‘Israel' had forced the evacuation of over a million Lebanese, destroyed more than a hundred thousand homes, ruined the infrastructure and threatened all of Lebanon. I would like to address them all by saying: Had the struggle been over a partnership government or power, we would have settled with a political stance, demonstrating, and strikes. A thousand times I said we are not competing for power, the government, a ministry, or any position within the government. All what has been said to the Arab and Islamic world about a coup and government is worthless. The truth of what is happening now in Lebanon is that there is a pro-American subsidiary serving committed party that is implementing a scheme that America and ‘Israel' have failed to impose, which is the disarmament of the resistances arms. That party has provided commitments in this regard since 2005 and has failed to live up to the commitments.
Therefore I don't seek aid of assistance from anyone just like I did in the July war. All of Lebanon and the (southern) suburb was bombed, and I was in the suburb, and I said this then that we do not seek aid or assistance from anyone, and he who wants to assist was welcome, but I wasn't asking for anything. But today I do ask something. I ask for understanding and that the Arab and Islamic public opinion not be mislead, since they always threaten us upon the smallest issue: Look, if you stand up there may be a Sunni-Shiite affliction. They have always threatened us with this sectarian affliction.
Therefore, today I declare that we are no longer worried about this Shiite-Sunni affliction. This topic is over. This weapon cannot be used anymore. The battle today is not between Sunnis and Shiites or among some Sunnis and some Shiites. No. Today there is a noble national resistance project and an American project building up. There is no regard to whomever is on that (American) side, even if wears a hundred Amamas (Islamic sheikh head dress) or a hundred caps or a hundred costume of a Muslim religious man nor of Christian religious man or of a politician.
I am the most person that used to fear and worry (about sectarian violence) and they have always betted on that. When they took these decisions they were betting that Hizbullah wouldn't do anything or would merely issue a statement that would relieve its base (followers). Why? Because Hizbullah is very cautious of two points: One, sectarian violence which they always face us with. Here I would like to inform you that, to me, he who extends his hand to the resistance's arms, be he a Sunni, he is not deemed Sunni, and be he a Shiite, he is not deemed Shiite, and be he a Muslim, he is not deemed a Muslim, and be he a Christian, he is no way related to Jesus. Two, using arms on the homefront. We will not use our arms in the interior for a coup nor to change the government, or to impose a status-quo. Rather, the weapons will be used to protect the weapons from anyone.
You have crossed the red lines. We have no more red lines. And we are not afraid of Sunni-Shiite violence for two reasons. First, all the Arab and Islamic world know the nature of the conflict in the country. After the July war we were subjected to a libelous campaign sponsored by millions of dollars from the Arab and Islamic world in the form of media sources, satellite TV stations, authors, newspapers, and even some religious personalities that roamed the entire Arab world to say that Hizbullah is Iranian, is Syrian, is Shiite, is, is.....but no mention of anything related to ‘Israel'. In the past two years millions of dollars have been spent in order to disfigure our image in the Arab and Islamic world, but it has not been disfigured because Hizbullah's image is as bright and clear as the sun and cannot be disfigured by anyone. This is one thing.
The second thing: today, the Amamas and addresses of the Sunnis that have been employed most certainly know our relationship with them. Because they know our stance, faith, and belief that they, the Sunnis, -even if we disagree with them- are our brothers in religion, in the country, in the resistance, and in fate. And because there are among the gracious Sunni sect some deep-rooted patriotic leaderships, households, and religious and patriotic parties and movements. And because there are religious scholars that are faithful and sincere and can say the truth to all the Arab and Islamic world....(because of all this) there won't be Sunni-Shiite violence in Lebanon. We are past the subject now, and I hope nobody intimidates with it.
Today we are in this position. Our decision is clear. And this is our diagnosis of the new stage: The government of Mr. Walid Jumblaat, the government of Mr. David Welch, the government of Ms. Condaleeza Rice... in which there are employees from some sects. And corresponding to our diagnosis is our decision. There are two hands. One extended for dialogue on grounds of annulling the wrongful decisions and sitting at a table for dialogue inn answer to calls from Chairman Nabih Berri. The other ther is a weapon, and yhis weapon is not for assaulting anyone or to carry out a coup. In Hizbullah, it is our conviction that if all Lebanese, Arabs, Muslims, and international community joined and told Hizbullah that we are good guys and that our administration is a good one, that we don't steal public money, and said that they will hand over the government in Lebanon for us to rule the country...we would apologize and say that we are not capable of bearing the responsibility because the salvation of the country requires everyone.
We are not seeking authority nor are we planning to overthrow the government nor are we weak, frightened, or terrified. Our hopes for the future are very large. You (the unconstitutional government) are the ones whose dreams have begun to vanish. It is you who have fired at our dreams and not at us when you took those dark decisions on that dark gloomy night. We don't want to assault anyone, nor do we want to perform a coup or usurp the country. They talk of a coup. What coup? Had there been a coup you would have awoke to find yourselves cast in prison or in the sea. But we have never, for a day, resorted to this means. We have always said that there is a political crisis, a political struggle in the country. Its tools are political tools; the resolutions are political, and the means are political be it dialogue, early elections, consensus, poll...and never was a day when we talked of arms.
What is required to exit the crisis: We thank those who call and say they care for the country. The way out of the ongoing (political) congestion is by annulling the unconstitutional governments' decisions and sitting at the table for dialogue. Opposing will take us somewhere else. The game being played is a dangerous one. We care for the country and this is how we are devoted to it and how we can overcome the current ongoing crisis in Lebanon.
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Nasrallah's address after his men take over Beirut after government mobile phone ban:
Speech on 26 May 2008:
First of all, great greetings to every pure spirit of the resistance and homeland martyrs, especially to the leader of resistance martyrs Seyyed Abbas al-Mousawi, the sheikh of the resistance martyrs Raghib Hareb and our dear brother whom we miss today leader Al-Hajj Imad Moughniyah.
I would like to welcome you to the 8th anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day. Your presence here today justifies your reality and identity and testifies once again that you are the most honorable, precious and the purest of people.
As God Almighty has said in his Glorious Book:
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful and Gracious,
Pharaoh had tyrannized on Earth, divided people into groups. He oppressed one group on behalf of the others, slaughtering its children, and ravishing its women. Indeed, he was among those corruptors.
The Pharaohs of our time are the USA and its right hand, Israel. Allah has promised:
We want to bestow upon those who were oppressed on Earth and make them precedents and successors; and we will consolidate their position on Earth to show what Pharaoh, Haman, along with their soldiers have been worried from.
God Almighty speaks the truth!
Brothers and sisters, today marks the day of resistance and the liberation of our homeland and nation coincides with the anniversary of the calamity and the loss of Palestine as well as the establishment of the extorter's existence.
It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Israel's 1978 occupation of southern Lebanon and the establishment of the occupied territory, which was later expanded. This coincidence must provoke us to think twice, evaluate the situation and draw lessons and conclusions that will benefit Lebanon as well as the Muslim and Arab worlds.
Although this occasion has its own intellect, emotion, literature, rights and ethics, today I will not confine myself to introductions, as there is much to talk about.
Starting from Lebanon and its resistance… the latter has demonstrated two strategies, one of liberation and driving away occupiers, and the other of defending the homeland and people against any attack, invasion or threat.
This is the stratagem and vision of resistance: liberation and defense. These are also the clear and joint messages of the resistance in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.
As a result of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon and the occupation of a part of our land in 1978, the Security Council issued the Resolution 425. We submitted ourselves to the will of the international community and waited for its implementation. At the time, it was suggested that Lebanon was too weak to face Israel and it would therefore need a strategy of Arab unity.
The UNSC decision, however, was not implemented and an Arab strategy was never found. The international community and the Arab world took no action, and the will to confront was lost. It was at this time that the Imam and leader Seyyed Moussa al-Sadr proposed that the people of southern Lebanon put their trust in God Almighty and resist by any means possible.
What resulted from the false proposals of inaction? Israel weakened Lebanon and thought we were too weak to respond. This resulted in the great invasion of 1982 aiming to ultimately make Lebanon part of Israel.
As has been proven throughout history that a divided country can easily be conquered, such was the case of Lebanon at the time of the Israeli invasion in 1982 and so was the case of Palestine. The same applies to Iraq and shall apply to other countries as well. In the face of occupation, people are divided into various groups and categories:
Some remain neutral toward the occupation while some rule the country and have an extent of authority do not feel the impact of the occupation as the most important thing for them is to eat, drink and enjoy life. Another group are spies and mercenaries, cheap tools such as Antoine Lahid's army who despite being Lebanese committed shameful acts. Another group consists of the internally defeated elite who cooperate with the occupiers for their own benefits and theoretically believe they can minimize national casualties.
Also, is a group that tacitly defies the occupation but is not willing to endure hardships and pay for freedom with their blood. Finally, there is the group that believes it has an ethical, national, religious and humanitarian responsibility to liberate their fatherland from occupation. They are ready to pay the price whatever it may be. This is the group of resistance. This is the group that takes the necessary action.
This division is not exclusive to Lebanon; it is a natural, historical and social trend stemming from the loss of national unity.
To those claiming that there is no national agreement regarding resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq I would say that there is also no national agreement on neutrality, treachery, cooperation or carelessness. Every group decides on its own. This is also true in Lebanon.
As always, I advise nations under occupation not to wait for a national or public agreement on resistance, but to pick up weapons and fight for the liberation of their land, nation and prisoners of war and regain their dignity and glory. This cannot be achieved other than by weapons, giving blood and making great sacrifices.
The resistance and the Lebanese people are intertwined with one another. Whether Muslim or not and regardless of sect and political parties, we have given countless martyrs. Self-reliance, jihad, various operations and our male and female youths have brought the resistance so far. Both the Arab and Muslim worlds were duty-bound to offer help. Many, however, have refrained to take action. It was Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran who actively supported us.
We first achieved victory from 1982 to 1985 and another historical victory was won on May 25, 2000: a magnificent victory for Lebanon, Arabs and the nation and an utter defeat for Israel that shattered its dream of expanding its territory from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Israel has been cut off from southern Lebanon and western Bikaa and the Zionists have suffered a shameful defeat without gains, guarantees or concessions. While the liberating strategy adopted by the resistance succeeded, the negotiation strategy beginning from Madrid was not even able to free an inch of our land.
The strategy of inaction has done nothing but strengthen our enemy and weaken our country. Subsequently, it was the librating strategy adopted by the resistance, which similarly brought success in 2000.
After the 1984 calamity, Palestinians hopelessly waited for Arab support and international intervention.
In Iraq, America has occupied the country under the banner of establishing a democracy. The truth is that the American occupation was aimed at monopolizing the country's resources. Their true objectives becoming more clear every day. How? After the invasion, similar to other occupied nations I mentioned before, Iraqis were divided into two relatively large groups.
One seeks a political process and the other prefers resistance, specifically an armed one. Based on our religious, ideological, intellectual, political experience as well as reality, we the Hezbollah are zealous toward resistance. Those supporting the political process have wasted a great deal of time and are today faced with an extremely difficult test, which is to determine the stance they will take now that America is attempting to impose a security deal on Iraqis, the finalization of which only requires the signatures of the Iraqi government and parliament.
Despite being aware of the friendships and coalitions, America is persuading an elected government and parliament legitimize its occupation and monopoly over Iraq and exert control over its security, politics, oil and other resources. At this particular point, the realities pertaining to US objectives have been exposed, and the supporters of the political process whether Sunni, Shiite, natives or nationalists are faced with a difficult test.
You claim that you have chosen the political process as deterrence against the occupiers and to eliminate casualties. The question is, will you forever hand Iraq over to the Americans, or will you make a decision befitting your religion, Islam, Arabs, nationalism, your ethics and morals?
Today, in the name of all who have gathered here today as well all free souls in the Arab and Muslim worlds, I call on Iraqis and their political and religious leaders to make a noble and historical decision that would prevent the ultimate fall of Iraq into the hands of the occupiers.
All resistance groups in Iraq, as those in Lebanon and Palestine, have defeated the occupiers on various occasions. Iraq must now adopt the liberating strategy of the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance groups. This is the only way to return the wounded but affluent and strong Iraq to its people.
The Lebanese resistance has also adopted a defense strategy, which became known to the world in July 2006 when a few thousand men with the support of their nation confronted the greatest army (of course, in Israel's own opinion!) for several weeks.
We are not talking about a strategy written in books or taught at university but a well-implemented strategy that defeated an invader as the Zionists have conceded. The July war turned the tables, changed the balance and weakened war probabilities.
Indeed my brothers and sisters, it is your patience, nobility, encouragement and resistance along with the blood of our martyrs that fizzled out the Israeli war and attack on Lebanon and changed the odds of the war in the region.
The probability that America can wage war on Iran has been weakened. The same seems to apply to Syria as well. The lessons learned in Lebanon have truly been absorbed.
I would tell those who believe another war is likely in Lebanon that we are honorable people. We fought in the July war and should there be another war, we shall return to the battlefield!
Let us take a look at the defense strategy adopted by Gazans. In the Gaza Strip, Israel faces an asymmetric war. Certainly, it is neither Israeli ethics nor Arab public opinion nor any other Arab or international stance for that matter that has prevented Israel from invading the Strip.
Israel has received the green light from the Pharaoh of our time, George Bush. Israel is lost and has no escape. If its confrontation against the starving and besieged Strip is in vain. Despite the absence of international support and the lack of military, economic and financial balance between the two sides, the defense strategy has proven its effectiveness in Lebanon and Palestine.
The outgoing Pharaoh of our time, George Bush (God willing), visited Palestine and turned a blind eye to the country's calamity and criticized all resistance movements in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine and the nations that support them.
He promised Zionists that Israel would celebrate its 120th anniversary. Bush has mistaken. He shall be frustrated when he sees Israel's extinction. He has also promised the defeat of Hezbollah and all resistance movements. To Bush and Condoleezza Rice who dream of defeating Hezbollah, I say as long as Hezbollah is righteous and depends on God and has the support of such honorable people, it is you who will be defeated.
On the 8th anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day, I call on all Arab nations and governments, including the Lebanese, to devise a defense strategy based on the current regional balance of power. We have always had a national defense strategy, but today we need one for liberation.
We still must liberate Kafer Shoubah hills and Sheba farms. We need a defense strategy to repel any attack and one of liberation to free our prisoners of war. I need to say, however, that you can rest assured because it is our promise to you to liberate the prisoners of war. This is God's will but will be executed by our hands. I promise you that we will soon bring Samir and his brothers home.
On May 25, 2000, I told a gathering in Bent Jbeil that we offer our victory to Lebanon and Palestine. I told them that we had fulfilled our duty and that God's acceptance is all we hope for. We did not want gratitude or rewards. We did not seek power and authority. We liberated the land and left the security, judiciary, social and economic responsibilities to the Lebanese authorities. Have we not already said that we are not after security or managerial authority? Have our actions contradicted our word? Never!
We have not judged any spies. We handed them over to the judiciary. We have no military presence in the liberated land. We called on the government to assume this role instead.
All we requested was more attention to be paid to the development of southern villages where confrontations occurred and in deprived villages, such as Baalbek Al-Hermil and Akkar.
What have you done in the past 8 years? You who have been demanding more authority! Has anyone prevented you from fulfilling your duty in the deprived villages and the freed land?! The Lebanese know but I want Arabs harken and understand that the presence of authorities only exist when taxes are collected and police officers arrive. Citizens do not receive the services and care they require.
To those who claim that the French and Vietnamese resistance groups handed over their weapons to the authorities, I say that there are some resistance groups which have taken or demanded authority after victory.
We, however, won in 2000 and did not ask for authority. We did not ask for the Lebanese political hierarchy or the Taef Convention to be modified. We did not ask for political or administrative power. We did not seek to monopolize power. We only asked that the people be cared for, their social and economical problems be solved and their dignity to be restored.
Today, I renew this request. We do want authority or a monopoly of control. We do not seek to rule nor impose our ideology on Lebanon. We believe a country with such religious diversity cannot be governed without the participation and unity of all its groups. That is what we insist on.
Many media outlets have attempted to distort the truth. They mistakenly think that Hezbollah is ashamed of its relations with the Wilayat Al-Faqih (Just Jurisprudent). Never! I declare here and now as I have done on numerous occasions before that I am proud of being among the supporters of the Just Jurisprudent, who is fair, knowledgeable, courageous, truthful and sincere. He has told us that Lebanon is a country of diversity and that it is our duty to save it.
We were accused of preparing a coup to change the power and bring Syria back to Lebanon, just like what happened during the July war when America was preparing the grounds for the birth of a new Middle East. Now we are accused of fighting for the interests of Iran in its nuclear case.
By our conduct after the retreat of the un-authoritative government's decisions and during the Doha talks, we have proven such accusations baseless. Unlike some figures in the opposition who suggested an increase in their demands, Hezbollah did not upraise its requests. We went to Doha to rescue Lebanon from sectarian strife and a confrontation between resistance groups and the army, and from the Pharaoh and Haman of our time.
While we have been the target of unjust accusations, propaganda and attacks, we have not demanded any political gains. I do not see any need to discuss this matter anymore now, as this experience should be enough for those accusing us of aspiring for authority and a monopoly, to end their debate.
My brothers and sisters, I call on you today, as I did in Bint Jbeil and Al-Dahiya, for a true and national cooperation based on which no one cancels, drops, or wins over others, an opportunity for all Lebanese to establish a government ruled by their representatives who are honestly elected. I call for providing the Lebanese with a chance to work together without having an ear to outside whisperers.
A few days ago, the Saudi Ministerial Council demanded amendments to some constitutional laws to guarantee the Arab identity of Lebanon. I have not discussed this with my brothers in the party, but I would like to declare that I myself, one of the supporters of the Just Jurisprudent demand such modifications that will preserve Lebanon's Arab identity and prevent foreign interference in our country. I would like them to touch the issue of American and Western meddling in Lebanon. All of our friends know well that we are not dictated to, and that we are the decision makers in the field, in the Doha talks and in the opposition.
My brothers and sisters, the events of the past have left me with two options. I can either explain what happened before and after the decisions were made or I can postpone this discussion until a later time.
I have revealed some information during the conference held on Thursday May 8, 2008. However, today I prefer not to disturb you on the Resistance and Liberation Day, the day of agreement and the election of your new President. I will postpone this discussion and shall not expose the ambiguities of certain affairs and the unjust accusations leveled against the resistance.
Both sides have sustained critical wounds. We can choose either to keep the old wounds open or to treat them and let them heal. With the interests of Lebanon in mind, I suggest we all learn lessons and avoid claims of having won. I prefer discussing this matter when the time is ripe for logic. Let us open a new chapter in the history of Lebanon as of May 25, 2008.
My brothers and sisters, in light of the latest developments I would like to mention the following points:
First of all, I would like to thank on your behalf of all who have helped in achieving the recent agreement. I would like to thank our Arab brothers, the ministerial committee, the Arab League and its Secretary General, the Qatari leadership and nation, the brotherly countries of Syria and the Islamic Republic in Iran and, of course, the Lebanese themselves.
Secondly, I would like to reinstate on Hezbollah's behalf that we have accepted an article that says no party will use weapons to gain political momentum. However, the weapons of the resistance are aimed at the enemy, and will be used to liberate the land, free the prisoners of war and to help defend Lebanon and not to achieve any political gains.
The state's weapons, including that of the army and domestic forces, are to defend our homeland, to protect our citizens and their rights and to maintain security across the country. It is not permissible to use the resistance weapons for political gains and the same applies to the state's weapons. They are not permissible to be used to face political opponents or for projects that may weaken Lebanon against the enemy or to confront the resistance.
The weapons of the resistance and the state are to be used for the objectives they are set out for.
Thirdly, the election law we agreed on is better than the one in 2000 as it respects adequate representation of all Lebanese factions. It should be considered a compromise between all those who want to resolve the crises in Lebanon in hopes that the Lebanese will later on discuss a modern election law.
The election law is an introductory step toward establishing a government and restoring the authority of the state and its institutions.
Making accusations is not the way. Whoever is against offering Lebanon a fair and modern representative law should live on a farm. This is a compromise in hopes that Lebanon may achieve a better agreement.
Fourth, the election of Major General Michael Suleiman has revived the hope of a new Lebanon. His oath speech that we heard yesterday was brimming with the spirit of the accord and the promise of a new era. This is what Lebanon needs: accord, partnership, cooperation and distancing itself from monopoly.
Fifth, a national government is not a victory for the opposition over the authority. It is a victory for Lebanon, the nation, coexistence, and the state mission for this country, which cannot be achieved, continue and last unless there is accord, cooperation and solidarity.
I declared that the purpose of the strike in Riyagh Al-Soleh and Martyrs Square is to have a national government. I knew that it would take time. At the time, I announced that 'as I usually promise a victory, I promise another one again', but I did not mean it would be a victory of one group over another for I believe that Lebanon's victory can only be achieved with a national government.
When we achieved this in the Doha talks, I declared the victory not to be one of a certain group over another but a victory for Lebanon itself, as was the victory on May 25, 2000 and the victory in 2006.
We are going to have a new cabinet, and as I have promised, other members of the opposition group will participate even on behalf of Hezbollah. This is Lebanon, the land of affluence and prosperity. We are going to have the opposition well presented in this cabinet in the hope that we will have a serious and responsible cabinet that will resolve the problems of the Lebanese.
Sixth, I will honestly call on the movement and the beloved of the martyred premier Rafik al-Hariri in the hope of benefiting from his great experiences, thoughts and strategies concerning Lebanon. His great mind enabled him to harmonize between reconstructing Lebanon, state matters and the resistance. Lebanon had two options: with its lands occupied, its sovereignty seized and its dignity trampled upon by Israel it could have become either like Hong Kong or similar to the glory of the East, Hanoi.
With the mentality of the premier and because of the martyred Rafik al-Hariri, the resistance is sure that Hong Kong and Hanoi are not the models to be followed, but rather we must set our own model.
We can prove that we are a country of construction, economy, cooperation, and production along with a resistance that does not seek to undermine the government's authority but seeks to share the state's responsibility in liberating and defending the land.
That was the coexistence style between the resistance and the premier and Martyr Rafik al-Hariri. Those who have been loyal to the inheritance of Rafik al-Hariri, have to follow this model.
We are not calling for a dual, triple or quartet coalition, we are not calling for monopolizing power on behalf of any sect, position, authority, or institution, but rather for the mass cooperation of all political groups with the government.
I ask God to have a nice and calm summer. Let us work together. Two scenarios exist: the American hot summer and the nice and calm Lebanese summer. Let us fulfill our dreams instead of that of our enemy. I promise you along with all our beloved in the Arab and Muslim worlds that we will do our best to overcome all hostilities, sensitivities, and to heal all our wounds. Let us work hand in hand to construct and protect Lebanon.
I would like to thank those who have helped us along the way. I would like to thank the Sunni leadership in Lebanon and the Arab and Muslim worlds. I would like to thank the religious, political and intellectual leaders whose courageous stances defused the American plot aimed at propagating any conflict in the world as a sectarian strife.
I would like to thank the national Druze leadership, the sons of Marouf, the resistant men, sheikhs, leaders, politicians, journalists and parties for their stance which clearly showed the events happening were not a Druze-Shia strife.
I would like to thank the Christian leadership for revealing the reality of the political conflict and showing it was far from a sectarian one. May God have mercy on the souls of all our martyrs.
It has been said that Hezbollah is not disclosing the number of its martyrs in the recent events. There have been 14 Hezbollah martyrs, two martyrs of Lebanese (Saraya) Brigades for Fighting Occupation, a number of martyrs from the Amal Movement, a few from the Syrian National and Social Party, and still a few others from the Lebanese Democratic Party.
To resolve any remaining ambiguities, the martyrs are Sunni and Shia Muslims, Christians and Druze. We are proud of all of them. We are sorry for the victims which have fallen on the other side but it was a battle with fire. We will discuss this matter at a later time. What softens the issue is that the recent bloodshed has pushed Lebanon to the end of a dark and long tunnel. Without this blood, Lebanon would have been dragged to a point where no government could have been established. We owe everything to these martyrs who have saved Lebanon and opened a new chapter in its history.
We are grateful, have respect and extend our hand of cooperation to build a Lebanon that is strong, valuable, fair and well-protected... a Lebanon that is as strong as its mountains, and as everlasting as its cedars.
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Nasrallah's address of victory after forcing Israel to release Samir Kuntar.
Speech on 17 July 2008:
In the name of Allah the Compassionate and the Merciful.
Peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad, his family, his friends, companions, and all the prophets.
Distinguished guests, representatives of the three political leaders, the president, parliament speaker and prime minister, former President Emil Lahoud, Distinguished guests, all religious figures, all those present, the representatives of all diplomatic delegations, especially the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the representatives of Lebanese parties, and the families of the freed detainees- my dear brothers and sisters Asalamalaykum.
I welcome you all to this national celebration. I welcome Samir, Maher, Khadher, Hussein, and Mohammed. I would like also to welcome the martyrs whom we will receive tomorrow in the same way we received the freed prisoners today.
On July 12, 2006, a group of resistance fighters carried out an operation which led to the arrest of two Israeli soldiers. The goal of this operation was to liberate the remaining prisoners in Israeli prisons, most importantly Samir Kuntar.
Today, July 16, 2008, Samir has finally come home. Before him Nasim Nisr came back, Samir has come home and with him are four brothers who fought for the sake of his liberation. Some of the brothers who fought for his freedom are alive and sitting beside him; others were killed and are among the martyrs we shall welcome tomorrow.
Is it a coincidence that the promise we made has been delivered? Is it a coincidence that the dream has come true in July? How did we reach this result?
There were times when the swap seemed difficult or impossible to achieve. My brothers and sisters, the main factor which helped us secure the swap was what we call the 'Rodvan Operation', our victory after the July 2006 attack and the enemy's failure to achieve its goals.
What I am trying to say is that if we had bowed down to pressures, today Samir, his brothers, and the martyrs would not be home or on their way home. Lebanon would have lost, the whole region would have lost and we would have entered the new Middle East, which the Americans and Zionists tried to promote.
When Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri began negotiating the prisoner swap, he had to endure a lot of pressure. We were forced to bear this pressure and the world did not want to listen to Lebanon's conditions or to what Lebanon had to say.
The only thing the delegations visiting Lebanon and the whole world kept demanding was 'unconditionally release the two Israeli soldiers '. However, we stood firm and continued to fight for the freedom of our prisoners.
We must not forget all those who helped us along the way, the ones who fought in the front line; those who were injured; and those who were martyred.We must remember our beloved Hajj Imad Mugniyah who was martyred-peace be upon his soul. We must also remember that every single Lebanese courageously contributed to this cause and helped make history.
The Lebanese leaders who stood by us must not be forgotten either. We will always remember the perseverance of our people, those whose homes were destroyed; those who had to leave their homes; those who suffered yet never once complained. They did not show weakness. This perseverance was what helped secure the release of our brothers.
The second factor is the negotiations. First, the enemy was incapable of freeing its two soldiers without negotiating. When the war ended, the Israelis knew that in order to free their soldiers they had no option left but to enter into talks. Second, Israeli Intelligence was unable to determine the whereabouts of these soldiers or their fate. This greatly helped us in the course of the negotiations. Had the Israeli's known the fate of these two soldiers, the course of negotiations would have changed.
The third important factor is the enemy's fear. The fear that the negotiations would not bear fruit or that they would be called off. They feared that the failure of the negotiations would prompt the Resistance Movement to carry out other operations and capture more Israeli soldiers.
The pressure on the enemy was that they were incapable of saving these two soldiers and they were unable to determine their fate. They feared that the resistance would capture more of their soldiers.
If the Resistance had been forced to capture more soldiers to free Samir and the other prisoners it would have done so. More Israeli soldiers would have been captured.
The Israelis knew this, and this was why the majority of the Israeli cabinet voted in favor of the prisoner swap. In 2004, due to the political conflict between Benjamin Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon, we were unable to free Samir, Nasim, and Yahya. We told them at that time they would regret not freeing Samir Kuntar. The Israelis knew if the prisoner swap fell through this time we would switch to another plan, one which I do not believe Israelis were or will be ready for.
I would like add to these factors a fourth one which is the perseverance of Samir Kuntar. Samir stood firm. He did not lose sight of his ideals. He stayed committed to them and his commitment was visible in his letters home. During the negotiations, he never once put pressure on us to hurry the talks and free him faster. He gave us time, so that we could achieve the best possible results for the other detainees.
Another thing I would like to point out is the perseverance of the other detainees. We saw them on TV in Israeli courts. When one of you was asked whether he would fight again if he received orders [from me]to do so, it brought tears to my eyes to hear him say If he went into the sea we would follow him without him having to ask us to do so.
In addition to these, I must mention the families of the detainees and the martyrs who put their trust in us; who had confidence in us. These families helped us go in the right direction and achieve the best results possible.
These were very important factors in the negotiations. We must not forget that these results were obtained through their efforts. Our negotiators were under a lot of pressure from all sides.
Regarding the unity government, I would like to stress that we are ready to address all issues without any exceptions; we are ready to discuss all issues for the sake of Lebanon's future.
We must not forget Imam Mousa Sadr, and we hope he comes back with his two colleagues. Our brother Samir is well known in the world because of his thirty-year imprisonment in Israeli prisons. Thirty years have also passed since Imam Mousa Sadr was kidnapped. As I have said before we would like to resolve this issue. If he is still alive send him back to us and we will thank you. If he has been martyred tell us and give us his body.
Martyrdom is what Imam Mousa Sadr desired most and it is what his family wanted as well. The issue of Imam Mousa Sadr must be dealt with and all ambiguities must be resolved in this issue.
I know the sensitivity of the official Arab relations and the questions raised about Imam Mousa Sadr's fate. Although we are speaking about the detainees today, we must not forget Imam Mousa Sadr, the person who laid the foundation of resistance in Lebanon. Once again, I call on the world of Islam to help bring Imam Mousa Sadr and his brothers back to Lebanon.
My dear brothers and sisters, all of you who are waiting for the return of the bodies of your loved ones tomorrow, all who are present I would like to congratulate you on this victory because this victory is your victory. It is your achievement. I would like to pray for all the detainees, I would like to pray that they will return home as soon as possible.
I pray for Lebanon. Samir Kuntar must be viewed as a national treasure, and we must treat him in a befitting manner. He has endured much pain and suffering in captivity. I also pray our brothers who still remain in captivity will be freed.
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Nasrallah address on the Israeli seige of Palestinians in Gaza:
Speech on 21(?) December 2008:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Thanks and Praise be to Allah; Peace and God's mercy and blessings be upon you all.
For a number of weeks, our people in the Gaza Strip live under a water tight siege, without an opening onto this wide world. If we take into consideration the "Israeli" political and operational escalation, in addition to their military threats, there does not appear to be any hope of the siege on Gaza and its inhabitants being lifted in the near future.
This requires a moment's contemplation from all of us, in our different posts and situations, to pause and weigh the responsibility and duty towards this great human suffering.
In a broader view and after sixty years of the occupation of Palestine, we find ourselves facing a new stage, during which America and "Israel" strain to liquidate the Palestinian cause in all its foundations, pillars and principals.
Such as the issue of the Palestinian refugees outside the occupied Palestinian territories, an issue that appears without horizon against the consensus held by the Americans, the "Israelis", international collusion and Arab silence on the question of the right of return, its consolidation and implementation, and contrarily, the rather plotting to resettle and naturalize the Palestinian refugees in countries where they reside.
Second, the issue of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the strong undergoing efforts spent on the Judaization of al-Quds, and the displacement of the remaining Palestinians population of East al-Quds through harassment on all fields and the demolition of houses under all types of pretexts.
Thirdly, we find the gradual displacement of our people in the West Bank through building the wall, the lack of work opportunities, checkpoints, arrests and the harsh conditions experienced by our people there.
In recent weeks we even witnessed the olive harvesting battle, the last of the Palestinians vestiges that remain in their territories. The attacks launched by herds of settlers against our people in more than one city and village, especially in the city of al-Khalil (Hebron), leading to the continuing threat to expel 1948-Palestinians, in the territories occupied in 1948; this threat affects all Palestinians, Muslims and Christians.
What Livni said was not a slip of the tongue, but an expression of the position unanimously held by Zionist party leaders. It is the dream of all "Israelis", their permanent work-focus, the creation of a so-called 'pure Jewish state', a goal that has the support of the United States of America and the world, it even receives the 'understanding' of some, who ought to stand in defense of Palestine and the Palestinian people.
Furthermore, the suffering of thousands of Palestinian prisoners and the blockade of Gaza and the people of Gaza, which aims to transform the strip to an uninhabitable place, as a prelude to the complete expulsion of the Palestinians.
At the conclusion of today's scene, we stand before an operation of complete liquidation of all the existing elements, foundations and platforms of the Palestinian issue, the large heading in this battle at this stage today, is the siege of Gaza.
The objective of this siege is to break the will of the Palestinian people, to frustrate them into submission to the American and "Israeli" conditions, to accept a humiliating settlement process that does not preserve the least rights of even the minimum of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights.
Over sixty years, this dear people have withstood, resisted and made enormous sacrifices; it is this people who stopped the liquidation of the Palestinian issue, during the last sixty years, despite the complicity of the world, the betrayal of friends, and the sense given by many, even in our Arab world, that this issue has become a burden to be rid of in any way possible.
One of the most important manifestations of this steadfastness and resistance is what we witnessed in the Palestinian Intifada in recent years, and what we see in Gaza today.
Gaza today has two scenes: a scene of siege, starvation, blackouts, darkness, cold, disease and "Israeli" air raids... On the other hand a different scene in contrast, a scene of patience, steadfastness, resistance, stubbornness and endurance on what is right and sticking to this stand; here I do not need to provide evidence, of which we have all heard and seen examples through the media, statements and expressions made by the people of Gaza, their men, women, children and their elderly, in the stance and the spirit they expressed in this regard.
Then came the peak of this expression and its truth in Gaza Strip when its people came out in a large massive rally held by the brothers in Hamas in Gaza yesterday.
Considering all of the above, we are invited to seek responsibility and accountability.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Sixty years ago, had the leaders, governments, and the people of this nation assumed their responsibility and mobilized at the right time, Palestine would not have been occupied, the 'Nakbah' (catastrophe) would not have occurred, and the usurper entity could not have come into existence to humiliate this nation, its governments, its peoples and its armies, it could not have committed the worst massacres and atrocities against this nation's young and old, men and women, not only in Palestine but in more than one Arab country, aggression assaults against this nation could not have occurred nor continue to occur over sixty years.
Today we are facing the same reality, how are we behaving as governments, peoples, leaders, religious and political authorities, parties and movements, the elite throughout both the Islamic and Arab worlds.
Brothers and sisters,
Yesterday, a kind invitation was made by the Arab National Conference, the Islamic National Council and the General Assembly for Arab Parties to launch a large popular mobilization campaign across the Arab world, in solidarity with the people of Gaza, to break the siege of the Strip.
In their statement, which I hope it receives the people's interest and concern, these conferences called for a series of moves, activities and stands, starting from next Friday, God willing.
As far as Hizbullah and the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon are concerned, we call for responding to these calls with the largest possible popular mobilization throughout the entire Arab and Islamic worlds, as we consider this to be the minimum that should be done towards achieving this goal.
As mentioned in the statement, in order to achieve this goal it is natural to look and appeal to Egypt, the Egyptian leadership, government and brothers, to permanently and finally open the Rafah crossing to Gaza.
We demand this historic and courageous step from Egypt, as a step to be recorded for Egypt by the Umma (nation) and history.
Commitments to the agreements on keeping the border crossings closed, has no humanitarian, moral, religious nor even legal ground to be upheld, when the closure leads to major humanitarian disaster or a war crime, such as that which is happening now in the Gaza Strip.
I say to the Egyptian officials, yes, brothers, time is not the time for outbidding between each other, nor does anyone want to make political scores against anyone else, here or there, but the fact remains, we are faced with a very painful reality.
There are hundreds of patients dying in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands living in darkness and hunger. This requires an historical and responsible stand from you, the entire nation will be at your side, and should you take this stand.
In the case of Egypt taking such a stand, the OIC and the League of Arab States are invited to stand by Egypt in case it is made accountable or should it become target for questioning by any of the world's tyrants.
Brother and sisters,
Our responsibility today is to move and continue to work.
Movement starts on Friday not to end on Friday; Friday must be the beginning of the movement, to take responsibility to lift the siege on our people in Gaza, to assume this basic and important role in this central Palestinian issue.
Today we address you and the Arab Muslims from humanitarian, Islamic and Arabic positions.
On the humanitarian level, we address the entire world and all humanity, all the followers of the divine religions, in particular and especially Christians who will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (pbuh) in the coming days.
From this humanitarian level, we also call on all those celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today, sixty years on its inception, and tell them there is one and a half million people in Gaza facing hunger, sickness, danger and death; I appeal to all those who believe in human dignity, human values and human rights.
This appeal is directed to all religious, political, cultural, and humanitarian and human rights authorities in the world, from the Vatican to all churches, frameworks and authority figures.
Here and I ask, "Would Jesus Christ (pbuh) allow the siege of one and a half million human beings, whose only crime is their insisting on their rights, and to stay on their land?"
I address the one billion and more Muslims, scattered all over various parts of the world, to them I say: 'Oh Muslims, we all claim to belong to the religion of Muhammad (pbuh), the religion of the seal of the profits, and was it not he who told us, "a Muslim is the brother of the Muslim", "Muslims are like the one body", and "He who enters upon the morning and into evening without concerning him/herself with the matters of Muslims is not a Muslim?"
Did he not also tell us that "He who hears a person calling out 'O Muslims', and does not respond, is not a Muslim?"
O Muslims, our religion is one of defending the oppressed, one that comes to the aid of the victim, today one and a half million Muslims in the Gaza Strip, plead, appeal and demand from us to stand by their side.
Is it not our religious and Islamic duty to take the appropriate stance?
Today Muslims all over the world rejoice and celebrate the pilgrims for returning safely from the Sacred House of God, this duty of coming to the aid of our people in Gaza and Palestine is no less important or of no less religious value than the pilgrimage to God's Sacred House.
It is the real and sincere expression of the rightness of this pilgrimage and its acceptability by God Almighty.
To all those who stoned the devils in Mina (in Mecca), all those who performed each and every single one of the pilgrimage rites in Mecca, to them I say: your pilgrimage expresses itself here on Friday and thereafter, in your stance, your voice, presence in the street, in your support of these people, your call out to the entire world to lift this siege imposed on the one and a half million of your Muslim brothers, brothers in religion and in faith.
Additionally, from an national and Arab standpoint, I send an appeal to the Arab nation and peoples, to all those who are proud in their Arabism, regardless of which faith they follow, or which Arab State they come from, those who proudly speak of their Arab heritage, gallant, courage and equestrian heroism; where is this Arab feeling and gallantry today?
Where is this equestrian heroism, when one and a half million Arabs in the Gaza Strip are besieged with darkness, starvation, illness, danger and the threat of a military operation, within the pretext of escalating Zionist bidding for the coming elections.
Brothers and sisters,
From a humanitarian position, if we are to consider ourselves human, and from the prophetic religious position if we are followers of messengers, from an Islamic position if we were followers of the prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) religion, from an Arab position if we consider ourselves Arab as we claim, I call on you all, throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds, to respond to the appeal given by these conferences and the appeals of Gaza and its people.
We in Lebanon, god willing, will respond to the duty I mentioned, which I consider as the minimum requirement that does not absolve us from the rest of our religious duties.
I suggest that the coordination committee representing these conferences additional to representatives from the other resistance movements to converge, study, jointly reflect and comprehensively plan to continue the work in various areas, and not settle only for what can be done in the next few days.
In Lebanon, I call on everyone, this story here is the story of humanity and human values, human rights and human dignity, the story of brothers in flesh and faith.
This is not a case of 'March 8' or ' March 14', this or that religious denomination. The issue here today is the strongest call to the entire nation, with its various religions, denominations and sects, to stand united to assume this humanitarian, religious, divine and historic responsibility.
I call everyone in Lebanon to express this stand on Friday.
God willing, in Hizbullah we will seek the cooperation in the major cities, in district centers, with the rest of our brothers and friends, to set up meetings and various sit-ins, we will organize a main popular demonstration in the Southern Dahiya suburb.
Here I do not call on the people of the different suburbs to attend the Dahiya demonstration; I call on them to participate in the meetings, protests and sit-ins to be held in major cities. I make my appeal to our folks in Beirut, Beirut suburbs, the Southern Dahiya suburb, the one that was exposed to 33 days of "Israeli" aggression, was destroyed, yet remained steadfast and resisted, its hope is to record a steadfast, honorable, resolute and self-will stand in this nation's history.
O our people in the Dahiya, in Beirut, in the suburbs, here are your resisting, resolute and steadfast folks in Gaza; their eyes are drawn to you and to all the peoples of our Arab and Islamic worlds.
I invite you, God willing, to a wide, effective, vital and powerful participation on Friday at 2 in the afternoon, to join a demonstration of support, to give backing, to make your voice heard to demand for the lifting of the siege on our people in Gaza, to support the choice or endurance, resistance, steadfastness, clasp and insistence on our rights.
Regardless of the threats, sacrifices and difficulties, you are, as you have always been, the truly worthy folks for responding to such appeal.
Peace, God's mercy and blessings be upon you all.
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Nasrallah address blaming Egypt in the Israel war on Gaza:
Speech on 28 December 2008:
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Thanks and praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world.
Peace and prayers be to the seal of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad, his infallible progeny, his chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers....
Brothers and sisters,
It is with great misfortune that we begin the new Islamic year and the Christian Gregorian year at a time when we are seeing a huge humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which has led to the death, martyrdom and injury of countless people.
The number of the martyrs has now increased to over 300 and the number of those injured has risen to over 1,000 in the Gaza Strip, which is under siege, isolated and oppressed. Yet Gaza resists with perseverance.
Today, we need not speak about examples of history as we are witnessing the model of a new Karbala. Today, moment to moment of our lives has become the repetition of the tragedy of Karbala. What is taking place today helps us better understand what happened in the past.
Karbala's reality is about a handful of faithful, non-yielding believers, who held on to their dignity and stood up for the rights of their Ummah and refused to be humiliated and yield to tyranny. Those believers were made to choose between humiliation and unequal confrontation that may lead to martyrdom...and so they chose martyrdom.
This group of believers after being subjected to hunger, thirst, intimidation and threats, came under attack, yet did not retreat. The martyrs then fell one after the other. Is this not what happened to Imam Hossein (PBUH) in Karbala?
It was in Karbala that Imam Hussein (PBUH) set an example and laid the foundation for this Islamic, humanitarian school of thought. Throughout history the followers of this school have never parted with a well-known saying by the Imam. This saying is especially associated with the tenth day of Muharram.
"Verily, that claimer, the son of a claimer, [pointing to 'Ubaidullah Bin Zyiad] is overwhelmed by shame and disgrace! He has placed us between two choices, to either fight in a disproportionate confrontation or a humiliating and degrading surrender."
Hossein (PBUH) made his choice: "And how far disgrace is from us! Allah refuses us the life of disgrace, His Messenger and believers do too."
Why did he declare "And how far disgrace is from us", Why did he say "we shall never be disgraced?"
It was not an emotional outburst! The matter was rather one of humanitarian, ideological spiritual, religious and humane commitment springing from human values, dignity and human rights. As Hossein (PBUH) later tells us "...Allah refuses us the life of disgrace, His Messenger and believers do too. Indeed, proud, exalted and lofty spirits will never prefer to obey the vile people, rather than the death of the honorable ones."
This is the Hosseini-Mohammedan Prophetic school of Karbala. When man chooses the martyrdom of the honorable and the dignified over living the life of vile people, who have been deprived of their honor, dignity, rights and sanctities, man is actually acting in harmony with his innate nature, humanness, religion, Islam and his commitment.
Thus was the choice in Karbala. This was also the choice we made during the July 2006 war when you, the resistance community, and all who had embraced the resistance, were to choose between surrender and confrontation: either a humiliating surrender, in which you had to accept the conditions of America and Israel to end the war, or suffer destruction and massacres.
You chose to stand up and refuse disgrace regardless of the tens of thousands of homes destroyed and the hundreds of those martyrs and injured. You stood up against collusion, betrayal and disgrace for a dignified and honorable death instead.
Hence, some of you were martyred, yet with your martyrdom, you created the historic victory in Lebanon.
Despite the destruction of tens of thousands of your homes, the martyrdom of thousands of your people and the injury of your men, women and children and the small number of supporters by your side and despite facing conspiracies, it was with this Karbala mindset of Hossein (PBUH) that you rejected humiliation and shame and insisted on resistance.
The outcome was a victory of the blood over sword.
What is happening today in Gaza is not similar but identical to what happened in July of 2006.
As Lebanese, we can well understand what is happening in Gaza. It is the same as what happened here, the same choices, the same battle, the same conspiracies and God-willing there will have the same outcome.
When we look at the Gaza Strip, which is subjected to hunger and thirst and surrounded by fire and intimidation and gave martyrs and wounded by the hundreds yesterday, we find that its people remain patient and firm. They do not express weakness or frailty... We see the legitimate Prime Minister Ismail Hanieh coming out from under the rubble and fire to say "even if they wipe out Gaza completely, we will not surrender or back down, and we will preserve our dignity and our rights".
This is truly Karbala...when men facing fire day and night with the martyrs still being mourned, reject humiliation and shame.
Today, brothers and sisters, let me speak openly about certain aspects of this confrontation that I left unsaid in the July War. I well understand the situation faced by our brothers in Gaza. Their situation is more difficult than our situation [in the July War].
Therefore, they are more concerned about carefully considering and weighing what they say, but let me today call a spade a spade, come what may!
Today, we must express the truth loud and clear, so that the entire nation will become aware of its responsibility in the face of the ongoing situation.
Brothers and sisters,
In Gaza as in Lebanon, the situation is very clear. Let me describe what is happening clearly and explicitly.
It is clear that America and Israel are pursuing a project in the region that seeks to impose an unequal settlement on the rest of the Arab world. After Egypt and Jordan signed so-called peace treaties with the Israelis, only Palestine, Lebanon and Syria remain, and the Americans and Zionists now want to settle the issue according to their conditions.
They want Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians to obey and surrender to these conditions without having any other option.
To impose these conditions, Americans and Zionists are using force, pressure, blockade, internal strife, provocation of internal sedition among resistance movements, media, political and psychological warfare, assassinations and wars.
Their intention is to subdue those who have so far refused to yield to the will and conditions of America and Israel. Some Arab regimes have also been true accomplices in this project.
It is not true that there is Arab silence. We see help extended to Israel, I do not mean all Arabs or all Arab regimes; only those which have signed so-called peace treaties with Israel. Today they are helping Zionists politically, psychologically, socially, culturally and media-wise, through security and the military, on preparing the circumstances for the surrender of the resistors against the American-Zionist project in the Palestine issue.
So let us be very utterly clear. In our region, Arab countries are forging partnerships with the Israelis.
The 2006 war was waged against us in Lebanon with Arab consent and upon Arab request. The Israelis were crystal clear when they exposed this, and the Arab regimes cannot deny it because the Israelis may produce evidence of this collusion -- that they were contacted and asked to rid them (Arabs) of Hezbollah.
When the war started, they were comforting the Israelis after their initial failure in the first few days. Yet, those Arab regimes continued to demand Israel to eliminate of Hezbollah and that Israel sever Hezbollah's head.
The same thing is happening in Gaza today. Those same sides are asking Israel to eliminate Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the rest of the resistance factions to do away with and settle this battle once and for all. The truth is that they are helping the Zionist entity in this.
We have heard, and this is very unfortunate, that Israeli officials say that the magnitude of Arab support for the war on Gaza well exceed the support they extended for the Israeli war on Lebanon in July 2006.
This is the true picture. I can even tell you that some of these Arab regimes are the real cause behind the division among the Palestinians.
These regimes contributed, instigated, financed and armed, so that fighting is drawn to Palestinian factions, exactly what they did in Lebanon before.
The former [Lebanese] cabinet would not have dared to make such notorious decisions on May 5, had it not been for the encouragement and support of these Arab regimes. They wanted to drag Lebanon into the grip of a cruel internal war and internal sedition, but the performance of the opposition in those days made all their efforts in vein.
They are not neutral. They are convinced that what they do is right and have committed themselves to this project, which is very unfortunate to see.
When infighting and internal division in Palestine or Lebanon happens, these very same Arab regimes use this as an excuse for inaction and say "Well, look at the Palestinians, what are we to do when they are killing one another?" They only use this excuse to rid themselves of their responsibility toward Palestine and Lebanon.
No one asked these Arab regimes in the July 2006 war nor today in the Gaza Strip to fight for the Lebanese or the Palestinians but only to adopt a fair and appropriate political stand on media issues to say the least. Yet again, as in the July War, we find the Arab regimes hold the victims responsible.
Yesterday, we heard an Egyptian official holding the side that ended the Palestinian national dialogue efforts as responsible for what is now happening in Gaza. By 'side', he meant Hamas. He also said, that in the Egyptian view, since they had issued warnings, those who have not heeded their calls are responsible of what become of them.
How can one believe that such statements have come from an Arab person or official?
When at the height of the blockade on Gaza and when Gazans was suffering from hunger and illness, that same person said, "we will cripple the leg of anyone attempting to cross into Egypt!"
By God, brothers and sisters,
Allow me to draw on history. When we see such examples of officials, leaders and figures in the Arab world, I personally understand something in the words of Hossein (PBUH) who said, "Life under tyranny is death and under such circumstances martyrdom is freedom."
By God, there is no value for life under the control of such figures and leaders who plot and plan against their nation. When 300 people are massacred in Gaza in a matter of minutes, an Arab official holds the victims and martyrs responsible for the confrontation. It is as if they expected Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian factions in Gaza to consent to an extension of the blockade, the calm of the starvation and the calm of the humiliation that they were being subjected to for the past six months!
Today, we hear the same rhetoric we heard during the July 2006 war, an attempt to hold the resistance in Gaza responsible for the war and its consequences. This is shameful and unfortunate.
Some Arab satellite channels, which may as well be called Hebrew channels, that I have been watching yesterday and today covered the Gaza massacre as if these people had died in road accidents in an obscure part of the world!
They report the deaths and then they go back to their regular daily programs, as if nothing happened and no humanitarian calamity is taking place in the Gaza Strip, simply because these channels would feel embarrassed in front of their viewers if they called the victims 'martyrs' rather than 'dead'.
Brothers and sisters, this is the reality of today, the people of Gaza have made a difficult decision: they are in effect exercising that decision with their steadfastness, resistance, defiance, honor and glory as you yourselves did in 2006.
No amount of sacrifices, destruction, tears, blood and abandonment prevents them from continuing to insist on their right to resistance. But what is the responsibility of the nation today?
As a nation our main goal has to be stopping Zionist attacks on Gaza and preventing Israelis from achieving any of their objectives. In this manner, Gaza will be secured despite the gravity of the sacrifices that have to be made. Every state must work toward this goal and not only the citizens of Gaza.
People whose governments have resorted to inaction must force them to act. There is no justification for anyone to say that they cannot do anything because of their repressive regimes.
We must take to the streets in the Arab and Muslim world. We must raise our voices and pressure our governments even if they shoot us, it is still a duty -- for whoever falls martyr in these protests is a martyr on the path to al-Quds (Jerusalem), a martyr of Islam, and a martyr of a whole line of prophets and divine missions, they are martyrs of humanity.
Officials cannot apologize for their inaction and nations cannot complain that they have suppressive rulers.
In the July war, I did not ask this of the Arab people, but in the case of Gaza, I say all of us are duty-bound to take to the streets by the thousands, by the tens and hundreds of thousands, and demand from these government to act responsibly. These governments know full well what they are capable of doing, particularly at a time when the United States and European countries are suffering from financial and economic turmoil.
First of all, today the Arab world possesses oil, money and political strength and with modest efforts can stop the aggression against our people and the people in Gaza.
Secondly, the Arab and Muslim worlds must demand that the Egyptian regime, which has a crucial role in what is happening in Gaza today, not to enter war but to simply open the (Rafah) crossing for food, medicine, water and even weapons to reach our people in Gaza. The people in Gaza are men and women are victory-makers capable of resistance and steadfastness and have performed very well in the past.
In the July war in Lebanon, we did not ask any Arab country to open a battlefront but yes, we did ask for borders to be opened.
This is where we must acknowledge Syria for its assistance that led to our victory in the July war, because despite repeated aerial bombardment of all our border crossings and the main roads, Syria did not close its border with us.
We only ask of Egypt to indefinitely open the crossing for the sake of the living and not for the injured or the martyred.
Egypt, the largest and most important of Arab States, is not a Red Cross or a Red Crescent institution and will not be asked to deal with the people of Gaza in such manner.
What is required of the Egyptian leadership and regime is to resolve this issue and not to politically take advantage of the war to pressure Hamas and those of the resistance in Gaza in a bid to accept Israeli conditions in return for a ceasefire -- as some of us here in Lebanon did in the first days of the July aggression.
But they must politically help the people of Gaza and stop the aggression without forcing them to accept certain conditions. This is their real responsibility. This is what the Arab and Muslim worlds must be demanding of Egypt.
Up until now, we have been cautiously making appeals but after what happened yesterday, we say to the Egyptian regime:
If you do not open the Rafah border crossing, if you do not come to the rescue of your brothers in Gaza, then you are have a hand in the siege and the killing and in causing the Palestinian tragedy.
Egyptian officials have to hear this from all the people of the Arab and Muslims worlds, from religious scholars, political parties, elites, intellectuals and media professionals from all walks of life. They must know that they will be the condemned by history, the entire nation, the prophets and the martyrs if they are not quick to make a humane and historical stand today.
This part of my speech is directed at the people of Egypt, its Muslim, its Arabs, its proud people, the defiant, generous, resistance-loving, decent, courageous and noble people of Egypt, whom we all know what goes on in their hearts and minds. We know their mentality. Let the Egyptian people take to the streets in their millions.
Can the Egyptian police arrest millions of Egyptians?
No! They cannot!
We call upon the people of Egypt because they are the ones facing the regime which has closed the Rafah crossing.
People of Egypt, you must open the Rafah crossing with your bear hands if you must. I am talking of the position of a member of the resistance that fought for 33 days, and on behalf of the people who fought, sacrificed and gave martyrs.
What we know and what we hear about the officers and soldiers of the Egyptian armed forces, who are still proud of their Arab roots and continue to oppose Zionism, despite decades having passed from the Camp David peace agreement.
This is what we know them for. I am not calling for a coup in Egypt, and I am in no position to call for one. But I am calling for generals and officers to ask their political leadership whether it is their devotion to the military, the responsibilities entrusted in them and their rows of medals that prompts them to guard Israeli borders while watching our own people being slaughtered in Gaza?
The presence of everyone today is what will change the equation. The people in Egypt, its political parties, religious scholars, the Al-Azhar religious institution and the armed forces as well as the political elites are what will change the equation. I do not think there is an excuse for anyone to sit back and watch for the way to change the equation today is to modify Egypt's political stance.
That is what rulers of the Arab world and the Egyptian peoples must demand from the rulers of Egypt. If the Rafah crossing is opened for water, medicine, food, money and weapons to our people in Gaza, the epic victory that took place in Lebanon will be once again be repeated. We are confident of this victory despite all the harsh conditions of our people in the Gaza Strip.
Brothers and sisters, should Gaza endure this onslaught for days or weeks, the aggression will stop, as this enemy does not endure a war of attrition nor withstand the long days of war. This enemy will eventually end the aggression; it will fail in its objectives and with that their leaders who wanted to take political power by shedding Palestinian blood will fail.
Yes, some will tell us, in Lebanon too, that the solution lies in comprehensive peace. They will tell us this is the solution that will end the tragedy! Regardless of our ideologically principled position on the subject of comprehensive peace, I ask them what they have achieved from talks with Israel since Madrid and even before Madrid other than being subjected to further massacres, killings, aggression and more humiliation and the yielding to various conditions?
In the Palestinian settlement, the negotiations at Camp David by the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat were not held with the Likud or Kadima, but with the Labor Party and Barak himself. However, at Camp David, the Palestinians were not even ensured the minimum of their legitimate rights, not even enough to save face.
Which kind of just and comprehensive peace can be achieved be accepting humiliating Israeli conditions that exclude the 'right of return' to al-Quds (Jerusalem), the Palestinian territories where a viable Palestinian state can be established? What is all this nonsense when people are being killed and slaughtered in Palestine?!
As in the past and now in Lebanon, some talk about 'just and comprehensive peace'. I ask them whether they have managed to first convince the Israelis that a 'just and comprehensive peace' can be established that they now demand resistance movements to lay down their arms?
Have the Israelis ever made any concessions until now, in Lebanon, Palestine or anywhere for that matter?
Have the Israelis ever returned your legitimate rights, at least the minimum of them? Never! Some tell us such nonsense that in Lebanon the international community will protect us; well where is the international community that is supposed to be protecting the unarmed people in Gaza, the children and women of Gaza?
They say that we are protected by international resolutions. Where are the international resolutions in the Arab-Israeli conflict, of which not even a single one has been implemented not even Resolution 425?
Arab solidarity will protects us. What Arab solidarity?! Arab rulers waste days before they can agree on holding a meeting and have yet to agree on holding one now as a result of reservations here and there!
Brothers and sisters, what happened and is still happening today in Gaza, and what took place during the July 2006 aggression should be enough to convince each and every Arab and every patriot living in his homeland that what can protect our people and restore our rights is resistance and jihad. All other options are mere illusions!
To wake us up from our slumber -- in both Arab and Muslim worlds -- do we need a hundred more massacres like Qana and Gaza? Do we need the repetition of massacres like Deir Yassin? Do we need hundreds more massacres like that of the Ibrahimi Mosque?
By God, this matter is deeply regrettable because this enemy, whom you want peace with, offers you a new massacre every year or so as proof of its inherent terrorist, criminal and racist nature and its thirst for the blood of the innocent.
Your calls for peace will only be met with more slaughters and murder. Do we need more massacres in order for our leaders, people and elite to realize that we are before an enemy whose inherent nature is brutality, racism and terrorism, with whom it is impossible to establish peace under any circumstances. How then can peace with humiliating conditions be achieved with such an enemy? Do we need more blood to be convinced of that?
We are confident that the people of Gaza and the resistance have unshakable faith in God and divine victory, although some may not believe in this.
Here and on your behalf, on behalf of the resistance of Lebanon, the families of the martyrs, of prisoners, the wounded, and on behalf of every resistance member and honorable Mujahid in Lebanon, I congratulate Gazans on their martyrs as we pay our condolences to the families of martyrs and ask God Almighty for a speedy recovery of their wounded.
The Gazans are on the field, steadfast in battle and have limitless devotion. They are a people of dignity, defiance and resistance.
These are the real factors that will bring victory. Faith, loyalty, honesty, consistency and steadfastness is what will bring victory, and God is your aide. The entire Arab world is duty-bound to stand by your side. It is not permissible for anyone to lag from their abilities and potential in your support and aid.
As for Lebanon, I like to say a few words about the current events. Since the beginning of the bloody Israeli aggression on Gaza, Olmert, Barak, Livni and a number of Israeli officials, made strong threats and warnings to any other front, by which they particularly meant Lebanon. They took the proper precautions on the border and are on full alert on the northern border of occupied Palestine.
Today, they sent calls to the settlers in occupied northern Palestine to prepare and equip their shelters.
I do not want to frighten anyone or cause concern, but we cannot mislead anyone here as there are two possibilities:
The first is that everything the Israelis say or do in the northern occupied region of Palestine may be preventative precautions to deal with any developments on the Lebanese front.
The other is that the Israeli enemy is conspiring with some Arab regimes and with the world preoccupied with the financial crisis and the political vacuum created in the US because of the departure of Bush and Obama taking power, it is pondering an act of aggression against Lebanon.
The Israelis may take advantage of this situation in the world to strike Lebanon as they are in need of creating such a situation to gain political leverage in their elections or to restore its deterrent image.
We should not be reassured by such claims that Israel cannot fight on two fronts at the same time. It has fought on 3 and 4 fronts in the past. This must make the Lebanese government, army and people as well as the Lebanese resistance more attentive and cautious not to be tricked by such statements. For instance, one issue is of the missiles discovered eight days ago and just before the military attack on Gaza! I would like to ask: Who placed these missiles where they were before the war began?
When several Katyusha rockets were discovered in al-Naqoura, some Lebanese figures made statements and pointed the finger of blame at us. So much so that one of them even said that no one can make moves in that region, but Hizbullah. Yet, we did not hear these same figures say anything when the Zionists kidnapped the two Tarraf brothers from the Southern Blida within this same period. Their was no evidence of their patriotic concern and bleeding hearts for Lebanon when this happened.
Moreover, if the information upon which they build their political analysis, then this is a disaster as such information has proven to be both incorrect and false and has shown to be someone's attempt to shift the blame on the Hezbollah for that matter.
I would like to say to them that Hezbollah possesses the courage to take responsibility for any action we take. We do not hide or shy away from our responsibilities as some do!
We possess such courage and do not need to defend ourselves against such accusations, but what occurred is, yes, suspicion of the other side. Could Israel have not penetrated southern Lebanon to set up missiles of this type?
Can those many individuals and networks in Lebanon that collaborate with Israel not have carried out such acts to provide a justification for Israel to launch an aggression against Lebanon? Unfortunately, those politicians provided a justification and helped engineer up. When they condemned the Katyusha, they said that this provides a pretext for Israel to attack Lebanon! Who says it provides a pretext?!
Had such an occurrence taken place before, would it have justified an assault on Lebanon to destroy and confront Lebanon?
You are providing Israel with excuses through such rhetoric and absurd and unfounded statements. I will not delve deep into this matter now, but I am in the process of inviting Lebanon, as I do the region, yet my focus now remains on Lebanon specifically, the country that rattled Israel twice, and many more times, the most well-known of such defeats were those of the years 2000 and 2006.
Yes, we must be on alert. I do not want to frighten you but to avoid this subject from becoming a media frenzy, I will tell you that I asked the brothers in the south particularly, to be present, vigilant and cautious as we face a brutal and treacherous enemy. We do not know the size of the schemes hatched around us, regionally and in the world; we are not fearful of what happened in 2006 or of what happened or what is happening in Gaza.
We believe in the choice we made, and are quite prepared to repel any assault on our land, country and dignity. We have written our slogans in blood and are both willing and prepared to confront all aggressors, no matter who they may be.
Brother and sisters, all of us in Lebanon, and throughout the Muslim and Arab worlds, are duty-bound in these historical days, especially in the ten days leading to Ashura, to shoulder our responsibility toward what is happening in Gaza. The burden of what happens in Gaza is not only for the Gazans and Palestinians to bear.
We must continue in our efforts and actions, and should not settle for a protest here and a sit-in there, an action here and another there; we ought to invest every effort in defending our people in Gaza.
Tomorrow has been announced as a day of mourning by His Eminence Seyyed Ali Khamenei, for all resistance fighters and all free souls. Tomorrow is important for us to express our solidarity with and sympathy for our people in Gaza and to mourn the martyrs who passed away there.
I invite everyone tomorrow afternoon to participate in a large gathering at al-Rayah stadium to pay tribute and participate in the mourning of the martyrs of the resistance in Gaza and to express our solidarity with the people of Gaza. I know there are many Ashura gatherings scheduled to be held in neighborhoods, mosques and Hoseiniya halls tomorrow.
I call for the cancellation of all of these gatherings and I urge everyone to attend the al-Rayah gathering instead. I invite all men, women, children, young and old to come together in a stand of solidarity with Gaza and its martyrs.
Tomorrow, we ought to make the world hear our voice and see our fearless Hosseini fists risen in declaration to the world that we will remain standing and unyielding to murder, the shedding of blood and intimidation.
I would always invite you to the al-Rayah stadium on the tenth of Muharram, but tomorrow is the day of Ashura for us since everyday is an Ashura and every land is Karbala. Tomorrow is a call to Hossein and an answer to his call; tomorrow it is upon you to respond to Hossein's call.
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Speech two days after the start of the war with Israel:
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
Speech on 14th July 2006:
"Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings!
To begin with, in this first address that I make to you since Operation
True Promise [capture of two Israeli soldiers] and the
events that followed it, I would like, to begin with, to offer my
appreciation and condolences to the families of the martyrs, those who
gave the dearest of their loved ones during these hard and difficult
days, and for all they have given in the noblest confrontation and
battle that the modern age has known or rather that all history has known.
I want to salute the wounded, and beseech God — be He glorified and
exalted — to sustain them, heal them and bring them health. I also wish
to salute our steadfast people in all the cities, towns and villages who
are standing firm and immoveable, rooted in their land as they are
rooted in their faith. I also salute my brothers the Mujahideen, the
steadfast resistance fighters, enduring hardship at their posts and in
all our ranks, ever ready for sacrifice in the path of what they
believe. They always have and always will regard their own safety
lightly and hold their heads high with pride.
In this first address that I give in these days following Operation True
Promise, I would like to say a few words — a word to the Lebanese
people, a word to the resistance fighters, a word to the Zionists, and a
word to the Arab rulers. I will not offer words to the international
community because I have never for one day believed that there is any
such thing as an international community, just as many in our nation feel.
First, I say to the Lebanese people: dear people — who embraced the
resistance, by whom the resistance was victorious, and for whom the
resistance won its victory on 25 May 2000 — this people who were the
makers of the first victory in the history of the Arab struggle with the
Israeli enemy, despite the basic inequality in forces, and in spite of
the fact that the majority of our Arab brothers and the majority of our
Muslim brothers abandoned us and despite the silence of the whole world,
this Lebanese people made the miracle of the victory that stunned the
world and humiliated the Zionists. Those Zionists look upon this people
in a special, unique way because they accomplished in the history of the
struggle with them a special and unique accomplishment.
The battle today is no longer a battle over prisoners or the exchange of
prisoners. It might be said that the Zionist enemy is responding any
time there is any operation where men are captured anywhere in any part
of the world, by any army or any state that has borders and regulations.
What is taking place today is not a response to a capture of their
soldiers; it is a squaring of accounts with the people, resistance,
state, army, political forces, regions, villages, and families that
inflicted that historic defeat on that aggressive usurper entity that
has never accepted its defeat.
Today, therefore, this is a total war that Zionism is waging to clear
its whole account with Lebanon, the Lebanese people, the Lebanese state,
the Lebanese army, and the Lebanese resistance, in revenge and reprisal
for the victory they won on 25 May 2000.
Dear steadfast, mujahid, and noble people, I know that the overwhelming
majority of this people, in their minds, hearts, wills, culture,
thoughts, love, passion, and sacrifice are a people of nobility,
dignity, honor, distinction, and pride, not a people of servility,
subservience, submissiveness, and surrender. I say to you that in this
battle we are faced with two choices — not we, as in Hizballah, or as in
the resistance, the Hizballah resistance — but Lebanon as a state, a
people, an army, a resistance, and a political power — we are faced with
two choices: either to submit today to the conditions that the Zionist
enemy wants to dictate to us all, using the pressure, support, and
backing it has from America, from around the world, and, I’m sorry to
say, from Arabs.
Either we submit completely to its conditions, which means taking
Lebanon into an Israeli age under Israeli domination — in total
frankness this is the extent of the matter — or we stand steadfast. That
is the other choice: that we persevere, that we persevere and confront.
I, relying on God the Exalted, and on my faith in Him and the mujahideen
and in you, knowing this people and this enemy, just as I always used to
promise you victory, now I promise you victory once again.
During the Grapes of Wrath in 1996, or Operation Settling of Accounts in
1993, in the beginning they had the upper hand and our situation was
much worse. But today, the situation is different. Believe me, and I
mean this, the situation now is different. All that we need is to
persevere, stand steadfast, and confront them united, and I know and I
will bet that the majority of our people are a people of steadfastness,
a mujahid [struggling] people who can sacrifice, who have no need for
pep talks. What I’m saying now is only by way of completing the idea,
and affirming the choice, and clarifying what this means.
Now, as for my words for the resistance fighters, for my dear and
beloved brothers: upon them rest the hopes of every Lebanese, every
Palestinian, every Arab, every Muslim, every free and decent person in
this world, every oppressed, tortured victim of injustice, every lover
of steadfastness, courage, dignity, values, and nobility — the
characteristics they embody by their presence on the field of battle and
in their fight with this enemy, the fight of valiant heroes. I say to
them: today, after God the Highest, you are the hope of our Nation. You
are the symbol of our nobility. Our honor is in your hands.
This honor is yours and by means of you, our honor is preserved. After
God the Exalted, it was you who were responsible for the victory of
2000. Today it is you, before all others, who are responsible for
preserving the victory, for achieving liberation, standing steadfast,
and with honor. This places demands on you that you, in practice, have
proved until now and during these days that you are entirely worthy of,
as you are worthy of our esteem. Those who put their trust in you, after
God, their charge is great, the reward will be grand, and the mighty
victory — a clear triumph — is near.
To the Zionists, to the people of the Zionist entity at this hour I say
to them: you will soon discover how foolish and stupid are your new
rulers, your new leaders. They do not know how to assess reality. They
have no experience in this area. You Zionists say in opinion polls that
you believe me more than you believe your officials. So now I call on
you to listen well and believe me. Today we have persevered despite the
attack that took place last night in the southern suburbs. However the
attacks multiply in every village, neighborhood, street, and home in
Lebanon, there is no difference between the south Beirut suburbs, the
City of Beirut, or any home in south Lebanon, in the Beqaa, or the
north, or Mount Lebanon, or any corner of Lebanon.
The equation has now changed. I will not say today that if you strike
Beirut, we will strike Haifa. I will not tell you that if you hit the
south Beirut suburbs, we will hit Haifa. You wanted to get rid of that
equation, so now we and you have got rid of it in actuality. You wanted
open warfare, and we are going into open warfare. We are ready for it, a
war on every level. To Haifa, and, believe me, to beyond Haifa, and to
beyond beyond Haifa. Not only we will be paying a price. Not only our
houses will be destroyed. Not only our children will be killed. Not only
our people will be displaced. Those days are past. That was how it was
before 1982, and before the year 2000.
Those times have come to an end. I promise you those times have passed.
Therefore you must also bear the responsibility for what your government
has done, for what that government has undertaken. From now on, you
wanted open warfare, so it will be open warfare. You wanted it. Your
government wanted to change the rules of the game, so let the rules then
be changed. You don’t know today whom you’re fighting. You are fighting
the children of Muhammad, of Ali, of al-Hasan, of al-Husayn, of the
Prophet’s family, the Prophet’s Companions.
You are fighting a people who have faith such as no one else on the face
of the earth possesses. And you have chosen open warfare with a people
who take pride in their history, their civilization, and their culture,
and who also possess material power, ability, expertise, knowledge,
calm, imagination, determination, steadfastness, and courage. In the
coming days it will be between us and you, God willing.
As to the Arab rulers, I don’t want to ask you about your history. I
just want to say a few words. We are adventurers. We in Hizballah are
adventurers, yes. But we have been adventurers since 1982. And we have
brought to our country only victory, freedom, liberation, dignity,
honor, and pride. This is our history. This is our experience. This is
our adventure.
In the year 1982 you said and the world said that we were crazy. But we
proved that we were the rational ones, so who then was crazy? This is
something else and I don’t want to get into an argument with anyone. So
I tell them simply: go bet on your reason and we will bet on our
adventure, with God as our Supporter and Benefactor. We have never for
one day counted on you. We have trusted in God, our people, our hearts,
our hands, and our children. Today we do the same, and God willing,
victory will follow.
The surprises that I promised you will begin starting now. Now, out at
sea off the coast of Beirut an Israeli military vessel that attacked our
infrastructure, that struck the homes of our people, our civilians; you
can see it burning. It will sink and with it dozens of Zionist Israeli
troops. This is the beginning. There will be a lot more said before the end.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God!"
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Nasrallah's address at height of the war with Israel:
Speech on 29 July 2006:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful
May the blessing and peace of Allah be upon our lord prophet Mohammad (p), his infallible household and his chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.
May peace be upon all of you...
Allah says in his glorious book, "In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful: "God hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Quran: and who is more faithful to his covenant than God? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme." Allah the Almighty Speaks the Truth.
Brothers and sisters, Beloved ones;
On the eighteenth day of the barbaric Zionist attack on Lebanon, the barbaric Zionist-US attack on Lebanon, it is my duty to address you again and display several points that are connected to the various aspects of the present confrontation, politically, operationally, publicly, and officially on the level of Lebanon and the level of the nation. I would like to particularly conclude my message by saying a few words in reply to the message of the combatants that was circulated yesterday.
First, I will begin with the field because what is happening on the ground is the conclusive element regarding the developments of the confrontation. It is also tied to the political developments and the attempts of pursuing a solution for the crisis. This is one of the blessings of the field legendary steadfastness of the resistance in Lebanon, Lebanese people, Lebanon in its entirety, sects, areas, spectrums and institutions.
It is evident to this moment that the Zionist enemy has been unable to accomplish any military achievement. It is not me who is saying this; they are saying, the entire world is saying, and the political and military analysts are saying this issue. When they talk about the war, they say that the enemy is seeking a military achievement that can enable it enter a certain settlement. Everyone admits to this moment that the enemy has been unable to accomplish a military achievement. On the other hand, destroying the infrastructure, killing the civilians, and demolishing the buildings do not mirror a military achievement pertaining to the military significance. Instead, this is a barbaric and monstrous accomplishment, which cannot allow it [the enemy] to invest it on the political field.
To this moment, the enemy has been unable to accomplish any real military achievement. Instead, it is facing wide military failures and receiving fatal blows on the military level. Briefly, until now, regarding this aspect, the most important battleship of the marine has been destroyed, and it is one of three. This is on the field of the sea. Its marines received a fatal and disgraceful blow. Besides, the enemy ground forces, the most important brigade of its ground forces, which is Golani brigade, was inflicted with a disgraceful defeat. Even one of the senior officers of this brigade said that the force that was destroyed at the peripheries or at the triangle of heroism, manliness, courage and magnanimity, the triangle of Maroun Errass-Bint Jbail-Aytaroun, represented the spearhead of Golani brigade. This is the crème of the elite of the Israeli army. It was entirely destroyed, inflicted with deaths, injuries, and psychological illnesses. One can watch some of the images. Why some of the soldiers were being moved on the stretchers while lying face down? This is because the injuries were in their backs. This crème was running away like the mice from the battlefield.
On the level of the air, there is a restricted hovering of the helicopters, and there is a total dependence on the warplanes. Until now, thousands of raids, thousands of explosive tons, destroyed bridges, buildings, roads, and killed civilians and women. The Israeli air force has been unable to stop the shelling of the settlements. Instead, the shelling entered the after-Haifa stage with full capacity.
Besides the frustrations and failures, the enemy seeks to hide its losses. It is not us who seeks to hide its losses. The information we received from the field confirm that its losses are much larger than what the enemy announces. It is employing a gradual announcement. Why should the enemy until now impose severe restriction on the media means and its news? This is because it does not want its people and our people realize the size of the financial, human and spiritual losses that are being inflicted upon this enemy.
Moreover, the polls that are being announced, we have information form inside that they are being fabricated as part of the psychological war. However, there are facts which the enemy cannot conceal from its people, our people and the world.
Brothers and sisters; throughout the entire Arab-Israeli conflict, when did two million Israelis have to migrate or stay in shelters for 18 days and more. This number will also increase as we expand our attack in the after-Haifa stage. Striking the city of Afoula and its airbase is the beginning of this stage. There are several cities in the center that will become targets for the after-Haifa stage should the barbaric attack continue on our homeland, people and villages.
Can the enemy hide the size of the gigantic financial and economic losses that damaged this entity? I will leave the answer to the specialists in this field. However, the most important loss according to the view and moral of the people of this entity with its leadership, invincible army and great security apparatuses with their capacities resides in the fact that they are facing a small country of small number in size, people and capacities, coupled with a public resistance of limited financial and human capacity, but it is rigid pertaining to willpower and faith.
This issue explains the words of Shimon Perez, that it was a battle of life or death to "Israel". Surely he does not mean that the resistance in Lebanon will conquer and liberate Palestine as well as eliminate and exterminate the entity. But he truly understands that should this Lebanese magnificent steadfastness and this heroism see victory it will kill the hegemony, haughtiness, supremacy, and spirit upon which his entity rose. Hence, this enemy will have no future left. This is the story of life and death in the present battle of "Israel".
When the nation of this emerging state loses its trust with its legendary army, this means the beginning of the end of this entity. This means that "Israel" was a state built for an army, and that there is no state army in "Israel". When they begin feeling that this army is becoming weak, fragile, defeated, disgraced and failed, surely the issue will become an issue of life or death.
Brothers and sisters; the only way open for the enemy is to pressurize Lebanon, the resistance, the state and the people. This issue merely pertains to increasing the humane and social ordeal via the displacement of more people, the killing of more civilians, and the destruction of more homes and infrastructure. It is hoping to employ this ordeal in its political pressure on everyone in order to achieve through politics that which it could not achieve through the military might. This issue can be frustrated O people through your endurance, steadfastness and rigidity.
Within this context, Miss Rice is returning to the region and trying to impose its conditions again on Lebanon to serve its project of the new Middle East and to serve "Israel". At this point, we must understand - knowing that we have information that the Israeli has become ready and willing to stop the aggression, because it is now afraid of the unknown and further implication - that he who insists on continuing the aggression on Lebanon is the US administration.
Today, more than ever, "Israel" seems to be an obedient and executive instrument of a US project and decision of this context. For Lebanon to win the war, it requires a political will. This means Lebanon needs and political will that is not less than the will of the resistance fighters at the battlefield and not less than the will of the steadfast and displaced people as well as those in solidarity with them of all the Lebanese people.
Today, Lebanon needs a unanimous national will in order to preserve all these sacrifices from being wasted.
We are keen to provide this will and this solidarity. We are keen at this stage that the government be strong and bear its national responsibilities for the sake of Lebanon and its people. We are keen to cooperate with the government and all the political currents and forces as well as present Lebanon as united and coherent, embracing that which will guarantee and preserve its national interests. We are behaving upon this basis. However, the government is surely required to act while inspired by that which the Lebanese are expressing of their steadfastness, unity, and rise above the injuries with the willingness to sacrifice.
We must all understand that, despite this destruction, and because of our steadfastness, we have a historic chance in Lebanon in order to liberate each span of our soil, restore the prisoners and guarantee our national sovereignty sparing our skies, water, land, and human beings from the Zionist penetration and attack.
O Lebanese; it is important for us to maintain our steadfastness in order to triumph God willing. And we will triumph, God willing. I would like to comment on the issue of the victory, the employment of the victory, and the gifting of the victory which I heard a few days ago. I read several articles and listened to several political interviews. The question is: what if the resistance wins? I also knew that some individuals of some political currents, I do not want to say the leaders of these currents, some individuals have been frightening their bases from the outcomes of this victory of the resistance. I would like to evidently answer to Lebanon and its nation first, remember the experience with this resistance in the victory of 2000, and how it behaved.
Second, from now, I confirm that the victory will be for Lebanon in its entirety, areas, sects, currents, and its official and public institutes, Lebanon above all. It will also be a victory of each Arab, Moslem and noble Christian in this world who took a stance against this aggression and defended Lebanon through word, deed and support. This victory will give the resistance and its people in particular a stronger motive for further love and rapport among all Lebanese, especially those who gave them their support through politics and media coupled with those who received and embraced them with generosity in Sidon, Mount Lebanon (north and south), Beirut, Biqaa and northern region. This victory will provide a motive to rebuilt Lebanon, more beautiful than ever; Lebanon the beautiful but the powerful, Lebanon the beautiful but the dear one. This victory will provide a motive for unity and integration. It will not be an element of suppression or superiority. This defeat of the enemy will represent a powerful motive to manifest our national consensus that was materialized through our people at present and through the values of Lord Christ and the values of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HH). This pertains to embracement, solidarity, loving, brotherhood, keenness, cooperation, and affection that were portrayed by all people.
Briefly, I wish to responsibly say, hoping that no one will misunderstand, to all Lebanese people: no one among you must be afraid of the resistance victory. Instead, you should be afraid of its defeat. This is how a patriotic person should behave.
Brothers and sisters, we are witnessing escalating popular rises throughout the entire Arab and Moslem countries as well as the world in solidarity with Lebanon and Palestine. This certainly gives us further strength and warmth. It also makes us happy. We thank and appreciate them for this entire issue.
In this context, some words, stances or Fatwas might also be released which may damage the unity of the stance and the spirit of the battle. We must not be influenced and attracted by them. Beware; none of us must be drawn into unsuitable reactions because our false reactions will be like those Fatwas that will only serve our enemy and the enemy of our country and nation.
I would like to especially thank their eminences the clerics and jurisprudents of the Moslem world with the leaders of the Moslem movements throughout the Moslem world. They are intercepting the attempts of sedition and rupture that target the lines of the Moslems, particularly at this critical stage.
Regarding the regimes and governments, we did not ask any of them to fight with us or defend us. All that we asked was that they do not create a cover for the aggression on our country and nation. Knowing that they can offer enormously for Lebanon, all that we ask at minimum is that they employ their capacities, powers and friendships in order to stop the aggression.
Anyhow, when any positive change occurs regarding any Arab state towards Lebanon, after which this state present aid and support as well as exert efforts to stop the war on it, we will receive this issue with love, thanks and appreciation.
We are not pursing enmities or disputes; we are seekers of unity, friendship, cooperation and solidarity. All that we seek is goodness and pride for our homeland and nation. For this cause, we present our lives and blood, which are our most precious possessions.
Since we are talking about the regimes and governments, I would like to comment on some subjects discussed over the past days, including critical none questioning issues on Syria and Iran, as well as questions that were directed to us. They ask where your allies are in this harsh battle. I am satisfied today to say that they (Iran and Syria) have never encouraged anyone against Lebanon and never contributed in presenting any cover for this war. They never compromised against the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine, neither in the past, nor at present or in the future. One must know that the doors of compromise are open. Still, they (Iran and Syria) keep siding by Lebanon and its people and resistance. They are employing all their capacities with their allies in the world to stop the Zionist aggression on Lebanon without any biddings or shows. They do not want to be accused of joining the line of the crises, which may be employed for regional interests. And they only seek goodness for Lebanon and its people and resistance. This is all what we seek from them.
At this point, I would like to commend the great embracement which Syria is offering with its leadership, government and people, to tens of thousands of the Lebanese emigrants. We have been receiving news on the appropriate care, generosity and care. This issue makes us proud and this is how we think of them.
Brothers and sisters, I reach the final chapter of my speech. I have a word to the people, an answer to the letter of the resistance combatants, and a word to the enemy and the world.
To the good people who are steadfast in their villages and cities, to those forcedly displaced, to those enduring and trusting in victory, to those who amazed the world with their patience, steadfastness, trust and tenacity, to the old men and women, children and sick people, to the families that are seeking refuge outdoors under the sky while they maintain their will and courage without any damage, I cannot find the words that may compensate for your rights and positions.
I say to you that my brethren and I will defend you with our souls, blood and spirits. We will defend your tears, wounds, steadfastness and pride. My loved ones, you will return to your homes with your noses up, proud as ever and forever. We are only promised with the victory that you love. I must say to you, may God remunerate you in this life and the afterlife. You are the most noble, most generous and purist people.
To the mujahideen I say, I received your letter and heard your words. I swear to God, you are like you said. Yes, you are the true promise and you are the imminent victory, God willing. You are the freedom of the prisoners, the liberation of the land, the defenders of the homeland, honor and dignity. Brothers, you are the authenticity of the history of this nation and you are the salvation of its soul. You are its civilization, culture, value, love and gratitude. You are the slogan of its heroism. You are the immortality of the cedars in our summits, the humbleness of our wheat spikelets in our valleys. You are the self-esteemed people like the high mountains of Lebanon that empowers the powerful and overcomes the haughty. After God, you are the hope and bet. You have been and will remain the hope and bet. I kiss your heads that made all heads high. I kiss your hands that get the grip on the firelock, shooting with the help of God at the killers of his prophets and slaves, shooting those spreading mischief on the land. I kiss your feet that are sinking in the earth without trembling or swaying from their positions even if the mountains had to sway.
Brothers; you, who lent their brains to God and watched the far lines of the enemy, my reply to you is my thanks to you because you accepted me as one of you, a brother of yours. This is because you are the leaders, you are the lords, and you are the crown on the head and the pride of this nation. You are the men of God through whom we will triumph.
To the enemy and the world I say, regardless of how long this war may take, we are prepared regardless of how precious the sacrifices may be. We were born from the womb of this war. We will not be defeated or broken in the battle of will. To Bush and Olmert and each assaulting autocrat I say (seek your goal and do your best, I swear to God, you will not omit our name, and you will not eliminate our inspiration. Your gathering will vanish and your days are numbered. "And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!"
May peace be upon all of you...
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Nasrallah's address when the war with Israel was at its most intense, and Israeli army and tanks were about to roll into Lebanon:
Speech on 3 August 2006:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful:
[Quoting verses from the Koran:]
"Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you": And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: "For us God sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs."
Peace be upon all of you...
Once again, I address you today as we are entering the fourth week of the open war which "Israel" declared against Lebanon. As usual, I find myself concerned to talk about several points and issues that are relevant to the field, political and public developments that are occurring on the level of this confrontation. I will mainly concentrate on some field issues because of their significance and because I have been telling you since the first day that the field is the main, crucial and decisive element of this battle, added to other significant and key elements that must not be ignored or overlooked. This is why I will try in my speech to focus on some of the field aspects due to their criticality and significance regarding the ongoing battle.
As I speak, your brethren and children of the resistance combatants are enduring heroic battles along the frontline in south Lebanon, in each town, village, highland, mountain and outpost. This is where I begin, from the battles which the freedom fighters are conducting against a group of brigades, as the enemy declared. This issue is nothing new; this is a group of Israeli enemy brigades, the crème of the brigades, the crème of the parachutists, and armored brigades, which are operating within the shade of a heavy and violent cover by the Israeli air force.
These battles on the ground are taking place at present. They began since the first day of war and aggression. Since the first day, there have been confrontations on the ground. But what is occurring at present is that these battles have become more comprehensive, wider, and more violent. We all remember the confrontations that took place in Maroun El-Rass, Aytaroun, and Ayta Shaab at the early days as well as the historic and heroic battles that took place at the triangle of men in Bint Jbail, Maroun El-Rass and Aytaroun.
Over the past two or three days, this operational confrontation on the field took different forms with the participation of a number of brigades and tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers as well as hundreds of Israeli tanks and vehicles. However, on the opposite side, the freedom fighters stand up to them with courage, valor, and strength, intercepting this advancement. The fact that a few days have past, one can still see that the fighting is still taking place at the frontlines and in the front villages and outposts.
The Zionists as well have been surprised by this confrontation on the land since the start. But now, they are receiving confirmation on their first conclusions which they concluded from the battles of Maroun El-Rass, Aytaroun, Ayta Shaab, Bint Jbail or any other battle that is giving them confirmation through the events of these days. The two most important issues on the level of the field are protruding as follows:
The first issue relates to the human element, the way which the Israelis used when they came and infiltrated or surrounded a certain town, leaving a back road for the fighters to escape and turn tail. But in all the battles which they endured until now, the fighters have been maintaining their positions, fighting to the last breath and last bullet despite all the harsh and difficult conditions which they have encountered. Therefore, the Israeli has been surprised by the present confrontations, by the human element of the resistance. The experience has proven until now and will prove in the future the same issue; that they are men who have a certain level of faith, will, courage, steadfastness and willingness to sacrifice lives. This is the issue about which I have spoken and said that these entrenched feet do not tremble and will not vanish even if the mountains had to vanish. The Israelis are experiencing this issue in every post and in each battle.
Speaking further on the human element, by asking all the military experts they will say that what is occurring is like a miracle; that complete brigades with their tanks and vehicles and under the heavy cover of the air force are attacking groups of the resistance in this or that village, in this or that post. Still, those men maintain their positions, fighting, keeping steadfastness and falling as martyrs. They even find the initiative by attacking and inflicting materialistic and human losses upon the enemy. This is a miracle when measured by the military and materialistic measurement. However, when measured by the men of God, this becomes a natural issue because this is the meaning of faith, will and honesty.
The second element is the capacity that was available at the resistance, this was also surprising. The enemy was shocked by the ability, quality and quantity that destroyed its tanks and military machines, which are the most advanced, important and most powerful tanks and military machines in the world. Still, the freedom fighters or mujahideen have been intercepting and destroying these tanks. The entire Israeli military tactic depends mainly on the deep penetrations using tanks and armored vehicles. But when the tanks cannot move, the movements of the enemy officers and soldiers become slow on the ground. This is the situation.
Today, when they advance or penetrate some locations, they start seeking for places where there is no resistance in order to keep advancing. But sooner than ever, the resistance takes the initiative in the places of their advancement, haunting, killing and expelling them. These abilities are presently available pertaining to quality and quantity. In other words, this is the antiarmor capacity at the resistance coupled with the numbers about which you heard or seen through the TV screens and special agencies. Until now, we did not display any images because at the frontlines the issues can be difficult. The number of the tanks and machines that have been destroyed until now is very large. I confirm that the Merkava tank or the Israeli military vehicles have been also intercepted, deactivated and frustrated because of the human element that possesses a high level of steadfastness and military abilities which have been abundant on this field, thanks to God. Those two elements have been clearly surprising for the enemy.
Regarding the issue of the ground confrontation, I would like to stress on the following points:
First, pertaining to the battlefield, the ballistic issue as well as the remaining issues about which I will talk, the enemy, has been employing a policy of clear, abundant and open lies. This is the nature of the enemy and it can be part of its psychological war. Anyhow, some employ this policy and lie in the psychological or non-psychological wars. For example, in the battle of Maroun El-Rass, the fighting took place for days. But the enemy said that it took control of Maroun El-Rass since the very beginning. Also in the battle of Bint Jbail, the enemy said it controlled the city of Bint Jbail. Instead, Bint Jbail maintained steadfastness and fought until one of the Israeli analysts or senior military observers said in his article: Are we controlling Bint Jbail or is Bint Jbail controlling us? At present, through its statements, the enemy is trying to portray itself that it occupied, controlled, entered and took control of wide areas of south Lebanon. Most of these issues, without saying in their entirety, are untrue and lies and they are part of the psychological war which the Israeli enemy is employing.
The second point relates to the prior one. First, the enemy is trying to present a victory, which is different from the psychological war. It is trying to say that I achieved the so-and-so achievement. I have listened to the Israeli media means saying that after violent battles the Abbad outpost of Hizbullah has been placed under control. There is no such outpost with the name of Abbad which belongs to Hizbullah. There is a point at the international border opposite to the Abbad outpost; it is an observation point that has been evacuated since the very first day, where there has been no fighting. Still, they say that they controlled the outpost of Hizbullah after violet battles. I do not know what violent battles they are talking about and with whom they fought. Did they fight each other? Anyhow, on the second point, we are facing land battles and I said a clear policy since the first day. We do not have a policy of clinging on to the geography. Therefore, we have no intention for our fighters and mujahideen to be killed in defense of this point, this hill or that village. Our way of fight is not geographic. As I said, we are not a regular army and we do not use the way of the regular army. We rather use the way of the guerillas. Therefore, it would be useful for us to allow them advance into the entrances of the villages because this will give us a chance of a direct engagement in order to inflict human and materialistic losses upon them. This is our aim on the ground. Our aim is to inflict the largest possible number of human and materialistic losses upon the enemy. This issue is being achieved until now, thanks to God, in a great level. After this, when the enemy says it entered this hill or that village, this will neither change our strategy of combat nor our tactics or the morale of our fighters. On the contrary, when the enemy says that it entered this village or that hill after 23 days of fighting and heavy bombardment and ground battles while employing several brigades of the army, elite and reserves, what kind of achievement can this be?
This in fact is an achievement of the resistance, knowing that this village and that outpost have lasted until today while we know that the way of the Israelis is in using their tanks and brigades to invade and enter tens of kilometers within a few hours, but still, they are only advancing a few meters within days into south Lebanon. This is on the level of the battlefields at first.
Second, with respect to the sea, this is also part of the policy of hiding the losses about which I talked earlier. First, I would like to stress on the statement that was issued by the Islamic Resistance, that the resistance missiles targeted an Israeli warship type Saer 4.5 opposite to the coast of Sour. The Israelis denied it, the issue ended at this point and the case was closed in the media. But since I am talking about the field operations, I must point to this issue and say that when we first struck the warship (Saer 5) opposite to the coast of Beirut, the Israeli enemy immediately denied the issue. But the ship was by chance close to the seashore and we were able to shoot the missiles and take footage of the hit. After we played the footage, the Zionists were forced to admit that there was a military ship that was hit and that they had missing soldiers with a search mission for them. With respect to the second strike, I confirm that it took place, but there is no necessity at present to exploit the issue because the technical means defined the location of that ship for us, hence we managed to hit it, and the coordinates confirm that this ship has been hit, but this time off the coast of Sour. There was heavy fog and the ship was very far from the seashore. However, this issue has been accomplished. Anyhow, in a battle of this kind, it is normal for the enemy to hide the issue and emerge through the media to say that Olmert was onboard this ship which Hizbullah claims it had struck, and that he has been sailing in open. How can we know that Olmert was riding the same ship which we hit or any other ship?
Second, regarding the missiles bombardment issue, despite of what the Zionist enemy said until now on this field, the missile shelling of the settlements in north Palestine reaching after Haifa will continue; rather, it will continue with a higher rhythm pertaining to quality and quantity. Yesterday, the Islamic Resistance fired more than 300 rockets into the northern settlements and shelled the settlement of Beit Shan or Beesan and the city of Afoula in the after-Haifa Israeli depth using Khaibar. A few days ago, the Israeli enemy said that it will suspend its air strikes on Lebanon for 48 hours after the massacre of Qana. Its aim is to let the steam and ease the environment as well as lessen the impact of the massacre it had perpetrated. The enemy took this step. We also suspended our strikes, knowing of course that the enemy did not commit totally but partially. We stopped striking the settlements in north Palestine for two days.
At this point, I wish to point to the stupidity, arrogance and ignorance of the leadership of this enemy. Look to the mistake it has committed. This of course is evidence to us. Olmert read a speech of victory and announced that "Israel" won the battle. He also said that he indeed managed to destroy the entire military infrastructure of Hizbullah. Perhaps, he mainly relied on the 48 hours during which the shelling of the Zionist settlements stopped. These same words were repeated by Shimon Peres, the "stupid" prime minister; also his "senile" deputy said the same words adding that the military infrastructure of Hizbullah has been completely destroyed and that its Secretary-General fled the country. This arrogance and this ignorance prevented them from approaching the truth about which Lebanese and Israeli military experts talked. Even news reporters can understand more than this arrogant political and military leadership of the Zionist enemy. This is because the truth, as these experts understood, was that the resistance and its leadership took a decision to stop shelling the settlements for 48 hours. This is because we wanted to give the people a chance to rest and move the injured and sick people as well as let the people depart the towns that are experiencing difficult humane crisis, and give chance to lift the wreckages. This is the real reason. Hence, when the resistance stopped the shelling for 48 hours, this means, on the military level, that the resistance leadership is in full control, not only of the fronts, but also of all the launching pads of the missiles. This is why no individual action or violation took place. Therefore, there are forms that are operating efficiently and there is a leadership that gives the order, times the launching of the missiles, and there is a base along the front receiving orders and obeying.
This is the correct reading of the 48-hour stoppage of missiles launch. But how did the enemy read it? Therefore, as soon as the truce (suspending air strikes on Lebanon) ended and the Israelis resumed their raids again on our villages, cities, infrastructure and capital city, the Islamic Resistance fired in one day yesterday more than 300 rockets into the settlements, knowing that the usual daily record was 100, 150 or 170 missiles. We did not wish the brothers to launch this number, but this quantity yesterday was intended as it was today. The resistance also shelled Afoula and Bait Shan. The resistance can also, as I can confirm after yesterday's and today's performance, fire the number it wishes or the number ordered, targeting the depth it seeks or the depth ordered. It can fire in the morning or in the afternoon or at night. We have no problem regarding this aspect.
This is the truth regarding the ballistic issue. Therefore, we can find that the Israelis were frustrated; and I can say that what happened was like a scandal for Olmert, Peres, the minister of war and the staff commander. The Israeli media means and senior Israeli political and military analysts began talking about this issue. We heard Olmert's retraction speech in which he said to the people, we did not promise you that we will stop the rockets, we did not promise you with this or that issue. He did promise them, his promise has been videoed. Anyhow, this Israeli frustration and this Israeli scandal are part of the aspects of the confrontation that forced the enemy staff commander yesterday to launch more threat to the Lebanese, and he said that he was studying the possibility of striking the Lebanese depth including the city of Beirut. Anyhow, this is an intimidation and part of the psychological war, but there may lurk a serious will behind it as well.
At this point, I would like to comment on this intimidation. First of all, the Lebanese depth, irrespective of Beirut city, is being shelled each day, and it neither needs a new decision nor a new lesson. The entire south, the entire Mount Lebanon, Bikaa, Baalbeck, Hirmil, Akkar, Tripoli, Jubeil, Kesserwan, Matn, Baabda, all are being shelled. There is no place of the Lebanese depth that has been spared until now. Pertaining to one of the aspects of the challenge, this Israeli scandal forced the enemy Chief of Staff yesterday, to further intimidate the Lebanese and said that he was studying the possibility of striking the Lebanese depth including the city of Beirut. This intimidation is part of the psychological, and a serious intention may lurk behind it. At hits point, I would like to comment on this intimidation with the following points:
First, the Lebanese depth except Beirut is being shelled each day and does not need a new decision or a new lesson. The entire south, the entire Mount Lebanon, Bikaa, Baalbeck, Hirmil, Akkar, Tripoli, Jubeil, Kesserwan, Matn, Baabda, all are being shelled. There is no place of the Lebanese depth that has been spared until now. Yes, Beirut city was spared, but from the words of the Chief of Staff, I believe that the intimidation targets Beirut city.
Second, regarding the city of Beirut, knowing that the entire Lebanese people are one nation, one blood, one dignity, and one security, where no area is different from the other, yet Beirut's particularity is that it remains the capital. Hence, he is threatening to strike the capital city. At this point, I will not use the same terms which I used in the past, like when I said Haifa and beyond Haifa. I do not want to leave any margin for the analysis. As long as the enemy says it is studying the method that it will employ to reach the end, I want it to hear from me very clear words. If you bomb our capital city we will bomb the capital city of your usurping entity. If you bomb the city of Beirut, the Islamic Resistance will bomb the city of Tel Aviv, knowing that they can with the help of God.
Third, at this point, I wish to confirm to the enemy leaders and nation, this nation is living on false hopes and lies. Your entire air strikes and land invasions could not stop our rockets; even if you took several kilometers from the border, even if you occupied the land to the south of Litany or the north of Litany, even if you reach Beirut, you will not be able to achieve this goal. Anyhow, the enemy political and military leaders and its analysts began acknowledging this fact. But I wanted to confirm it with assertion and the help of God (The Exalted).
Fourth, regarding the rockets and the settlements, I would like to confirm that our shelling of the settlements, in the north or beyond Haifa or Tel Aviv, and since the issues are now clearer, is a reaction and not an action. If you attack our cities, villages and capital, we will react. And any time you decide to stop your attacks on our cities, villages and infrastructure, we will not fire rockets on any Israeli settlement or city. Naturally, we would rather, in case of fighting, fight soldier to soldier on the ground and battlefield. We are worthy of this battle and we are its men.
After this field narration, yes, I must admit that this enemy, within the recent period that was given to it by Condoleezza Rice, the period of the past week, managed to accomplish two great and significant military achievements, which I must recognize. The first is its perpetration of the massacre of Qana, killing women and children inside a safe shelter, after which it arrogantly justified its crime by saying that the resistance was firing from that house or from the vicinity of that house. Later, it denied but started to say again today that the information which it received confirmed that there were fighters from Hizbullah inside that house. It fell as a victim of this false information, this failed intelligence. I do not believe that there has been a wrong tip since the start. I believe that the Zionists intended to kill women and children in Qana because they know that we are human beings who are rich with sympathy.
It is true that we have a strong and steady volition, yet at the same time, we are full of sympathy, affection and love. We are sympathetic towards our people, women and children. They [enemy] want to pressurize us exploiting this point. I said this issue in the last speech. Suppose we accept their story of the wrong information, still, the question is: Is the killing of more than 800 civilians until now, most of whom are women and children, derives from false information? Alternatively, is this the morality of the Israeli army and the values of this barbaric and monstrous Israeli army? This is their first achievement that was accomplished within the period that was given by Condoleezza Rice. Now of course they are working on making people forget the Qana Massacre and that it must be absorbed locally, internationally, humanely, informatively and politically. We cannot allow this issue to happen. This is the responsibility of the media means, politicians, elite, intellectuals and all people. I am saying this at the time in which I can confirm that Qana is no longer alone and strange in the massacre, other villages share it this calamity such as Sreefa, and other numerous villages throughout Lebanon.
The second important achievement was the night commando that raided the city of Baalbeck. The TV showed us footage of this night commando. But in fact, there were two airdrops in that area. The two airdrops took place at the peripheries of the city of Baalbeck, not in the heart of the city. The target was Dar El-Hikma Hospital, which is located at the peripheries of the city. The second airdrop took place in a neighborhood, also at the peripheries of Baalbeck.
The first airdrop targeted a hospital, wow, a great achievement. An Israeli commando with tens of warplanes and helicopters dropped soldiers and officers in order to attack a hospital at the peripheries of Baalbeck, not to attack a military outpost. They entered the hospital in order to obtain important information that is hidden there as they claim. Still, they entered the hospital while firing bullets and throwing grenades inside its rooms. This in fact was a military failure and intelligence failure. This operation lasted several hours; the battle was confined to the vicinity of the hospital, where the fighters or mujahideen who are usually existent in that area took the initiative to confront the commando. This was intelligence failure. A great airdrop targets a location where it was revealed later that there were no leaders; not even the hospital manager was present; and there were no injured soldiers of the resistance. Imagine this: a great commando that seeks to cease wounded fighters of the resistance cannot face the young men of the resistance in Bint Jbail, Ayta Shaab, Taibe, etc... They dropped the commando to capture injured soldiers of the resistance, yet the surprise was that the hospital was empty. There was only a medical cadre of five people working in the ER. This enemy behaves with a mentality that does not regard sanctities or moral values. Hence, this hospital could have been subjected to bombardment or any other threat.
The second airdrop targeted one of the neighborhoods of a mountainous area in Baalbeck. There, the air force, prior to parachuting, destroyed a number of the houses that surrounded the targeted residence. Then, an officer and his soldiers were dropped to enter a civilian house, where a group of families, men, women and children, gathered. They kidnapped a number of men. The story was that the names were identical. I know, and we the Lebanese know that we have a problem regarding this issue. Sometimes in the airport or at the border, a man is detained because his name is identical to the name of other wanted man. It might take time to investigate the name of the father, mother, and date of birth in order to confirm the identity of the wanted person.
This was a great commando operation that took place in that neighborhood in Baalbeck, targeting an old man who is dear to his family and dedicated. His only guilt was that his name is Hassan Nasrallah. This is the intelligence of the enemy. This is its great Mossad and security. This is its great army, hence kidnapped those civilians. At this point, I would like to say that these are hostages. Those five civilians, snatched from Baalbeck, must be regarded as hostages, not as prisoners of war. The whole world that condemns the kidnapping of hostages must condemn them [enemy] and must demand their unconditional release before any exchange. This was a kidnap operation, the kidnapping of hostages, not capturing. Anyhow, in the end of these great achievements, which took place during the US, Bushist and Riceist, period, so to speak, the enemy Chief of Staff stood up to say: all that we wanted to do in Baalbeck was to prove to Hizbullah that we can reach anywhere. What is this great achievement? Did it deserve all these efforts which they exerted on this field?
Anyhow, your true image has been revealed to us through the confrontations on the battlefield. I say to the Zionists, I hope they can still hear me under the recent utter control of the media means: you are the victims, likewise the Lebanese and Palestinians, of a complex that exists at your Prime Minister Olmert. What is this complex? Everyone pays the cost of this complex. Olmert wants to prove that he is a great leader, and that he is like Sharon, Rabin, and the historic leaders that ruled this usurping entity. In this domain, I can say that he succeeded in one issue and failed in another. He succeeded in being like Sharon, Rabin, Begin, and those resembling them, when he perpetrated the massacres and the daily killing of women and children as well as destroying the houses in Palestine and Lebanon. Yes, I acknowledge this issue for him in this field; he is no lesser than them regarding this field.
On the other hand, regarding the field of the political command, military conception, administration, and performance, until now, he [Olmert] has proven that he is the most failure, hopeless and stupid Prime Minister ever to rule the entity of the Zionist enemy. I also say to them: let each Israeli ask himself a question at present about the performance of his political and military command, and question this entire war which they conducted after the capturing of the two Israeli soldiers. Did it lead to the release of the two Israeli soldiers? Will it bring back the two Israeli soldiers? Never... Instead, he could have negotiated like Sharon did in the past. But he did not want to employ this style. He went extreme. They must also ask themselves and their leadership a question after they said that the aim of this war was to restore the capacity of deterrence at the Israeli army. Did this capacity enhance? They said that they wanted to correct the image and reverence of the Israeli army. Was this image corrected or was it tainted further and further?
The current war proved that the Israeli army is a gigantic, blind, ignorant, stupid and incapable military machine. It can only kill old men, women and children as well as destroy the infrastructure. And I say to the Israelis: ask Olmert, where are his highly aimed great promises which he declared since the first day of the war, the beginning of the aggression? Yesterday, we heard him washing his hands of all these high aimed great slogans of this fruitless war. I confirm to everyone, to the enemy and the friend as well as the entire world, you cannot eliminate Hizbullah as you cannot eliminate the movements of the honest resistance in Palestine. You can never do so because the resistance is not a regular army. The resistance is not a regular state. Instead, the resistance is a nation that possesses faith, volition and self confidence as well as loves martyrdom and rejects indignity and humiliation. No one can defeat this nation. They can kill its men, women, children and elderly; they can destroy its buildings and residences on top of their heads. But they cannot defeat it or end the war against it. This is because this war will renew with each rising generation, with each new birth, with each fury, with each emotion, with each act, faith and with us. And I can confirm to you that the resistance will never be broken or defeated.
I reach the last part which pertains to the political part. I say this: I would like to confirm to our Lebanese people and the peoples of our nation as well as the world. I want to be very clear. The killings, massacres, destruction, atrocities and barbarism that have taken place since the first day of the war and continue to be, Bush and his US administration are the first ones to be blamed. In our opinion, Olmert and his government are mere executive tools of this war. I want to stress on this meaning and say that the blood of the women and children in Qana as well as the blood of all the old people and innocent civilians whose blood was shed in Lebanon are tainting the faces of Bush, Rice, Rumsfeld, Cheney and this US administration. This administration is the assassin, murderer and assailant. Until now, this administration has been thwarting all attempts to stop the aggression and it is designing the terms and trying to dictate these terms. This issue must be clear to each Lebanese, each Moslem and Christian, and each noble person in this world. We are explaining this issue to eliminate any confusion.
I repeat to all Lebanese, today we are at war; but the war ends and it will end. I do not want you to ever forget that this US administration, the friend, ally and love of Lebanon, whose heart is aching for the nation of Lebanon and wants it to live in an oasis of security and peace, and wants it to be a democratic example in this region, this US administration may become the gamble of some people in the future, knowing that it has been the gamble of some people in the past. I hope that we will never forget this issue for our coming days, months and years. At this point, I want to confirm, regardless of the outcomes of this war, Lebanon will never be American or Israeli. Lebanon will never be part of the New Middle East which Bush seeks with Rice. This is conclusive God willing.
Regarding the second issue of this political part, I want to say to he who loves Lebanon and wants to eagerly help Lebanon. Thanks to God, the delegations are arriving to Lebanon. The Arab and international interest is increasing. I confirm to you as everyone knows that this, first of all, is due to God (The Exalted) and the steadfastness of the freedom fighters and the excellent situation in the battlefield and the steadfastness of the immigrants or those remaining in their homes, and it is due to the Lebanese people embracement of this honest resistance. The delegations are increasing and the interest is increasing. We thank them for this, may God accept their deeds.
However, I say to those who love Lebanon and want to help it, they must be attentive; we in Lebanon, or these houses in Lebanon were not destroyed because of an earthquake. "Israel" destroyed these houses. The people were not displaced because of a hurricane, Tsunami, flood or volcano. "Israel" forced them to leave their homes, killed the women and children of this country. "Israel", armed with a US decision, weapons and missiles, perpetrated this entire bloody and devastative scene. We do not want anyone to treat Lebanon as a humane and miserable condition to which he offers medicine, food, and some money. Anyone who does so is thanked. But this issue does not mirror love towards Lebanon. If you really love Lebanon, you, knowing you can do so, must raise your voices. It is important to raise them during the internal sessions and meetings which you conduct with the Americans and others. What you say in open today, the entire world, all Lebanese, and all Arab and European delegations know who is thwarting and hindering the stoppage of the Zionist attack on Lebanon. It is Bush and the US administration. Go to them and prove there that you love Lebanon. Raise your voices there and be men for one day. Save your dignity and face.
At this point, I wish to say to the rulers in the Arab and Moslem countries of the new Middle East, there will be no place for your thrones if you abandon your moral and national responsibility in fear of your thrones. But in the new Middle East, you will have no thrones left for you, and maybe you will have no countries left for you. These countries of yours will be divided by the geopolitical map of the new Middle East. They will be divided into small cantons and countries on the basis of denomination and sects. This great state will not be the same in greatness. And this rich country will not be the same in richness. No throne or chair will be spared. For the sake of your thrones I say to you, gather between your humanity and chairs, and act for one day in order to stop this aggression on Lebanon. I, since the first day, said this issue and never wanted and pleaded anything from you. I am being cautious for you and for our country and homeland. This is how the help should be for he who wants to help Lebanon.
In the end, my salutation and the salutation of all of my dear ones, the brethren of the Islamic Resistance, to the families of the pure martyrs who are the eye, candle, heart and slogan of sacrifice, generosity and highest defense, to the wounded who are sustaining the pain of the injuries and maintaining their steadfastness in their land, to those who migrated from their lands and homes to other lands and homes, to those who are embracing the immigrants and the resistance, informatively, publicly, socially, financially and spiritually, to all of those who support us in this world and express this attitude of mine through the media, politics, demonstrations, sit-ins, and all forms of employed methods, our salutation to all of them.
The last salutation goes to the freedom fighters, the courageous heroes who are proving the face of Lebanon the victorious in 2000, proving the real face of Lebanon, defending Lebanon, and defending the nation. Together, they are defending the nation which America and "Israel" want to divide again, beginning with Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places.
I conclude by sending my greetings to the mujahideen. And I remind the Zionists that they have only one choice, stop the aggression and return to the political approach. No one will save you from you trouble. If you are betting on the US administration thinking it is capable of saving you, I must tell you that it is too weak to even save itself in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not come to save you in Lebanon. What can it do? It can only dictate. We refuse dictations; we refuse to accept any term. We said this issue and we repeat it. I leave the matter to be politically solved through the internal discussions. And we are careful regarding this framework. But I must say to the Israelis, your gamble on the Americans is futile. Your gamble on continuing the war and aggression is fruitless. Your gamble on the retreat of our will or the will of our nation in Lebanon is also fruitless. The only right and correct bet is by stopping the aggression and listening to the political approach and ending this stupidity which you committed and will only end in Lebanon's victory. Lebanon is a country of a great nation. Lebanon is a great country. Lebanon is the country of the resistance. Lebanon is the country of unity.
Peace be upon all of you...
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Nasrallah's address when Israel was trying to secure United Nations ceasefire agreement:
Parts of the speech on 9 August 2006
"I address you anew as we approach the end of the first month of this barbaric and aggressive war which the Zionists imposed on Lebanon and on every human being, stone, location, and symbol in Lebanon...
When the prime minister presented the seven-point plan and was discussed in the government, we dealt positively with this plan... The Lebanese Government proposed a seven-point plan, but the Americans and the French responded with the draft resolution that has been submitted to the Security Council.
The least that can be said about this draft resolution is that it is unfair and unjust and gives the Israelis more than what they wanted or asked for... this draft resolution in essence wanted to give the Israelis through politics and international pressures what they failed to obtain through fighting.
You will not be able to stay on our land. If you enter it, we will drive you out by force. We will turn the land of our precious south into a graveyard for the Zionist invaders
The government's decision on its preparedness to send 15,000 soldiers from the Lebanese Army to be deployed in all this area will greatly help Lebanon and its friends to press for amending the draft resolution, which is being prepared and debated at the Security Council, and will open the way for an appropriate political treatment that can lead to halting the aggression against Lebanon.
... This [planned deployment] is, in our opinion, an honourable, national solution because it is the national army that will be deployed on the border, and not invading forces, mercenary forces, or forces that take orders from the enemies, but the national army that takes orders from the elected Lebanese Government - in this sense, as a solution, we accept it...
The deployment of the Lebanese Army will help preserve sovereignty and independence. This is a better and a more appropriate alternative to the deployment of international forces, especially since we do not know which orders they follow or what their mission or duty will be.
Here, I come to the field developments in the ongoing war. In the last televised speech, I said that the enemy will resort to, in light of the continued military failures, further attacks against the infrastructure, civilian installations, and civilians. This is exactly what has been taking place; namely, more massacres...
The killing of civilians, including men, women, and children, is taking place deliberately since it is the only painful method available to this military helpless and bloodthirsty enemy to put pressure on the Lebanese, the resistance, and the state.
In addition, there is continued targeting of residential places and systematic destruction of houses and buildings in the southern suburb. For instance, there are vacant buildings, but everyday they come to demolish a number of these buildings. Are these not war crimes? Is not the killing of children and women a war crime? Is not the demolition of vacant buildings that are distant from the battlefield and that are not used in any way and have nothing to do with Hezbollah's leaders and fighters considered a war crime? This is in addition to the continued destruction of what remains of the Lebanese infrastructure.
Does anyone believe that all these bridges, roads, and infrastructure were destroyed only to cut off the resistance's supply lines? Is this a logical and reasonable matter or the goal is to destroy the infrastructure to exercise pressure on the Lebanese? The killing of civilians aims to put pressure on the Lebanese and the destruction of houses aims to put pressure on the Lebanese so as to surrender, yield to, and accept the Israeli conditions on the basis of which the war was originally waged.
As a matter of fact, it is very regrettable and unsurprising that the Security Council's draft resolutions hold no blame for the Zionists over all their war crimes, massacres, acts of genocide in Lebanon, and systematic destruction of Lebanon. The capture of two Israeli soldiers in a purely military operation deserves all this condemnation and denunciation by the international community, whereas the response which destroyed buildings, killed people, and violated all laws and norms does not deserve any blame.
... We are still holding fast in the field. We are still strong and capable. This, in itself, is a great achievement for the resistance and a big failure for the enemy in achieving the targets they announced with regard to the resistance. We are still fighting in the front villages and frontline. Although, we do not intend to retain territory, the hero and valiant resistance men insist on continuing to fight until the last bullet.
Imagine that fighting is continuing in the border town of Ait al-Shaab until this minute. The same thing is happening in other border towns. Your sons and brothers among the mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance are in fact making miracles there and setting an example of heroic and brave jihad that is unprecedented in history.
So far, a large number of Merkava tanks have been destroyed. This point is important. Over 60 Merkava tanks and a large number, scores of military bulldozers and scores of military personnel carriers have been destroyed so far. More than 100 tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and military bulldozers have been destroyed until this hour.
I will not speak about the killed and wounded among the settlers [Israelis], but I will speak about the officers and soldiers. So far, more than 100 officers and soldiers have been killed and more than 400 officers and soldiers have been wounded in the confrontations, dozens of them are in critical condition, as admitted by the enemy itself. This concerns the ground confrontation.
As for the rocket bombardment, the activity of the resistance is still the way it was in the first days. When Olmert said that Hezbollah was no longer the way it was, your sons and brothers, the mujahideen of the resistance, answered him by 350 rockets, which fell on various Zionist military bases and colonies in northern occupied Palestine [Israel].
Until this moment, the enemy has failed to reduce or weaken this rocket capability that is available to Hezbollah and the resistance. Consequently, the residents of these areas have remained in shelters and a large number of them have left. This is in addition to significant economic, material, financial, and human losses, which the enemy is still hiding.
Notice that throughout the previous Arab wars, the Israelis used to declare their losses, while the Arabs used to hide them. But today, when Lebanon is bombed, buildings are destroyed, martyrs fall, massacres are committed, despite the negative psychological impact of these scenes sometimes, everything is declared. The Zionists, meanwhile, are hiding everything. Where do hundreds of rockets fall? So far, they have spoken about more than 3,000 rockets that have fallen on them. We assert to you that these rockets are guided by God and are guided technically and are not fired indiscriminately.
In all events, the Israelis have so far not managed to control the border strip, which they said they want to go back to, as the case was previously¿ Nonetheless, I tell the Zionists: You can come to any place; you can stage an incursion; land your airborne troops; and enter this village or that point.
However, all of this will cost you a great deal. You will not be able to stay on our land. If you enter it, we will drive you out by force. We will turn the land of our precious south into a graveyard for the Zionist invaders.
To the Arabs of Haifa I have a special message. I say that we have been pained and are still pained for the loss of your martyrs and for your wounded. I urge you, I appeal to you to leave this city. I hope you would do that. In the past, your presence there and what happened to you has made us hesitate in attacking this city... Please spare us this hesitation and spare your blood, which is our blood, and leave this city. "
For full text see below...
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Full text of Nasrallah's address when Israel was trying to secure United Nations ceasefire agreement:
Speech on 9 August 2006:
Peace be upon all of you;
Again, I address you as we approach the end of one month since this hostile and barbaric war was imposed by the Zionists on Lebanon, on each man, stone, position, outpost and slogan in Lebanon. As usual, I wish to touch on several topics pertaining to either the political or the battlefield subject. For a start, I wish to talk about some political developments, after which I will end with the battlefield. As an introduction to the political situation and developments, we are still relying on a solid and strong reality on the field, attested by the enemy before the ally. Therefore, the points that I will explain regarding the political situation are still based on the truth as well as the strength which is still fighting and confronting in the battlefield.
Since this battle started, we, regarding the political and informative performance, have been dedicated in giving consideration and attention to a group of important and critical basics and aspects. As for us, especially that we are taking part in the political approach or confrontation as they say, since the beginning, we have been stressing on a main principle. This is the unity of line coupled with the national and public solidarity as well as the official solidarity pertaining to the level of the state and its institutes. We also worked on strengthening the position of the state, particularly that of the government pertaining to the negotiations and the preservation of the national rights. As I said in a previous message, founding cooperation is necessary to establish a political will as part of the will of the combat and the public steadfastness in order to depart this battle while maintaining at least our national rights and our national dignity. Therefore, over the past weeks, we stressed on a number of issues. Now, I wish as a start to put emphasis on them.
First: we must not join any political or informative debate with any Lebanese team, party, or figure, regardless of the addressed criticisms or words that may be said. Unfortunately, some people are reiterating exactly what the Israeli officials and press are saying. Nevertheless, I stress on all my brothers as I confirmed in the past not to be engaged in any political or informative debate regarding these matters. Our priority is steadfastness coupled with the political, public and national solidarity that flow in favor of our country's interest in general. The other sensitiveness, obsessions, trivialities and some behaviors that damage the truth and does not serve our country's interest must be overlooked.
Second: What we asked from the émigrés of our good and steadfast citizens, which I confirm now, is to give consideration to the area or atmosphere in which you are existing pertaining to some of the formalisms, customs, traditions, activities, slogans or information. Regarding anything that may provoke any sensitivity in the places of your whereabouts, especially in the areas that embrace you with dignity, honor and responsibility, it is your responsibility as well to give this aspect the necessary consideration because there is someone who from time to time tries to incite certain sensitivities in order to spread weakness, flaw, or certain error in the arena of the steadfastness of the émigrés and displaced people existing in the arena of the public embracement. This issue serves the Israeli at first because any flaw in the front of the steadfastness shortens the distance for the enemy to achieve its goals.
Third: Regarding the city of Beirut in particular, we have already wished and I wish again to say to [requesting] the youth organizations, brothers in the parties and the people in general, we want to avoid any demonstrations or huge rallies so that they will not provide a fertile ground through which some people may sneak in to create a security flaw or to establish opposite slogans. This will lead to divisions on the street. The most important issue regarding this filed resides in our keenness and quest to establish a governmental and political solidarity in the country on the two political and official levels.
Since early days, we learned that the Israelis and Americans had the keenness and worked with dedication to create sedition and division among the Lebanese inside the Lebanese government as well as between the political powers. To prove this issue, we, since early days, found out from our close observation of the Israeli media that some Israeli officials and senior authors of the Israeli journalists have been saying that there were governmental parties in Lebanon contacted them and stressed on them not to stop their attack, and that this was the golden and historic chance to eliminate the resistance in Lebanon, particularly Hizbullah in Lebanon. Naturally, we do not believe this Israeli gossip and we classify it as part of provoking the Lebanese against each other. Another proof was the statement of the US-Zionist ambassador to the UN Security Council John Bolton, yesterday or the day before, when he told one of the US TV stations that when he heard that the Lebanese government had reservations or protests regarding the US-French draft resolution he was surprised at the Lebanese government attitude because he had already made the necessary coordination for this draft or resolution with the Lebanese government and the Israeli as well. We also disregard these words because the aim is to find a crack between the participating forces in the government as well as establishing disunity between the resistance and the state. Anyhow, there are clear and serious attempts on the political and informative level as well as on the provocative. These attempts are being exerted to damage this established solidarity, and they have been evident over the past weeks and days of the present war.
After this point, we acted and behaved with responsibility when the Prime Minister presented the 7-points plan, which was discussed by the cabinet. These points were recorded in the cabinet session's report, yet we all had the same emphasis to present a unanimous approval to this plan in order to face the world with it. I pointed to this issue in a former message and we informatively passed our reservations and remarks. Hence, the Lebanese government presented the 7-points plan to suggest a proposal or a concept regarding the political solution required to stop the aggression and war. After that, we relied on this plan to be presented to the international community and Arab countries. Consequently, the Arab countries came to support and approve the Lebanese governmental 7-points plan, a part of which pertains to the deployment of the army.
Anyhow, the Lebanese government presented the 7-points plan that was faced by the Americans and French via the draft resolution presented to the UNSC. The least one could say regarding this resolution is that it is unfair and inequitable. It also gives the Israelis more than that which they seek. In all cases, we were satisfied with the thorough, strong and solid observation that was presented by parliament speaker Nabih Beri, in his comment on the US-French draft resolution presented to the UNSC. The 7-points plan and Lebanese solidarity were intercepted by this draft, which was prepared to reach a decision. This draft in fact aims to give the Israelis through politics and international pressure that which they could not obtain through fighting. Lebanese, Arab and international quests began in one way or another to modify the US-French draft resolution in the form that will satisfy the Lebanese demands, in accordance with the governmental 7-points plan. Anyhow, as this political and diplomatic quest and as this political and diplomatic great battle go on, he who sides by Lebanon will be distinguished from he who utterly prefers "Israel" to Lebanon.
Keeping in line with these political quests, we were told that the government had the initiative to gather in order to take and announce a decision pertaining to the deployment of the army at the borderline, knowing that the Lebanese army is present in the south, south Litany. Some people, when they speak, they say the deployment of the army in the south. In fact, the army as an army is not present near the borderline where there are Lebanese security forces of the Internal Security and some of the Lebanese army intelligence and security apparatuses. Therefore, the government expressed its willingness to send 15000 soldiers of the Lebanese army to be deployed in the entire area. They said that this will help Lebanon enormously as it will help the friends of Lebanon to pressurize further regarding the amendment of the draft resolution that is being prepared and discussed by the UNSC. And that it will open the way for a suitable political approach that will lead to the stopping of the aggression on Lebanon. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the Lebanese government declared its decision and willingness, which came out of unanimity, knowing that many people focus on this world of unanimity, the result until now tells us that the US administration is still insisting on its terms and adheres to its arrogance and immoderation. Today in particular, it sent Mr. Walsh to Lebanon, synchronizingly with the Israeli government's decision to widen its ground offensive. Their aim is to frighten and pressurize the Lebanese government and people so that they accept the new old terms which Walsh brought to Lebanon.
Anyhow, regarding the political issue, there is a point on which I would like to comment and give answers because it brought questions to the politicians and media means. This point is worthy of explanation and clarification. It pertains to our position on the deployment of the army at the borderline area. We, in the past, used to oppose the deployment of the army at the borderline, not because we doubt the army, God forbid; this army is a national army and we have been praising it and praising its dogma, leadership and combination since many years. We expressed, in more than one occasion, our trust in the army and its leadership, officers and soldiers. This army is also part of this nation; it derives from its men, youths and children. It does not differ from the reality and essence of this high-esteemed and loyal nation. When we protested or expressed our reservations, it was not because we fear this army. This is because this is a national army and the children of this nation must not fear it. In fact, we used to fear for the army from its deployment at the international borderline. The issue is very clear. If you station a regular army at the international border facing directly the enemy that could anytime attack it, it means that we are stationing this army right inside the mouth of the dragon; are as popularly said, "Inside the muzzle of the cannon." An army that does not possess tanks, armored machines, air force, or sufficient air cover, can be at risk of being destroyed in a very few days once attacked at any moment. The battles that took place in the south until now emphasize this issue. The resistance lasted until now in Ayta Shaab, Kfarkila, Adayse, Taybe, Bint Jbail, Aytaroun and all the front villages was because it does not have a classical and regular presence. Instead, it has a qualitative way of being existent and does not have any air cover. The Israeli enemy can strike and destroy but it cannot nail the determination of the mujahideen nor can it limit their ability to move. We fear for the army of being at the frontline.
Why now we agree with the government? I will return to explain the considerations on the deployment of the army at the borderline. Still, we cannot hide our fear for the army after its deployment at the frontline with its present condition and capacity, especially that the sticking points between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy remain unresolved, particularly Lebanon's continual vulnerability to the unstoppable Israeli land, sea and air violations since the Israeli withdrawal in 2000 until today. Deployment means placing the army inside the mouth of the dragon. This is why we fear for the army. There is another fear which we also used to express openly. We used to say that when the army goes to the border, it must protect Lebanon and defend the homeland; and that it must not protect the enemy. Anyhow, this assignment, the mission of guarding the homeland or guarding the enemy is not tied to the decision of the army command. Instead, it is tied to the decision of the political authority.
Now, in its latest meeting, the Lebanese government said and decided that the main task of the army was to defend and guard the homeland through its existence at the border as well as maintain internal security. If there is a clear decision, this fear becomes nonexistent. Moreover, if everyone believes that the army deployment helps finding a political exit that would lead to the stopping of the aggression, this will be a dignified national exit with respect to us because the one that will be deployed at the border is the national army, not invading forces, mercenaries, or forces that work under the command of the enemies. It will be the national army that works under the command of the elected Lebanese government. This exit, in this sense, is accepted despite its adversities which I mentioned earlier. We will not stand as an obstacle in the way of any decision or option of this sort.
These are the facts; the deployment of the Lebanese army will maintain the sovereignty and independence. This is the best and most suitable alternative instead of the international forces-we do not know under whose command they will operate and what is their mission and job that they will perform. Yes, we said, as it was unanimous through the 7 points, that the enhancement of the UNIFEL forces will work as a supportive agent for the Lebanese army to perform its task and duty. There are several issues that have been reiterated pertaining to the stage that will follow the deployment of the army in the borderline area, or in fact, completing the deployment of the army in the area south Litany River. I will not discuss this issue at present; I will leave it to be discussed internally because it fountains from our caution, responsibility and solidarity required at this stage for several reasons. Therefore, we at present, although there is a Lebanese national unanimity on the government's plan with its adherence to the 7 points, find that the Americans keep defusing any possibility in reaching a draft resolution that may take into consideration the Lebanese national demands and rights. The American keeps working hard to impose "Israel's" terms on Lebanon in order to achieve all the interests of "Israel" at the expense of the interest of Lebanon.
At this point, I would like to call again on the political willpower and political steadfastness as well as avoid submission to the US dictations and pressures regardless of their kinds and regardless of the situation on the field, which is solid and strong. I will talk on this issue in a moment. I call on the Lebanese government to further political steadfastness with adherence to the 7 points on which we agreed as Lebanese. This is because any overlooking of the items of this plan, which was regarded in our opinion that it maintains the minimum level of the national rights and demands, is a betrayal of the unanimity to which we have been keen throughout all the past stages.
This is where I reach the point of the environments of the existing war, the battlefield. In my last televised speech, I said that the enemy will, as a result of the military failures that are still continuing until now, seek refuge at further bombardment of the infrastructure and civilian foundations as well as will attack civilians.
These issues are in fact occurring. There are further massacres extending from Bekaa, to Sheyah, to Ghaziye as well as other countless places. This is where the lies of the Zionists manifest. These lies are reiterated by the enemy leaders and officials. For example, their press said, as it was repeated yesterday by the Israeli ambassador to the UN, which they are bombing this or that place because there are missiles launching pads which Hizbullah uses. Were these missiles launching pads present among the people in the procession in Ghaziye, where the enemy shelled Ghaziye at the same time when the people were bidding farewell to the martyrs? Was the residential neighborhood in Sheyah that is crowded with families, men, women and children harboring missile launching pads on top of the buildings, launching missiles on the Zionists? These are nothing but words and meaningless claims. They are deliberately killing innocent civilians, men, women and children because the only way possible for this militarily incapacitated savage enemy is bloodshed in order to pressurize the Lebanese and the resistance as well as the state. They keep striking the residencies and systemically destroying the buildings and houses in the southern suburb. For example, there are empty buildings, yet the enemy comes everyday to demolish a number of buildings.
Aren't these war crimes? Isn't the killing of women and children a war crime? They are killing children who have no relation to Hizbullah leaders or fighters. Isn't the constant destruction of the remaining infrastructure a war crime? Who can believe that all these bridges, roads and infrastructure have been destroyed merely to prevent lines of provision to the resistance? Is this issue logic? The only aim behind the destruction of man kind and infrastructure is to pressurize the Lebanese. Killing the civilians pressurizes the Lebanese. Destroying the houses pressurizes the Lebanese. They want to pressurize the Lebanese to force them surrender and submit to the Israeli terms for which this war was mainly started. In fact, it is pitiful, regretful but ordinary when we see a draft resolution inside the UNSC that does not contain any blame to the Zionists for their perpetrations, war crimes, massacres, and genocides in Lebanon coupled with the systematic destruction in Lebanon. Imagine, capturing two Israeli soldiers, which is a mere military operation, deserves all this condemnation and censure from the international community whereas the retaliation that goes extreme in destroying the structure, killing man kind, and exceeding all laws and customs does not even deserve a blame.
We are not surprised because the UNSC cannot even condemn "Israel's" killing of its soldiers who are operating as part of its forces in south Lebanon. Certainly this council, helpless in condemning "Israel" for the massacre of Qana, will be helpless, because of the utter US Veto, in blaming "Israel" for all the barbaric actions in this present war. There are two examples from which we can learn brothers and sisters. First, we must understand that this enemy is of a hostile, savage and barbaric nature; we are living next to it and they want us to live with it in peace. Live in peace next to the killer of the women, killer of the children, and monstrous destroyer of the houses, which regards no limits in its barbaric monstrosity. The barbarism of this enemy is boundless. Second, we must understand the UNSC that does not possess any ability and capacity in protecting Lebanon; and that all the present plans, discussions and decisions focus on how can "Israel" be protected, not how can Lebanon be protected. Keep this lesson in mind.
I reach the direct reality on the field. I say yes, we are maintaining our steadfastness on the battlefield. We are still strong. This is a great achievement for the resistance and a huge failure for the enemy pertaining to its declared aims towards the resistance. We are still fighting at the front villages, frontlines, knowing that we are not bind by the geography. However, the heroic fighters are determined to maintain their positions and fight until the last bullet. They will fight as long as there is one bullet, one bomb, one rocket, and as long as there is a possibility to fight. They are still fighting. Imagine, as I speak, the fighting goes on in Ayta Shaab town, directly at the border. The same situation exists in the rest of the front villages. Your children and brothers, the mujahideen in the resistance, are in fact making miracles and presenting a struggling example, heroic example, courageous example, which is peerless in history and present time.
We are fighting in the front towns as well as the frontlines. Yesterday, the mujahideen or freedom fighters of the Islamic Resistance attacked an Israeli outpost in Jal El-Alam, right at the border, and they were also engaged in a fight in Labouna. They caused casualties in the enemy lines. Your struggling brothers are still fighting and taking the initiative at the frontlines and front positions. The Israelis can sneak at night into some valleys and make airdrops in some rear lines. But soon afterwards the mujahideen discover them, attack and cause casualties in them. Today, the Israelis admit that they are transporting provision and aid via the helicopters and animals. This is because the movement of their vehicles and armors is open in the southern soil. It makes them an easy hunt for the mujahideen of the resistance.
This is the reality on the field. Until now, there are a large number of Merkava tanks that have been destroyed. This detail is important. I must mention that more than 60 Merkava tanks have been destroyed until now with a large number of military bulldozers, soldier carriers. The sum exceeds 100 tanks, soldier carriers and military bulldozers of the destroyed machines. I am not talking about the dead settlers or the wounded settlers. I am only talking about the officers and soldiers. More than 100 officers and soldiers have been killed until now in the battles. More than 400 officers and soldiers have been wounded until now in the battles. Tens of them are critical as the enemy admitted. This pertains to the confrontations on the battlefield.
Regarding the ballistic bombardment, the efficiency of the resistance remains the same as it was in the early days. Moreover, when Olmert said that Hizbullah is no longer as it used to be, your children and brethren of the Islamic Resistance replied by firing more than 350 missiles that fell on the different military bases and Zionist settlements in north Occupied Palestine. Until now, he failed in weakening this ballistic capacity available for Hizbullah and the resistance. This will cause longer stay of the settlers in those areas inside shelters and a large number of them will migrate. This is also causing great damage to the economy, finance, material and humans, which the enemy keeps hiding.
Know this, throughout the Arab wars, the Israelis used to say what they had and the Arabs used to hide what they have. On the other hand, today, when Lebanon is bombed or when buildings are destroyed, people martyred, massacres perpetrated, despite the negative rare influence of these scenes, yet we say what we have, but the Zionists conceal today what they have. They are hiding everything. Where are the hundreds of rockets falling? Until now they are saying that more than 3000 rockets have fallen on them. I assure to you that these rockets are divinely aimed as they are technically aimed. They are not striking randomly. But the Israelis are applying a metallic cover on the media. Yes, sometimes they circulate through some media means that a rocket fell on an empty road or forest or valley in order to nail the determination of the freedom fighters and say that their missiles are useless. If the resistance missiles are useless, let the media means and world reporters take pictures of all the places that were targeted by the resistance missiles. Until now, as it really happens in Lebanon, the journalists visit all the areas and take pictures to reveal to the world where exactly the tons of explosives, which the enemy warplanes drop, are falling.
Anyhow, today, the smaller Zionist cabinet appeared with a decision to widen the ground offensive synchronizingly with the visit of the US Secretary of State aide, Mr. Walsh to Beirut. Is this decision part of the psychological war to pressurize the Lebanese and make them accept that which Mr. Walsh brought to them? Alternatively, is this decision serious and real for the ground? What are the limits of this decision? Do they want to expand further to reach to Litany River? Anyhow, the Israelis have been unable until now to control the borderline area, which they said they want to take it back to its past stage. I said that the fighting is still ongoing in Jal El-Alam, Labouna, and the frontlines and front positions. The enemy might focus on Taybe front because it is the nearest to the Litany River, after which it will say to the world we reached the Litany River. The separating distance between Galil Finger and Litany River from Taybe side is simple and modest.
Anyhow, I say to the Zionists, you can come to any place, you can invade, and you can drop your air-borne forces and enter this village or that point. This is nothing new. I will repeat. All this issue will be very costly for you. You cannot stay on our soil. If you enter our precious southern land we will turn it into a cemetery for the Zionist invaders. Those who are fighting you at the frontlines are fighting you with courage. We will wait you at each village, each highland, and each valley. And in each stage, thousands of freedom fighters will be waiting for your. These fighters are ready, determined, and courageous. They are keen like their brothers who are fighting at the frontlines in the battlefield. This is what is waiting for you. This is what we love and want. We want the aggression in its entirety to stop. But should there be a combat, you are welcome to the combat on the battlefield, which is occurring as I speak. You are the cowardly ones who are killing our old men, women and children, destroying our houses. On the other hand, we are killing your officers and soldiers, destroying your tanks and bases. This is the reality on the field, which honors us. We are facing you with this reality.
In conclusion, I wish to confirm to the Lebanese people first and the government. In spite of the suffering of the émigrés and steadfast civilians, Lebanon still relies on a strong reality on the field. The enemy is the one that is confused, helpless and unsuccessful until now. There is an unprecedented procedure that took place, where the enemy discharged the commander of the northern region and assigned the deputy chief of staff of the enemy army to lead the front. This is an important and serious development which the military experts understand well. I call on the Lebanese people and government to further steadfastness as the resistance is steadfast. And I call on our displaced citizens as well as those who are sheltering them to further patience. This is because you, particularly after all these sacrifices, have expressed, said, and rejected contempt, humiliation and submission. We cannot let the enemy achieve its interests at the expense of the sacrifices and blood of the martyrs. All that the enemy has seen from us until now is, I will say what the master of the martyrs and our leader Sayyed Abbas Al-Musawi said, "Until now, you have seen a fraction of our adversity". You are welcome to the wide ground offensive in which you will see all of our adversity, God willing.
To the Arabs of Haifa, I have a special message. We have grieved and we are grieving for your martyrs and wounded people. I beg you and address you asking you to leave this city. I hope you will do so. Over the past period, your presence and your misfortune rendered us hesitate in targeting this city, despite the fact that the southern suburb and Lebanese depth were being shelled and Haifa was or was not being shelled. I hope that you will relieve us from this hesitation and save your souls which are our souls. Leave this city.
To each mujahid of the resistance, to each mujahid who is still fighting, to each mujahid who lies in wait, to all the heroic lively fighters who have been true to their covenant with God, never changed (their determination) in the least and will never change, God willing, I read to them the words of their prince (p): "Fix your foot on the ground. The mountains may vanish but you may not. Lend you mind to God. Look at the far lines of the people. And knoweth that there is no help but from God, the Exalted. Brothers, you've done well. Until now you've made miracles and became the legend. The world in its entirety is observing you. All the nobles in this world are observing you. The nation and the Lebanese people are betting on you. The families of the departed martyrs, the wounded and the people who are enduring the suffering of displacement and steadfastness with all the free people are observing you. You are as you were, as you said and as we say: you are the hope, you are the venture, and you are the imminent victory. We pray for you and we are with you. May God help you, fix you, cherish you, and provide you with victory. You are the noblest of God's creatures. Along your side we have seen only victory, pride and dignity. The end of this battle will only bring degradation, humiliation and defeat to our enemies the Zionists as well as to all of those who are satisfied with their hostility and are betting on the aggression of these Zionists, who spread mischief on earth, the killers of the prophets.
May peace be upon all of you.
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Nasrallah's address in the last days of the war with after Israel when Israeli army knew it could not defeat Hezbollah:
Speech 12 August 2006:
Peace be upon all of you;
After greetings and praying for the safety of our Mujahideen and struggling heroes, our self-esteemed, steadfast and loyal nation, each dear, honest and supporting person who supports us with words, actions and love, today I wish to address you to talk about the main issue, the international resolution that was reached tonight. Therefore, I will comment on this resolution and explain the way required to deal with the events over the next few days. Also I want to explain our political comment with our attitude on this decision in its entirety.
To begin with, I wish to confirm that if it were not for the steadfastness of the heroic, brave and noble freedom fighters with the steadfastness of our brave, great, loyal and self-esteemed nation as well as the steadfastness of the Lebanese political forces and Lebanese state with its various political, security, military and civilian institutes, in other words, if it were not for the steadfastness of Lebanon in its entirety, we would have been facing at present awful political and security outcomes; our enemy would have been standing in the position where it would have imposed its political and security terms on Lebanon and taken it to a new reality that would have been more worse than the 17-May agreement. This could have been the case taking into consideration the open or concealed goals of the Israeli war on Lebanon coupled with the US open aims of this war on Lebanon. Therefore, today we are facing the natural, accepted and possible outcomes of the great steadfastness that was expressed by the Lebanese people through the various positions.
On the issue of the UNSC resolution I wish to explain the way required to deal with the obligations and outcomes of this decision irrespective of the political attitude about which I will talk in a few minutes with our remarks, reservations and evaluation. In the beginning, I wish to stress on the resistance way in dealing with this issue over the past few days:
First: Should an official time of full cessation of hostilities or war actions, whatever they call them, be reached through the effort of the UN Secretary-General with the coordination of Lebanon and the enemy government, the resistance will abide by it without any hesitation. In this context, before or after this announcement, I confirm that the resistance is a reaction. Hence, when the Israeli hostilities cease the reactions expressed by the resistance will definitely and naturally cease.
Second: Anything that may ease the return of our displaced citizens and émigrés to their homes and towns, anything that may ease the humanitarian and relief aid, we will be fully prepared to provide our best possible cooperation required for the transitional period.
Third: In the past, through our political attitude and existence in the government, we said that we agreed to the notion of the Lebanese army deployment aided with UNIFIL forces. This is our stance and we will abide by it. Once the deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces is decided they will receive from the resistance the best cooperation, facilitation, and required readiness, God willing.
Fourth: Since they are talking about hostilities, it is apparent that the Zionist enemy understood from this word, as explained by its leaders today, that it gives them the right to accomplish their ground and field action, regarding it as self-defense coupled with an impulse that flows in line with the accomplishment of some military and ground targets of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. In this context, as long as there is an Israeli military movement and Israeli ground hostility with Israeli soldiers occupying our soil, these give us the natural right to face and fight them, defending our soil, homeland and ourselves. Therefore, as long as the Israeli practices an occupation and hostility the resistance will be our natural right and the right of all Lebanese people. We will practice this resistance through the mean which we believe is useful and helpful.
In this framework, as was mentioned yesterday through the words that advanced the voting on the UN resolution and confirmed that the 1996 April understanding will be the ruling frame of any ground confrontations of this sort, I must confirm in a natural form our commitment to the April understanding and we call on the enemy to abide by this understanding. This will be the case on the level of action for the next few days. This is because the real problem of this resolution is that it did not declare a comprehensive ceasefire with the withdrawal of the occupation forces. Instead, it mentioned the cessation of hostilities, which may draw different interpretations to explain the aim behind the hostilities. In other words, I want to reach a point to say that no one in the resistance, government, Lebanese people and Lebanon must make a mistake and imagine that the war has ended by midnight when the UNSC took this decision. The war has not ended and the proof is the ongoing aggression. Today, there are several attempts to advance through several fronts associated with airdrops in some areas and air strikes in other several areas causing destruction and demolishment. At present, nothing has changed. It seems that nothing will change tomorrow as well. The US administration seems to have given the consecutive periods to the Israelis to accomplish ground achievements because the UNSC did not meet until after one month has passed since the beginning of war, the war of the aggression on Lebanon.
In addition, there is persistence that no comprehensive ceasefire should go into effect. Therefore, today is Saturday, and the enemy has a chance tomorrow for its government to meet and give its reply on Monday after the necessary coordination. Even after announcing the cessation of hostilities, the enemy has several days ahead under the pretext that it will not cease fire until the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces begin the deployment process in the places of the enemy's withdrawal. After all, this mechanism or this way gives the Israeli enemy at least several days to continue its aggression in different forms. We must maintain our alertness in Lebanon and must not behave on the basis that the war has ended. Hence, Lebanon, the people of Lebanon, the state of Lebanon, the army of Lebanon, and above all the resistance must not be taken into surprise, giving the enemy the right in the end of the war to kill, destroy, deeply penetrate, spread mischief and do all the ugly deeds because the war will end within a few days.
This is a terrible misunderstanding in which we must not be involved. Therefore, the resistance today is still encountering heroic battles and will continue these confrontations and execute its national, dogmatic, humane and ethical duty in opposing the monstrous and barbaric archenemy which regards no limits for its ambitions and hostilities. This will be the case of our performance for the next days and phase.
Regarding the resolution, we do not want to start a general evaluation of the decision at present or evaluate how far it adopts the Lebanese demands pertaining to the 7-points plan that was unanimously approved by the Lebanese, or how far it approaches these demands, or pave the way to approach these demands. Anyhow, I believe that the discussion and situation passed this kind of estimations and discussion. But I want to be brief and say the following points:
First: Regarding some of the aspects of this resolution, we believe that it is unfair and unjust when it tries to blame the resistance that executed a limited military operation, not to forget the lies which we heard yesterday in the UNSC, pertaining to the US Secretary of State and the Israeli ambassador. The fact was that two Israeli soldiers have been captured, period. The Israelis began targeting the residential buildings, cities and bombed the southern suburb. In other words, they began the war and attacked the civilians after which we began shelling the settlements in north Occupied Palestine. The words that are being reiterated by the Americans and Israelis, and unfortunately by some UN officials, presenting the case that Hizbullah captured two soldiers and launched thousands of rockets into the north were untrue and nothing but lies, deception and clear fabrication. In fact, it is utterly unfair and unjust and an act of victimization when the resistance is blamed for a military operation of limited actions, results and repercussions whereas at the same time the UN resolution spares Israel from being mentioned, blamed or condemned for its hostilities, perpetrations, horrific massacres, the killing of more than 1000 civilians in Lebanon, the killing of women and children in Qana, Sheyah, Qaa in Britail, Akkar and Sreefa, coupled with countless massacres and crimes across the Lebanese towns, and the destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure. Anyhow, this is one of the aspects which I mentioned for ethical, human and political reasons.
There are other items towards which we have reservations. But we will not discuss them until after a serious ceasefire is reached. This is because we want to discover or actually display the intentions of the Israeli enemy through this tactic that was used by the US and "Israel" which divided the issues to two stages, first the cessation of hostilities, and later ceasefire.
Moreover, there are other items in this resolution which we regard as Lebanese internal matters that must be discussed within the government, within the framework of the national dialogue committee. We, the Lebanese, the political forces in Lebanon, are concerned in discussing and concluding these issues. We will present our ideas and views through the government, through our participation in the government or through our general participation in the national political cadres that discuss issues of this kind. Our ministers will express this fundamental attitude and these reservations in the cabinet session that will be summoned today to take a certain official stance for the Lebanese government. We surely appreciate all the efforts that have been exerted on the political and official fields and resulted in an outcome that pushed away that which could have been worse. In other words, there are other worse issues, other several bad issues that could have been included in the UN resolution. The political and diplomatic efforts helped and were successful by benefiting from the steadfastness. At this point, I repeat and reconfirm that we can benefit from the legendary steadfastness of the resistance and Lebanese nation that succeeded in driving away that which could have been worse. Today, the Lebanese government can definitely act with a national responsibility and can behave in the way that renders it patriotically responsible. We will not be an obstacle ahead of any decision. The Lebanese government decision is appropriate, but our ministers will record our reservations on the resolution and some of the items and prefatory articles of this resolution, which we regard unfair and unjust.
Over the next stage, there are great responsibilities added to the burden of the Lebanese government, Lebanese state in general. These are tied to the security, building, humanitarian and political aspects. After stressing during the war period, we again with this issue reconfirm at present that we still need the national solidarity and consensus for the next stage and the stage that will follow the end of the war. I must stress on the significance of the national solidarity and national unity in order to challenge the future entitlements, which are imminent and are of high significance, seriousness and criticality-if the Israeli enemy feels that in the end it did not achieve its declared or undeclared aims of this war and did not leave and will not Lebanon in peace, we must be prepared to face certain gravities. We can only face them through our solidarity, awareness, alertness as well as national unity, which were expressed through different forms over the past few weeks. We must preserve this unity for the next stage.
At present, surely I will not be engaged in evaluating the war and its aftermath or that which is being discussed at present or will be discussed through the several informative and political arguments. This is because I believe we are still at war. Our priority at present resides in the cessation of the aggression as well as in the ceasefire which is being expressed as the Israeli hostility. There is also the restoration of our land, the achieving of security and stability in our country, the return of the displaced and émigrés. After this, we will discuss each event.
We do not want to rush things, I call on everyone to feel that we are still at the challenge, but we must behave with the same feelings, emotions and responsibility which we all employed since the beginning. For now, the political effort will continue. The Lebanese government will adopt the stance it believes to be suitable. The quests will continue to define the time of the so-called cessation of hostilities. We will see how the issues will turn up over the next days and what will be of the real performance of the enemy. In this context, I said in the beginning, we will approach with reality and with the required positivism, especially on the ground. But we all must be cautious and alert. The enemy is continuing its military actions, especially on the ground. The Israeli army has a freehand pertaining to movements. It seems that the real reasons or part of the real reasons behind the ongoing military operations, especially on the ground, which will continue for days, are tied to internal matters such as the same Israeli army, the Israeli government, and the aftermath within the Israeli entity.
Therefore, at present, in Lebanon and after defining the possible political framework to solve the war issue via the UN resolution, the Israelis are still continuing their war. I am saying that they are continuing their war for mere internal reasons that are tied to the image of the Israeli army coupled with an attempt to present certain achievements that will save face. Anyhow, regardless of the aims of the continued war, even on the ground and field, we in the resistance, your brothers, children and beloved ones who fought the most beautiful heroic battles and displayed the images of masculine, heroism, magnanimity and self-esteem on the land of south Lebanon, are continuing their work and will continue the intercept and challenge.
Regardless of the steps which the occupation army will take as it tries to advance further into this or that area, or tries to bypass and exert great efforts to reach the Litani River or any other point, after which it will tell the Israeli entity and the world that it reached the Litani River, that it is occupying a certain territory, regardless of any situation or any image which the enemy army seeks to present through its ongoing aggression, I confirm that the resistance remains existent, strong, solid and brave, inflicting upon the enemy further and further losses within the lines of its officers, soldiers, tanks, and machines as well as its boats as happened yesterday and as is happening today pertaining to the tanks' massacre that was reached by the Islamic Resistance mujahideen in south Lebanon. These mujahideen will continue their duty. We are all with them hoping that the end of this war will be very soon. And Lebanon with its nation, resistance and state will only emerge triumphant, dignified, and self-esteemed, God wiling.
Peace be upon all of you.
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Nasrallah's address declares "Divine Strategic Victory" over Israel in the 30 days war.:
Speech on 14 August 2006:
I commend myself to God’s protection from the Evil one, the Rejected.
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Merciful.
Praise be to God the Lord of the universe.
Praise be to God alone, who fulfilled His promise, supported His servant, and alone defeated the parties.
Peace and blessings be on the last Prophet, our master Muhammad;
his purified household; virtuous companions;
and all prophets and messengers.
God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
On this great and revered day on which our honourable and chaste people return to their villages, towns, houses and neighbourhoods, I address my message to you. I would like to emphasize some issues and matters in this message.
First of all, I do not want to assess or discuss in detail what we are currently witnessing, but I want to say briefly and without exaggeration that we stand before a strategic and historical victory for Lebanon - all of Lebanon, for the resistance, and for the whole nation.
I will leave the details of my talk, its scope, proof and facts to the coming days. This is because I want to devote my words on this occasion to the martyrs and the sacrifices of martyrs - the martyrs of the resistance and the martyrs of all resisting and honourable parties and forces. I address my words to the martyrs of the army, security forces, civil defence forces and the media. I also address my words to civilian men, women, and children who were martyred - particularly the martyrs of massacres starting with Marwahin on the first days and ending with yesterday’s massacres in the Al-Brital, Sufayr and Ruways areas, as well as the residential complex of Imam Al-Hasan, peace be upon him, in Beirut’s southern suburb.
My message on this occasion is devoted to the men of the Resistance, sacrifices, firmness, steadfastness, people, kinfolk, beloved ones, friends, patience, trust, perseverance and the faithful ones in Lebanon and outside Lebanon who stood by us throughout this war.
I do not think that I am qualified or can express what is in my mind, heart and feelings, or can explain this matter while sitting in front of a camera. The right setting for this is during a forthcoming meeting with people, beloved ones, the mujahideen, and through direct talk with them. Therefore, I will leave what is related to this matter to that forthcoming meeting, God willing, so as to discuss all this and to talk about the issues of prisoners, the other occupied lands, Gaza and the suffering of its people, Palestine, sacrifices, injustice, the historical responsibility, the historical turning point, as well as the upcoming stage.
The second matter that I would like to discuss is the displaced persons and their return to their homes and the stage after their return. First of all, I would like to greet all those who held their ground in the battlefield of confrontation and who endured unbearable things as the size of bombardment from the air, land and sea was unprecedented in the history of Lebanon. The size of the destruction the Israeli enemy inflicted on the infrastructure and houses, which directly harm families, is also unprecedented in any Israeli war on Lebanon. The enemy left behind huge destruction and devastation, which express its rancour, brutality and powerlessness. In the past few days alone, it destroyed thousands of homes in the south, in [Beirut’s] southern suburb, in Al-Bekaa, and in all Lebanese areas, with extreme emphasis on the southern Lebanese areas and Beirut’s southern suburb, with the goal of course being hurting the people and punishing them for their position, honour, chivalry, commitment, faith, humanity and pride.
At any rate, we must thank and salute those who were patient throughout their displacement and forced migration and returned today to their areas, lands and homes, even if demolished, and I wish to especially thank all the residents of the areas [that welcomed the displaced] as well as all the sects, political parties, the state and its institutions, all humanitarian organizations, and all those who helped embrace our displaced people during the difficult time of the war.
I turn now to those returning to their areas, to the steadfast, and to the rest of the people to speak about the homes that were destroyed or damaged. There are two classes here, and I will only talk about residential units and homes - the other matters pertaining to the infrastructure, economics, and other areas of damage and destruction, I put discussing them at a later period, and I believe what is pressing for now is the issue of homes and houses because they provide shelter for these noble families.
Regarding the houses that were damaged but are still habitable, starting tomorrow morning, the brothers in the towns, villages, and cities will take the initiative and will contact and visit the owners of these homes to offer direct and swift assistance in order to kick start the restoration of these homes back to a habitable state as fast and as early as possible.
As for the demolished homes - the harder issue - I wish to first reassure these honourable families [whose homes have been demolished] that they need not worry. What I said in the first days of the war was not simply meant to boost your steadfastness. No, today is the day I keep my word and fulfil this promise. God willing, you will not need to ask for help, stand in any lines, or go to certain places; our brothers, who are your brothers and sons, in all areas, towns, villages and neighbourhoods will, God willing, come to your service starting tomorrow morning.
We will work together on this matter. We cannot of course wait for the government and its heavy vehicles and machinery because they could be a while, at any rate, the government’s movements will come to light in the near future, but what we can do is work together along two simultaneous tracks starting tomorrow. The first being securing a reasonable sum of money for each family to help it rent a house for a year and buy decent and suitable furniture for this house, because the reconstruction of houses and apartment buildings requires months, and the natural alternative for now is for people to rent and furnish houses. This will start tomorrow, and I can say that in the coming few days, all these cases, even though great in number and serious, will be covered. So far, the initial count available to us on completely demolished houses exceeds 15,000 residential units. We understand that this is a monumental and serious affair, but, God willing, we have enough resolve for this task and achievement.
The second track is clearing the rubble and kick starting construction, with hopes that in a few months time, we would have rebuilt all the houses that have been demolished. The matter here is also one of determination - determination and faith, patience, tolerance, sincerity, planning, accuracy and hard work, through which we were able to confront the aggression, hold out, and triumph, and through these exact same principles and feelings, we can overcome the hardships of reconstructing and triumph, God willing. In this context, I call on all engineers, for it is not enough that we secure funds, but there is a need for solidarity, initiative, and cooperation on the part of engineers, construction material dealers, and furniture dealers - no one should raise prices due to the surge in demand. They must act humanely and patriotically.
We also need hands-on efforts and workers when considering the sheer size of the construction work needed, but given the possible shortage in manual workers as a result of the circumstances the country witnessed in the past months, we must all volunteer and work alongside the owners of these homes on rebuilding them. I call on all Lebanese young men and women to volunteer with the same patriotic and moral spirit we witnessed during the confrontations, embracement [of the displaced], and civil defence efforts, and in the enthusiasm, amity, affection, love and concern for the people. I especially call on the young men of Hizbullah, on our brothers in all institutions and sectors, on the mujahideen, on the mobilization and recruitment officers, on the students, on the union people, on the freelancers, and on everyone, and I tell them that we must all converge on the construction battlefield in every village, neighbourhood and city. Let us place our personal considerations aside. We must contribute to all the requirements of this construction, even in terms of normal simple labour. I believe the large numbers and thousands we are speaking of here - if we take a day, two days, a couple of days, or a number of hours every day from each brother or person, we would be able to organize a huge effort and secure significant financial resources. At any rate, this is a grand and monumental effort.
The expatriate donors from all over the world can always support us. They are also welcome to contribute and participate. In order to complete the victory, we should begin the reconstruction, especially building the houses as they were built and even better so that those honourable people would return to them. Without the steadfastness of those people, we would not have been able to achieve this victory.
The last issue in my message is related to the controversy which began several days ago over the weapons of the [Islamic] Resistance. Of course, I do not want to talk about this controversy. However, I want to touch on this issue in a responsible and careful way.
O brothers and sisters.
During the fighting, and when your beloved people from the mujahideen of the Resistance - who were showing heroism, writing epics, and making miracles - there were discussions held in the closed rooms and in private channels on how the situation would be in the area located to the south of the Litani River. In particular, the issue of deploying the Lebanese Army there, the issue of the borders, the UNIFIL. They also discussed how the status, position, and the future of the weapons of the resistance would be, in addition to the way the resistance would act if this deployment takes place.
These were responsible, serious and careful discussions held by our older brother [Parliament] Speaker Nabih Birri, who is truly a great national guarantee. I hope that all those who opened this file to the mass media to listen to him and his voice, I hope they would observe his wisdom in dealing with this sensitive, serious and decisive issue.
At any rate, these discussions were held before and after the issuance of the UN Security Council resolution, until the last session of the Lebanese government. This issue was raised and some discussion took place over it.
We were surprised to see some government ministers leaking this story; namely the story of this discussion and the disagreement in viewpoints to some local and Arab television stations.
The discussions and arguments began to grow bigger and bigger. What should have remained a discussion behind closed doors, has become a public discussion. I believe that there is no national interest in such a discussion and it is unbecoming. Nevertheless, I call for returning this discussion to its normal and responsible channels, which are known. At the end of my speech, I will comment on how to end this discussion.
In all cases, we had preferred not to enter into this argument because we think it does not serve the national interest, but serves the interest of the enemy who began to witness internal sharp disputes inside its military institution at the political and military levels, between the government and opposition, between the left-wing and right-wing parties, in the media, and on the street. Apparently, some parties want to force Lebanon to enter into disputes that are not in Lebanon’s interest.
Out of care, love, responsibility and calmness, I would like to draw the attention of some of those gentlemen and political parties - who disclosed the discussion to the media and to the public - to some issues and to their mistakes in this context.
First, there is a mistake in timing at the psychological and moral level, especially when the discussion began before the ceasefire or the so-called military operations while Lebanon was being bombarded and its infrastructures were being destroyed.
All the Lebanese areas and all the Lebanese people were targeted. Specifically, the people of the south, the residents of Al-Bekaa, and the residents of the [Beirut] southern suburb had the lion’s share of the attacks. Those people represent a major segment of the Lebanese people.
I would like to draw the attention to the wrong psychological timing.
There is a great segment of people who, like all other Lebanese, believe in the resistance, who hold on to the weapons of the resistance, who are proud of the resistance, and who offer great sacrifices. There were approximately one million displaced people whose houses were destroyed - some 15,000 residential units were destroyed as I have just said. Most of the civilian martyrs were from the south, Al-Bekaa, and the southern suburb. Most of the massacres were committed against residents of the south, Al-Bekaa, and the southern suburb. These families, whom you saw on television screens leaving their homes, were women, children and elderly. Those who remained on the battle fronts were the youths, who were fighting gallantly, bravely and steadfastly. They were making a real legend and the Israeli enemy stood before them puzzled. The enemy was weak and cowardly. It was defeated without being able to achieve any of its goals. Meanwhile, at this difficult and decisive psychological and emotional moment, some people sitting behind their desks under air conditioners were talking calmly and advising people on the weapons of the resistance and talk in their rhetorical language. They have always been saying that we are speaking a rhetorical language. They are the ones who are speaking rhetorically.
I will not touch on the essence of this rhetorical language. This is unethical, incorrect, erroneous and unbecoming, whether this idea that they are talking about was true or not.
How could they imagine that those people - the great segment of the Lebanese society, those who embrace them, those who believe in them, and those who support them - are emotionless?
Do they think that those people and these huge segments of the Lebanese society and those who embrace them, believe in them, and support them have no feelings or emotions? Do they think that all of those are political leaders with a high sense of awareness and with no emotions or feelings? What are those people doing? What are they saying?
Are those people mere stones or slaves that have to listen and obey when some political elites in Lebanon speak? This is wrong and a big mistake.
Of course, we exerted huge efforts so as not to have reactions, because what happened was insulting. And I urge people, the masses of the resistance, and the lovers and supporters of the resistance to ignore what they heard and what they may hear because the country’s solidarity and unity are the most precious things that we should care for. We endured killing, destruction, devastation, wounds, and displacement; therefore, we can endure the harm that some people might cause in this regard, although I urge those people to stop this harm. I urge them out of real concern, sense of responsibility and love, to fully understand the current psychological, emotional and moral situation.
It is true that they are talking to people whose houses were destroyed and whose children were killed, but those people emerged victorious in a battle where huge Arab armies would have been defeated. We emerged from the battle with our heads held high while our enemy was defeated. Our enemy is the one suffering powerlessness and weakness and who is going to set up investigation committees and take many measures.
For that reason, you are talking to victorious people who offered great sacrifices and paid a dear price for this victory, which Lebanon, the nation and everybody achieved. This should be taken into consideration.
On the other hand, the strange thing is that talk used to be about the condition of the weapons and the resistance in the area south of the Litani River.
Nobody now, even the enemy or the international community, is asking Lebanon to quickly disarm the resistance. This issue was regarded as part of the long-term and lasting solution. But we, unfortunately, heard some voices saying that if the area south of the river should be demilitarized, then why should there be any weapons in the area north of the river, and what is the use of the resistance weapons in the whole of Lebanon, so we should start discussing the issue of all the weapons, as of now. Their intention was not to discuss this issue, but to demand an end to this issue.
Our dear and loved brothers, this matter can not be settled hastily in this way. I advise people to avoid provocation and exaggeration, or attempting to exert pressure by invoking humanitarian and security considerations.
We know that among the most important goals of the US-Israeli war, which was launched recently on Lebanon, is disarming us and ending the presence of these weapons, but they failed. I also urge you to read or listen to what the enemy’s foreign minister said. She said that even the strongest army in the world cannot disarm Hizbullah.
Hence, this matter can not be settled through provocation or exaggeration. It was not settled through the destruction of houses, the killing of children and women, or the launching of the fiercest battle in Lebanon’s history. Therefore, we should be careful when we tackle this issue.
The issue under discussion now is the situation on the southern side of the river. We have been discussing this issue with the concerned and serious parties. Consequently, you are committing a mistake and going further than what the Americans and the Israelis are demanding of Lebanon. This is surprising in fact.
Thirdly, in this regard some people said that they wanted Hizbullah to hand over its weapons to the state. Have those great people liberated Shab’a Farms and secured the return of people to their lands in Shab’a Farms? Do they ask us to hand over our weapons because they freed prisoners? Do they come to us with real guarantees of protecting Lebanon against the Israeli enemy, which is still threatening? Olmert was levelling threats before I came to have this message recorded, Lebanon is still being threatened and might be attacked any time.
Who will defend this country? Who will teach the enemy a lesson? Who will make the enemy pay a heavy price? Today, we can proudly say that if any Israeli government decides to launch war in the future, it will take into consideration that war with Lebanon will not be a picnic. War with Lebanon will be very costly in terms of human, material and economic losses, as well as in terms of the loss of dignity and image.
The Zionist enemy is carefully considering this and the next days will uncover the real losses on many levels as a result of this current confrontation.
What alternatives do you have? Is it the Lebanese Army? We support the deployment of the army in the area south of the river and we have said this before. But can the Lebanese Army, with its current conditions and capabilities, fight a war if a war is imposed on Lebanon? Is it the UNIFIL? Would the UNIFIL, even if supported by 10,000 or 20,000 or 50,000 soldiers, stand to defend and protect Lebanon if Israel attacks Lebanon? This is out of the question.
Therefore, this is an issue that is linked to the country’s destiny and the protection of the country, and we should not deal with it lightly or with such haste. This is a complicated issue and we have said that we were ready, and are still ready to discuss it. On the table of dialogue, we have talked a lot about it. The persisting excuse was - and now we go back to rhetoric - spreading the state’s sovereignty. We agree to the spreading of the state’s sovereignty. At any rate, we are part of the state. Are we outside the state? We are members of the government and the Chamber of Deputies. We are a significant part of this country. We believe in the state, but which state? The strong, capable, fair, defiant and reassuring state that would make every Lebanese feel that it represents him. This is what we unanimously agreed upon on the table of dialogue. Is the state we have now that kind of state - a strong, capable, defiant and fair state that can reassure all the sects, sectors, and political currents in Lebanon? This needs some thinking. On the table of dialogue, we have always had this discussion, and I insist on this point. There were some people who would say that withdrawing the resistance weapons is a basic condition for building the strong and capable state. I say the opposite. The building of the strong, capable, defiant, and reassuring state is the natural beginning for this state to come to the Lebanese people and to the people of the south to tell them: O our people, we are a strong, capable, and defiant state that can protect your dignity, blood, honour, and pride, and you do not need to have any mass structures called resistance or special weapons called the resistance weapons. The beginning should be the building of a strong, capable state that can defend the people and the country’s honour. This should not be the end. This would be very wrong.
In all cases, I wish to conclude by saying, let us return the discussion to its natural place. I believe that continuing the row over this issue will make Lebanon lose its strength. Now, Lebanon’s strength lies in its resistance - and I do not mean the resistance as such, but its general resistance, which includes steadfastness, solidarity, and direct presence in the field, as well as the resistance - and national unity. If we preserve these two factors of strength, we can build the strong, capable state with its army and security agencies and its political and civilian agencies. In that case, such a state will provide the solution to all the current problems in the country. Do not waste the current factor of strength in the country. Do not enter into matters and rows that would squander resistance and unity, because this would not help in the building of the strong and capable state, which we all agree is the solution and the only way out for Lebanon’s future. All of us in Lebanon can then live under this state which protects everybody, preserves everybody’s dignity, defends everybody, and reassures everybody.
Therefore, let us return this discussion to its natural circles and to the real point of discussion now. I say that through serious discussion and through the wise men we have in the country, and our feeling of responsibility and away from the media and public discussions and one-upmanship, I am certain that we can arrive at suitable solutions that can achieve the national interests from all its aspects.
Finally, I congratulate those returning to their homes on their victorious return. I assure you and I assure them that you are the people of this land, you are the owners of this land, and you are its honour and dignity. With you, homes will be rebuilt, dignity will be established, and history will be made.
God’s blessings and peace be upon you.
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Nasrallah's address on "divine victory celebrations" after a brutal war against Israel:
Speech on 22 September 2006:
I seek God's protection against the cursed Satan.
In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate.
Praise be to Almighty God;
blessings and peace be upon our master and prophet,
the last of the prophets, Muhammad; his good, righteous, infallible family members; his noble companions; and upon all the prophets and messengers;
O beloved and honourable ones; O most honourable, pure, and generous people, may God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you; [applause].
Praise be to God, who fulfilled His promise to us and who granted us, Lebanon, and the people of Lebanon victory over the enemy of Lebanon. Praise be to God who made us proud, enabled us to hold fast, and gave us security. Praise be to God, on whom we relied and to whom we turned repentantly. As He promised, He has always been the best protector. Praise be to God for His victory, assistance, and support.
Brothers and sisters, Ladies and Gentlemen.
On 22 September, you once again surprised the world and truly proved that you are a great, proud, loyal, and courageous people. [Applause]
Rally involves risks
For some days now, many people have been waging a psychological war on this rally, just as they waged a psychological war on the Resistance. [Boos] They said that this square would be bombed and that this podium would be destroyed in order to scare people and keep them from coming. On 22 September, you prove, by crowning the victory rally, that you are more courageous than [you were on] 12 July and 14 August. [Applause]
Standing before you and amongst you involves risk for you and me. There were other choices, up until just half an hour ago, we were discussing [my participation]. However, my heart, mind, and soul did not allow me to address you from afar nor through a screen. [Applause]
The utmost one expects is for the enemy to make a mistake or commit a crime. However, does this enemy not know who we are? We are the sons of that imam, who said: Are you threatening me with death? We are used to death and our dignity is derived from the martyrdom God grants us. [Applause]
You are all welcome - from the fighting and resisting south, to the steadfast Al-Biqa, to the loyal north, to the proud mountain, to the Beirut of Arabism, to the [southern] suburb of loftiness and dignity. You are all welcome - from the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon; you are all welcome - from Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, and every country that came to us to celebrate and rejoice.
God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you; peace be upon your martyrs and the families of your martyrs; peace be upon your wounded people and their bleeding wounds; peace be upon your prisoners; peace be upon your blood and tears; peace be upon your orphans and widows; peace be upon your demolished houses; peace be upon your burnt property; peace be upon your souls and strong will, which is stronger than the mountains of Lebanon.
"Strategic, historic, divine victory"
Brothers and sisters,
We are today celebrating a big strategic, historic, and divine victory. How can the human mind imagine that a few thousand of your Lebanese resistance sons - if I wanted, I would give the exact number - held out for 33 days in a land exposed to the skies against the strongest air force in the Middle East, which had an air bridge transporting smart bombs from America, through Britain, to Israel; against 40,000 officers and soldiers - four brigades of elite forces, three reserve army divisions; against the strongest tank in the world; and against the strongest army in the region? How could only a few thousand people hold out and fight under such harsh conditions, and [how could] their fighting force the naval warships out of our territorial waters? By the way, the army and the resistance are capable of protecting the territorial waters from being desecrated by any Zionist. [Applause] [And how could their fighting] also lead to the destruction of the Mirkava tanks, which are an object of pride for the Israeli industry; damage Israeli helicopters day and night; and turn the elite brigades - I am not exaggerating, and you can watch and read the Israeli media - into rats frightened by your sons? [How did this happen] while you were relinquished by the Arabs and the world and in light of the political (human solidarity was profound though) division around you?
How could this group of mujahidin defeat this army without the support and assistance of almighty God?
Resistance depends on planning, organization
This resistance experience, which should be conveyed to the world, depends - on the moral and spiritual level - on faith, certainty, reliance [on God], and readiness to make sacrifices. It also depends on reason, planning, organization, armament, and, as is said, on taking all possible protective procedures.
We are neither a disorganized and sophistic resistance, nor a resistance pulled to the ground that sees before it nothing but soil, nor a resistance of chaos. The pious, God-reliant, loving, and knowledgeable resistance is also the conscious, wise, trained, and equipped resistance that has plans. This is the secret of the victory we are today celebrating, brothers and sisters.
This victory requires a courageous stand like your stand today. You are today sending an extremely important and serious political and moral message to the Lebanese, the Arabs, and the entire world - friends and foes. You amazed the world when you, as a people in Lebanon, held fast from 12 July to 14 August. They wagered on our division. You - the displaced and those who sheltered [the displaced] - remained fast throughout this stage. When 14 August came, their wager was that the presence of the displaced in the areas to which they were displaced would put pressure on the resistance to impose more conditions on it. The resistance did not submit to any conditions.
Once again, you amazed the world when the displaced returned in their cars and trucks, and some on foot. At 0800, the southern suburb of Beirut, the south of Lebanon, and Al-Biqa were full of their proud and honourable residents, who returned with raised heads.
You are today amazing the world and telling the American, who a few days said, "we received good signs from Lebanon that the popularity of the resistance has receded, and it has started to weaken", that this is the people of resistance. [Applause] These are the masses of the Resistance.
I tell this American: You should address a message of slander to the lying writers of reports, who sends you wrong information on which you build wrong calculations.
Brothers and sisters, we should today stress that this war was an American war in terms of decision, weapons, planning, and desire, and by giving several deadlines for the Zionists; one, two, three, and four weeks. What stopped the war is the failure of the Zionists. If you recall the last days, the largest number of tanks was destroyed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the largest number of the occupation soldiers was killed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the helicopters crashed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Therefore, the Zionists realized that if they had continued [the war], it would have been a disaster. The Americans intervened and even accepted the drafts [of resolutions] for the war to stop. They stopped the war not for the sake of Lebanon, not for the sake of the children of Lebanon, not for the sake of the blood of women in Lebanon, and not for the sake of beautiful Lebanon. They stopped the war only for the sake of Israel. They came to peddle it to us in Lebanon; namely, that our American friends stopped the war. [Applause]
In the first two and three days, our American friends did not agree to stop the war, and they refused [to stop it] on the first, second, third, and fourth weeks. Could they not see the beauty of Lebanon for a month? They wagered [changes thought] - this statement was used in some diplomatic channels - the decision was to crush Hezbollah, and after crushing Hezbollah, accounts would be settled with all its friends, allies, and those who follow the nationalist, truly sovereign and independent line in Lebanon. What stopped the war - after the help of Almighty God - were your resisting sons and these loyal, proud, and courageous people, who supported the resistance from the border to the border, and who embraced its spirit in their mosques, churches, monasteries, and schools. This is what stopped the war. If anyone deserves to celebrate the victory, then it is you who are present here. You deserve it because you made the victory.
"We feel that we won"
We sometimes differ and ask: Was what happened in Lebanon a victory or a defeat? I do not want to go into semantics, but I tell you: Whoever feels that his option, plan, line, and vision has triumphed, feels the victory and speaks about it. And, whoever feels that he has been defeated and has fallen, speaks about defeat.
We feel that we won; Lebanon won; Palestine won; the Arab nation won, and every oppressed, aggrieved person in this world also won.
Our victory is not the victory of a party. I repeat what I said in Bint Jubayl on 25 May 2000: It is not the victory of a party or a community; rather it is a victory for true Lebanon, the true Lebanese people, and every free person in the world.
Don't distort this big historic victory. Do not contain it in party, sectarian, communal, or regional cans. This victory is too big to be comprehended by us. The next weeks, months, and years will confirm this.
Resistance dealt a blow to New Middle East plan
It is enough to say, on the basis of the direct results, that your resistance and steadfastness foiled all the aims of the aggression, and that this is a victory. Our resistance and steadfastness dealt a severe blow to the New Middle East plan, which Condoleezza Rice said would be born in the July War [Boos]. But it was stillborn because it was an illegitimate child. Your resistance and steadfastness exposed the deceptive US policies that speak about human rights, freedoms, democracy, and respect. Your steadfastness and resistance exposed the United States and raised the level of awareness before the level of hostility - the main thing is awareness rather than hostility. It raised the level of awareness and hostility not only in the Arab and Islamic world, but in the whole world.
Thanks to your steadfastness and resistance, Chavez, a man about whom I can say that he is a great Arab indeed, made that statement in the United Nations yesterday. [Cheers] The Lebanese resistance today inspires all resistance men, all free men, and all honourable people in the world, as well as all those who reject US subjugation and degradation of the world. This is our victory and this is the result of our battle.
Resistance is model for "steadfastness"
Moreover, your resistance, which offered in the 2000 victory a model for liberation, offered in the year 2006 a model for steadfastness; legendary steadfastness and miraculous steadfastness. It is strong proof for all Arabs and Muslims, and all rulers, armies, and peoples.
Yesterday, a group of Arab states went to the Security Council to beg for peace and a settlement. I tell them: I am not speaking to you about removing Israel, I am speaking to you about the settlement you want. How can you obtain an honourable settlement, while you announce day and night that you will not fight? You do not want to fight for Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, or even Jerusalem. How then can you obtain a reasonable settlement, while you announce every day that you will not use the oil weapon? In fact, even if anyone comes to speak to you about the oil weapon, you deride him, saying: This is backwardness. You do not want to fight, boycott, use the oil weapon, or even allow the people to come out in the street, or the resistance in Palestine to be equipped. You are besieging it and withholding funds from it. In fact, you are starving it and cutting off salaries for the sake of Condoleezza Rice [Boos].
How can these states secure a just and honourable settlement between quotes? Does the Israeli recognize them in the first place? I tell you: The Israelis today view the Resistance and the resistance men in Lebanon with great respect. As to all those lowly ones, they are not worth anything. Even the Arab initiative calls for a stand. It calls for men and power. If you can't use power, you can at least threaten with it. The talk that we are weak will not do.
The people of Lebanon gave strong proof to all the peoples of the world. The Lebanese resistance provided strong proof to all Arab and Islamic armies. Arab armies and peoples are not only able to liberate Gaza and the West Bank and East Jerusalem, they are simply capable of regaining Palestine from sea to river by one small decision and with some determination. The problem is that when one is torn between two choices and is asked to choose between his people and his throne, he chooses his throne. When he is asked to choose between Jerusalem and his throne, he chooses his throne. When he is asked to choose between the dignity of his homeland and his throne, he chooses his throne.
What is distinct about the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine is that they chose the dignity of their people, holy places, and freedom and offer their leaders, sons, and dear ones as sacrifices to join the throne of God Almighty.
This is the equation. Today, your resistance broke the image of Israel. We have done away with the invincible army. We have also done away with the invincible state. Indeed, we have done away with it. I am not exaggerating or voicing slogans. It is enough for you to read what is going on in occupied Palestine, what the Zionists are saying, and what is going on between the Israeli generals and commanders.
Olmert protested again today because we are holding a victory rally. Yediot Aharanot published the results of an Israeli poll today that asks: Who do you think is suitable to be prime minister in Israel? How much did Olmert get? He got seven per cent. [Boos] As for the heroic War Minister Amir Peretz, he got one per cent. [Boos]
The image of this Israel, which is shaken in its political entity and military establishments and defeated in its intelligence, has changed today. No Arab ruler or regime can make further concessions to it, submit to its humiliating terms, or tell the nation: There is nothing we can do with Israel.
Once, an old man, who knew his time, place, and era, said: If every one of us carried a bucket of water and threw it on occupied Palestine, Israel would disappear from existence; yes, just a bucket of water. Two or three hundred million people standing up to Israel can defeat it, especially when a few thousand in Lebanon defeated Israel. This argument has fallen. We should enter a new phase and a new time; namely, the time when we dictate our conditions and restore our dignity, freedom, sovereignty, and holy shrines.
Support for Palestinians
Brothers and sisters: On this day, the day of divine victory, there are those who expect an internal talk about Lebanon, and I will certainly do that. But before I switch to internal talk, I would like, as on 12 July, emphasize two points: Our hearts, feelings, grief, and pain are today in Palestine. They are in Gaza, Ramallah, and Nablus. They are in Jenin, Jerusalem, and every Palestinian town, village, and camp that are being bombed daily. The Palestinian people are being killed every day and Palestinian houses are being destroyed every day while the whole world is silent; the Arab world before the world at large.
Until when will this silence continue? Until when will we endure this shame? Nobody is asking you to deploy your armies to defend the Palestinian people. Let us just give support to these people, be it moral, political , financial, or armament. In Palestine, there are leaders, scholars, factions, movements, youths, men, women, and children who can repeat the divine miracle on the land of Palestine.
The second message is, before speaking about Lebanon, we as Lebanese should see Iraq as a model. Had the war in Lebanon succeeded, the Americans would have applied this model in Lebanon. They wanted to apply this model in Lebanon. In the war, we the Lebanese offered martyrs from the Resistance, the army, the security forces, the civil defence, the Red Cross, the news media, the establishments, the different parties, and all our beloved people. But how many were martyrs? Never mind, were they 1,000 or 1,200 martyrs? In Iraq, some 10,000 to 15,000 people are killed every month in a chaotic war that is administered, financed, and incited by the Americans and the Mosad. The resistance in Lebanon protected Lebanon from civil war. [Cheers]
Some say that the resistance in Lebanon pushes for civil war. Never! Had Israel won, Lebanon would have been pushed to civil war, and you would have heard voices calling for federalism, cantons, and division. The Israeli language would have become current anew.
Message to Iraq - patience, calm, unity
Iraq is a model, which we must always ponder. Our message to our people in Iraq must always be: Patience, calm, unity, wisdom, communication, avoid sedition, and don't wager on the enemy.
As to Lebanon, our message in Lebanon today is: Come all. No one should outbid anyone on this subject. We all believe that our salvation and hope is in building a capable, strong, just, proud, and clear state. This is the hope. And this is supposed to be the issue of unanimity among the Lebanese.
We announce from this place, with the blood of our martyrs; we announce, precede matters, and say, any talk in Lebanon about partition is an Israeli talk, any talk in Lebanon about federalism is Israeli talk, and any talk in Lebanon about cantons is Israeli talk. We the Lebanese, our fate, decision, and wish to God should be to live together in one state. We are against its partition and division. We are against its federalism and division into cantons.
What will protect Lebanese unity is a strong, capable, and just state. What will protect Lebanon's sovereignty from Zionist greed is a strong, capable, and just state.
What will tackle social and livelihood crises for the Lebanese and the residents in Lebanon is a strong, capable, just, clean and proud state. This is what we all aspire to. A strong and capable state means a state that can proudly regain every inch of its occupied territory and protect every drop of water from Al-Wazzani River to Al-Litani River and Al-Hasbani River; that can stop the enemy from encroaching on its sovereignty daily; and that can assure its people that it is truly protecting them with arms, power, reason, unity, organization, planning, and national will. As for tears, they do not protect anyone.
We want a strong, capable, just, clear, and independent state that rejects any foreign trusteeship or hegemony; a noble and proud state that does not succumb to any humiliating terms; and a clean state where there is no room for theft or waste. This is the state that we need.
I tell you, while we are in the resistance festival, that this is the natural key to tackling the issue of the resistance. Here we come to the issue of the weapons and to those who are dying to resolve this issue. I tell them: Don't tackle the results. Come and let us tackle the causes. I am not after slogans, but logic. Argue with us on the basis of logic.
The resistance is the result of several causes - the occupation, the arrest of prisoners, the plunder of waters, the threat to Lebanon, and the attack on Lebanese sovereignty. These are the causes. Tackle the causes and the results will be tackled easily.
"We do not want to keep the weapons forever"
When we build a strong, capable, and just state that protects Lebanon and the Lebanese, it will be easy to find an honourable solution to the question of the resistance and its weapons. I would like the Lebanese to hear clearly. I and my brothers get excited sometimes and say all kinds of things. Let us speak with some responsibility. We do not say that these weapons will remain forever. And, it is not logical for these weapons to remain forever. There is bound to be an end to them. The natural key is to tackle the causes and the results will disappear.
Come and build a strong and just state, protecting the country and the citizens and their livelihoods, waters, and dignity, and you will find that the resolution of the resistance issue will not need even a negotiation table. It is a great deal easier than that.
But, what is happening now? Instead of the Israeli leaving Shab'a Farms, he is extending the strip northward. Instead of the Israeli resolving the problem of the border points, he moves forward to Al-Khiyam and Marwahin. Instead of our benefiting from our legal right to the Al-Wazzani River, the Israeli builds pipes to steal the water. Is this how to protect the country and its resources?
Therefore, any talk about disarming the Resistance - to some people the word "disarming" is a bit heavy; fine, how about surrendering the resistance weapons? Any talk about surrendering the resistance weapons under this state, this authority, this regime, and the existing situation means keeping Lebanon exposed to Israel so it can kill as it wants, arrest as it wants, bomb as it wants, and plunder our land and waters. We certainly cannot accept that.
We did not fight since 1982 so that ... [change of thought] You know the youth in the Resistance. They spent their entire youthful years in the Resistance. They did not live a life of prosperity, ease, extravagance, or calm. Some of them spent 24 to 25 years in the Resistance. The Resistance will not end while Israel is still occupying our land, violating our honour, undermining our security, and plundering our waters and resources. Never! I swear to God.
This is the only natural, logical, reasonable, responsible, and patriotic option. As for the other options, I want this big rally, which is attended by these good and kind faces, and this public that comes from all of Lebanon's communities and areas and many political trends and parties; I want to tell them: Wagering on ending the resistance through pressure, threats, and siege is a losing wager. Wagering on ending the resistance by dragging the Resistance into sedition with the Lebanese army, as some people think, is a losing wager. The army and the Resistance are two dear, loving brothers that no one can separate. Those who wager - and I am not talking about the inside; it can be the outside or the inside, take it as you like, whoever is behind the wager - on disarming the resistance through a new war, Israeli or otherwise, I refer them to Livni, [addressing the audience] you know Livni, right, and Peretz. I refer them to these two persons; the foreign minister and the war minister, to hear from them, as well as from former Defence Minister Moshe Arens, the strategist, a clear sentence, and I repeat it for them to hear. They say: We wanted to dismantle Hezbollah as a whole, but we have found out that there is no army in the world that can dismantle such an organization. [Cheers]
I tell them: No army in the world can make us lay down our arms. No one can do that, so long as these loyal and brave people believe in this Resistance. I am not threatening with arms. I am wagering on this people who embrace the Resistance. I am wagering on that old, noble woman, who stood among the debris and said: My house in Beirut was destroyed and my house in the south was destroyed, but we are for the Resistance and the Resistance weapons. Several others said: if Al-Sayyid Hasan surrendered the weapons, he would be a traitor. I tell you: I pledge you, O our brave, loyal, and great people, I do not aspire to end my life with treason, but with martyrdom. [Cheers]
Therefore, all these wagers are losers, because there are people in Lebanon and a resistance in Lebanon that reject occupation, humiliation, and despotism and are ready to sacrifice themselves and their beloved sons for the sake of their country. Yes, today, Lebanon, and without exaggeration, is no longer small in the Middle East. It is a great power with your support. The West and Israel take it seriously and the oppressed in the world view it with respect, appreciation, and pride.
Therefore, let me end this point by saying - so that no one will continue to worry - we do not want to keep the weapons forever. I reiterate, as in the past 25 years, these weapons are not for the interior. They were not used in the interior and they will not be used in the interior. This is not a Shi'i weapon... [words indistinct] and the Christians. This weapon is for the Sunni, Druze, and Shi'i. This weapon is for all the Lebanese. It seeks to protect Lebanon, its sovereignty and independence. I pledge you that the identity and endowment of this weapon shall remain as it is. This is a pledge before God, the nation, and the martyrs.
Therefore, the key is, come and let us build a just, strong, resisting, proud, honourable, and clean state. If this objective is too big, and so that we will not remain in theory, let us go straight to the subject. We will not stand today and say: Whoever has failed in the test has failed and whoever has succeeded has succeeded. We will not speak this way. I will say: Come all, no matter how we differed, competed, and matters were difficult between us on the psychological and political level. We are in a real impasse in Lebanon now. No one can say, we are a majority, nothing has changed, the country is proceeding well, and everything is fine. This is not correct.
Impasse in Lebanon - political, not sectarian dispute
There is a real impasse in Lebanon today, especially after the war. There is sharp national division and not sectarian division. What exists now is not a dispute between Shi'is and Sunnis, or between Muslims and Christians, or among Druze, Sunnis, Shi'is, and Christians. There is a national political division. There are major strategic and political options, on which Shi'i, Sunni, Druze, and Christian political forces agree and others, on which Shi'i, Sunni, Druze, and Christian political forces disagree. When some Shi'is said things different from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, they thought that we would grieve. We were happy when others came forth in supporting the other stand, which proved that the dispute here is not sectarian, but political. [Cheers]
Look at the miscalculations. Even when they want to hurt us, they benefit us. Therefore, we are before a national division. And, my appeal today in the rally of the victory, which was created by Lebanese from all communities and areas, I would like to warn and say: Do not allow anyone to transform political divisions into sectarian or communal divisions. It is forbidden to manipulate sects and communities in defence of political options. This is playing with fire. This is sabotaging the country. This is destroying the country. Yes, we are split by political divisions. We compete, discuss, and differ. We attack each other in the news media. We turn to the street and to the elections. All these peaceful and democratic mechanisms are legitimate and allowable. This is what we would like to emphasize.
National unity government is solution to political division
Therefore, as long as there is a political division and serious challenges - and I will return to these shortly - to confront these challenges, I say that the team currently ruling in Lebanon cannot continue in power, cannot work. It cannot. [Applause] The natural solution is to form a national unity government. When I speak about a national unity government, I do not mean bringing down anyone, cancelling anyone, or dismissing anyone but as I said on 25 May: Come and let us close our ranks and stand side by side to defend Lebanon, to protect Lebanon, to build and construct Lebanon, and to preserve Lebanon and unify it.
With all frankness, the current government is not able to protect Lebanon, reconstruct Lebanon, or unify Lebanon. [Applause] However, when we say the current government we do not mean that we want to cancel, remove, or erase anyone at all. We say: Come, all of you, and let us protect, reconstruct, and defend.
Therefore, building a strong, just, and capable state begins first by a serious national unity government. Here I am not raising a slogan for local consumption. Let them hear me. I am not raising a slogan for local consumption, or to gain time, or to appease allies or friends. This is our serious project and we will work for it with the utmost strength during the next stage. [Applause]
Drafting a fair electoral law
The second measure in building the just, capable, and strong state begins by drafting a fair electoral law in which all communities and all political currents will have a realistic opportunity to have a genuine representation, and in which no community will feel that it has become a follower of another community. That is how we can build the just, strong, and capable state. That is the way to solve all our problems.
Resistance has more than 20,000 rockets
Here I will briefly discuss the remaining issues and challenges. Now, the issue of the Resistance. I said a short while ago that there is something related to the current reality. They have come to blockade the sea. Why? To protect Lebanon? No. The German chancellor, God's peace be upon her [laughter by the crowd], said that the German navy was playing a historic role in protecting Israel's right to exist. I like some of these stands and I will talk about them later. They come from the sea and they want to blockade the airspace and the borders. I tell them: Blockade and close the borders, the sea, and the skies. This will neither weaken the will nor the arms of the Resistance. [Applause] We have engaged in war for 33 days. This is not mere rhetoric. We had been prepared for a long war. What we offered in the war was a very small part of our resources. In Bint Jubayl I said that we had more than 12,000 rockets and the poor ones [Israelis] started calculating, based on 12,000. Then we explained things and said that 12,000 does not mean 13,000. [As heard] There might be more. Today, I say to those who want to close the seas, the sky, the deserts, and the borders, and I say to the enemy as well, that the resistance today has more - pay attention, underline the word "more" - than 20,000 rockets. [Applause]
Within a very few days and after emerging from a fierce war, the Resistance restored its entire military and organizational structure and its armaments. [Applause] The Resistance today is stronger that it was on the eve of 12 July because during the war it added to its experience fresh experience and acquired new wisdom and new resolve and determination. I tell those who wager on the weakness of the Resistance that they are making a miscalculation.
Today, 22 September 2006, the Resistance is stronger than at any time since 1982. [Applause] Concerning the resistance, its strength, and its weapons, we say: Rest completely assured.
Prisoners only to be released as an exchange
The second issue is the prisoners. Your prisoners and children will return, God willing. All of them will return, God willing. [Applause] In the name of the resistance, I promised you on 12 July and I told you in the name of the men of God and not in my name and the name of my father but in the name of the resistance men that if the entire universe comes it will not be able to save these two prisoners except through indirect negotiations and an exchange process. [Applause] After 12 July, the entire universe came and you remained steadfast and the prisoners remained in our hands and they will not be released except with the return of the prisoners whose release and return we are demanding. [A man among the crowd utters indistinct words and Nasrallah responds] "God willing". So we ask the world to be certain about this.
Shab'a Farms will not be relinquished
Thirdly, there is the issue of Shab'a Farms and Kfar Shuba Hills. Delegations from these good and steadfast towns have been worried of late as a result of the new arrangements in the border region. I assure them that the Shab'a Farms and Kfar Shuba Hills will not be relinquished. Nobody will relinquish a single inch of the occupied Lebanese territories. Never. [Applause] I tell you that during the war and the political negotiations there was a genuine opportunity to liberate the Shab'a Farms, and the Americans were about to agree, and indeed they agreed, but they went back on their promises, as is their wont, and said: We cannot return the Shab'a Farms to Lebanon now. Why, because we do not want to offer a victory to Hezbollah. I tell them: Return them to whomever you want and offer a victory to whomever you want, but return them, return them. [Applause]
We could have regained the Shab'a Farms and the Kfar Shuba hills during the war if there had been a serious political will, a serious political unity, and an integrated political resistance. But I stress to you that these are on their way to liberation. All current violations will then end. The state is the one currently present there. The Lebanese Army, which is our national army, is present there and the UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] has risen to 5,000 in number. In the past when the Resistance was on the borders, any bulldozer advancing even 10 meters would be hit and forced to retreat, and none dared to enter. Now our border is open and they enter here and there every now and then. What happened has happened but what about the future? This issue is not linked to the Lebanese army. The Lebanese army has courage, will, and determination. Its officers and soldiers are the brothers of these resistance men. There is no difference between them. The issue is linked to political decision.
Will the Lebanese government turn the Lebanese army into a unit in charge of counting complaints and recording violations? This will be humiliating to the Lebanese army. Neither the army nor the Lebanese people accept this. Our army's task is not sitting in the border area and counting the Israeli violations as the United Nations did in 1972. The task for which our army went to the south upon a decision from the current government was defending the country and protecting the citizens and their livelihood and security. The country's sovereignty and territory are now violated and the citizens are kidnapped and assaulted every now and then and their farms are attacked. What is the government's political decision? We have thus far been patient because we do not want to commit any violation of Resolution 1701, which is not sacred, of course, because we know that any simple violation by us even if it is done in legitimate defence of ourselves, a hue and cry will be raised. Israel has been committing violations, attacks, and transgressions all the time but the world remains silent. Be assured that we will not be patient for long. Hear me well. If the state and government fail to carry out their responsibility towards protecting the land and citizens, the Lebanese people will assume this responsibility as they have done since 1982. [Applause] I tell the Zionists: If someone gives you security assurances from above or under the table, these will concern him and not the resistance in Lebanon or the people of Lebanon. [Applause]
What we are required to do then is sharpen our national zeal and stand behind and support our national army so that it will be equipped with the best equipment in order to guard the homeland - villages, towns, farms, farmers, churches, and mosques - and not protect anyone else.
UNIFIL to support Lebanese army, not to spy on Hezbollah
To the UNIFIL, which they turned into something that is much larger than a reinforced UNFIL, we say: We welcomed you and I reiterate our welcome of you within the framework of your clear mission, which is supporting the Lebanese army. Your mission is not to spy on Hezbollah or disarm the Resistance. This is what UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and several officials said. Thus far, I have not heard any country participating in the UNIFIL say that it sent its sons and soldiers to defend Lebanon and the Lebanese. They are ashamed of us, brothers and sisters. They are ashamed of saying they came to defend us, but they talk about defending Israel. Well, the UNIFIL forces are welcomed as long as they abide by their mission. I call on the UNIFIL command in Lebanon to be alert because I have received information that there are some who want to drag these UN forces to collision with the Resistance. I heard that it was said at some meetings that the presence of the UN forces will restore the internal balance of power in Lebanon. This is serious talk. The UN forces came for a specific goal and they should not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs or be involved in such things.
The point before the last is about political arguments and counterarguments. We did not seek political rivalry with anyone. We heard much harmful talk during the war and we remained silent and were patient. Political and media rivalry and attack on the resistance and on us continued after the war. Things reached an unbearable limit in recent statements. The almighty God wants believers to have broad minds, patience, and great hearts. But He at the same time does not accept humiliation for them. The media and political attacks on the resistance in Lebanon after the war - we put up with this during the war - reached a limit that could be tolerated only by prophets and we are not prophets. My brothers and I are not prophets. [Applause]
Pride in relationship with Iran, Syria
We understand things if one or two persons stand up and say things. If three persons say them, we will continue to comprehend what they say. Entire political forces met at Bristol [Hotel]. They brought their deputies, leaders, and members of political bureaus to show that the rally was big. They then issued a statement in which they said the war which took place in Lebanon was an Iranian war for the sake of the Iranian nuclear file, or a Syrian war to obstruct the international tribunal. Actually, we did not tolerate that although we - and I repeat this on the day of victory - take pride in our relationship and friendship with the Islamic Republic of Iran under the leadership of His Eminence Imam leader Al-Sayyid Khamene'i, may God keep his shadow. [Applause] We also take pride in our relationship with Syria - leadership and people. Yes, leadership and people under the leadership of President Bashar al-Asad. [Applause]
We are independent and sovereign and our history testifies to this more than their history. [Applause] But to say that this war - which America and Israel launched and which Condoleezza Rice said was hard labour for the birth of a new Middle East and about which Olmert, Peretz, and others said all sorts of things, and which the Arabs said was the sixth war while the Zionists said was the first in the history of Israel - was fought by us for the sake of the nuclear issue and international tribunal is both shameful and insulting. Our houses were destroyed and our children and women were killed but we continued to fight. I care for all those who care for me and for my turban and beard and those who tell me not to engage in an argument. The party's youth and leadership can engage in such an argument. But there is a limit. Even I and my turban and beard are not more honourable than this resistance and these people. [Applause] If my turban and beard have honour, it is then an honour bestowed by you and this resistance and the blood of martyrs. [Applause] I call for stopping these arguments and avoiding silly, harmful, and harsh phrases. We must remain within the framework of logical and reasonable political competition because we have a common destiny and we must finally build Lebanon together. But I, Hasan Nasrallah, will not remain silent over any insult to the people of the resistance. [Applause]
A few days ago, a big leader in the 14 February forces said - I know some people will ask me why I should say this but I will tell you [changes thought]. None is allowed to stand up and say even calmly that the Resistance masses are thoughtless. Are you thoughtless? [Chants] Who accepts this insult? No, no, no, I respect his masses. I, however, respect their masses and their youth and women. I respect their options if they are national. But we will never accept any insult to the masses of the resistance by anyone. He has to apologize. Yes, he has to apologize. [Applause and chants] We are not a totalitarian party, regime, or faction. Neither my father nor grandfather was a Bek [originally a Turkish title given to rulers of tribal groups; currently used with the name of Lebanese Druze leader Walid Junblatt]. Also my son will not be a Bek. [Chants and applause]
We do not seek political arguments and counterarguments. We are keen to get out of political division in the country through any dialogue formula. We are committed and are advocates of the state, the state project, the building of the state, and the establishment of the state, but we have dignity. Our dignity is above anything else. We cannot allow anyone to squander our dignity in return for building us a house. The house was destroyed for the sake of our dignity. [Applause] None should imagine that he can satisfy our hunger at the expense of our dignity. We sacrificed our blood for the sake of our dignity. This is how we are. What else can we do? This is how things are for us in Lebanon.
Call for return to calm, reason
Within this context, I call for a return to calm and reason. We are on the threshold of the blessed month of Ramadan. May God return the happy occasion to all Lebanese. We pray to the almighty God to grant us success this month so that we can fast and pray for Him. I hope that the blessed month of Ramadan will be an opportunity for meditation and reflection and return to one's self and to seeing facts. Get out and see facts and do not let things become dubious to you. Do not build things on miscalculations.
Brothers and sisters, once again I greet the martyrs, the families of the chaste martyrs among all the Lebanese, the wounded, the detainees, all communities, movements, and regions which embraced and helped the resistance. I greet every Arab and Muslim people in the world. I greet every person, faction, and party. I will not get into names because the list is long and the ones I forget are more than those whom I remember. Therefore, we will be satisfied with this generalization.
Thanks to all. As we said during the war: May God grant you victory and God has granted your victory. We said may God help you and He has done so. I will conclude as I did in Bint Jubayl on 25 May 2000. I told you: O people of Lebanon, O people of Palestine, O peoples of our Arab nation. The era of victories began on 25 May 2000 and the era of defeats came to an end. There will absolutely be no defeat. Happy Ramadan and I wish you well on every historic and strategic victory. You are the most honourable, generous, and pure among people. God's peace and blessings be upon you. [Applause and chants]
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Nasrallah's address of victory and congratulations to his Lebanese people on the first annivarsary of triumph against Israel:
Speech on 3 August 2007:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Salam (Peace) be upon you oh most honorable of people, who made the glory of the nation, you were the makers of the victory, heroes of the resistance, the meaning of sacrifice and symbols of steadfastness.
I bless and congratulate you for the recorded victories and those yet to come in the course of mankind’s history and that of the nation.
At this dear gathering in this honorable region, I do not want to repeat nor speak about current events, but I will continue from where I left off when I spoke in Bint Jbeil about the overall situation.
But first of all I want to speak about this Bekaa region.
It is from inside the sacrificing Western Bekaa here to the Middle Bekaa, reaching to Northern Bekaa as well as Baalbak and Hermel region ever supercilious to injustice... that I want to immediately start talking about this region:
- Firstly- its position during the war, to give it some of the credit it is owed
- Secondly- its position in this nation
- Thirdly- our position in this nation.
Here I like to describe and remind as briefly as I can possibly make it, as I will try not to be long tonight, but I will give the subject its fair time to describe what happened.
As for the place of this region to resistance and Jihad during the July 2006 war.
In the beginning, the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel sent its finest sons, the dearest to its people and was not reluctant to give of its finest men, arms and supplies in spite of its difficult circumstances.
Your sons fought in the front lines, and here I want to comment on the absurdity of the Zionists when they explained and analyzed their military airdrop operations, that they wanted to get at Hizbullah combatants.
To them I say Hizbullah fighters were on your borders and you failed to harm them, just as they confronted you in Baalbek and at Bouday.
Secondly this region offered the best of its mujahideen sons to the battlefields of the South and the Bekaa, Mujahideen martyrs and resistance fighters.
Thirdly this region suffered very heavy aerial bombardment, a severity never witnessed here before. I do not believe that similar circumstances were experienced by this region ever before, where thousands of homes were damaged as it faced the aggression.
The outcome and results were civilian Martyrs, leading to massacres in more than one town, many periled in this war, and many others bore the situation with reckoning and contentedness. Houses were demolished, a large part of the people had to flee the area, a great part steadfastly remained and another was forced to migrate to safer areas, but all this did not affect the will of the people of this region.
Everyone used to treat the area of Baalbek-Hermel on the basis that it was the reservoir of the resistance and not a conflict front-line, but in the July war it was turned into a front line. We never talked of preventing military airdrops and the alike, but we committed ourselves to confront and fight landings wherever they occurred in the South.
Many confrontations and military landings occurred, which were confronted by the resistance fighters and the Lebanese army, such as the airdrop landing in the vicinity of the Tyre region, failed to achieve its objectives.
In Baalbek the enemy was able to get on the ground at Dar-al-Hikma Hospital, but there too the enemy was confronted by resistance fighters, Mujahedeen and bullets; martyrs fell from the resistance and innocent civilians and enemy soldiers were killed, subsequently the “Israelis” were forced to shell houses and homes to secure their soldiers’ landing and exit.
The same thing occurred in Bouday, when the Mujahideen frustrated a landing operation killing the commander of the paratroopers unit or his deputy.
Yes, in Usairah too there was a large scale military landing. Here we speak about them reaching the ground but landing on a huge military and moral failure, for they came believing they are here to arrest the Secretary General of Hizbullah, or party leadership.
It is natural to expect me or the operations headquarters to be held in Baalbek, but they failed.
For a substantially large military force, commandeering these military landings, coming with the expectation of arresting all the resistance leadership, to be confronted and frustrated represents a moral and security failure to the enemy along with its media and its public.
In any case, in the face of airdrops our brothers took on the enemy and confronted them.
Just like the north and south of the Litani River, this region became a front-line, and a forward area in which the brothers fought. Right through the 34-day war, this area held onto all its Mujahidin and weapons, and did not hold back on giving and providing reinforcements and supplies for the duration of the period.
The brothers in leadership remained there for the whole time; it is them who were targeted by the “Israeli” landings.
The people of the region too extended their partnership in this war when they quickly returned to their homes, so as not to remain in the circle of displacement, without having any regret on their position, commitment and sacrifices.
Despite all the difficulties of living conditions, this region remained as it has been and will continue to be an essential partner in the manufacture of this divine and strategic victory for the Arabs, Islam and Muslims. Therefore, you have helped to thwart the objectives of this aggression.
You gave, endured and sacrificed with patience, a quality that is not new to the Bekaa and Hermel, for this is its natural position in the battle.
This region was the first to respond to the call of Sayyed Musa al-Sadr for the founding of the resistance and taking up arms to confront the “Israelis”. Your sons were the first to embrace the Islamic resistance from its early beginnings, when it was founded in your area of Baalbek, when a group of clerics met, headed by the Martyrs’ Master, the Islamic Resistance Sayyed Abbas Musawi (God bless his soul).
Here was the beginning and the start, the name of Hizbullah was in its beginning, when you embraced hundreds of thousands of Mujahideen in the West Bekaa, who trained among you, where they felt aided and supported. It was for this stand and position you have withstood many "Israeli" bombings and attacks and sent your sons to fight.
Martyrs in all the regions stand witnesses today to your history in this resistance. You are partners in the launching of the resistance and its continuation, just as you are partners in its protection and embrace until this moment today.
You know what the resistance was exposed to when its existence and weapon were targeted through all forms of pressure, yet you never abandoned it.
You were the partners in the Divine Victory. You have done this and everyone knows that this area of Lebanon was partner and supporter of the South the resistant, the wounded and the occupied.
The people of this region never used the excuse that ‘there are no occupied areas here’, in order to avoid stand up to the enemy of the nation.
On behalf of all of Lebanon and the entire nation as well as all those who felt the glory of victory, I salute you and take pride in your young and old, your tribes, your good spirits and your resolve.
- Secondly, this region’s position in relation to the rest of the state and this nation.
Since the founding of the Lebanese state, leading up to the Taef Accord and through to the recent government, this area has been faced with a single government policy of neglect and inattention, which leads to financial and living crises, even to security issues and more diverse crises.
Some have tried in the recent past and some are still trying today… Some parasites, which try to comment on the position of this area of Lebanon, claim that the negligence this area is faced with is caused by the political option adopted here and that you will rid yourselves of this policy of neglect and that your government will come to your service once you change your political choice, affiliation and position.
This logic encloses deception and lies... so before I make comments here, I should state that I do not address this issue as an attempt to explain or for fear of confusion...because I know you well, and so does the resistance. We know your commitment and resolve. You are the ones who offered your blood, martyrs, and Sayyed Abbas and all the young people, you who gave your blood will not sell your martyrs and blood for money …I know, for certain, that your hearts and swords are with Hussein (pbuh)*, despite the siege, hunger and thirst, but there is a fallacy that should be clarified and a suspicion that must be given an answer:
1- Where was Hizbullah in the early formation of the State of Greater Lebanon? Yet, this area of the French mandate has been exposed to neglect and deprivation since the French Mandate and the State of Independence all the way until the Taef Accord was drawn up, and again from the Taef until today. Where is the state in relation to this area which is still being subjected to deprivation...?
Over the length of this entire period of time where was Hizbullah? Even "Israel" had not existed yet, nor had occupation or resistance to occupation started…
In the early seventies, like many areas, a political path or choice started forming for this region with Imam Sayyed al-Sadr. But what political choice were you being punished for before Imam al-Sadr?
I have doubts about this argument, I say there was no political choice taken at the time, and issues still existed prior to taking the choice of resistance. In that past, this area had not made a political choice to be punished! Yet it still did get punished.
2- Based on this fallacy, we should run a comparison between the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel and between the Muslim and Christian north, and not with the other areas of Lebanon in order to avoid the unreal reasons and make clear the real motives.
If the political identity, Hizbullah choice, is the reason behind this area’s punishment, then why is the North, where there is no Hizbullah, being punished?
In the North there are areas that are probably more disadvantaged. Hence, this is not a matter of political choice.
At times some have also said that this area is a Shiite region.
This is not true either, since all religious denominations and sects are present in Baalbek-Hermel, yet the north suffers the same circumstance. If the reason for punishment is the presence of the Shiites denomination, there are no Shiites in the North, yet why do they suffer the same conditions, both in the past and now?
.. In the recent two years the North voted for team in power, ‘February 14’, as the political choice, how has this helped them and what has changed in their situation? Nothing!...
Thus, this is not the real reason behind such punishment, but I liked to mention that in order to arrive at the main reason. These may be secondary components or additional reasons but definitely not the real reason, as there are regions without a clear political identity that are still being punished with negligence.
So, it is not a political nor sectarian identity .. it is the prevalent governing mentality since the establishment of the State of Greater Lebanon. A mentality that does not recognize any governorates, whether South, North or Bekaa, and considers them as peripheral parts, where the original Lebanon is made up of the nucleus capital and Mount Lebanon, and the governorates and provinces are there to serve this original nucleus, according to their idea, regardless of political consideration, religious denomination or community affiliation.
The real disorder lies here within the governing mentality.
In recent years circumstances in Mount Lebanon along with parts of Beirut became similar to Bekaa and the North and worse than the South and the Bekaa became like the North .. All these areas became peripheral regions serving entrepreneurs, big companies, political feudalists and major banks.
Rather than turning governorates that were considered peripheral to essential parts of the nucleus of Lebanon, more parts were made peripheral. Instead of improving the country after the Taef Accord, everyone was turned to a partner in poverty, deprivation and neglect except certain particular areas that received special attention.
This is the truth we are facing now.
The Taef Accord attempted to address this imbalance in the governing mentality.. And here I am talking about two titles of the Taef Accord: ‘Balanced Development’ and ‘Decentralised Administration’.
1- As for ‘Balanced Development’ of the Taef Accord and since the Taef, you (the ruling team) have been in charge of development, taxes and finance policies…where is the development?
... Please, tell us where is the ‘Balanced Development’?
.. The second clause in the Accord is the ‘Decentralised Administration’, where is it today?
As for electricity, electricity must reach every home and we demand justice, equality and balanced development, otherwise what is the logic behind discrimination in the delivery of electricity and the Taef knows that the real problem lies in the mentality of government.
2- The purpose of ‘Decentralised Administration’ was for the re-division of the nation’s governorates, a matter completely unaccomplished, even after we worked on the issue over several years and reached a workable result, a decision was made but not implemented, because the team in power does not agree on the principal, not even the removal of some administrative issues or improving matters that concern the livelihood of the people that alleviate much suffering.
But such calls fell on deaf ears, and the two titles have not been seriously dealt with.
From the beginning there was a team rejecting the formation of the two governorates of Baalbek-Hermel and Akkar, only wanting to control and have monopoly over everything, even the taxes collected by some municipalities.
This is so because the mentality is one of bank management and tax collection and not spending. A mentality that sees cement before seeing people’s suffering, hardship, tears and concerns.
Herein lies the problem. Therefore, when we came and participated in the government, we hoped to defend our political options. They said the government is serious, and so we hoped to achieve something in the participation, but among the many differences we had with governing team was one over the government’s development plan.
The first demonstration we had was for economic reasons. We were conducting a big political battle that was peaceful, calm and civilized. The participants were from the opposition and every time we took a stand to defend the interests of the people, we were accused of ruining the country.
After the war, the problem grew and reached a difficult level and the issue remained in the defect within the mentality of the government which we sought to correct through peaceful means. And I said once that a balanced development cannot be achieved through the gunpoint and the use of force is not to anyone’s benefit.
We had employed political and civil means, which is why we were participating in the political process. Today, we will continue the political struggle in order to achieve a state of law and institutions, in order to achieve a government that considers all the Lebanese as equals, that defends and preserves their security.
In Bint Jbeil, I said we are not looking for control of the government but for a unified state that preserves Lebanon.
We are looking for co-existence that is real at a time when America brings weapons to inflame a war in the region.
We are seeking unity, cooperation, partnership and synergy because Lebanon cannot be divided, nor can it be defended or built except through the unity of its people. Politics in Lebanon push towards fragmentation and additional political crisis.
Lebanon cannot persist or rise from its slumber to resolve its issues except through cooperation and unity. So, let us implement the Taef Accord. Some see in the Taef only the item of disarming the resistance … strange they are!
As for the armistice agreement of 1948, it has been destroyed, demolished and torn to pieces by “Israel”, filled with the blood of our children, women and men in the South, the Bekaa and all the Lebanese areas from Beirut in the Dahiya, to the mountain region through to the North.
No area in Lebanon has not provided martyrs from civilians, resistance and the army. "Israel" attacks and launches wars against Lebanon. Yet, there are those who insist on bringing up a truce agreement that was once written with "Israel" and repeatedly destroyed by it.
Despite all that, we still agreed and suggested to discuss the resistance weapon as part of a national defense strategy, because we explained that our weapon is a resistance weapon and not a militia weapon.
We do not want to keep this weapon forever. We do not want to continue to shoulder this responsibility. We will forever be grateful when there is a strong state and a strong army that protect Lebanon, its South, villages and all its towns.
I said let us group and discuss the resistance weapon at the National Dialogue table as part of a national defense strategy. I tell you quite frankly our logic was not met with logic and our argument was not faced with an opposing argument.
The reply to the National Defense Strategy we the opposition provided at the National Dialogue table was met with the July 2006 war. Why? Simply because they are unable to face our practical and strategic logic and argument; as experience and the facts prove.
Since they failed to disarm the resistance through dialogue and logic, they took to trying to disarm the resistance by force.
We are not insistent, but out of the Taef Accord they only want to see that Truce with "Israel" and disarming the resistance…Yet, we are still ready to return to that discussion within the framework of a National Defense Strategy, which is acknowledged in the Hizbullah-FPM (Free Patriotic Movement) understanding document.
But naturally, we will not hold such a discussion at the dialogue table before the formation of a National Unity government.
So, let a government of National Unity be formed, to discuss a National Defense Strategy, and we will be ready to commit. However, what will you do regarding the rest of the electorates and governorates you neglect and deprive even of the most basic rights such as in the Bekaa, the North, Baalbek-Hermel and specifically in Akkar.
Again, I reiterate that the problem lies in the mentality and the way of thinking. It is in the priorities.
We want a government that runs a state, and not a bank or company. We are calling for a government that takes responsibility towards nationals of flesh, blood, the emotions of a group of people, people who are equal in rights and obligations.
This is what we call and strive for.
We want for Moslems and Christians to be together.
I do not want to enter into a discussion about the election battle taking place in Al-Matn today, but I want to quickly comment in the last few minutes of my speech on the matter, because I hear the ‘February 14’ rhetoric as it attacks FPM and their opponents in the elections there, blaming them for reaching such a firm understanding with Hizbullah.
Imagine that the FPM’s sin and that of the rest of the Christian sides is that they embraced the people of the resistance during the July 2006 war!
It is a crime to attempt to reach internal peaceful co-existence with the rest of the Moslems in Lebanon! And that they seek to make genuine patriotic choices, hence they form alliances with honorable sides.
I want to comment, because I heard a political leader whose allies in ‘February 14’ had not offered him a parliamentary seat in their allotment. At the time, he was disappointed and dissatisfied, whose name is not worthy of mentioning, when he says to the people: “you have to go into the elections and vote with all your weight (and I do not know how much weight he represents) because this is the battle of Lebanon and its survival”.
They see everything as a matter of life or death, existence and survival and this is how they view the remaining parliamentary seat, a matter of ‘life and death’.
Moreover, what did he say to them, that this battle should not be won by “Michel Nasrallah”, what is his intention by saying that?
In this way he wants to provoke the Christians.
Fair enough. So long as you are using this language, I am compelled to say a few words and address the Christians also.
With whom did the FPM form an Understanding? With Hizbullah…and with whom did the other side form an alliance?
In return, I want to pose the same Christians’ questions…
Did Hizbullah demolish your homes?
Did Hizbullah commit massacres against you?
Did Hizbullah demolish your churches, or prevent you from returning to your villages? Did Hizbullah do that to you or did those you are forming an alliance with commit such atrocities against you?
Is the side allied with the FPM, Marada movement, Tashnaq party, President Michel Murr and others in this election battle today, the one that committed these crimes against the Christians?
Was it Hizbullah who did all that?!
Did you not see how Hizbullah conducted itself with all the Lebanese during the liberation of year 2000, and again I say this without sounding like we are owed anything by anyone, but this is due to our ethics, commitment, and understanding of the nation, religion, culture and morals.
We did not burn a single a house in the South, not a single person was assaulted. We did not carry out any demographic alterations to the area, definitely not. On the contrary, we preserved the people and their dignity.
Knowing that many of the owners of these houses killed our brothers and committed massacres against us, bombed our cities and killed children in Nabatieh and Sidon. Many of them tortured our brothers in Khiam and even assaulted our sanctities and dignity in the torture camps…
But how did we act?
Did we load responsibility on Christians?
How did we behave? …
Hence, keep your impulses, misinformation and lies aside. Yes, there is an understanding between Hizbullah and the FPM. Yes, there are some who shy away from allying themselves with the resistance that fights "Israel" and liberated Lebanon.
Yet, they do not feel ashamed to ally themselves with those who spent their lives in "Israeli" training camps and trenches; those who collaborated and allied themselves with Lebanon’s enemy, who destroyed and burnt Lebanon.
The Lebanese army as an institution whose leadership, officers, soldiers, wounded and martyrs I salute, is our partner in the resistance, war, steadfastness and in victory. It is an institution for all the Lebanese, but we also know it means more to Christians.
This is the structure of this country.
Who is it that weakened, destroyed and fought the army?
Who is it who killed the officers of this army?
Is it Hizbullah?
Or is it those??
Today, I want the Christians and all Lebanese Muslims and Christians to think with realism, seriousness and objectivity to see which are the forces and movements that constitute the defense of Lebanon, and the element of stability and peace in Lebanon?
I salute the army, but you all know that the officers and members of the Lebanese army shot our women and men on September 13, 1993. Ten martyrs fell and more than fifty were wounded. Yet, we refused to fight because our army constitutes our brothers and loved ones and our sons; an institution that forms a guarantee for the entire country.
We thought that the one that gave the order for the army to shoot wanted to instill sedition between the resistance and the army.
We view this army as our army and not as the army we fight, kill and tear apart whenever we want division or civil administration, nor do we embroil it in wars that serve the interests of the American project in the region.
We are keen to preserve the army for the sake of Lebanon and not for us. We are eager to preserve the army for the unity of Lebanon and its peace and stability. This is our nationalistic Lebanese choice that is not at all incompatible with our Arab and Islamic affiliation.
Of course, with the Taef Accord they forgot Lebanon’s Arab identity and the Lebanese-Syrian relations, so much so that they are eager to go to war against Syria, and I put my credibility on the line and say that they endeavored during the July war for "Israel" to go to war against Syria, perhaps they are still working hard now for that war to occur.
Unfortunately this is the existing reality in our country.
As for us, in reality we want our patriotic Lebanese choice. We want our country. We do not have a second option. We offered all these martyrs, you offered the best of your martyrs and dearest sons, and by God nothing in this world is worth wasting a single drop of blood from your martyrs, or a single drop of blood from Sayyed Abbas, Um Yasser or their son Hussain, or any child, woman, martyr or man in Lebanon.
But it is our pride and sovereignty, it is living with dignity and decency, it is our freedom and independence which we cannot accept to forgo. We may overlook it for a while if someone tries to starve us, but we have never forgiven or will we forgive anyone who tries to harm our dignity, pride and sovereignty.
That is why we gave blood and you gave blood. This is our choice today, and we invite them to this choice. I call on them to do away with these tales of claiming that “Syrians …Iranians are behind everything that happens”
When I was at the dialogue table, I challenged them to bring me a single incident in which Hizbullah did something that wasn’t to Lebanon’s national interests, or something that benefited the Iranian or Syrian interests at the expense of Lebanon`s?
I also challenged again to publish the minutes of the Cabinet Ministers meetings held during the war.
The reply to my challenge referred to records of the National Dialogue meetings. What is the relationship, the minutes of the National Dialogue meeting took place before the war?
I say let the Lebanese public see the scandals in the government`s war days so that the Lebanese know and realize what happened.
Again, I say to them when anyone simply classifies someone as being Syrian or Iranian, when every day George Bush does everything to protect this team and defend it while Feltman speaks openly to say “the opposition will not take the guarantor third”.
Do we still need more clarity than this?
Bush even threatens to legally, financially and economically punish anyone who destabilizes the Saniora government. I say to you, and I do not want to frighten you on the security level, but I want to ask why does he frighten and intimidate the Lebanese today?
A message was sent out today to all the Lebanese people that Bush considers the Saniora government as a part of the American national security and a part of the American policy. We on the other hand call for a Lebanese government that acts as a national Lebanese security government and not for American national security.
Undoubtedly, this is a government of American national security, why?
Because it stabs in the back, disowns and abandons the battle to defend Lebanon during the July war. On the other hand, when there is money and support and the wars serve the American project and occupation of Iraq, it rushes to provide it with cover by plunging the Lebanese Army in this battle of Nahr-al-Bared camp, along with its command, while they left the country to roam and tour the world, to conduct meetings and make plans.
How to address this battle?
How to resolve it to stop the bleeding? And many more questions??
They (the ruling team) are no longer concerned. They threw it in the face of the army and its leadership, officers and soldiers, and settled for issuing statements of solidarity now and then.
All we call for is for Lebanon to be Lebanon, keen on preserving its interests, reconciliation and dignity, and a part of this region. Again, I say that the Americans do not benefit any of us with anything.
In the past, the “Israelis” did not accept the Mountain until they prevented the changing equations between fighting parties and forces there.
The choice is to rely on ourselves and on each other after our trust in God.
The resistance in Lebanon triumphed because it relied on the honorable people of the Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, the South, North, the Mountain, Beirut and Dahiya and because it relied on our own arms.
Our martyrs are the sons of our villages, neighbourhoods and alleys, the sons of our dignified families and the blessed wombs, whose heads only bow down to God Almighty.
Let us group together to make a real national Lebanese choice, in order to protect our country, army and build our nation and a national government with a nationalistic, humanitarian and ethical thinking and not one that leans to sectarian, Bank and company oriented thinking, focused on a narrow banking financial and corporate agenda.
Let us put our hands together to disentangle our country, from all foreign projects. We are ready for an internal settlement that is independent of what is happening in Palestine and Iraq.
But do their American masters allow them this freedom since they are the ones who tie things together. We are nationalistic; we are the protectors of the nation.
We are the ones who offered our sons, not the sons of others but our dearest to defend the homeland, its dignity and sovereignty.
Our procession with you, our honorable folks of Baalbek-Hermel and in the Bekaa you are the faithful in your promise, in your pledge, and in your commitment to the path.
We are with you in this procession of resistance, dignity and work to build the state and the development process. Everyone knows that in the absence of a state and everyone knows we are trying on development and the best we can to fulfill the bequest inherited from Martyrs-Sayyed to serve you with all we can.
But these are our capabilities, and we and you, God willing, will continue along this path. And I assure you with all certainty that there are no defeats awaiting you, nor will there be any defeats God willing.
You are a victorious people, resistance and nation alike. Your victories not only started since year 2000, but since 1982, when we made our resolve to resist, sacrifice and give without limit by putting our trust in God.
You are the victors, with your giving trust in God, endurance and more giving.
Victorious alongside God’s great prophets, with all the martyrs and the banner of victory coming from afar, from the unseen from al-Muntazar (the awaited for) God hasten his noble return.
This nation is victorious whereas the era of subservience, bowing down, servility and defeat has gone...
May peace, God`s mercy and blessings be upon you.
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Nasrallah's address on the first annivarsary of victory against Israel:
Speech on 14 August 2007:
I take refuge in God from Satan the outcast.
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, peace and prayers be upon our Lord and Seal of the Prophets Abu Kassim Mohammad the chosen and upon his infallible household, his chosen good companions and all the prophets and messengers.
My brothers and sisters oh most honorable, most generous and purest of all peoples, peace and God`s mercy and blessings be upon you.
Peace be upon you as you assemble here on this good land of earth, in the land of redemption, resistance, steadfastness, dignity and honour, the land of the Southern Dahia suburbs, the land of martyrs and resistance fighters, the enduring and God willing the victorious.
God Almighty says in his glorious book: [verses from the Koran]
"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief. And We wished to be Gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them leaders and make them heirs, To establish a firm place for them in the land, and to show Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts, at their hands, the very things against which they were taking precautions."
The 14th of August of this year is the first anniversary of the ‘Divine Victory’, the divine empowerment and divine promise, that enables the oppressed peoples and makes them the inheritors of the earth, and to ward the tyrants off them, tyrants who slaughtered their children and destroyed their homes.
This year’s anniversary is bounded by great holy festivities for both Christians and Moslems in Lebanon and the world.
This victory anniversary comes, just after the anniversary of the prophet`s Ascension (Israe’a wal Mi’raage), the day the Seal of the Prophets was ascended from the Al-Aqsa Sacred Mosque, from al-Quds (Jerusalem) to the heavens. It also falls on the anniversary of the delivery of the noble prophecy, when God sent his messenger, as mercy to the worlds, bearer of good news and harbinger.
This event today also falls on the anniversary of the birth of the grandson of the Prophet of God, lord of the martyrs Abi Abdullah Hussein (Peace be upon him), the ever rejecting injustice-leader, who taught us how to be in the arena, how to sacrifice and fight with our souls, sons and loved ones.
Also coincides with this anniversary the birth of Ali Bin Hussein Zine El Abidine (pbuh), the captive of Karbala, who taught us how to stand firm in the face of shackles, restrictions and torturers, and we will continue to speak a truth from which we will not budge an iota.
The birth of Abi Fadle al-Abbas (pbuh) also falls on this anniversary, the warrior and wounded soldier whose wounds did not hold him back from continuing his fight in defense of the cause, the leader, the sanctities and sanctums.
Also currently celebrated by the Christians of Lebanon and the world along with this anniversary is the transition of Virgin Mary, Our Holy Lady (pbuh).
These blessed anniversaries for Christians, Muslims and followers of heavenly religions bless the anniversary of our victory on the 14th of August.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, through you and through the Southern Dahia suburb, the enduring, steadfast and struggling for freedom, I wish to address the people of Lebanon, the peoples of the Arab and Islamic world, and all the peoples of the world.
First of all to thank the leaders, scholars, rulers, governments, nations and parties, forces of influence, movements, groups, associations, personalities, individuals and all those who stood by Lebanon and its resistance in the face of the July aggression, the American-"Israeli" aggression against Lebanon, against the people of Lebanon and the entire nation.
I also give thanks to all those who lent a helping hand after the war, in helping rebuild what was demolished, heal the wounds, wipe the tears and stand proud in the face of the coming challenges.
Dear brothers and sisters:
In the speeches of the previous evenings I talked about the goals, results and field events, as well as some of the political realities, but today my talk is about the people, the people of Lebanon, the resistance public, the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds and about all free people who stood in this battle and were among its elements of strength, steadfastness and ultimately among its elements of victory.
Here I will talk:
-First to the peoples of our Arab and Islamic worlds.
-Secondly, to the people of Lebanon and about what took place during the war with the people of Lebanon.
-Thirdly: to the resistance audience, hence briefly touch on the local situation and the reconstruction portfolio
- Then conclude with the prospects of the next phase, where the Zionists and the Americans are beating the drums of war, about the position and what we must do.
These are the titles of my speech tonight, I hope it finds enough time God willing, and accommodation in your big, great and loving hearts.
Dear brothers and sisters,
When this battle began, the United States and "Israel" tried to isolate the resistance and its public from the peoples of our Arab and Islamic worlds as well as the rest of the people and movements in Lebanon.
1- The political discourse and the mega-media owned by America and "Israel" in the world specifically focused on several titles in order to achieve this alienation, thus keep the resistance and its public alone in the face of this cruel and violent war.
First, they focused on the `terrorism` charge which they worked on it for many years. They might have affected some countries in the western world but no longer affecting the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds, or our people in Lebanon. This terrorism charge, for which they have employed all the media, incitement channels and diplomatic effort, began to break even in Europe and in many places; and we challenged them on it.
Today again, I challenge them to hold an international conference to identify a single definition of `terrorism`, to know whether the resistance in Lebanon is `terrorism`, whether it is correct to classify it as `terrorism`.
I say to you that despite the appeal by many of the world`s Governments and peoples, they did not act, because the United States knows very well that any definition put forward for `terrorism`, would apply to the United States as a terrorist state, and will apply to "Israel" as a `terrorist` entity. Therefore, they always avoid defining `terrorism`.
This did not work on the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds. On the contrary, people of the Arab and Muslim worlds rather know that America and "Israel" are the terrorists, and that the resistance movements are honest, clean and humane movements defending the right of their homelands and nation to exist in freedom, sovereignty, dignity and independence.
2- They went to say and strongly promote that this war is between "Israel" and an Iranian-Syrian tool, that it is a regional war with nothing to do with Lebanon, its fate as a homeland and as a people nor with the fates of the Arabs and Muslims on larger scale; that Hizbullah objective of the war is to disrupt the International Tribunal or to provide assistance to the Iranian nuclear file.
They worked on this issue in Lebanon and the world from the first day.
Even this claim collapsed before the large and main declared objectives, spoken about by Ehud Olmert at the beginning of the war, along with the goals announced by Condoleezza Rice.
And the world knew that this war against Lebanon and the Lebanese resistance, that it was to subjugate Lebanon to implement resolution 1559 in order to attach Lebanon to the American-Zionist project, and that it was to pave the way for the auspicious-birth of a new Middle East, a threat to all countries and peoples of the region.
So, since this accusation fell by the wayside, they went to the third accusation, a most dangerous and most malicious ever, they went to the sectarian subject.
They talked to Arabs and Muslims, to Christians and Muslims.
They said to the Christians: `this battle is against an Islamic group, and it has nothing to do with you nor does it target you`.
To the Sunni Muslims they said: `this battle is with a Shiite group, it targets a `Shiite project` and the `Shiite crescent`, etc. ...
They tried to concentrate on the sectarian and denominational titles. They even procured Fatwas (religious rulings) that even went so far as to question `if it is permissible to pray for the Lebanese resistance to be victorious?!`
Even the legitimacy of praying for victory was placed under question, not to mention demonstrating in to support of the resistance, or providing it with money, political support, material support or simply stand by its side.
Here, just frankly imagine opening the file of religious factionalism and sectarianism in the face of the resistance in Lebanon … and when? During the confrontation of the most extreme, violent and longest "Israeli"-Arab war, the Sixth war against an Arab country.
They wanted to drag the matter to the narrow and very limited circle, but with the grace of God Almighty, and the credit here goes back to the senior Sunni Muslim clergy and scholars in Lebanon and throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds, it goes to the leaders of the Islamic movements, thinkers and Politicians, both Muslims and Christians, who stood in the face of this rift, and persisted with stressing the national, Arab nationalist, Islamic and humanitarian dimension of this battle and confrontation.
Thanks also to the wise minds, courageous and sincere voices with whom we managed to thwart this sedition the Americans and the Zionists wanted. We saw demonstrations, sit-ins and positions taken throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds. We saw activities by Muslims and Christians, Shiites, Sunnis and Druze, and followers of different Islamic sects in support of the resistance.
Here, I must specify how I ought to define the thanks to all these minds, pens and voices, which addressed and tackled the seditious attempt, and the attempt to besiege the resistance in service to the Zionist enemy and the US in the region.
In reality, we did not expect more than this amount of sympathy and moral, political and psychological support from the peoples of the Arab and Islamic world.
We are realists and we know everyone`s circumstances. We did not ask for more than this. Oh Arab and Islamic peoples, O all you free people of the world, O Muslims, and Christians who stood by us, we cherish and honour your moral support. We prize your love and prayer.
Even after the victory, they wanted to circumvent it and disrupt its effects in Lebanon and the Arab and Muslim worlds, because the resistance defeated "Israel" and smashed its myth through this longest and heaviest of "Israeli" wars.
Because the resistance resurrected and re-ignited the spirit of hope, confidence and enthusiasm, because the resistance in Lebanon provided an actual alternative to liberate the land and defend the homeland, a substitute for humiliating negotiations imposed by American and "Israeli" conditions on governments and peoples, because the peoples of the world, Arab, Islamic and rest of the world regarded the resistance of Lebanon with high ranking and high symbolism.
They wanted to besiege and isolate the resistance again. So, again the focus was returned to the sectarian dimension, and attempts were made whenever they admitted to the victory, to paint it as a victory for a party or a religious group, and I assure you, as I said on August 14, of 2006, that this victory is for Lebanon, all of Lebanon, the Arabs, all Arabs, Muslims, all Muslims and for the free of the world.
They want us torn apart, divided in war and in battle, country by country, a people at a time, a religion at a time, faction by faction and party by party.
This is their plot, when we are segregated, in dispute, when some resist and others abandon them, they will prevail and we will be defeated.
As for us, in the war we said we fight on behalf of the entire nation, and some have tried to wrongly explain my words, and I said if we won the July war, it would be a victory for Lebanon and the entire nation, and if we lost it would b a defeat for Lebanon and the entire nation.
Had we been defeated in Lebanon imagine the fate Lebanon would have been in?
Would Lebanon be enjoying peace and stability, or would it be pushed into civil war?
Will it be turned to absolute American-"Israeli" control?
What will be the fate of the Palestinian cause? How about the Palestinian people?
What will be the fate of Syria, Iraq and even Jordan, which will be turned to an alternative State?
Even Saudi Arabia, which will be torn apart within the framework of a new Middle East?
What of Egypt even? And so on and so forth…
The New Middle East, which was declared at the beginning of the war, had it succeeded what fate would the region have today?
Had it succeeded, regrettably the Iraqi model of fighting, conflict, schisms and sectarianism would be the dominant model in the region’s countries.
With you we aborted this new Middle East, but they will attempt to revive it again. This is the point I want to conclude with as I address the Arab and Islamic worlds, before I come to address the Lebanese people.
Dear fellow Arabs and Muslims, dear Lebanese:
The Middle East project is originally an old project that dates back to the beginnings of the last century.
To verify this assertion listen to this script.
Theodor Herzl, founder of World Zionism wrote in 1897 in his diary: “A Middle East Commonwealth must be established”, which means there has been talk of a New Middle East since the late 1800, where there is no Arab or Islamic Worlds, but a New Middle East. “Within which the Jewish State”, Herzl says and not me “Jewish has an effective leadership standing, and a leading economic role, it would be the centre to attract investments, scientific research and expertise.”
Moreover, in 1907 published in London in the Campbell Benauman report, the then Minister of English colonies, which he submitted in a conference convened by a group of scholars of history, politics and economics with a number of European politicians during which the situation in the Arab region was discussed.
Look at the text in this report’s recommendation, worked on by Britain and Western countries and later inherited by America to which it renews its commitment with each passing phase.
The text appeared as follows: “the danger on the west lies in the Mediterranean Sea because of the interface it represents between East and West, on whose Southern and Eastern coasts lives one people that shares a unified history and language”; meaning the Arabic language and geography; “as well as all aspects of assembly and interdependence, with their revolutionary tendencies,” meaning not a dormant or subservient people; “and with large natural sources of wealth.”
The report also wondered as to “the fate of the region should education and culture spread”.
So you can see over the past decades the planning imposed even on our rulers to disallow the spread of education and culture, and for the majority to remain illiterate and ignorant, unable to learn and develop.
The report went on to answer that “should the spread of education occur, it will represent a knockout to the existing empires.”
The mentioned colonial Conference put in place schemes and ways to weaken this region and its peoples and facilitate the control and containment of its coasts and the containment of the will of their peoples, along with their resources and wealth to prevent their development, progress and unity.
He identified two main methods:
1- The first and very important thing comes in the formation of an alien human barrier so strange that it remains separate from the structure of this nation and strong so that it can achieve the goal of separating the easterly Arab states from al-Maghreb (westerly) states. The establishment of a force near the Suez Canal that is an enemy of the peoples of the region and friendly to the West.
So, the establishment of the strong state of "Israel" at this location, not because Palestine is the promised land, but because Palestine is the natural barrier between the eastern and western sectors of the nation, overlooking the coasts, the Suez Canal and the oil rich fields, this is first.
2- Second: Here religion, religious feelings and hopes are subjugated to serve the colonial project, employed in the fragmentation of the Arab world into states and multiple entities, which is what happened thus far.
The will of the nation, resistance movements and the aware peoples frustrated them each time they attempted to establish a New Middle East. Then, a time passes before they return again to the ‘New Middle East’ project.
Today, we thwarted this birth, but this does not mean that the Americans, the heirs of the old colonialism, will not re-attempt to fragment our world, to tear apart what is already fractured, and divide what is divided, but this time not on the basis of geography but the basis of sectarian, factional and ethnic basis, to leave them in dispute with one another, weakened by fighting among themselves to be ruled by a mighty "Israel", where America forms the only regional guarantor of civil liberties, ethnic and religious minorities.
Here, we need no mistakes in diagnosing the situation nor in diagnosing the enemy, the friend nor in the setting of priorities, where some collaborators, fools and madmen attempt to assist the original plotters in tearing up this nation and its peoples for the benefit of this project.
This requires that we stay together, together in this battle and in all arenas, to join forces and hands, to refuse whatever may divide us whether religious, as Muslims and Christians of the region, or on sectarian, denominational or ethnic basis, for we, the peoples of this region are its native landholders. We are this area’s real people, it is our natural, legitimate and legal right to live here freely in sovereignty and to enjoy our natural wealth, away from any looting, control or outside domination.
Now, I move onto the second title, to the people of Lebanon, also the proud and loyal in this battle, who was also one of the surprises of the July 2006 war.
In spite of the sharp divisions that existed or still exist, and there is nothing new about that, despite the political climate and media storm that occurred in the beginning of the war and continued during and after the war, what did the Zionists do?
As I said they focused their campaign trying to claim that the problem lies directly with the resistance environment, meaning with the Shiites in Lebanon. So, they attacked the towns, villages, markets, and all places. They displaced more than one million human beings.
When those are forced out of their homes in Lebanon and to Syria as the only neighboring country, under the existing divisions and sensitivities, the plan was for them to clash with the rest of the Lebanese population.
The "Israelis" and Americans expected the sensitivities in Lebanon to prevent the rest of the Lebanese from embracing the displaced, who will in turn be pushed to commit errors. Hence, a civil war will break out, which they were betting on.
But what actually happened?
The rest of the Lebanese sects, religions and movements received the displaced regardless of the political position and party affiliation. All the Lebanese acted humanely, ethically and with a high sense of patriotism. Yes, there was an odd case here and there in the capital Beirut in Mount Lebanon in the north in the Bekaa and in the rest of the south, but not worth mentioning.
Syria too, when the Syrians embraced the displaced they did not discriminate nor were they affected by atmosphere that had previously prevailed in Lebanon. They did not discriminate by sect or religious denomination that had been stirred earlier.
The displaced acted responsibility too, except in incidents also not worth mentioning. They acted responsibly, with a very high nationalist spirit.
Here was the embrace and the surprise. The United States and "Israel" waited for the towns and villages where the displaced went to burst in flames. Yet, the surprise was that the Lebanese accepted each other lovingly, sincerely and honestly.
Here and with all my heart I say to all the Lebanese, communities and movements, both institutions and societies, also the brothers in Syria, as leadership and a people who embraced each displaced person during the 34 day, I tell them that this embracing surprised our enemy and your enemy, and formed a significant component of strength for the resistance fighters and public, which led to making the victory.
Even after the victory and after this moral and humanitarian epic was expressed by the Lebanese socially and domestically, they tried to besiege this victory after the war and disrupt its effects and traces on the internal level, and I do not want to go into all aspects of this topic, but I will address one.
After the victory we stood and said this is a victory for Lebanon and the people of Lebanon, all of Lebanon. They came to play the game of intimidation between the faiths to instill fear between them.
Unfortunately, some leaders in Lebanon with no political plan, without ideology nor persuasion or a civilized thought, unable to accommodate a large group of people, they work through his/their religious denomination by raising their fear from other religions to strengthen his/their control over them.
This is happening in Lebanon and among all Lebanese religious denominations. There is someone without a political project, speech or literature within their religion except only to frighten his/their own people from others.
Now, precisely because of this trend, where they frighten others from the Shiite community in Lebanon, specifically from the Amal-Hizbullah alliance, from the resistance weapon and the like. They worked on this as they are still doing.
Today, we can frankly and clearly find in the Lebanese arena two leadership paths. Here, I am not talking about loyalists and opposition, but about two different paths:
- One being a path of conciliation believes in accord and unity that invites for building bridges, spreading of understanding, calls for the convergence of Lebanese, for internal settlement and to reach internal settlements on all internal issues over which we differ as Lebanese.
- Another being one of confrontation, domineering and intimidation, makes their position stronger by leaning on the American and international community, a path that considers a national partnership suicide, and internal settlement a betrayal deserving the death penalty.
This is the reality in Lebanon today; of course, we call for mutual understanding, extending of bridges to converge onto internal settlements.
Note this difference, to reach a settlement with the enemy some say let the captives stay in the "Israeli" prisons, and actually said this; they said let occupied Shibaa Farms and Kafr Shuba hills remain as they are, and they said that too.
They want to form a settlement with the "Israelis", at the expense of our occupied land and our prisoners in jails, our sovereignty and our future, something they do not see as treason!
Yet, a settlement between the Lebanese to come together, create understanding and cooperation to build one’s country is seen as treason, deserving the death punishment!
Alas, this is due to this methodology of intimidation, where some constantly place us in the position of the accused, who must defend themselves, always demanded to reassure the Lebanese and Lebanon, that is everyday and in every speech I must stand and speak for co-existence, civil peace, the Taif Accord, the unity of the Lebanese and that we have no undeclared goals or ulterior motives, nor a ‘three way power sharing’ of government etc…
I mean must I every day and in every speech re-iterate, as we constantly do, that we stand for co-existence, civil peace, the Taif Agreement, the unity of the Lebanese and that we have no hidden Goals or ulterior motives, that we do not want to take control of the government?
In fact, if one should ask for reassurances since year 2000, and again as was confirmed by what happened in 2006, in addition to what preceded in resolution 1559, the war that followed it, the threats and intimidations that ensued, all that places the resistance and its public in a position where it must be given assurances because it is the one targeted with murder, assassination, mass deportation and demographic change ...
We are tired of this discourse, and what to say, what additional reassurances do we provide?
We have provided everything we can. Our intentions are openly declared. Our conduct is evidently clear. Today nearing the birth of Imam Hussein (pbuh) I can only say a word said by Hussein (pbuh) himself: “he who accepts us as it is the truth, thus God is most worthy of truth; and he who rejects us, then we be patient until God judges between us and our people" then this is the honest truth we declare, these are our intentions and this is our conduct….
I mean what more than that could we do?!
In any case, this trend is a threat to Lebanon. The Americans work hard on this trend of intimidation, segmentation, slicing and raising of doubts and suspicions between sects and Lebanese forces, to introduce themselves as protector and guarantor, as is the case in Iraq.
But O Lebanese, do we not take a lesson and a warning from Iraq?
Has America in Iraq been able to be a protector of Christians?
And where are the Christians in Iraq today?
Has is it been able to be a protector of the Shiites or the Sunnis? And where are the Shiites and Sunnis today?
Was it able to protect the Turkmen or Kurds?
This is the lesson.
Should we return to ourselves or listen to those who meddle in our midst every day and night to disrupt any internal settlement?
Yes, we will once again support an internal settlement, the entrance to which is through a partnership government, away from all the erroneous and unjust interpretations given by some on the formation of a national unity government. Today, the renewed endeavours at reaching a compromise and conciliation are being conducted by the Parliamentary Speaker, and brother Nabih Berri to solve the crisis.
We affirm our support and cooperation with all the initiatives put forward, but who is it continues to declare sharing governing as suicide? Who is it that calls any settlement as an act of treason?
He who makes these declarations is clearly telling the Lebanese and the world who is responsible for closing doors – not us –he who disrupts settlements and initiatives, who insists on not forming a national unity government, on holding elections without constitutional quorum to bring in a President to be used to impose a government on the Lebanese.
Where can this situation push Lebanon to?!
The Lebanese here in politics are invited to a humanitarian, moral and ethical stance akin to the social position they took in the war days. This time not to embrace and save the displaced, but to save the nation and the entire people of Lebanon.
Third: I come to address the resistance community and its public to say that here was a targeting of the most serious, harshest, most violent and most painful one. Here laid the gamble wagered by the Americans and "Israelis", together with their researches and wrong information.
Their gamble was this: ‘if we came to Lebanon, kept aside other Lebanese communities, and focused on the Shiites by destroying their towns, villages, markets, religious institutions, schools and enterprises -of course the bombing touched everyone but clearly the focus was here- if they killed their women and children’.
This means that the destruction was deliberate, the killing of women and children was intentional, and bombing markets and businesses was on purpose.
The objective was the destruction of the infrastructure of the humanitarian, social and economic environment which preserves the resistance or produces it. That was deliberate, therefore, we find, for example, in the southern Dahiya suburb entire neighborhoods destroyed!
Were missiles being launched from al-Dahiya?! No, nothing came from al-Dahiya.
Many of these buildings did not contain even Hizbullah centers, but still they were destroyed. Entire towns and villages were destroyed in the south. Large numbers of houses demolished in the Bekaa and the North and elsewhere.
Why all this?
First, to punish the resistance community, and therefore to say to the Lebanese people and all peoples of the Arab world ‘this will be the punishment and reward for whoever supports, produces and embraces the resistance’.
Secondly, to incite the public against the resistance, to emerge in demonstrations and verbally abuse it, to detract from its stance, to question its path and leadership, to demand its surrender, to hand over its weapon and to say ‘enough, we cannot take it anymore, enough homes destroyed, enough women and children killed, we have given more than we can bear, enough is enough.’
Thus you notice many of the local, and unfortunately Arab and academic media alongside much of the political discourse tried to focus on this aspect. It is true that the sacrifices and the losses were great, but they worked on increasing it out of proportion by two and three fold, to erode the will, consciousness, faith, determination and embrace of the public behind the resistance.
That is what happened, but here we found the greater surprises by the resistance community. How did the resistance public deal with this harsher, most violent and most painful aspect of this war?
How did the people deal with this abuse in the Dahiya, the South, the Bekaa and other areas?
You and I do not forget the pictures of women who stayed back in the frontier villages carrying knives and boiling oil preparing to fight the occupation soldiers. This is our people, this is our public.
How did the displaced behave, how did they express their faith, hope and affection, while the whole world failed to capture even one wrong scene of the displaced, despite the harsh living conditions.
What was the behaviour of the families of the martyrs, the wounded, and those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed?
They simply said “Fida al-Moqawama" ‘sacrifice toward the resistance’.
Yes, we, eastern people focus on the symbol and some faulted us when they were saying, “Fida e-Sayyed Hassan” ‘sacrifice toward Sayyed Hassan’, which is an emotional and sentimental expression with no basis in our culture.
You are not a sacrifice for a person, but you know as well as the families of the martyrs, the wounded, the prisoners and those whose homes were destroyed know that Sayyed Hassan himself, his soul, and his children are ready sacrifices toward you.
Then came the startling, surprising and unprecedented stand in the history of warfare. I searched this in depth during two weeks and did not find a precedent of a people or popular group who were displaced, whose homes destroyed, who were murdered, massacres committed against them, cluster bombs filled their fields and farms, with no cease-fire announced yet, yet upon hearing that there is a ‘halt of hostile activities’ at eight o’clock and at exactly eight their wheels start turning for the return trip, hundreds of thousands of displaced persons begin to head back to the Dahyia, to the South, the Bekaa and to all the villages and towns in Lebanon.
Here was the real victory and the culmination of the real triumph.
When the displaced people prepared for their return, they were told: to where do you return? To your houses, you no longer have homes to dwell in.
And they responded: ‘we return to our villages and put in place tents and inhabit them rather than remain displaced.’
They were told ‘more than a million cluster bombs were scattered in your fields, houses, farms and roads, and it will kill your children, it will explode under you.
They replied: ‘we will go back to our villages, towns and die under the olive tree, near our tobacco plant and would not remain displaced.
You were told: ‘to where do return and the war is not over yet, nor a ceasefire has been declared?’
You said the word of the self-assured ‘we defeated them and they will not dare do anything’.
You also returned as promised, as was your confidence and hope.
You returned home tall, heads high without favour from anyone and with the grace of God Almighty and the blessings of the blood of your martyrs.
The whole world saw hundreds of thousands return within one day, smiles on their faces, covering their tears and pain, declaring their hope, feeling proud and dignified with their victory.
Dear brothers, O Lebanese, O world,
After this epic legendary scene, that is unprecedented in history, do not such a people deserve to be called ‘most honourable, most pure and most kind’ of all people?
This stance taken towards the resistance community and its public is not incidental but a deep and rooted one whose credit goes back to the grand clergy and their culture, thought and unified position, credit too goes also to this historic and strategic alliance between Amal Movement and Hizbullah in Lebanon, and this awareness and maturity is the result of experience and suffering.
Today, the resistance community along with what it possesses and embraces of culture, wisdom and awareness, with this embrace by the Lebanese in the background and the shared understanding, the mutual love and established bridges form a cornerstone of this victory and a pillar of steadfastness.
One of the senior Zionist experts said: “what is the real question ‘Israel’ is facing with?”
The question is no longer on whether "Israel" lost its ability to deter or that "Israel" has failed to demoralize the opponent’s moral, this ended. But this expert says “if this opponent enjoys morale that is the highest since the establishment of ‘Israel’ until now," the question is then: “can ‘Israel’ in truth launch any war again?!”
Hence, he is looking at your confidence that remains intact.
Yes, this is the grass-roots level that is strong, sacrificing, faithful, conscious and rational on which the resistance is founded, a base the resistance still depends on in all its challenges. Therefore, as I said in the first days of the war in July, through trusting in God and my knowledge of you and of this people, and these resistance fighters and this enemy and as I used to always promise you victory, again I promise you victory now.
On the 14th of August, I promised you a good return.
Here, I will open the file of reconstruction, compensation and assistance. I will brief you with my report of what we did in the last year.
Certainly, there are countries, governments, and sides that made great efforts, I thank them for that.
Before and after the Lebanese government lost its legitimacy the government did something, but we all express irritation of this lag. I do not want to touch on this aspect, but I want to present my report:
Ever since August 14, we have tried to be in service of the displaced, the owners of destroyed and damaged homes, owners of institutions in general. I shall mention that what is provided is not considered compensation, but contributions and assistance to heal the wounds.
Compensation must be paid by the State. The State received nearly $ 1 billion to help those affected by the war. This $ 1 billion is the minimum right of the people and must be given to them. What we have done by ourselves, is paid money from a brother to his brother away from legal and official responsibilities. Therefore, it did not exempt the State from providing compensation in the same areas:
First: we started with what was called the "Accommodation file"
This means securing annual rent and house furniture so that no one is left in the street, and thank God for the accomplishment of this file, no one is left on the street. They wanted more than 25 thousand families at the minimum to remain in the streets, but the effort and cooperation with our friends and allies in the political and national forces in different regions, associations, we were able to accomplish this file quickly, including 28 thousand and 300 cases to the value of 133 million and 500 thousand dollars.
Second: repairing damaged houses, other than the houses that were destroyed
The damaged houses which were supposed to be restored -with the exception of the four towns adopted by the State of Qatar, thankfully- in remaining villages, towns and regions received in payments for 113 cases and 820 housing units so far to the value of 190 million and 700 thousand dollars.
Of course, the restoration file is not completed until now, which means there are buildings that will not be brought down, therefore will now be listed for restoration.
In some cases, there are shared sections in the Dahiya where work is still ongoing.
Third: assisting the economic and trade firms and institutions
This type of assistance I will talk about now is, in fact, a contribution and not compensation, and secondly a percentage is marked within it, i.e. we gave priority to homes to return to housing. What we presented is contribution and assistance for direct damages, and not indirect, and this file remains open. We are still trying to secure a communication to improve some of these contributions.
In the economic and trade institutions 12,500 cases worth $30 million
Helping direct agricultural damages to 1,300 cases worth $2 million
Assistance with direct animal damages, 2,000 cases, to the value of 3 million dollars
Assistance for public vehicles which are a source of livelihood, public taxi vehicle, a bulldozer and 2,300 cases worth $4 million.
Support to stricken villages, whose conditions were extremely harsh, $3 million
In order to launch the reconstruction project in southern Dahiya and not have to wait for anyone hoping they would join us later on in the process, $14 million have been paid so far through WAAD reconstruction project,
Support extended to fishermen 3500 cases, to the value of $700,000.
The total amount spent so far is $380,900,000 dollars, ‘now some get upset’ when I say ‘this money is Halal, legitimate and comes without political conditions.’
There are two points I want to stress before I move to the last section:
1- Regarding the subject of demolished homes that has not been treated yet, there exists a delay, and since the state has taken money and has received money to restore these demolished houses, we committed ourselves to pay the difference.
Even in the southern Dahiya, I was clear when I said ‘we and the people’ with the money they will receive as compensation from the State we will build the southern Dahiya. I did not say we alone from our funds alone will build the southern Dahiya. Therefore, the lag in the payment of compensation for demolished homes, led to the delay in the reconstruction of houses in all areas.
Considering that these families still have no homes to go back to, I declare to you that God willing we will again renew our contribution to all families who rented houses for periods ranging from one month to a year, hoping all the reconstruction of all demolished houses would be completed during this year, and we will not need to repeat this process later.
But to avoid any confusion or ambiguities, I want to emphasize that this contribution is for the actual tenant.
The actual tenant is the rent payer. Should the tenant still has a month, two or three or a year delay, we are committed God willing to rent contribution from a month to a year, so that no one goes to the street, nor incur the financial consequences of the delay in rebuilding the destroyed house so far.
Here, I must mention efforts spent by your brothers in the resistance, the Mujahideen, who have worked since the first days on dismantling and exploding cluster bombs especially in the habilitated villages. They were able within a few months of the cessation of hostilities to dismantle and explode 40,000 cluster bombs, offering in this process five dear martyrs from the Islamic Resistance fighters.
I reach the last section, to the position that we must deal with responsibly;
Since the end of the war, there is talk of whether we have seen the end of the "Israeli" wars on Lebanon?
Will we enjoy peace and security and not face a new war again?
Some people said that, and provided their strategic, political, security, military and psychological reading, and so on.
Some people say no. "Israel" will not acquiesce in defeat. It will work to regain its reputation, its ability of deterrence and prestige in the region because if it does not do so, it will be putting itself on the road to extinction; along with this reading those people also provide a strategic, political, military and security reading.
I do not want to enter into this debate to say yes or no, but I want to talk about a responsibility and remind of two matters:
1- First, that in our midst is an enemy whose nature is aggression with historic ambitions for our land, waters and natural wealth. Its plan is based on the logic of force, bullying, frightening and spooking others, where now it is the one spooked.
This is our enemy and this is its nature.
2-The second thing is, we cannot rely on the analysis to say there will be no war. Hence, rest easy and sleep on soft silk.
I do not say THERE WILL BE a war, God willing there is no war.
We, as I said in previous speeches do not want war. We did not even want the July war. they wanted this war for which they placed objectives on the level of the Middle East as a whole, and it was they who pushed the situation into this direction.
In all cases, precaution is our duty, thank God if no war erupts, for ‘and enough is God for the believers in their fight’, and if God forbid Lebanon was faced with a new challenge we would be able to meet this challenge. However, I tell you that preparedness and preparations for war, are the most important means of war prevention. This is what is called a balance of terror and deterrence.
From year 2000 to 2006, that which protected Lebanon and South Lebanon is this balance, because Barak and Sharon were committed to this balance. 2006 war, due to Olmert’s stupidity, and because he is carrying out an American decision where the decision to go to is not his, since the issue expands beyond the question of Lebanon and southern Lebanon to building a ‘New Middle East’ and remapping the region.
Hence, when our enemy understands, and we make him understand that we have the strength to confront, and stand firm, even the strength to win, this will stop and deter him from launching a new war. At the minimum level, it will make him very much hesitate before launching a war of this kind.
This is why when I spoke in a newspaper interview early on of the celebration days that the resistance possesses missiles able to hit every point in occupied Palestine, I was not trying to lure a war, but I worked to prevent one, because by that I am saying to the "Israeli" government, army and people that they must understand that any future war on Lebanon will cost them dearly.
We also learned from the July war experience, and made the required evaluation, discovered our strengths and weaknesses and those of the enemy’s and worked on them, and therefore in an upcoming war, the enemy must know that they will pay very dearly.
I tell the enemy this so they do not think of war.
Some say “you exercise psychological warfare”, true, and this is a part of the battle.
But I exercise honest psychological warfare. I am talking about facts and not lies. I am talking about truths. When the war started and I told them ‘if you want to go to an all out war, then, we will too and I promise you surprises”. It is true this was psychological warfare, but a truthful psychological warfare that was not based on lies.
The surprises came through the sea, when we hit their battle ship, the pride of the "Israeli" marine industry Saar 5. The surprise came also when we destroyed their Merkava IV-generation in the valleys, hills and entrances to villages. There was a surprise when our Mujahidin downed their helicopters in the night and day as well. The surprises continued when they were unable to destroy our rockets and we in turn were able to bomb their interior for the first time in “Israel`s” history over the entire 33 days without interruption. We surprised them with our command and control network. We surprised them with our public and resistance community the most honourable of people, with the Lebanese people, with the peoples of the Arab and Islamic nations and there was victory.
Today, I want to conclude the celebrations of this anniversary, and by the way I would like to thank all who joined us in this commemoration and this victory.
I want to conclude this ceremony and celebrations with a clear promise. Take it as psychological warfare if you like, but an honest psychological war, that if you ("Israelis") are to think of attacking Lebanon, and I do not advise you on this, should you think of declaring war on Lebanon, I will not promise you surprises like the previous ones, but I promise you the Great surprise that can change the fate of the war and the fate of the region God willing.
With this commitment, I place a substantial responsibility on myself and on the resistance. This commitment is an actual commitment. Now, I am not talking about anything related to the future. They themselves (“Israelis”) must analyze. I will not tell you nor tell them, because if I said what this thing is, it will not remain a surprise.
With the resistance I hold this commitment in order to protect Lebanon and the people of Lebanon, and should war breakout, God forbid -and again I repeat that we do not want war, we do not want it- we must be ready, as a resistance, as an army, as a people, as a State.
Yesterday, we all heard the commander of the Lebanese Army say that so far all the Lebanese Army has been provided with is promises, talk and some ammunition which had been paid for. I say paid for from the funds of the Lebanese people.
There is a ban on arming the Lebanese army until it removes ‘“Israel” is the enemy’ from its nationalistic creed. America has never given nor will it allow anyone give the Lebanese army what enables it to defend Lebanon, but the resistance stands alongside the national Lebanese army, its fighters alongside their soldiers, its martyrs along with the army’s, its vigor alongside their’s, and together with the people of Lebanon we will face this challenge.
God willing as we triumphed in May 2000, in August 2006, I forewarn and advise them ("Israelis") that here in Lebanon, resistance, army and people, are all a part of a nation that refuses subservience, rejects humiliation, only afraid of God, only kneels to Him, a nation that fights, every ready to sacrifice and win the decisive historic victory, God willing.
Again through trusting in God, my knowing of you, this people, the fighters of this resistance movement and this cowardly and lowly enemy, who is more fragile than a spider`s web, as I always promise you victory, I promise you victory again.
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Nasrallah's address in support of Palestinians in their resistence against Israel:
Speech on 5 October 2007:
"I welcome you on this day and this evening at the International Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day to fulfil one of the religious and political obligations at hand. This day whose revival Imam Khomeini (May Allah honours his soul) called for to be held on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, since the time, place and occasion have distinctive historical, ideological, political, spiritual and Jihadi particularities.
Out of loyalty to the Imam, I bring to mention that Imam Khomeini and from the beginning of his political and jihad movement in Iran, and his entrance into public life, he believed in the cause of Palestine, fought for it and raised its flag in every place.
From the outset, even as early as the late 1950s when he became the `Marjaa` or the religious reference authority, as well as a person of leadership in religious and political domains, he always raised the Palestine question, in his books, articles, speeches and statements.
One of the most important issues that constituted a source of conflict and contradiction with Shah of Iran was the position taken by the Shah`s regime towards "Israel", its alliance with "Israel", and its position on providing "Israel" with oil fuel either through sale or free of charge, a matter Imam Khomeini considered as the worst of disasters committed by the shah`s regime against the nation of Islam and Muslims.
Thereafter and after various armed Palestinian resistance movements started, the Imam extended his support on the moral, religious, legislative levels as well as politically and financially. So, he issued `fatwa` or religious opinion that gave legitimacy to the payment of funds to the resistance fighters and the Palestinian factions.
This underlines the sensitivity with which he viewed the matter when he issued fatwa allowing payments of this kind.
In such a conflict through fighting and resistance, the revolution triumphed in Iran. Thereafter, the Imam broke Iran`s relations with "Israel", expelled the "Israeli" ambassador and established the first embassy of Palestine on Arab or Islamic land. Hence, the commitment to Al-Quds, Palestine and its people became a stable ideological and political one by which the Islamic Republic regime, people and institutions engaged to.
Imam Khomeini committed himself to this cause until his passed away, whereas his eminence Sayyed Khamenai continued his path in all sincerity and loyalty.
Iran continues to express its strong commitment to this position and has announced today with boldness, courage and clarity via the President of the Islamic Republic in Iran, Sayyed Ahmadinejad before the Friday sermon in spite of all the pressures faced by the Islamic Republic as a result of this attitude.
Imam Khomeini`s declaration of the International Al-Quds Day falls within the context of a long continuum of religious and political commitment to this sacred cause, rather than a seasonal or the odd occasion used by the Imam to pay a compliment to the Palestinian people or the nation. His efforts rather fall in the context of this historic natural movement, the Imam`s approach and commitment, his revolution along with all those who continue down his course, both in Iran and the world.
As for Al-Quds International Day, the Imam wanted this day to be a reminder to the entire nation at the least, a reminder of this great loss that struck the nation in the last century, the occupation of Palestine and the fall of Al-Quds in the hands of the Zionists as one of the greatest misfortunes, tragedies and pains that have befallen this nation, whose repercussions continue to create pain, tears, blood, victims, martyrs, prisoners, detainees over decades and years.
Today is the day when we recall our sacred land, "Al-Quds", "Baitul-Maqdis" Noble Sacred Place, God`s sacred house, the Muslim`s first Qiblah - the first place toward which Muslims turned in prayer before Mecca.
On this day, we first and foremost evoke the suffering, pain and sacrifices of a people.
Unfortunately, today the suffering of the Palestinian people has become secondary and ordinary news items in the Arab and Islamic world, even in the entire world which claims to be civilized, the news has become second row even late news.
When the news is mentioned it has become natural and normal news that ten, twenty or thirty Palestinians are killed every day, that large numbers of Palestinians are wounded and dozens forced into prisons every day.
Eleven thousand Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and with them Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian and Arab prisoners, this is ordinary news. People hear it like any other news. That Palestinian children are killed, their bones shattered by Zionist tanks. This is ordinary news. For thousands of Palestinians to be held for weeks at this or that crossing point, or that some of them die of disease, pain and oppression is still seen as ordinary news story.
Today, we must evoke the suffering and pains, the pain of captivity and homelessness, the continuing pains of hunger, murder and slaughter. This Al-Quds Day is a day of reminder of the people closest to Al-Quds and the suffering inflicted upon them against a backdrop of forgetfulness and disregard experienced by the rest of our nation.
Today, we meet to reaffirm the historical and political realities that we know and we are not talking here about events that took place centuries ago, but before tens of years only.
Some of those present here as well as our fathers remember it well and talk of it, since they lived its era from the beginning of the Zionist occupation of the land of Palestine.
If we entered the heart of every Arab, Muslim person and the conscience of the free and asked them, they would surely respond with the truth that says that historic Palestine from sea to river is a land owned by the Palestinian people and no other.
The truth which says that the State of "Israel" is an entity usurping the land of others; the truth which says that the Zionists foreigners who came from all over the world, formed gangs, and with the support of the British occupation and many countries of the world, they invaded the Palestinians` land, spread corruption, killed, slaughtered, burned, looted, destroyed and established their state through occupation, murder, rape and terrorism.
This does not need documents, statements and witnesses. It is evidenced by the generations and generations who lived through these painful events. Against this reality, many in our nation do not try to evade responsibility, but attempt to disguise themselves from the truth in order to argue why they do not bear any responsibility. Yet, when sitting in closed rooms with them, they very clearly say: "what can we do, it is out of our hands".
This has become the theoretical, realistic and rationale basis to surrender to the settlement process, to negotiations and to giving concessions after concessions.
Everyone knows the truth and what is just, but everyone escapes the responsibility with their fictive weakness as the excuses.
I do not want to enter into self-punishment or self-denial but I want to talk directly about responsibility.
Today, witnessing these horrors and calamities suffered by the Palestinian people, the fact that Al-Quds is still occupied nearly sixty years on, difficult and harsh conditions surround the Palestinians everywhere, and Al-Aqsa Mosque is threatened every day by excavations and similar works carried out by Zionist protests, though flimsy and weak, we must talk about responsibility.
I will not stand here today to say that the nation ought to wield its weapons and for the Arab armies to sweep across the land of Palestine on all borders and frontiers, to liberate this land and this people and lift this historic injustice; such event is to the Palestinian people and to us closer to a dream than reality.
I know even when there was talk at some stage of a Unified Arab Strategy or when the Lebanese were told to wait for a Unified Arab Strategy to fight in, that it was said in order not to fight because there will not be a Unified Arab Strategy under the current reality of the official Arab regime.
The Lebanese and the Palestinians have chosen a different strategy.
The Palestinians announced to the nation that if the nation, its governments and armies do not fight, nor open their borders, that the resistance movements, their leaders and factions will. We will fight as a Palestinian people and adopt the choice of the national, real, serious, Palestinian resistance.
We are a people who made sacrifices, are willing to make more sacrifices, to provide more blood and suffer more pain, but you to stand by our side and support us.
This is what the Palestinian people declared through Al-Aqsa Intifada after the failure Camp David negotiations and after the resounding victory of the resistance in Lebanon in 2000.
The Palestinians declared this strategy and took it a long way further. They began martyrdom operations, popular and military confrontations. Everyone recalls how much this Palestinian people have given during and since year 2000 to this day.
The resistance in Lebanon also lived through this experience and pursued this strategy.
Since 1982, when the resistance did not wait for an Arab strategy for fighting and confrontation, but formed a Lebanese resistance with diverse, numerous and various factions, fought hard and enjoyed the support of some brothers and friends whom we thank for their support, even if the world condemns their support of the resistance.
The Lebanese resistance managed to liberate the major bulk of the occupied territory with Lebanese fighters, Lebanese expertise, Lebanese blood, Lebanese sacrifices and Lebanese will.
Through this strategy the Palestinian people succeeded in freeing the Gaza Strip.
Let me frankly say that had the Palestinian people received the required support from the nation over the past seven years and over the next few years, they would at least be able to liberate `67 territories.
The uprising, which was abandoned by the world, by the great sacrifices made by the Palestinians it was able to shake the enemy entity and push the leaders of this entity to talk and for the first time about the battle of independence and the battle of the "Israeli" state`s existence.
The Palestinian uprising managed to extend and continue until now, a national Palestinian jihad strategy of this type out to receive the support of the nation. Let rulers retain their armies, weapons and jets to protect their regimes, but let them too provide this Palestinian people with the political, media and material support.
Today, this is the posed strategy. No one is talking about forces or armies to fight on behalf of the Palestinian people who have the fitness, the merit, efficiency and necessary capacity for the liberation of the land, but they are people who need help and support.
Today, the nation can do much to Palestine and its people. At the very least, the rulers can themselves stop blockading the Palestinians before asking them to assist in lifting the siege off the Palestinian.
A Part of the blockade suffered by the Palestinian people is practiced by some Arab regimes. This embargo must be lifted and support must be submitted.
Oh brothers and sisters, did you know that there are thousands of billions of dollars deposited by Arab nations in American banks while Palestinians die of hunger, siege, wounds and unemployment.
A people ready to give their blood in fulfilling the entire nation`s duty to liberate Al-Quds, yet this nation is too miserly even with its dollars that are stockpiled in the United States` banks.
Today, the nation ought to concern itself with aiding the Palestinians to overcome their internal crisis. At the same time, we appeal to the Palestinians and especially our brothers in Hamas and Fatah to practice restraint and refrain from any form of armed confrontation, to persevere without despair with the treatment of the dangerous political stranglehold of a crisis.
Governments that are capable of playing any role ought to do so rather than show contentment for the blockade on the Gaza Strip or the government there, or for some to rejoice by saying `we want to fail or thwart this example of an experience`.
All the losses suffered by the Palestinian people today and any of the Palestinian factions are losses to the Palestinians as a whole and the entire nation, and a hand of help and assistance should be extended to them.
We must help the Palestinians towards this cause to uphold the right of return and to refuse any resettlement as well as to reject assimilation in any country as is happening through their forced migration to countries in Latin America, Europe, Australia and others.
This places responsibility on the states that sponsor Palestinians in the Diaspora. Here in Lebanon, meaning the current government, and as we have in the past, we call now again for a reconsideration of the relationship with the Palestinians in Lebanon and of the conditions of the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
If some are speaking today of new risks to a camp here and a camp there, again I reiterate my advise that the security and military treatment should remain the last resort, and priority should be given to the social, humanitarian and ethical treatment, and an outstretched hand to deal in a brotherly manner with all the Palestinians on Lebanese soil.
Within the Palestinian context, I want to warn of the dangers of the international conference that George Bush called for. The danger lies in that the American-"Israeli" plans aim at gaining normalisation of relations for "Israel" and give nothing in return.
For "Israel", to gain normalisation of relations with some Arab countries that do not yet have ties with "Israel", and achieve nothing for the Palestinians, is a real concern and fear shared by many, especially in front of Olmert`s powerless government. How can Olmert, who is too powerless to release a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners to strengthen the so-called peace process, make any real and substantial concessions on the Palestinian track?
Where we must draw attention is the Arab cover. So, I appeal on your behalf to Arab states intending to participate in this meeting, namely, the Saudi Arabian leadership, not to give this gathering such Arab cover, if the outcome is normalization while on the other hand no substantive results are gained by the Palestinian people.
Here, I am not speaking ideologically or in principal, because according to principal and ideology my position is different. So, here I am speaking on the political reality level as they say.
Political logic does not permit granting all these gains to the Olmert government at a time when Arab governments should flock to bring Olmert`s government before an international tribunal to punish those butchers for the crimes they committed and are still committing every day against the Palestinian people, and for what they did in Lebanon in the July war.
Are Olmert`s government and the Zionist perpetrators of massacres to be rewarded with normalization of relations; further concessions and a hand shake, are all these reasonable?
We may not bury our heads in the sand. Have you noticed the Arabs talking about peace while "Israel" is beating the drums of war in the region? Concerning the "Israeli" air force launched a raid against Syria, is it not likely for that raid to have lead to a Syrian reaction and hence possibly war?
The media revealed a few days ago, that there are three "Israeli" armoured brigades stationed in the Golan since before the "Israeli" raid on Syria.
Why are these brigades present in the Golan? What scenario are they preparing for?
Why did the enemy commit such an air raid while readying for a confrontation and making loud and thundering threats?
Violations of Lebanon sovereignty are committed each day, with Zionist reconnaissance planes infiltrating our skies, but as of a few days ago our south, Beirut and the far Bekaa have been witnessing intensive mock air attacks.
Have you asked why?
Have the group in power done anything to end such provocations? Have they called on their American allies to pressurize "Israel" to respect Lebanon`s sovereignty, since this government is in the hands of independentists, sovereigntists, the sons of the `Cedar revolution`!?
Why these mock raids?
Is it psychological warfare or preparatory military manoeuvres?
"Israel" speaks of peace while beating the drums of war, as it prepares for war while on the other hand here in Lebanon we are discussing the resistance weapons, the will of the resistance and the resistance position etc…
This is where we need to be careful.
"Israel" wants to impose its hegemony, conditions and control over the Palestinians and all the countries of the region, over all those going to the International Conference of the so-called peace in the region.
Even the recent raid that targeted Syria, in my opinion it was aimed at rattling the Syrian stand prior to the conference in order to influence the resilience and resistance its regime demonstrated by sticking to their land and legitimate national rights.
Let us not rule out the existence of a coordinated "Israeli"-Americans motive to drag Syria into war, and thus the entire region, because this is Bush`s plan for the area.
His project for the region is not one of peace but war, just as he did in Iraq, Palestine and as he did in Lebanon in July 2006 last year, he now tries to do the same at the entire regional level.
On the Iraqi front, we have all seen and heard the United States Senate`s decision which calls for the division of Iraq. It is true that this decision is non-binding, but only a simpleton and a naive believes or imagines that this decision was made independently of Bush and his administration.
We know that when the Americans want to implement any project, they begin with the media, then politically and psychologically until it becomes the norm, just as the question of Palestine and all its calamities began with a promise from Balfour. The new calamities arriving in the region have now begun with a non-binding decision made by the United States Senate to partition Iraq.
Such a decision reveals the true American intentions we always spoke of, even disagreed about in discussions we had with some of the Lebanese about the new Middle East.
They say that the new Middle East means a Middle East that enjoys democracy, freedom, and sovereignty of States, with no outside intervention in internal affairs, security, peace, stability, economic prosperity and respect for human rights.
We have since witnessed all these headings in the Iraqi arena and saw suffering inflicted on the Iraqi people by the Americans occupying Iraq.
Across TV screens we have seen a large part of the Iraqi population migrate, millions left Iraq and millions are displaced inside Iraq due to the occurring demographic segregation taking place.
Millions of Iraqis are below poverty line, without food for `Iftar` a fast break meal, while they live on distributed food rations.
Imagine the state which possesses the world`s second biggest oil reserve if not the biggest, a state leading the Countries of the world in petroleum exports, yet its people are displaced, migrated, poor and in need for food rations just to eat?
This is the prosperity the Americans promised us: a people without nutrition, medicine, security, stability or freedom.
Where is this freedom in Iraq today?
Americans continue their systematic destruction of Iraq, as they continue their project there.
Today the greatest danger facing Iraq is the new phase it has entered.
Americans along with Zionists and the "Israeli" Mossad stirred up Shiite-Sunni fighting in Iraq, a situation that evolved into Sunni-Sunni fighting in more than one Iraqi governorate, and now they are working day and night to start Shiite-Shiite fighting in more than one Iraqi governorate.
This is the American project: Sunni-Shiite fighting, Sunni-Sunni fighting, Shiite-Shiite fighting, Arab fighting Kurds, Kurdish fighting Turkmen; this is what is happening in the Iraqi arena...
American leaders now consider the Sunnis fighting Sunnis in the Anbar province, one of their greatest achievements in recent months; has this not been presented as a qualitative achievement for Bush, the military leadership and the armed forces in Iraq?
On Al-Quds International Day, I reiterate what Imam Khomeini called as the day of the meek and vulnerable of the world and not only in Palestine.
On your behalf, I appeal to the Iraqi people and say to them `your unity and connectedness, your overcoming of sedition and national reconciliation are all your only choice`.
Your jihad and political resistance and your cooperation are the only path towards saving Iraq and the entire region.
In July last war, the resistance thwarted the new Middle East project from the region`s West gate. Now the proud, faithful, oppressed and sacrificing Iraqi people have to thwart it from the region`s East gate, through bringing down the partitioning project to begin in Iraq but none knows where it stops, nor what disasters and suffering will it inflict on this region and its peoples.
In Lebanon, we recently witnessed a string of assassination operations the most recent of which was the assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem.
When an assassination of this kind is committed against a March 14 figure, it has become a tradition for that group to instantly accuse Syria from the first few minutes. Some even go as far as accusing or blaming Syria`s allies for these assassinations.
When asked for proof, they quickly openly and covertly respond that their accusation is based on ‘political analysis rather than on security or judicial facts or evidence`.
On the other hand, confusion befalls the opposition. Then, after we issue statements of condemnation and denunciation, some philosophise that their proof that Syria or its allies are behind these killings because it is not rational for `March 14` to kill their own leaders.
Since this question is a matter of political reading, I will not then talk about a hypothesis in the security subject tonight, but rather about my conviction, vision and my fundamental belief on the security subject, to present to the Lebanese people, to March 14 leaders along with their audience too, and to the families of the martyrs who were unjustly and aggressively killed by these explosions.
This presentation is for them to think about, reflect on, ponder over and study since the question is one of political presentation and political reading.
I am not saying that March 14 forces kill their own leaders and figures, but I say that the "Israelis" are the ones who kill March 14 personalities and leaders.
If anyone among March 14 wonders why, it would therefore be strange that they wonder! For why would "Israel" not want to kill you?
Are you friends of "Israel" that they will not kill you? Are you their brothers or allies that they will not kill you?
No. You say no and we say no.
So, if you are not their allies, friends or brothers, what is the moral and political obstacle that makes the "Israelis" not kill you?
This is firstly.
Secondly, the existing "Israeli" precedents.
The "Israeli" Zionists killed Jews in Western and Eastern Europe as well as in different parts of the world. They killed sons of their own religious faith to force them to migrate to occupied Palestine.
Because their plan necessitated that those Jews be killed, they killed them.
Jews were also killed by Zionists.
"Israel" has a political project in Lebanon and the region, which it is serving. Therefore, if March 14 blood must be spilled to serve "Israel`s" political project, then as far as they are concerned why not.
During the July war, they spilled blood considered March 8`s together with the rest of the Lebanese society, but the war was launched against the resistance and whoever embraced this resistance.
Whose blood is spilled makes no difference where "Israel" is concerned. Is their any difference between one child and another, one woman and another, one blood or another, because to them their political project is what comes first.
I think the Americans may or may not have prior knowledge of the "Israeli" actions, nonetheless the hand that kills is an "Israeli" hand.
Take the most recent assassinations of MP`s as existing specimens, the assassination of MP Gebran Tueni, MP Pierre Gemayel and MP Antoine Ghanem.
Look at the common observation, MP Gebran Tueni was assassinated a day prior to the Security Council convening - or may be on the same day - to approve in principal the International Tribunal (IT).
MP Pierre Gemayel was assassinated on the day a meeting was held at the Security Council to approve the IT structure.
The third was the assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem on the day the Security Council was to listen to the Executive Report for the establishment of the IT, whose slow formation pace drew American dissatisfaction.
What is this coincidence?
I do not want to defend Syria, but if Syria is the country that suffers most from the IT, why would Syria or any of its allies kill MP Gebran Tueni on the day of ratifying the IT, then MP Pierre Gemayel on the day the IT system was being adopted and MP Antoine Ghanem on the day the Executive report for establishing the IT was being presented?
Who then is it that commits such crimes in Lebanon?
"Israel" and America do.
In Lebanon, relatives of martyrs have an interest in the IT being formed to uncover the killers, but the interests of the Americans and "Israelis" are different because they want to use it to topple the last remaining defiant Arab regime in this region, to force Syria into a regional level settlement, connected to the Arab, "Israeli" and Iraqi issues.
I do not accuse the families of the martyrs who work night and day for the establishment of the IT, but I accuse "Israel". Yes, and take note of the locality where these last three operations were carried out?
Security observers and military analysts have all agreed that these assassinations were carried out by a side that possesses high degree of professionalism, precision, skill and information in addition to a high level of operational capability in these particular localities.
Aren`t the "Israeli" networks the ones with a tradition of security presence in those areas, well informed and with the ability to operate?
The side which definitely has a strong interest in the assassinations in Lebanon is "Israel". Why? Because "Israel`s" project in Lebanon is that of sedition and inner fighting.
"Israel" views the resistance, as growing in strength with every calm day passing over Lebanon. "Israel" considers every day of strife and internal fighting in Lebanon as dragging the resistance internally, making "Israel" more comfortable.
Some say what is there for "Israel" to fear now, that there is nothing in the south?
“Israel” considers the resistance a strategic concern because the resistance as a defence force prevents "Israel" from achieving its ambitions, aspirations and dreams in Lebanon. Therefore “Israel” aims to weaken, drain and exhaust the resistance, and drag it into internal conflict and fighting.
"Israel" remains the primary beneficiary of any internal fighting and sedition in Lebanon, just like the case in Palestine, where the primary beneficiary of any internal fighting is the Zionist occupation, and so is the case in Lebanon.
Some people recently told me that I erred and encouraged them against us when I said `if you kill not one of us but a thousand, we still will not be dragged into sedition`.
They know that if they killed from us we will not be dragged into sedition. This is not an invitation to be killed, but if they do we will take our revenge from the Zionists, not Lebanese.
This is how we think.
Killing us will strengthen the opposition and the people`s rallying around the opposition for the sense of wrong they would be subjecting the opposition to.
Those assassinated were meant to be from the other side of the political divide, because the other side had a one hundred per cent accusation, complete and ready to be issued at will. They do not need facts, judicial or security. They do not even need to wait for an international investigation.
During these blessed Ramadan days, (detainees) are behind bars. There are families who will celebrate `Eed Al-Futr` end of Ramadan celebration in a few days, but there are officers detained along with others in Lebanese prisons by a political and not judicial decision.
After more than two years in detention and investigations, with no charges brought against these persons, the IT Chairman and also Chairman of the Legal Committee at the United Nations clearly stating the matter was outside their area of concern, and that the subject matter concerns the Lebanese judiciary.
Here tonight on this blessed evening, I appeal and call on the Lebanese judiciary to use their conscience and remember that on that grand Day of Judgment, they will have to answer for unjustly keeping them in prison without an accusation, but only for political pressures, calculations and decisions.
In any case, there is a political group in Lebanon with ready pre-accusations, with preset outcomes and an accused already listed on their agenda to be announced upon hearing the news of any assassination or explosion. They do not only make accusations, but also judge and charge all at once, which is why "Israel" delves further into killings.
You (Feb 14) said that passing the International Tribunal (IT) will surely end these killings. Yet, the killings have not stopped.
You had previously said that the establishment of an International Investigation Committee will stop the killing, and it did not.
Even if an IT and an International Investigation Committee are actually formed, the killer still carries a political project. Also, as long as your accusations and hence the IT`s omit the real killer, this real killer remains free at large, making the killer immune from prosecution. By this, I mean "Israel". Hence, even if one hundred ITs are formed, the killings will continue.
I openly accuse "Israel" as the side committing these killings and assassinations in Lebanon. I base my accusation on indications, facts, reading into who benefits, and based on local, regional and international political readings, in addition to tactical and strategic interests.
All the Lebanese ought to make their calculations on this basis rather than on doubt and suspicion, to save Lebanon from going where “Israel” wants to take it to, through spilling this blood unjustly and aggressively.
Pertaining to the assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem, there is another political indicator.
Parliament Speaker Berri`s initiative was approved by the opposition. This in fact was a significant concession from the opposition, which incidentally provided one concession after another, not out of weakness but fear for the country, and its security and stability.
The opposition agreed to waiver its demand for a National Unity government and agreed to a consensual president on the basis that the other group recognises and commits to the two-thirds quorum for electing the president. Until now, they have not yet committed to the two-thirds quorum and every day they threaten with electing a president with half + 1 quorum.
Even when they talk about the opposition, they say the opposition wants to take from us the half + one "weapon", they call it a weapon.
They refused to abide by the two-thirds quorum. However, state Speaker Nabih Berri entered into a debate over a consensual President, an initiative agreed to by the opposition parties and forces.
This is not out of weakness, but keenness for the country`s unity, stability and security; to reach the desired outcome.
But who is it whose interest is for Lebanon not to have a consensus President? Some said Syria!
I guarantee you that Syria accepts a consensus president and is serious about this matter, and I know that.
The side with no interest in a consensus president in Lebanon is "Israel".
Because a consensus President means a government of national unity, while for the "Israelis" who only seeing the resistance weapon in Lebanon, such a government and president do not give the desired `confrontation President` they want.
"Israel" does not want a President who is committed, understands or is even neutral to the subject of the resistance weapon. "Israel" wants a confrontational president.
"Israel" and behind it America want a President committed to disarming and eliminating the resistance.
"Israel" wants a confrontational, seditious President because its project in Lebanon is to sow discord.
MP Antoine Ghanem`s assassination was to derail Speaker Berri`s initiative. This is also a further indication.
In the presidential elections we have heard many statements in the past few days, and that the other side wants a purely Lebanese presidential election.
We also want a purely Lebanese presidential election, without outside intervention neither by the Syrians nor the Americans. It`s wonderful how the Americans forbid the world from interfering, while they interfere themselves and condemn the world for intervention. This is an expression of the level of arrogance, conceit and domination practiced by the American administration in all parts of the world.
They also talked about something else: for the first time, they want for the Lebanese to elect a President.
We support that too, we want the Lebanese to elect a President in isolation from outside interference.
They also said there is no group in Lebanon that could monopolize the will of the Lebanese.
True, the opposition cannot say it reflects the will of the overwhelming majority of the entire Lebanese nor can the loyalists say the same.
But how to arrive to this result?
If we truly want a pure Lebanese presidential election by consensus that reflects the will of the Lebanese people, we have clear peaceful, legal and civil means and the first of which is a consensus President.
Hence, let us agree on a President and thus end the crisis.
When the essential Lebanese political forces or the opposition and loyalists reach consensus on a President, that president would be 100% Lebanese, `made in Lebanon` and reflects the will of the Lebanese 100%.
This is the way.
Ignoring this way means we do not want a consensus President of Lebanon, nor a Presidential elections that is purely Lebanese. The half + one threat means someone is listening to a place outside clearly i.e. outside the interests of Lebanon.
The second option is if we cannot reach a consensus, and why shouldn`t the political class reach such consensus?
They don`t because they may be exposed to external and internal pressures.
The best way is for the Lebanese people to express their will; they say resorting to the will of the Lebanese people necessitates a constitutional amendment!
Doesn`t Lebanon, the people and future of Lebanon at this crucial phase deserve an extraordinary Parliament session to amend the Constitution only this once, and allow the Lebanese people to directly elect their president, away from foreign interventions?
We talk about the will of the people and the Americans talk about the will of the people, a matter that is both funny and sad at the same time.
Let us look at the will of the people.
What is the will of the Palestinian people? What is the will of the Iraqi people? When you draw a settlement or peace agreement, why don`t you run a referendum?
Referendums are permitted in Europe but banned in Palestine, Iraq and also prohibited in Lebanon. Why? Because it is forbidden for these people to express their will.
Let us consider what the Iraqi people want? Why don`t they hold referendums, because they are well acquainted with opinion polls? I mean, for instance, if we put to the poll the questions of the occupation forces remaining in Iraq, or a timetable for the occupation forces withdrawal from Iraq, the result would be that a very high percentage of Iraqis want the occupation out. Therefore, it is natural that no referendum is being held in Iraq over whether the occupation forces stay or leave, knowing full well that that is the key to solving the crisis.
It is natural that no referendum is held on any peace deal in Palestine!
And of course, it is normal to be told here in Lebanon that referendums are a heresy! Who said it is heresy? This practice exists in all democracies.
Let us either amend the constitution only for once so that the people go to elections and thus we will resolve this catastrophe. By this way, the Presidential elections will, for the first time in history, reflect the independent and free will of the Lebanese people.
This is the great challenge before you.
There is also a third option.
If you do not want a constitutional amendment, then let us (the current political forces who could not agree on a president) adopt and accept three or five impartial, scientific and reliable opinion poll institutions, to come and conduct an opinion poll in Lebanon. Then, we would all go to the parliament and vote the personality that receives the highest percentage of support as President of the Republic. Thus, we will be respecting the will of the Lebanese people.
Why don`t you (Feb 14) accept? These are formulas to respect the will of the Lebanese people.
If you say that the `majority` is numeral and that the setup in Lebanon is concordance-consensus, then come forward to work on consensus. You either accept the numeral `majority` or you don`t?
The numeral majority has its requirements, if you accept it.
Whatever the `majority` method you want, it would have its requirements. If you want to say that Lebanon is diverse and is based on a sectarian make up, then this too has its requirements, so why not commit to these requirements?
We are still open and continue to reaffirm that the presidential elections must be purely Lebanese. The Lebanese people must be able to freely express their will for the presidential elections, and we must be able to arrive at a consensual Lebanese president.
Otherwise clear the way for the Lebanese people to deliver a President independent the current conflict, because the `half + one` formula is unconstitutional, and a President chosen by `half + one`, is unconstitutional, illegal, and is the vacuum itself, even worse than a vacuum at the top position.
I want to speak about one remaining point in the presidential elections. We heard a great deal of talk recently about the presidential program being more important than the person.
I want to differ and say, that the person of the President is more important than the program, for two reasons: the first is that the ruling power in Lebanon is not the president but the government. Yes, the President`s thought, intentions, and political aspirations no doubt influence the government`s decision.
The second reason is that the President may submit a program now, only to retract it later. Who can offer guarantees to the contrary? Particularly since in Lebanon nothing is easier than to change colour and sides! And unfortunately lying has become a daily sustenance rather than gallantry, honesty and honour.
Today, when we hear comments such as: this or that politician "Oh is so smart ", it means he knows how to lie and deceive. Yet, one who does not know such tricks is seen as apolitical.
The person behind the president is more important than the program.
What does the president`s person mean?
It means we want a patriotic president, whom experience shows he does not submit to pressures and embassies; experience proves that this person does not give in to pressure or intimidation, has sufficient courage, advances national interests and is ever ready to assume responsibility with earnestness and honesty and delivers on his promise.
This is the person of the president and this person definitely exists. Therefore, he can be reached. We just have to reach accord round him.
As far as we are concerned, the person of the president forms the guarantee and not the paper or speech he announces.
You can say this or that person honours their word, delivers on his promise, is truthful with his patriotism, does not yield to pressure or to being terrorised or enticed, millions of dollars cannot sway his loyalty because his homeland is the dearest thing to him.
Such a person forms a guarantee as far as I am concerned. He can be the President of the Republic of Lebanon, who can protect Lebanon, its unity, peace, stability and security. He can build a real national unity government, a state, and face all the coming challenges and threats coming to Lebanon and the region.
That is our vision. Again, we, the entire opposition despite what was and is being said, we re-affirm our adherence to the country`s unity, peace, security, stability, harmony and dialogue. However, a `dialogue table` for 8 or 9 people going back and forth does not give results.
We always said we have no problem with such and such persons from leaders of the opposition and loyalists sitting together and seriously discussing.
As for me personally, I am unable to attend because of special circumstances that prevent me, but the other brothers are present and are able to assume responsibility.
The Arab initiative comes for two or three days and then goes and that does not suffice. Anyone who wants to help, let him come, sit and hold discussions with everyone. We do not mind, we are open and agree to sit and discuss with everyone, but look for serious frameworks and formulas for dialogue that lead to the desired outcomes.
On the International Al-Quds Day, I can assure you that in the atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan that the future is not frightening as portrayed to us, yes, there are challenges, threats and hurricanes.
Of the major miracles of the Koran, is one when it talked through God`s prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) 1400 years ago, that the Children of "Israel" will spread corruption in this Holy Land and rise to great heights.
The Messenger of God said quoting the revelation and in the Koranic `Ayaat` verses, at a time when there were no Jews in Palestine except for an extremely small number of a feeble few, in an era when the Children of "Israel" were a group of torn apart tribes and scattered in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Yemen and elsewhere.
The Koran came to talk about an event that will happen 1400 years later. This is one of the miraculous and great verses of the book of God Almighty.
This (Zionist entity) has established a state unprecedented in their history. Never before in the history of the Children of "Israel" have they built such a high level State on earth as is the case now with this state.
But the Koran, which over 1400 years ago foretold us that the towering state, spreader of corruption, deadly and insolent state will rise in the Holy Land. It also unequivocally and categorically foretold us that this State will cease to exist, and that (We sent against you [Children of Israel] Our servants given to terrible warfare: They entered the very inmost parts of your homes) [ISRA 17:5], and at a later point told us: (to disfigure your faces, and to enter your Temple as they had entered it before, and to visit with destruction all that fell into their power.) [ISRA 17:7]
When Imam Khomeini declared an international day for Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Khomeini was the Koran`s son, who verily saw God`s credible promise, saw that this Sacred House will return to the owners and will be cleansed from the impurity of occupation and the squalor of the occupiers, God willing.
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Nasrallah's address on Israeli occupation and crimes:
Speech on 16 October 2007:
"First of all, best wishes to you on this happy and blessed Eid al-Fitr.
To begin with our congratulations and condolences go to the family of martyr Mohammed Yusuf Asayli, whose body was liberated from the occupation`s grip last night. In the meantime, our brothers are still working on establishing the identification of one of the received bodies and to whom of the resistance martyrs it belongs.
Congratulations to the liberated prisoner Hassan Aqeel and his family. God willing, God grants him good health, well-being and longevity.
The occasion for this talk is the developments in the negotiation and exchange that occurred, and the horizon towards which we are moving during the next phase.
Of course, I want to speak within the available scope, which does not harm our negotiation process, because in all that is happening, ours remains a humanitarian objective and not a media or political goal.
In the end, there are political and media results which will inevitably occur along the way, but the real goal is the release of the prisoners, all prisoners and the return of the bodies of all the martyrs. Supporting this objective is what governs our behavior, performance and conduct in this regard.
Several months ago, negotiations began between Hizbullah and the "Israeli" enemy through an international mediator assigned by the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, and this assignment was resumed by the new Secretary-General.
In their beginnings negotiations are difficult in nature; because each party wants to present all the files they are interested in, either directly or indirectly. During negotiations the "Israelis" presented everything, what we have a connection with and what not, for example, they talk about the "Israeli" soldiers captured in July of last year.
They ("Israelis") also talk about the bodies of soldiers missing in Sultan Yacoub confrontation in 1982. Then again, they revert back to talking about the "Israeli" co-pilot Ron Arad (went missing when his fighter jet was downed in Lebanon during a bombing raid).
On the other hand, we naturally talk about the Lebanese prisoners and non-Lebanese, that is to say all the prisoners.
We also talk about the four Iranian diplomats whom we believe were handed over to "Israel" after being kidnapped at a Lebanese Forces checkpoint in 1982.
Hence, each party arrives with their files, and concern themselves with following up there cases.
Naturally, the negotiations move with difficulty, initially arduous and tough, but with time, things unravel.
I like to mention that all negotiation processes on such files always took time and this is normal.
Some time ago, we told the international mediator that we had the body of an "Israeli" settler of Ethiopian origin. We presented a card as proof, and that the body existed in our possession. We said that we have no problem discussing the subject or negotiating over it if you (the mediator) liked, because in the end we do not want to hold this body and we are ready for it to return to its family.
On the other hand, there are prisoners and bodies of martyrs held by the "Israeli" enemy. So, we must deal with this issue in a purely humanitarian way.
Of course, at that point the subject was left there for them to deal with. So, they took their time to ascertain and confirm our claim, which is their business.
What was said in the media was true, that this "Israeli" settler was washed up on Lebanese beaches, landing into the hands of some honest and honorable citizens, who found cards with Hebrew writing on the body. They contacted us and handed the body over to us.
Incidentally, I thank these righteous and honorable citizens very much for their initiative and sense of higher responsibility, and for putting their trust in us.
All these details have become part of the current debate and negotiations.
During these negotiations and alongside them, in a proposal to us the international mediator said: "Since the blessed Eid Al-Fitr was coming, how about if you took the initiative with a good-will gesture towards the "Israelis", and ask them for the same good-will initiative towards you?"
We said we have no objection. Of course, we are here talking about good intentions limited to the humanitarian aspect of the issue. We do not talk about the restoration of trust or confidence building, because on the subject of confidence and trust none whatsoever exist between Hizbullah and "Israel". Instead, only bitter hostility between a resistance movement defending the land, people and sovereignty of its country, and an enemy that rapes, kills and assaults.
The subject is not an issue of building trust, but the good intentions are in a specific humanitarian case, related to prisoners and bodies of martyrs.
We agreed and asked what is required. The mediator said two things; first the body of the "Israeli" settler, secondly, information, if you have any on a specific case.
Now the "Israeli" side can talk all they will about what the required information was, we will not reveal any, as we are committed to discretion over negotiation details.
There is a specific case and these are the facts. Of course, this is not a critical issue, such information does not finalize anything but helps pave the way to reach reasonable and convincing results.
Now the "Israeli" side can talk all they will about what the required information was, we will not reveal any as we are committed to remaining discreet on negotiation details.
There are specific cases and these are the facts. Of course, these are not critical issues. Such information does not finalize anything but helps pave the way to reach reasonable and convincing results.
We do not have objections; our part of the good-will initiative was to deliver the body of the settler together with a collection of information and facts in a specific case.
Conversely, we were informed that the "Israeli" initiative was the release of one of the five prisoners captured in the July 2007 war, the name was not identified in the beginning. The release of one of the five prisoners captured in the July war together with the bodies of two martyrs, of course when we talk of five, I here do not discuss names because anyone of these five prisoners is our brother.
We are firm on bringing back all prisoners as well as martyrs, even if we were not informed of the martyrs` identities, the least the "Israelis" could have done, claiming it was difficult, which is possibly true.
Hence, we accepted the "Israelis`" side of the initiative and they ours.
The international mediator stipulated extreme secrecy, which suits us fine, since our preoccupation is accomplishing the goal and not media or politics. This is why there was strong secrecy round the event exhibited by Hizbullah and its officials even to Hizbullah related media channels. It was as if there nothing was taking place, which you would have noticed yesterday. This is due to our commitment to silence.
The reason for this diligent silence is the concern to complete the exchange operation and block any outside interference or biddings on their side as I do not think there is anyone in Lebanon who wants to bid in order to disrupt an operation of this type.
On the "Israeli" side, it is possible for the subject to be entered into biddings. From our experience in the past exchange, we know that the biddings within the enemy`s government and media is disrupted certain aspects of the process, which would have been very beneficial had it been completed.
In any case, in light of the climate of secrecy, everyone may have been surprised, including the families, because news of the event was released on Monday, and because certain procedures had to be conducted on the ground.
Of course, the news was leaked and people found out. Nonetheless, we remained committed and praise be to God, the operation was accomplished with complete success and within the expected outcome, free of any problems, obstacles or complications.
Our assessment and what I like to say to people at this moment is that the exchange that took place, though it is a big achievement, it remains a limited part of an operation, even if the humanitarian value of freeing one prisoner or returning one martyr`s body is humanely extremely valuable.
The subject is not one of numbers, but a humanitarian issue which we ultimately resign to the fact that it is a partial and limited process pending the more important operation.
There is no doubt that what happened yesterday gave an important impetus to the broader and more important process taking place, whether on our side, the enemy`s or even the international mediator.
With regards to the remaining broader aspect of the process, I would like to emphasize the following:
First: I confirm that there are ongoing vigorous negotiations. By this I mean the negotiations are not seasonal or intermittent but prompt and vigorous, which will resume vigorously and well in a few days time.
Secondly: for the first time, I can speak about the existence of positive progress in the basic negotiations associated with the two "Israeli" soldiers and the prisoners.
Thirdly: the continuation of the work and it is clear there is serious and focused effort applied at this level.
These facts make us look forward with hope and optimism that may not have otherwise been available over the past months. I can disclose this aspect and for the first time I talk about hope, optimism and positive progress, and that an opportunity exists to achieve a breakthrough in a whole operation of this type.
I certainly understand the feelings of all the families of the martyrs and that the recovery of the body of the martyr is no less important psychologically, spiritually and even emotionally, than the recovery of the liberated prisoner.
Perhaps the lack of clarity around the names may have created a certain emotional air, given all the families of martyrs and prisoners who were expecting the martyrs to be theirs, the same with the liberated prisoner.
After all, we did not purposely do that. True there was no clarity in the names. Otherwise, we would have informed families of the martyrs and prisoners so that things would be clearer from the outset.
Finally, I must stress, your brothers know this, and here I am not talking about the Lebanese prisoners only, but about the Lebanese and non-Lebanese; on the occasion of this achievement and this exchange, I renew the unequivocal commitment of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon to returning the prisoners and the bodies of the martyrs. This is our main and central issue for which we strive and are every ready to make sacrifices.
I would also like to emphasize to the families that we place a great deal of hope on the crew assigned by Hizbullah for the mission, and their efforts.
This team has had a great deal of experience since the beginning of exchange operations. It has a high level of efficiency, excellent experience and a good sense of a high level of responsibility. Thus, the political decision is decisive and the follow up crew is excellent. I believe that doors previously locked in the circumstances surrounding this file have started to open up.
Now, I can not say anymore than this so as not to cause any damage or harm to the process. However, this process is ongoing, and we hope to reach results soon.
At the end, I must thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the delegation or assistants assigned by him, as well as those we call `the international mediator`, who have truly made great efforts during this period, often overworked, we thank them for this humanitarian effort, in the hope that, God willing, other achievements can be made at this level and we can reach a joyful end to this file with the help of God Almighty."
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Nasrallah's address in defiance of U.S.-backed government orders to give up mobile phones:
Speech on 13 May 2008:
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the merciful. Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds. Peace and Prayers be upon Mohammad, The Last Prophet, and on his family and elected followers, and upon all the messengers and prophets. May Allah's peace and mercy be upon you all.
Certainly, the subject of this press conference that we hold which is the first since the end on the July (2006) war the important and dangerous developments that have been occurring for the past few days in Lebanon.
In the beginning I must say that after the decisions taken by the ruling party on that dark night, a completely new era has begun in Lebanon. Meaning that the date of that session to us is like March 14, 2005, the earthquake of the assassination of PM Rafik Hariri that sent Lebanon into an entirely new era. Lebanon after that dark gloomy session is not what it was before. The ruling party must know that it has entered Lebanon in a completely new phase due to the seriousness, backgrounds and dimensions of the decisions it took.
I will discuss several headlines:
First: The Resistance's communication networks. In this conference we shall call a spade a spade...the phase is difficult but it is also a phase for logic, thinking, and wise decisions.
Second: The airport and General Shokeir.
Third: The current severe political dilemma, dealing with it, and the way out of it.
In the first point I have a definition. In Lebanon people may understand what the Resistance communication network is, but foreigners might think that we have set up a private phone network and a ministry of communication which brings us proceeds illegally, and to answer the deductions made by the ruling party that knows the truth but denies it.
There is a code-weapon in all armies in the world even in armies in the past. Various codes were used, including birds and sounds among other things. Every time infantry and firearms and combat tactics developed, the code or communications developed simultaneously. Hence, any fighting group be it an army or party or militia or security team, all need communication between the leadership and groups and cadres and individuals. This weapon is an elementary part of the administrative organization and control if not the primary factor in any victory and battle leadership.
These communications take various forms and it is a technical issue. Hence, it is crucial that I mention it. There are various radio frequency communications such as a walkie-talkie and cellular phones in which sound is transferred by waves and they take several technological forms. There's also the wire in which sound is not broadcasted in waves. It is transferred in wires from one instrument to another and sound is usually confined. Usually non-wired communications are facilitated and easier, and every person can take his receiver from place to place. Now each of you can hold a cellular phone and talk from the street from any place you chose. It is not so with cables, not so flexible. There is a group of problems with non-wired communication, and I tell u, there is no non-wired communication in Lebanon or the world that is surveillance-proof and cannot be decoded and analyzed.
This is a fact given the technological development in the world. There is an issue of surveillance. Second, there is the issue of interference. The enemy may log onto the communication channel and jam it disconnecting the leadership from the cadres and bases and centers. In result, the entire leadership and control network disperses.
The third issue is targeting. Quite simple, a cellphone tower can be bombed. The wireless network can be bombed similar to what occurred in the (2006) war and in previous wars. Yet the wired communication network, especially if it is secret, is difficult to bomb in the first few days, and may be employed in a wider margin. We in the resistance do not have the capabilities of large armies or the technology of the USA nor the ‘Israeli' technology. Naturally, when we are faced with complicated advanced technology we resort to simplified technology since in the technological scale we cannot match. The best and most effective means to face complex technology is simplification. In result came the wired network. To be precise I can say the wired resistance network is a communication center and a group of cables connected to houses of leaders and centers and resistance related posts. This is the wired communication network. Wired communication is a part of the code weapon of the resistance in Lebanon. It is not a secondary weapon; it is the most fundamental one in the battle, and in any battle. Before the year 2000, one of the most important reasons behind the success of the resistance operations is that when 200, 300 or 400 resistance fighter attack ‘Israeli' posts in the occupied zone, the ‘Israeli' only knew about the attack the second the first shot was fired. This is because we didn't rely on wireless equipment, but on the wired network. In the July (2006) war the most important point, our greatest point of strength, was leadership and control because communication was upheld between the leadership and command centers and operational combat posts. The enemy admitted to this. Remember after the second Qana massacre when a ceasefire was agreed upon for 48 hours to facilitate the exit of the injured and others, how were we able to stop firing when we are not an regular army? It was due to our ability to communicate with all our points in those posts.
As to the declaration of the Minister of Information, and I regret this since he was an old friend, that it is wrong to consider that this weapon protects Hizbullah. I would like to say that many of our leaders have died due to wireless communications and cellular phones. And in the July (2006) war in many posts where we lost wired communication and were forced to communicate wirelessly and by cellular phones, cadres and leaders were killed in operation. Today, when we approach the Winograd report we find that the most important recommendation by Winograd was the necessity to destroy the organization and capacity of leadership and control of Hizbullah in which the communication constitutes a decisive factor. This is the Winograd recommendation which we must not forget, and you can go back to it.
We come to the negotiations that were going on between us and the ruling party in the recent past. You all know that this (communication) network existed before the year 2000 and continued after that, and it is not a new or a recently introduced network. Yes, it is true that it has been developed and advanced, and this is a natural and logical issue. I would like to remind them that when we agreed with them in the sinister quadric-partite alliance that the network was existent then and wasn't a aggression of sovereignty, law, or public money. When the ministerial Declaration was made and talked about the resistance and its arms, and this is part of its arms, this network wasn't an aggression on sovereignty and public money. Now, at this moment, the four-party accord is a dream, an illusion, the matter which angered some members of the ruling party. I pronounce that it is an illusion; they will not see it in this life or in the afterlife. In any case, we will not meet in the afterlife. Yet in this life they will never see it. After the Winnograd recommendations, and after Welch's recommendations and the ‘hot Summer', and after the Lebanese crisis was magnified and after (Terje Rod) Larsen and his report that is useless unless the Lebanese government says, "The Lebanese Government says..." ...and after the insulting report of the US State Department to the (Lebanese) government...thee Government came and reopened the case even though in the past few months we were negotiating and had reached a certain defined agreement and had answered all the questions. They had come before and we had communicated, the subject was brought up and high levels of Lebanese security institution chiefs were put in charge of communicating with us and discussing the (phone) communication network with us and certain distressing issues. We met and answered their issues and they said, "Fine, you have addressed our issues and we have no problems, but there is a cable laid between the (southern) suburb and western Beirut." This cable was laid out in the July 2006 war a few days after the suburb was bombed and not on the first day; we laid a cable between the suburb and Beirut. They told us that this cable spurs fear from this person and that person, and hope u can remove it, and in case of a new war God forbid, we, the official security forces, vow to lay out a new cable. We agreed to that with our hearts, and told them if it relieves you, remove it, and we have removed it. End of story.
The region is undergoing a phase. The issue is not about the wired network. There were gambles on the Government that lost. Certain gambles were put on regional and international developments that lost, lost gambles on wars. Therefore, the war in Iraq and Palestine and Lebanon and even with Iran and Syria was required to be waged in a different manner. They came and opened the issue of the wired (network). The officers came and a meeting was held. What's the problem? They said we have a group of issues you must solve for us. We are a people of negotiation and solving issues, and we want to keep our arms. We don't want to fight for our arms. Fighting is not our objective. They said we want to lay out a network in Jubeil and Kisirwaan. We told them that it is untrue. And the one (Jumblat) who held a press conference and lied for 25 years knows that he was lying. We informed the officers who informed the ministerial committee who in turn informed the unconstitutional government that Hizbullah says, as a matter of fact that it doesn't want to lay down a network in Jubeil and Kisirwaan, and we told them that we lay it only in places where there are leaders and centers and where there are targets. They said, "Fine, what about the North?" We responded that not even in the North. They said, "fine...And the line between the suburb and the South?" We answered, "It is natural. It is crucial since it provides communication between the suburb and the south." They said, "We fear you might lay lines to your allies in the Choof." We said, "We will not lay lines to the Choof, and we vow not to lay lines to our allies." This is the first time I discuss such information. We said, "Fine, There's no problem." They said, "One more thing. This network is a replacement of the Government's network and in effect it will deprive the treasury of proceeds." We told them that this network is for the sole use of the leaders and cadres of the resistance and is not for public use. And if you want to make sure, be our guests. They said there's a third issue, that this network may be used for making international calls. We told them that it isn't possible, and despite that, you can pick up any international call. Be our guests and tell us where the international calls are and let us deal with it. We believe that international calls of this sort are illegal and are deemed a source of dissolute money and a theft of public money. They said this is perfect. The officers went and said the atmosphere was positive and matters were going well. Then they came back and said we have a deal: we overlook your wired communication network in trade for stopping the strike in Beirut. They want a compromise to overlook the resistance's wired network. Here, I would like to ask: Had we accepted this proposal, would the resistance network have become legal and not against the law and a theft of public money? What kind of government is this? This isn't a government, it's a gang! It is not a government of law or institutions. It's a gang. It's not even a militia. Shame on it! It's a shame to use internal issues to overlook the issue of the resistance's arms. It is a patriotic internal issue associated with defending this country and confronting the Zionist enemy. Second, the communication network's decision is mine, but the decisions relating to the strike camp lies in the hands of all the opposition.
The issue ended at this level and we provided assurances and showed our willingness (to cooperate) by saying ‘be our guests and come examine (this network) and see that there are no international calls on it and that it isn't for public use and that it takes nothing from the government given the fact that there are phone networks in various places in Lebanon for religious institutions and political parties in Lebanon some of which are licensed and others not so. Allah willing the members of parliament will soon reveal some details in relations to this. But apart from this side, this issue is related to the resistance, with the struggle with ‘Israel', and with defending this country. Yet the topic has risen to the surface again via the Prime Minister Mr. Walid Jumbtatt since it has become clear to me that it is wrongful to say ‘the government of Fuad Saniora' since Fuad Saniora is a poor employee for Walid Jumblaat. And when the latter wants to fire and employee he tells the employees (like Mr. Saniora) to fire them. Of course he (Jumblaat) is an employee for Condaleeza Rice...The Government of Mr. Walid Jumblaat has returned to stir up the topic again and waged a comprehensive attack starting from the camera and conluding with the airport. And it is possible the he (Jumblaat) brought the Frensh Member of Parliament to the suburb. And on the occasion, have you any idea where the mp was arrested? He was arrested in the very alley of my house with camera taking pictures! Who took him there? A person from the Progressive Socialist party!
They took him so that we would arrest him! I tell you, we will not be merciful with the security of any of our leaders at all. They will say kidnap or detainment, not a problem. The issue was brought up and reopened and, hence, the government held a meeting and took decisions that you are aware of. This is what happened up to now.
The second point in the issue of the wired network is describing the decision. I would like to describe the government's decision after the report of the US Department of State which ‘insulted' them. They used the same phrase which came in the State Department's report. They are employees that abide to the text. Fine. A ‘hot summer' and internationalization and after 10 hours of calls made to the countries and capitals that covered the July War, the sinister decision was made which you heard of and which considered the Hizbullah's resistances wired network an aggression against sovereignty, and law and public money, and they requested from the judicial authorities and security forces to pursue everyone that is charged with establishing this network. First, this decision is a declaration of war and a commencement of war from the government of Walid Jumblatt on the resistance and its arms and a commencement of war from the government of Walid Jumblatt on the resistance and its arms on behalf of and for the benefit of the United States and ‘Israel'. We have no doubts or confusion on the subject. It's as clear as the sun at midday.
Second: this decision revealed the truth of this party and its backgrounds, the truth of its commitments, and the truth of its behavior and performance during the July 2006 war the results of which saddened it (the party).
Third: This decision aims at confiscating the prime factor that protects the resistance's leadership, cadres and infrastructure, and aims at exposing (the resistance) as an introduction to assassination and death, and the destruction of its infrastructure. Hence they become partners in killing and assassinating even if by only by providing introductions and opening the way.
Fourth: This decision is aimed at stirring discord between the national Lebanese army, security forces and the resistance after the failure of all previous conspiracies and collusions that were foiled by the patience, wisdom, attention, and responsibility of the resistance and the army leadership. Today they want to push the Lebanese army and the Lebanese security forces into direct combat with the resistance through assigning the issue of removing and disabling this network to them. This is our description of the decision, of course it is also aimed at providing subject matter for Mr. Larsen for the UNSC, supervising UNSCR 1959 so that it is not said ‘Larsen said...' but ‘The government said...' In its simplest terms this is our description of the decision. I wish not to venture regionally and internationally, and into Bush's visit to the region and very long commitments...
Our response to this decision is, naturally, that he who declares war against us and begins a war with us, be he a father or brother, it is our right to face them with defending our rights and arms and resistance and existence. The wired network is the most crucial part of the resistance's arms, not just a crucial part. From Bint Jubeil I talked about it and was clear and transparent during that election period. And I wasn't searching for electoral voices. The government's Prime Minister Mr. Walid Jumblaat was present sitting and swaying his feet around while I was giving a speech and clearly said, "The hand that extends to the resistance's arms whomever it is for and wherever it comes from...we will cut it!" Today is the day of truthfulness to that decision.
The ‘Israeli' hand extended to the resistance's arms in the July war and it was cut. In the interior (Lebanon), there have been attempts that have not yet reached the level of seriousness, action, and the commencement of a war. But after the gloomy decisions of the dark government we consider that a war has been waged and it is our duty to defend our arms and resistance, and the legality of our decisions. "He who has warned is excused!" To us the issue has passed all red lines. There will be no lenience with anyone whoever it be wherever it be. We also know, and our information confirms that the issue of the wired network is but a first step to be followed by other steps. And if we are tolerant with the wired network issue, tomorrow we will face a battle on the missile and anti-armor missiles and on every capability the resistance ahs to defend itself and its country or to confront any future ‘Israeli' aggression.Second: Te subject of judicial reference. This communication network is under the control of Hizbullah, and therefore Hizbullah owns the network. I, the Secretary General, am the owner of the network and its editor-in-chief, as the media might put it, and it's main financer, and I am a user of this network in which many loyal mujahidin worked implementing my decisions. Despite the illegal reference from the unconstitutional government and I don't believe in the legality of this reference, the Lebanese judiciary can send a judge in the appropriate place on the level of security and allow me to meet him, for I too have a litigation against those who took the decision that they have taken a decision in favor of the US and ‘Israel' and to ignite a civil war. Let the law (rule) between us. As to the rest, the people who facilitated, aided, and considered that they helped the resistance, they are untouchable, be that person an engineer, a company, a mayor, an employee, a contractor, a day laborer... Harming them is equivalent to harming me. Harming any cadre in the resistance in Lebanon is unacceptable, and is equivalent to harming our weapons.
Forgive me. We are in a completely new era. We will arrest those who seek to arrest us. We will shoot anyone who shoots at us. We will cut the hand that extends to (hurt) those young men. There is no need for this entire story. Come, let us talk and see who contradicts the law and who is assaulting public money. It is a shame that, today, the Lebanese Prime Minister (Walid Jumblaat) confesses that he is a thief and admits on TV that he has two notebooks. He admits to lying - the difference between lying and a liar is that lying becomes a second nature to a liar. He's a liar with 25 years of experience in his confession and a killer in his confession. Today, the person ruling the country, and it is required of leaders, religious leaders, and sects to follow his plan, is a liar, a thief, a murderer! He heads the government today, gives out orders, and lays out red lines...while the resistance and the fathers and sons of martyrs who, if not for them Lebanon would have become ‘Israeli', are to be sent to court?! Nobody will take anyone to court! This is not a government. It's a gang dominating people even if the whole world supported them, even if Bush rendered his support to it daily. This is a condemnation in their right, not ours!
The second title: The issue of the airport. Its subject is not General Wafik Shokeir though its title is General Wafik Shokeir. After the parliamentary elections we were massively pressured to dismiss General Wafik Shokeir in order to bring a new general I don't want to name. Many names were presented and we rejected them. There were problems over this issue. Why the insistence? I would like to say that General Shokeir doesn't belong to Amal movement or Hizbullah or to any other opposition party. He's a general in the national institution (the Army), and we all agree on its patriotism and its pioneering unifying role. We all agree on the army. (He is) Like all other patriotic officers that are the sons of this institution, they were raised to apply the law and not abide to (party) leaders.
The issue from the beginning is when this government was formed they wanted to put their hand on the airport not to steal because they already are stealing. Now in the airport there are several issues, entering and exiting, that concern them (the government), and even General Shokeir doesn't know about them. Many are the boxes and baggage that have entered and left the airport and God knows what is in them: weapons, money, white (drugs), green (money), black (weapons)....God knows. This is existent. Yet this is not the story. The issue is that it is required of the Beirut airport to become a base for the FBI, CIA, and ‘Israeli' Mossad. Quite honestly this is the issue. If not, where is the security disorder in the airport? Trips arrive and depart and so are people, and there is no problem at the airport or in its vicinity at all. Yes, the presence of a patriotic general that abides to the law whom they know very well through his patriotism is an obstacle in transforming Beirut's Martyr Rafiik Hariri airport into a spying base for the United States and the Mossad, Shabak, Shin Bet, etc. This is the issue. That's why it is required that General Wafik Shokeir should be fired meanwhile they weren't able to in the past. Even after we resigned from the government they attempted that, but they faced the obstacle of His Excellency President Emile Lahoud who would refuse to sign such decree. Now this unconstitutional government which believes that it has the jurisdiction of the president has taken this step. What is intended is bringing a general loyal to one of those leaders who are employed by the CIA and FBI. This is the airport's story in a nutshell.
Quite frankly we cannot tolerate the presence of a CIA, FBI, or Mossad base in our neighborhood. People's blood, dignity, and safety are more precious and over any other consideration. Yet the logic of the government and gang exists. His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan called the Deputy Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and told him that this issue can't be dealt with in this manner, and if General Shokeir was negligent in the issue of the cameras which is a ridiculously absurd obvious issue, let there be an investigation and send it to court...We will not defend negligent generals that have broken the law. And if he is not negligent, why do you want to fire him?
His Eminence Sheikh Qabalan and everyone that has stood by General Shokeir in this matter is not defending a Shiite general; he's defending a patriotic general. Since when General Shokeir is desecrated all patriotic generals in Lebanon will be desecrated. And every general will observe that his security institution and government are not protecting him, and that the ones that protect him are the political leaders. The last thing left in this country is the army, and if it crumples nothing will be left. These couple of days what has stopped a civil war from breaking out is a national willpower in the country and the presence of a military institution... and if the patriotic generals are desecrated the country is gone. We look at the issue at a deeper level than the airport and farther than the issue of General Shokeir. The issue is preserving what has been left of this country, the army with the hope that matters in this country will straighten up again. He (Saniora) promised him (Qabalan) and told the latter "Allah willing..." But he (Saniora) is but an employee. The true Premier (Jumblat) told them no, he had taken the decision to fire General Wafik Shokeir. Why didn't he (Jumblat) hold a press conference in Clemenseau, but went to AL Mukhtara and make the decision to fire (Shokeir) from there? Employees must follow their orders
His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
They didn't investigate or prosecute or even give General Shokeir a chance to defend himself. And what is he charged with anyway? This is how gangs work: We are the government and are not a government within a government. The day of Mar Mokhayel incidents seven young men like primrose were killed, slaughtered. We did not take revenge on anyone or judge anyone. All we did was be bear the pains of our wounds and said that we wanted an investigation, a prosecution, and that the negligent be held responsible. Who is the government and who is the gang in this country? Who had the logic of a government and who has the logic of a gang in this country?...the ones who are killed, slaughtered, pleading for an investigation and prosecution or the ones who in absentia prosecute the chief of airport security after tens of years of military service as a result of a absurd ridiculous charge titled as a surveillance camera on a container in the presence of thousands of similar cameras in the area and in Lebanon? Who is the gang and who is the government? Therefore in this matter the decision that is issued by an unconstitutional government is unconstitutional... and General Shokeir will keep his post as chief of airport security and will bear his responsibilities in airport security. And any other offices that takes this post is an impersonator and must be aware that he is an impersonator and that he is previously adjudicated of coming to implement a decision to transform Rafik Hariri International Airport into a base for the CIA, FBI, and Mossad... whomever the officer may be... Shiite, Sunni, Durzi, Christian, or Muslim, they are all the same! Treason and treachery have no religion, have no sect!
The third and final title is the current crisis. They are the ones who pushed matters to this current crisis. We were being patient. We were killed, and killed, and killed...and we remained patient. We considered that we were killed in a homeland issue and that it is fine as long as there is a government, Judiciary, and a power struggle. But when they took these decisions they created a new crisis.
To us, we have entered a new stage. Here, I do not declare war. I declare (our) oppression and a decision to defend ourselves. I declare that after that dark gloomy night's decisions is different from before them. After today, we will not be killed in the streets anymore! No longer will we accept being fired at from anyone! We will not allow conspiracies against our weapons! We won't tolerate any subjection of our existence and legality anymore! ... Even if all the armies in the world came (to subject us)... This is our decision today in all clarity and transparency.
Whoever wants dialogue will get dialogue. Whoever wants a settlement will find the doors to settlement wide open. What is the way out of the crisis? Two phrases. First, annulling the unconstitutional decisions of Walid Jumblaat's unconstitutional government. Second, answering Chairman Nabih Berri's previous call for national dialogue. There is no other way out nor is there any (other) solution. There is a party that declared war on another party, and we are not the ones who started. A party declared war on another party and you tell me to come and solve the issue. This is how we solve the matter and we have no problems on our part.
I would also like to address the Arab and Muslim nations which everyone in Lebanon is addressing today. Yesterday we heard voices we didn't hear throughout the July war for 33 days, and didn't observe this warmth, these emotions and enthusiasm when ‘Israel' had forced the evacuation of over a million Lebanese, destroyed more than a hundred thousand homes, ruined the infrastructure and threatened all of Lebanon. I would like to address them all by saying: Had the struggle been over a partnership government or power, we would have settled with a political stance, demonstrating, and strikes. A thousand times I said we are not competing for power, the government, a ministry, or any position within the government. All what has been said to the Arab and Islamic world about a coup and government is worthless. The truth of what is happening now in Lebanon is that there is a pro-American subsidiary serving committed party that is implementing a scheme that America and ‘Israel' have failed to impose, which is the disarmament of the resistances arms. That party has provided commitments in this regard since 2005 and has failed to live up to the commitments.
Therefore I don't seek aid of assistance from anyone just like I did in the July war. All of Lebanon and the (southern) suburb was bombed, and I was in the suburb, and I said this then that we do not seek aid or assistance from anyone, and he who wants to assist was welcome, but I wasn't asking for anything. But today I do ask something. I ask for understanding and that the Arab and Islamic public opinion not be mislead, since they always threaten us upon the smallest issue: Look, if you stand up there may be a Sunni-Shiite affliction. They have always threatened us with this sectarian affliction.
Therefore, today I declare that we are no longer worried about this Shiite-Sunni affliction. This topic is over. This weapon cannot be used anymore. The battle today is not between Sunnis and Shiites or among some Sunnis and some Shiites. No. Today there is a noble national resistance project and an American project building up. There is no regard to whomever is on that (American) side, even if wears a hundred Amamas (Islamic sheikh head dress) or a hundred caps or a hundred costume of a Muslim religious man nor of Christian religious man or of a politician.
I am the most person that used to fear and worry (about sectarian violence) and they have always betted on that. When they took these decisions they were betting that Hizbullah wouldn't do anything or would merely issue a statement that would relieve its base (followers). Why? Because Hizbullah is very cautious of two points: One, sectarian violence which they always face us with. Here I would like to inform you that, to me, he who extends his hand to the resistance's arms, be he a Sunni, he is not deemed Sunni, and be he a Shiite, he is not deemed Shiite, and be he a Muslim, he is not deemed a Muslim, and be he a Christian, he is no way related to Jesus. Two, using arms on the homefront. We will not use our arms in the interior for a coup nor to change the government, or to impose a status-quo. Rather, the weapons will be used to protect the weapons from anyone.
You have crossed the red lines. We have no more red lines. And we are not afraid of Sunni-Shiite violence for two reasons. First, all the Arab and Islamic world know the nature of the conflict in the country. After the July war we were subjected to a libelous campaign sponsored by millions of dollars from the Arab and Islamic world in the form of media sources, satellite TV stations, authors, newspapers, and even some religious personalities that roamed the entire Arab world to say that Hizbullah is Iranian, is Syrian, is Shiite, is, is.....but no mention of anything related to ‘Israel'. In the past two years millions of dollars have been spent in order to disfigure our image in the Arab and Islamic world, but it has not been disfigured because Hizbullah's image is as bright and clear as the sun and cannot be disfigured by anyone. This is one thing.
The second thing: today, the Amamas and addresses of the Sunnis that have been employed most certainly know our relationship with them. Because they know our stance, faith, and belief that they, the Sunnis, -even if we disagree with them- are our brothers in religion, in the country, in the resistance, and in fate. And because there are among the gracious Sunni sect some deep-rooted patriotic leaderships, households, and religious and patriotic parties and movements. And because there are religious scholars that are faithful and sincere and can say the truth to all the Arab and Islamic world....(because of all this) there won't be Sunni-Shiite violence in Lebanon. We are past the subject now, and I hope nobody intimidates with it.
Today we are in this position. Our decision is clear. And this is our diagnosis of the new stage: The government of Mr. Walid Jumblaat, the government of Mr. David Welch, the government of Ms. Condaleeza Rice... in which there are employees from some sects. And corresponding to our diagnosis is our decision. There are two hands. One extended for dialogue on grounds of annulling the wrongful decisions and sitting at a table for dialogue inn answer to calls from Chairman Nabih Berri. The other ther is a weapon, and yhis weapon is not for assaulting anyone or to carry out a coup. In Hizbullah, it is our conviction that if all Lebanese, Arabs, Muslims, and international community joined and told Hizbullah that we are good guys and that our administration is a good one, that we don't steal public money, and said that they will hand over the government in Lebanon for us to rule the country...we would apologize and say that we are not capable of bearing the responsibility because the salvation of the country requires everyone.
We are not seeking authority nor are we planning to overthrow the government nor are we weak, frightened, or terrified. Our hopes for the future are very large. You (the unconstitutional government) are the ones whose dreams have begun to vanish. It is you who have fired at our dreams and not at us when you took those dark decisions on that dark gloomy night. We don't want to assault anyone, nor do we want to perform a coup or usurp the country. They talk of a coup. What coup? Had there been a coup you would have awoke to find yourselves cast in prison or in the sea. But we have never, for a day, resorted to this means. We have always said that there is a political crisis, a political struggle in the country. Its tools are political tools; the resolutions are political, and the means are political be it dialogue, early elections, consensus, poll...and never was a day when we talked of arms.
What is required to exit the crisis: We thank those who call and say they care for the country. The way out of the ongoing (political) congestion is by annulling the unconstitutional governments' decisions and sitting at the table for dialogue. Opposing will take us somewhere else. The game being played is a dangerous one. We care for the country and this is how we are devoted to it and how we can overcome the current ongoing crisis in Lebanon.
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Nasrallah's address after his men take over Beirut after government mobile phone ban:
Speech on 26 May 2008:
First of all, great greetings to every pure spirit of the resistance and homeland martyrs, especially to the leader of resistance martyrs Seyyed Abbas al-Mousawi, the sheikh of the resistance martyrs Raghib Hareb and our dear brother whom we miss today leader Al-Hajj Imad Moughniyah.
I would like to welcome you to the 8th anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day. Your presence here today justifies your reality and identity and testifies once again that you are the most honorable, precious and the purest of people.
As God Almighty has said in his Glorious Book:
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful and Gracious,
Pharaoh had tyrannized on Earth, divided people into groups. He oppressed one group on behalf of the others, slaughtering its children, and ravishing its women. Indeed, he was among those corruptors.
The Pharaohs of our time are the USA and its right hand, Israel. Allah has promised:
We want to bestow upon those who were oppressed on Earth and make them precedents and successors; and we will consolidate their position on Earth to show what Pharaoh, Haman, along with their soldiers have been worried from.
God Almighty speaks the truth!
Brothers and sisters, today marks the day of resistance and the liberation of our homeland and nation coincides with the anniversary of the calamity and the loss of Palestine as well as the establishment of the extorter's existence.
It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Israel's 1978 occupation of southern Lebanon and the establishment of the occupied territory, which was later expanded. This coincidence must provoke us to think twice, evaluate the situation and draw lessons and conclusions that will benefit Lebanon as well as the Muslim and Arab worlds.
Although this occasion has its own intellect, emotion, literature, rights and ethics, today I will not confine myself to introductions, as there is much to talk about.
Starting from Lebanon and its resistance… the latter has demonstrated two strategies, one of liberation and driving away occupiers, and the other of defending the homeland and people against any attack, invasion or threat.
This is the stratagem and vision of resistance: liberation and defense. These are also the clear and joint messages of the resistance in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.
As a result of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon and the occupation of a part of our land in 1978, the Security Council issued the Resolution 425. We submitted ourselves to the will of the international community and waited for its implementation. At the time, it was suggested that Lebanon was too weak to face Israel and it would therefore need a strategy of Arab unity.
The UNSC decision, however, was not implemented and an Arab strategy was never found. The international community and the Arab world took no action, and the will to confront was lost. It was at this time that the Imam and leader Seyyed Moussa al-Sadr proposed that the people of southern Lebanon put their trust in God Almighty and resist by any means possible.
What resulted from the false proposals of inaction? Israel weakened Lebanon and thought we were too weak to respond. This resulted in the great invasion of 1982 aiming to ultimately make Lebanon part of Israel.
As has been proven throughout history that a divided country can easily be conquered, such was the case of Lebanon at the time of the Israeli invasion in 1982 and so was the case of Palestine. The same applies to Iraq and shall apply to other countries as well. In the face of occupation, people are divided into various groups and categories:
Some remain neutral toward the occupation while some rule the country and have an extent of authority do not feel the impact of the occupation as the most important thing for them is to eat, drink and enjoy life. Another group are spies and mercenaries, cheap tools such as Antoine Lahid's army who despite being Lebanese committed shameful acts. Another group consists of the internally defeated elite who cooperate with the occupiers for their own benefits and theoretically believe they can minimize national casualties.
Also, is a group that tacitly defies the occupation but is not willing to endure hardships and pay for freedom with their blood. Finally, there is the group that believes it has an ethical, national, religious and humanitarian responsibility to liberate their fatherland from occupation. They are ready to pay the price whatever it may be. This is the group of resistance. This is the group that takes the necessary action.
This division is not exclusive to Lebanon; it is a natural, historical and social trend stemming from the loss of national unity.
To those claiming that there is no national agreement regarding resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq I would say that there is also no national agreement on neutrality, treachery, cooperation or carelessness. Every group decides on its own. This is also true in Lebanon.
As always, I advise nations under occupation not to wait for a national or public agreement on resistance, but to pick up weapons and fight for the liberation of their land, nation and prisoners of war and regain their dignity and glory. This cannot be achieved other than by weapons, giving blood and making great sacrifices.
The resistance and the Lebanese people are intertwined with one another. Whether Muslim or not and regardless of sect and political parties, we have given countless martyrs. Self-reliance, jihad, various operations and our male and female youths have brought the resistance so far. Both the Arab and Muslim worlds were duty-bound to offer help. Many, however, have refrained to take action. It was Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran who actively supported us.
We first achieved victory from 1982 to 1985 and another historical victory was won on May 25, 2000: a magnificent victory for Lebanon, Arabs and the nation and an utter defeat for Israel that shattered its dream of expanding its territory from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Israel has been cut off from southern Lebanon and western Bikaa and the Zionists have suffered a shameful defeat without gains, guarantees or concessions. While the liberating strategy adopted by the resistance succeeded, the negotiation strategy beginning from Madrid was not even able to free an inch of our land.
The strategy of inaction has done nothing but strengthen our enemy and weaken our country. Subsequently, it was the librating strategy adopted by the resistance, which similarly brought success in 2000.
After the 1984 calamity, Palestinians hopelessly waited for Arab support and international intervention.
In Iraq, America has occupied the country under the banner of establishing a democracy. The truth is that the American occupation was aimed at monopolizing the country's resources. Their true objectives becoming more clear every day. How? After the invasion, similar to other occupied nations I mentioned before, Iraqis were divided into two relatively large groups.
One seeks a political process and the other prefers resistance, specifically an armed one. Based on our religious, ideological, intellectual, political experience as well as reality, we the Hezbollah are zealous toward resistance. Those supporting the political process have wasted a great deal of time and are today faced with an extremely difficult test, which is to determine the stance they will take now that America is attempting to impose a security deal on Iraqis, the finalization of which only requires the signatures of the Iraqi government and parliament.
Despite being aware of the friendships and coalitions, America is persuading an elected government and parliament legitimize its occupation and monopoly over Iraq and exert control over its security, politics, oil and other resources. At this particular point, the realities pertaining to US objectives have been exposed, and the supporters of the political process whether Sunni, Shiite, natives or nationalists are faced with a difficult test.
You claim that you have chosen the political process as deterrence against the occupiers and to eliminate casualties. The question is, will you forever hand Iraq over to the Americans, or will you make a decision befitting your religion, Islam, Arabs, nationalism, your ethics and morals?
Today, in the name of all who have gathered here today as well all free souls in the Arab and Muslim worlds, I call on Iraqis and their political and religious leaders to make a noble and historical decision that would prevent the ultimate fall of Iraq into the hands of the occupiers.
All resistance groups in Iraq, as those in Lebanon and Palestine, have defeated the occupiers on various occasions. Iraq must now adopt the liberating strategy of the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance groups. This is the only way to return the wounded but affluent and strong Iraq to its people.
The Lebanese resistance has also adopted a defense strategy, which became known to the world in July 2006 when a few thousand men with the support of their nation confronted the greatest army (of course, in Israel's own opinion!) for several weeks.
We are not talking about a strategy written in books or taught at university but a well-implemented strategy that defeated an invader as the Zionists have conceded. The July war turned the tables, changed the balance and weakened war probabilities.
Indeed my brothers and sisters, it is your patience, nobility, encouragement and resistance along with the blood of our martyrs that fizzled out the Israeli war and attack on Lebanon and changed the odds of the war in the region.
The probability that America can wage war on Iran has been weakened. The same seems to apply to Syria as well. The lessons learned in Lebanon have truly been absorbed.
I would tell those who believe another war is likely in Lebanon that we are honorable people. We fought in the July war and should there be another war, we shall return to the battlefield!
Let us take a look at the defense strategy adopted by Gazans. In the Gaza Strip, Israel faces an asymmetric war. Certainly, it is neither Israeli ethics nor Arab public opinion nor any other Arab or international stance for that matter that has prevented Israel from invading the Strip.
Israel has received the green light from the Pharaoh of our time, George Bush. Israel is lost and has no escape. If its confrontation against the starving and besieged Strip is in vain. Despite the absence of international support and the lack of military, economic and financial balance between the two sides, the defense strategy has proven its effectiveness in Lebanon and Palestine.
The outgoing Pharaoh of our time, George Bush (God willing), visited Palestine and turned a blind eye to the country's calamity and criticized all resistance movements in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine and the nations that support them.
He promised Zionists that Israel would celebrate its 120th anniversary. Bush has mistaken. He shall be frustrated when he sees Israel's extinction. He has also promised the defeat of Hezbollah and all resistance movements. To Bush and Condoleezza Rice who dream of defeating Hezbollah, I say as long as Hezbollah is righteous and depends on God and has the support of such honorable people, it is you who will be defeated.
On the 8th anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day, I call on all Arab nations and governments, including the Lebanese, to devise a defense strategy based on the current regional balance of power. We have always had a national defense strategy, but today we need one for liberation.
We still must liberate Kafer Shoubah hills and Sheba farms. We need a defense strategy to repel any attack and one of liberation to free our prisoners of war. I need to say, however, that you can rest assured because it is our promise to you to liberate the prisoners of war. This is God's will but will be executed by our hands. I promise you that we will soon bring Samir and his brothers home.
On May 25, 2000, I told a gathering in Bent Jbeil that we offer our victory to Lebanon and Palestine. I told them that we had fulfilled our duty and that God's acceptance is all we hope for. We did not want gratitude or rewards. We did not seek power and authority. We liberated the land and left the security, judiciary, social and economic responsibilities to the Lebanese authorities. Have we not already said that we are not after security or managerial authority? Have our actions contradicted our word? Never!
We have not judged any spies. We handed them over to the judiciary. We have no military presence in the liberated land. We called on the government to assume this role instead.
All we requested was more attention to be paid to the development of southern villages where confrontations occurred and in deprived villages, such as Baalbek Al-Hermil and Akkar.
What have you done in the past 8 years? You who have been demanding more authority! Has anyone prevented you from fulfilling your duty in the deprived villages and the freed land?! The Lebanese know but I want Arabs harken and understand that the presence of authorities only exist when taxes are collected and police officers arrive. Citizens do not receive the services and care they require.
To those who claim that the French and Vietnamese resistance groups handed over their weapons to the authorities, I say that there are some resistance groups which have taken or demanded authority after victory.
We, however, won in 2000 and did not ask for authority. We did not ask for the Lebanese political hierarchy or the Taef Convention to be modified. We did not ask for political or administrative power. We did not seek to monopolize power. We only asked that the people be cared for, their social and economical problems be solved and their dignity to be restored.
Today, I renew this request. We do want authority or a monopoly of control. We do not seek to rule nor impose our ideology on Lebanon. We believe a country with such religious diversity cannot be governed without the participation and unity of all its groups. That is what we insist on.
Many media outlets have attempted to distort the truth. They mistakenly think that Hezbollah is ashamed of its relations with the Wilayat Al-Faqih (Just Jurisprudent). Never! I declare here and now as I have done on numerous occasions before that I am proud of being among the supporters of the Just Jurisprudent, who is fair, knowledgeable, courageous, truthful and sincere. He has told us that Lebanon is a country of diversity and that it is our duty to save it.
We were accused of preparing a coup to change the power and bring Syria back to Lebanon, just like what happened during the July war when America was preparing the grounds for the birth of a new Middle East. Now we are accused of fighting for the interests of Iran in its nuclear case.
By our conduct after the retreat of the un-authoritative government's decisions and during the Doha talks, we have proven such accusations baseless. Unlike some figures in the opposition who suggested an increase in their demands, Hezbollah did not upraise its requests. We went to Doha to rescue Lebanon from sectarian strife and a confrontation between resistance groups and the army, and from the Pharaoh and Haman of our time.
While we have been the target of unjust accusations, propaganda and attacks, we have not demanded any political gains. I do not see any need to discuss this matter anymore now, as this experience should be enough for those accusing us of aspiring for authority and a monopoly, to end their debate.
My brothers and sisters, I call on you today, as I did in Bint Jbeil and Al-Dahiya, for a true and national cooperation based on which no one cancels, drops, or wins over others, an opportunity for all Lebanese to establish a government ruled by their representatives who are honestly elected. I call for providing the Lebanese with a chance to work together without having an ear to outside whisperers.
A few days ago, the Saudi Ministerial Council demanded amendments to some constitutional laws to guarantee the Arab identity of Lebanon. I have not discussed this with my brothers in the party, but I would like to declare that I myself, one of the supporters of the Just Jurisprudent demand such modifications that will preserve Lebanon's Arab identity and prevent foreign interference in our country. I would like them to touch the issue of American and Western meddling in Lebanon. All of our friends know well that we are not dictated to, and that we are the decision makers in the field, in the Doha talks and in the opposition.
My brothers and sisters, the events of the past have left me with two options. I can either explain what happened before and after the decisions were made or I can postpone this discussion until a later time.
I have revealed some information during the conference held on Thursday May 8, 2008. However, today I prefer not to disturb you on the Resistance and Liberation Day, the day of agreement and the election of your new President. I will postpone this discussion and shall not expose the ambiguities of certain affairs and the unjust accusations leveled against the resistance.
Both sides have sustained critical wounds. We can choose either to keep the old wounds open or to treat them and let them heal. With the interests of Lebanon in mind, I suggest we all learn lessons and avoid claims of having won. I prefer discussing this matter when the time is ripe for logic. Let us open a new chapter in the history of Lebanon as of May 25, 2008.
My brothers and sisters, in light of the latest developments I would like to mention the following points:
First of all, I would like to thank on your behalf of all who have helped in achieving the recent agreement. I would like to thank our Arab brothers, the ministerial committee, the Arab League and its Secretary General, the Qatari leadership and nation, the brotherly countries of Syria and the Islamic Republic in Iran and, of course, the Lebanese themselves.
Secondly, I would like to reinstate on Hezbollah's behalf that we have accepted an article that says no party will use weapons to gain political momentum. However, the weapons of the resistance are aimed at the enemy, and will be used to liberate the land, free the prisoners of war and to help defend Lebanon and not to achieve any political gains.
The state's weapons, including that of the army and domestic forces, are to defend our homeland, to protect our citizens and their rights and to maintain security across the country. It is not permissible to use the resistance weapons for political gains and the same applies to the state's weapons. They are not permissible to be used to face political opponents or for projects that may weaken Lebanon against the enemy or to confront the resistance.
The weapons of the resistance and the state are to be used for the objectives they are set out for.
Thirdly, the election law we agreed on is better than the one in 2000 as it respects adequate representation of all Lebanese factions. It should be considered a compromise between all those who want to resolve the crises in Lebanon in hopes that the Lebanese will later on discuss a modern election law.
The election law is an introductory step toward establishing a government and restoring the authority of the state and its institutions.
Making accusations is not the way. Whoever is against offering Lebanon a fair and modern representative law should live on a farm. This is a compromise in hopes that Lebanon may achieve a better agreement.
Fourth, the election of Major General Michael Suleiman has revived the hope of a new Lebanon. His oath speech that we heard yesterday was brimming with the spirit of the accord and the promise of a new era. This is what Lebanon needs: accord, partnership, cooperation and distancing itself from monopoly.
Fifth, a national government is not a victory for the opposition over the authority. It is a victory for Lebanon, the nation, coexistence, and the state mission for this country, which cannot be achieved, continue and last unless there is accord, cooperation and solidarity.
I declared that the purpose of the strike in Riyagh Al-Soleh and Martyrs Square is to have a national government. I knew that it would take time. At the time, I announced that 'as I usually promise a victory, I promise another one again', but I did not mean it would be a victory of one group over another for I believe that Lebanon's victory can only be achieved with a national government.
When we achieved this in the Doha talks, I declared the victory not to be one of a certain group over another but a victory for Lebanon itself, as was the victory on May 25, 2000 and the victory in 2006.
We are going to have a new cabinet, and as I have promised, other members of the opposition group will participate even on behalf of Hezbollah. This is Lebanon, the land of affluence and prosperity. We are going to have the opposition well presented in this cabinet in the hope that we will have a serious and responsible cabinet that will resolve the problems of the Lebanese.
Sixth, I will honestly call on the movement and the beloved of the martyred premier Rafik al-Hariri in the hope of benefiting from his great experiences, thoughts and strategies concerning Lebanon. His great mind enabled him to harmonize between reconstructing Lebanon, state matters and the resistance. Lebanon had two options: with its lands occupied, its sovereignty seized and its dignity trampled upon by Israel it could have become either like Hong Kong or similar to the glory of the East, Hanoi.
With the mentality of the premier and because of the martyred Rafik al-Hariri, the resistance is sure that Hong Kong and Hanoi are not the models to be followed, but rather we must set our own model.
We can prove that we are a country of construction, economy, cooperation, and production along with a resistance that does not seek to undermine the government's authority but seeks to share the state's responsibility in liberating and defending the land.
That was the coexistence style between the resistance and the premier and Martyr Rafik al-Hariri. Those who have been loyal to the inheritance of Rafik al-Hariri, have to follow this model.
We are not calling for a dual, triple or quartet coalition, we are not calling for monopolizing power on behalf of any sect, position, authority, or institution, but rather for the mass cooperation of all political groups with the government.
I ask God to have a nice and calm summer. Let us work together. Two scenarios exist: the American hot summer and the nice and calm Lebanese summer. Let us fulfill our dreams instead of that of our enemy. I promise you along with all our beloved in the Arab and Muslim worlds that we will do our best to overcome all hostilities, sensitivities, and to heal all our wounds. Let us work hand in hand to construct and protect Lebanon.
I would like to thank those who have helped us along the way. I would like to thank the Sunni leadership in Lebanon and the Arab and Muslim worlds. I would like to thank the religious, political and intellectual leaders whose courageous stances defused the American plot aimed at propagating any conflict in the world as a sectarian strife.
I would like to thank the national Druze leadership, the sons of Marouf, the resistant men, sheikhs, leaders, politicians, journalists and parties for their stance which clearly showed the events happening were not a Druze-Shia strife.
I would like to thank the Christian leadership for revealing the reality of the political conflict and showing it was far from a sectarian one. May God have mercy on the souls of all our martyrs.
It has been said that Hezbollah is not disclosing the number of its martyrs in the recent events. There have been 14 Hezbollah martyrs, two martyrs of Lebanese (Saraya) Brigades for Fighting Occupation, a number of martyrs from the Amal Movement, a few from the Syrian National and Social Party, and still a few others from the Lebanese Democratic Party.
To resolve any remaining ambiguities, the martyrs are Sunni and Shia Muslims, Christians and Druze. We are proud of all of them. We are sorry for the victims which have fallen on the other side but it was a battle with fire. We will discuss this matter at a later time. What softens the issue is that the recent bloodshed has pushed Lebanon to the end of a dark and long tunnel. Without this blood, Lebanon would have been dragged to a point where no government could have been established. We owe everything to these martyrs who have saved Lebanon and opened a new chapter in its history.
We are grateful, have respect and extend our hand of cooperation to build a Lebanon that is strong, valuable, fair and well-protected... a Lebanon that is as strong as its mountains, and as everlasting as its cedars.
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Nasrallah's address of victory after forcing Israel to release Samir Kuntar.
Speech on 17 July 2008:
In the name of Allah the Compassionate and the Merciful.
Peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad, his family, his friends, companions, and all the prophets.
Distinguished guests, representatives of the three political leaders, the president, parliament speaker and prime minister, former President Emil Lahoud, Distinguished guests, all religious figures, all those present, the representatives of all diplomatic delegations, especially the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the representatives of Lebanese parties, and the families of the freed detainees- my dear brothers and sisters Asalamalaykum.
I welcome you all to this national celebration. I welcome Samir, Maher, Khadher, Hussein, and Mohammed. I would like also to welcome the martyrs whom we will receive tomorrow in the same way we received the freed prisoners today.
On July 12, 2006, a group of resistance fighters carried out an operation which led to the arrest of two Israeli soldiers. The goal of this operation was to liberate the remaining prisoners in Israeli prisons, most importantly Samir Kuntar.
Today, July 16, 2008, Samir has finally come home. Before him Nasim Nisr came back, Samir has come home and with him are four brothers who fought for the sake of his liberation. Some of the brothers who fought for his freedom are alive and sitting beside him; others were killed and are among the martyrs we shall welcome tomorrow.
Is it a coincidence that the promise we made has been delivered? Is it a coincidence that the dream has come true in July? How did we reach this result?
There were times when the swap seemed difficult or impossible to achieve. My brothers and sisters, the main factor which helped us secure the swap was what we call the 'Rodvan Operation', our victory after the July 2006 attack and the enemy's failure to achieve its goals.
What I am trying to say is that if we had bowed down to pressures, today Samir, his brothers, and the martyrs would not be home or on their way home. Lebanon would have lost, the whole region would have lost and we would have entered the new Middle East, which the Americans and Zionists tried to promote.
When Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri began negotiating the prisoner swap, he had to endure a lot of pressure. We were forced to bear this pressure and the world did not want to listen to Lebanon's conditions or to what Lebanon had to say.
The only thing the delegations visiting Lebanon and the whole world kept demanding was 'unconditionally release the two Israeli soldiers '. However, we stood firm and continued to fight for the freedom of our prisoners.
We must not forget all those who helped us along the way, the ones who fought in the front line; those who were injured; and those who were martyred.We must remember our beloved Hajj Imad Mugniyah who was martyred-peace be upon his soul. We must also remember that every single Lebanese courageously contributed to this cause and helped make history.
The Lebanese leaders who stood by us must not be forgotten either. We will always remember the perseverance of our people, those whose homes were destroyed; those who had to leave their homes; those who suffered yet never once complained. They did not show weakness. This perseverance was what helped secure the release of our brothers.
The second factor is the negotiations. First, the enemy was incapable of freeing its two soldiers without negotiating. When the war ended, the Israelis knew that in order to free their soldiers they had no option left but to enter into talks. Second, Israeli Intelligence was unable to determine the whereabouts of these soldiers or their fate. This greatly helped us in the course of the negotiations. Had the Israeli's known the fate of these two soldiers, the course of negotiations would have changed.
The third important factor is the enemy's fear. The fear that the negotiations would not bear fruit or that they would be called off. They feared that the failure of the negotiations would prompt the Resistance Movement to carry out other operations and capture more Israeli soldiers.
The pressure on the enemy was that they were incapable of saving these two soldiers and they were unable to determine their fate. They feared that the resistance would capture more of their soldiers.
If the Resistance had been forced to capture more soldiers to free Samir and the other prisoners it would have done so. More Israeli soldiers would have been captured.
The Israelis knew this, and this was why the majority of the Israeli cabinet voted in favor of the prisoner swap. In 2004, due to the political conflict between Benjamin Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon, we were unable to free Samir, Nasim, and Yahya. We told them at that time they would regret not freeing Samir Kuntar. The Israelis knew if the prisoner swap fell through this time we would switch to another plan, one which I do not believe Israelis were or will be ready for.
I would like add to these factors a fourth one which is the perseverance of Samir Kuntar. Samir stood firm. He did not lose sight of his ideals. He stayed committed to them and his commitment was visible in his letters home. During the negotiations, he never once put pressure on us to hurry the talks and free him faster. He gave us time, so that we could achieve the best possible results for the other detainees.
Another thing I would like to point out is the perseverance of the other detainees. We saw them on TV in Israeli courts. When one of you was asked whether he would fight again if he received orders [from me]to do so, it brought tears to my eyes to hear him say If he went into the sea we would follow him without him having to ask us to do so.
In addition to these, I must mention the families of the detainees and the martyrs who put their trust in us; who had confidence in us. These families helped us go in the right direction and achieve the best results possible.
These were very important factors in the negotiations. We must not forget that these results were obtained through their efforts. Our negotiators were under a lot of pressure from all sides.
Regarding the unity government, I would like to stress that we are ready to address all issues without any exceptions; we are ready to discuss all issues for the sake of Lebanon's future.
We must not forget Imam Mousa Sadr, and we hope he comes back with his two colleagues. Our brother Samir is well known in the world because of his thirty-year imprisonment in Israeli prisons. Thirty years have also passed since Imam Mousa Sadr was kidnapped. As I have said before we would like to resolve this issue. If he is still alive send him back to us and we will thank you. If he has been martyred tell us and give us his body.
Martyrdom is what Imam Mousa Sadr desired most and it is what his family wanted as well. The issue of Imam Mousa Sadr must be dealt with and all ambiguities must be resolved in this issue.
I know the sensitivity of the official Arab relations and the questions raised about Imam Mousa Sadr's fate. Although we are speaking about the detainees today, we must not forget Imam Mousa Sadr, the person who laid the foundation of resistance in Lebanon. Once again, I call on the world of Islam to help bring Imam Mousa Sadr and his brothers back to Lebanon.
My dear brothers and sisters, all of you who are waiting for the return of the bodies of your loved ones tomorrow, all who are present I would like to congratulate you on this victory because this victory is your victory. It is your achievement. I would like to pray for all the detainees, I would like to pray that they will return home as soon as possible.
I pray for Lebanon. Samir Kuntar must be viewed as a national treasure, and we must treat him in a befitting manner. He has endured much pain and suffering in captivity. I also pray our brothers who still remain in captivity will be freed.
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Nasrallah address on the Israeli seige of Palestinians in Gaza:
Speech on 21(?) December 2008:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Thanks and Praise be to Allah; Peace and God's mercy and blessings be upon you all.
For a number of weeks, our people in the Gaza Strip live under a water tight siege, without an opening onto this wide world. If we take into consideration the "Israeli" political and operational escalation, in addition to their military threats, there does not appear to be any hope of the siege on Gaza and its inhabitants being lifted in the near future.
This requires a moment's contemplation from all of us, in our different posts and situations, to pause and weigh the responsibility and duty towards this great human suffering.
In a broader view and after sixty years of the occupation of Palestine, we find ourselves facing a new stage, during which America and "Israel" strain to liquidate the Palestinian cause in all its foundations, pillars and principals.
Such as the issue of the Palestinian refugees outside the occupied Palestinian territories, an issue that appears without horizon against the consensus held by the Americans, the "Israelis", international collusion and Arab silence on the question of the right of return, its consolidation and implementation, and contrarily, the rather plotting to resettle and naturalize the Palestinian refugees in countries where they reside.
Second, the issue of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the strong undergoing efforts spent on the Judaization of al-Quds, and the displacement of the remaining Palestinians population of East al-Quds through harassment on all fields and the demolition of houses under all types of pretexts.
Thirdly, we find the gradual displacement of our people in the West Bank through building the wall, the lack of work opportunities, checkpoints, arrests and the harsh conditions experienced by our people there.
In recent weeks we even witnessed the olive harvesting battle, the last of the Palestinians vestiges that remain in their territories. The attacks launched by herds of settlers against our people in more than one city and village, especially in the city of al-Khalil (Hebron), leading to the continuing threat to expel 1948-Palestinians, in the territories occupied in 1948; this threat affects all Palestinians, Muslims and Christians.
What Livni said was not a slip of the tongue, but an expression of the position unanimously held by Zionist party leaders. It is the dream of all "Israelis", their permanent work-focus, the creation of a so-called 'pure Jewish state', a goal that has the support of the United States of America and the world, it even receives the 'understanding' of some, who ought to stand in defense of Palestine and the Palestinian people.
Furthermore, the suffering of thousands of Palestinian prisoners and the blockade of Gaza and the people of Gaza, which aims to transform the strip to an uninhabitable place, as a prelude to the complete expulsion of the Palestinians.
At the conclusion of today's scene, we stand before an operation of complete liquidation of all the existing elements, foundations and platforms of the Palestinian issue, the large heading in this battle at this stage today, is the siege of Gaza.
The objective of this siege is to break the will of the Palestinian people, to frustrate them into submission to the American and "Israeli" conditions, to accept a humiliating settlement process that does not preserve the least rights of even the minimum of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights.
Over sixty years, this dear people have withstood, resisted and made enormous sacrifices; it is this people who stopped the liquidation of the Palestinian issue, during the last sixty years, despite the complicity of the world, the betrayal of friends, and the sense given by many, even in our Arab world, that this issue has become a burden to be rid of in any way possible.
One of the most important manifestations of this steadfastness and resistance is what we witnessed in the Palestinian Intifada in recent years, and what we see in Gaza today.
Gaza today has two scenes: a scene of siege, starvation, blackouts, darkness, cold, disease and "Israeli" air raids... On the other hand a different scene in contrast, a scene of patience, steadfastness, resistance, stubbornness and endurance on what is right and sticking to this stand; here I do not need to provide evidence, of which we have all heard and seen examples through the media, statements and expressions made by the people of Gaza, their men, women, children and their elderly, in the stance and the spirit they expressed in this regard.
Then came the peak of this expression and its truth in Gaza Strip when its people came out in a large massive rally held by the brothers in Hamas in Gaza yesterday.
Considering all of the above, we are invited to seek responsibility and accountability.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Sixty years ago, had the leaders, governments, and the people of this nation assumed their responsibility and mobilized at the right time, Palestine would not have been occupied, the 'Nakbah' (catastrophe) would not have occurred, and the usurper entity could not have come into existence to humiliate this nation, its governments, its peoples and its armies, it could not have committed the worst massacres and atrocities against this nation's young and old, men and women, not only in Palestine but in more than one Arab country, aggression assaults against this nation could not have occurred nor continue to occur over sixty years.
Today we are facing the same reality, how are we behaving as governments, peoples, leaders, religious and political authorities, parties and movements, the elite throughout both the Islamic and Arab worlds.
Brothers and sisters,
Yesterday, a kind invitation was made by the Arab National Conference, the Islamic National Council and the General Assembly for Arab Parties to launch a large popular mobilization campaign across the Arab world, in solidarity with the people of Gaza, to break the siege of the Strip.
In their statement, which I hope it receives the people's interest and concern, these conferences called for a series of moves, activities and stands, starting from next Friday, God willing.
As far as Hizbullah and the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon are concerned, we call for responding to these calls with the largest possible popular mobilization throughout the entire Arab and Islamic worlds, as we consider this to be the minimum that should be done towards achieving this goal.
As mentioned in the statement, in order to achieve this goal it is natural to look and appeal to Egypt, the Egyptian leadership, government and brothers, to permanently and finally open the Rafah crossing to Gaza.
We demand this historic and courageous step from Egypt, as a step to be recorded for Egypt by the Umma (nation) and history.
Commitments to the agreements on keeping the border crossings closed, has no humanitarian, moral, religious nor even legal ground to be upheld, when the closure leads to major humanitarian disaster or a war crime, such as that which is happening now in the Gaza Strip.
I say to the Egyptian officials, yes, brothers, time is not the time for outbidding between each other, nor does anyone want to make political scores against anyone else, here or there, but the fact remains, we are faced with a very painful reality.
There are hundreds of patients dying in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands living in darkness and hunger. This requires an historical and responsible stand from you, the entire nation will be at your side, and should you take this stand.
In the case of Egypt taking such a stand, the OIC and the League of Arab States are invited to stand by Egypt in case it is made accountable or should it become target for questioning by any of the world's tyrants.
Brother and sisters,
Our responsibility today is to move and continue to work.
Movement starts on Friday not to end on Friday; Friday must be the beginning of the movement, to take responsibility to lift the siege on our people in Gaza, to assume this basic and important role in this central Palestinian issue.
Today we address you and the Arab Muslims from humanitarian, Islamic and Arabic positions.
On the humanitarian level, we address the entire world and all humanity, all the followers of the divine religions, in particular and especially Christians who will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (pbuh) in the coming days.
From this humanitarian level, we also call on all those celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today, sixty years on its inception, and tell them there is one and a half million people in Gaza facing hunger, sickness, danger and death; I appeal to all those who believe in human dignity, human values and human rights.
This appeal is directed to all religious, political, cultural, and humanitarian and human rights authorities in the world, from the Vatican to all churches, frameworks and authority figures.
Here and I ask, "Would Jesus Christ (pbuh) allow the siege of one and a half million human beings, whose only crime is their insisting on their rights, and to stay on their land?"
I address the one billion and more Muslims, scattered all over various parts of the world, to them I say: 'Oh Muslims, we all claim to belong to the religion of Muhammad (pbuh), the religion of the seal of the profits, and was it not he who told us, "a Muslim is the brother of the Muslim", "Muslims are like the one body", and "He who enters upon the morning and into evening without concerning him/herself with the matters of Muslims is not a Muslim?"
Did he not also tell us that "He who hears a person calling out 'O Muslims', and does not respond, is not a Muslim?"
O Muslims, our religion is one of defending the oppressed, one that comes to the aid of the victim, today one and a half million Muslims in the Gaza Strip, plead, appeal and demand from us to stand by their side.
Is it not our religious and Islamic duty to take the appropriate stance?
Today Muslims all over the world rejoice and celebrate the pilgrims for returning safely from the Sacred House of God, this duty of coming to the aid of our people in Gaza and Palestine is no less important or of no less religious value than the pilgrimage to God's Sacred House.
It is the real and sincere expression of the rightness of this pilgrimage and its acceptability by God Almighty.
To all those who stoned the devils in Mina (in Mecca), all those who performed each and every single one of the pilgrimage rites in Mecca, to them I say: your pilgrimage expresses itself here on Friday and thereafter, in your stance, your voice, presence in the street, in your support of these people, your call out to the entire world to lift this siege imposed on the one and a half million of your Muslim brothers, brothers in religion and in faith.
Additionally, from an national and Arab standpoint, I send an appeal to the Arab nation and peoples, to all those who are proud in their Arabism, regardless of which faith they follow, or which Arab State they come from, those who proudly speak of their Arab heritage, gallant, courage and equestrian heroism; where is this Arab feeling and gallantry today?
Where is this equestrian heroism, when one and a half million Arabs in the Gaza Strip are besieged with darkness, starvation, illness, danger and the threat of a military operation, within the pretext of escalating Zionist bidding for the coming elections.
Brothers and sisters,
From a humanitarian position, if we are to consider ourselves human, and from the prophetic religious position if we are followers of messengers, from an Islamic position if we were followers of the prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) religion, from an Arab position if we consider ourselves Arab as we claim, I call on you all, throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds, to respond to the appeal given by these conferences and the appeals of Gaza and its people.
We in Lebanon, god willing, will respond to the duty I mentioned, which I consider as the minimum requirement that does not absolve us from the rest of our religious duties.
I suggest that the coordination committee representing these conferences additional to representatives from the other resistance movements to converge, study, jointly reflect and comprehensively plan to continue the work in various areas, and not settle only for what can be done in the next few days.
In Lebanon, I call on everyone, this story here is the story of humanity and human values, human rights and human dignity, the story of brothers in flesh and faith.
This is not a case of 'March 8' or ' March 14', this or that religious denomination. The issue here today is the strongest call to the entire nation, with its various religions, denominations and sects, to stand united to assume this humanitarian, religious, divine and historic responsibility.
I call everyone in Lebanon to express this stand on Friday.
God willing, in Hizbullah we will seek the cooperation in the major cities, in district centers, with the rest of our brothers and friends, to set up meetings and various sit-ins, we will organize a main popular demonstration in the Southern Dahiya suburb.
Here I do not call on the people of the different suburbs to attend the Dahiya demonstration; I call on them to participate in the meetings, protests and sit-ins to be held in major cities. I make my appeal to our folks in Beirut, Beirut suburbs, the Southern Dahiya suburb, the one that was exposed to 33 days of "Israeli" aggression, was destroyed, yet remained steadfast and resisted, its hope is to record a steadfast, honorable, resolute and self-will stand in this nation's history.
O our people in the Dahiya, in Beirut, in the suburbs, here are your resisting, resolute and steadfast folks in Gaza; their eyes are drawn to you and to all the peoples of our Arab and Islamic worlds.
I invite you, God willing, to a wide, effective, vital and powerful participation on Friday at 2 in the afternoon, to join a demonstration of support, to give backing, to make your voice heard to demand for the lifting of the siege on our people in Gaza, to support the choice or endurance, resistance, steadfastness, clasp and insistence on our rights.
Regardless of the threats, sacrifices and difficulties, you are, as you have always been, the truly worthy folks for responding to such appeal.
Peace, God's mercy and blessings be upon you all.
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Nasrallah address blaming Egypt in the Israel war on Gaza:
Speech on 28 December 2008:
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Thanks and praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world.
Peace and prayers be to the seal of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad, his infallible progeny, his chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers....
Brothers and sisters,
It is with great misfortune that we begin the new Islamic year and the Christian Gregorian year at a time when we are seeing a huge humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which has led to the death, martyrdom and injury of countless people.
The number of the martyrs has now increased to over 300 and the number of those injured has risen to over 1,000 in the Gaza Strip, which is under siege, isolated and oppressed. Yet Gaza resists with perseverance.
Today, we need not speak about examples of history as we are witnessing the model of a new Karbala. Today, moment to moment of our lives has become the repetition of the tragedy of Karbala. What is taking place today helps us better understand what happened in the past.
Karbala's reality is about a handful of faithful, non-yielding believers, who held on to their dignity and stood up for the rights of their Ummah and refused to be humiliated and yield to tyranny. Those believers were made to choose between humiliation and unequal confrontation that may lead to martyrdom...and so they chose martyrdom.
This group of believers after being subjected to hunger, thirst, intimidation and threats, came under attack, yet did not retreat. The martyrs then fell one after the other. Is this not what happened to Imam Hossein (PBUH) in Karbala?
It was in Karbala that Imam Hussein (PBUH) set an example and laid the foundation for this Islamic, humanitarian school of thought. Throughout history the followers of this school have never parted with a well-known saying by the Imam. This saying is especially associated with the tenth day of Muharram.
"Verily, that claimer, the son of a claimer, [pointing to 'Ubaidullah Bin Zyiad] is overwhelmed by shame and disgrace! He has placed us between two choices, to either fight in a disproportionate confrontation or a humiliating and degrading surrender."
Hossein (PBUH) made his choice: "And how far disgrace is from us! Allah refuses us the life of disgrace, His Messenger and believers do too."
Why did he declare "And how far disgrace is from us", Why did he say "we shall never be disgraced?"
It was not an emotional outburst! The matter was rather one of humanitarian, ideological spiritual, religious and humane commitment springing from human values, dignity and human rights. As Hossein (PBUH) later tells us "...Allah refuses us the life of disgrace, His Messenger and believers do too. Indeed, proud, exalted and lofty spirits will never prefer to obey the vile people, rather than the death of the honorable ones."
This is the Hosseini-Mohammedan Prophetic school of Karbala. When man chooses the martyrdom of the honorable and the dignified over living the life of vile people, who have been deprived of their honor, dignity, rights and sanctities, man is actually acting in harmony with his innate nature, humanness, religion, Islam and his commitment.
Thus was the choice in Karbala. This was also the choice we made during the July 2006 war when you, the resistance community, and all who had embraced the resistance, were to choose between surrender and confrontation: either a humiliating surrender, in which you had to accept the conditions of America and Israel to end the war, or suffer destruction and massacres.
You chose to stand up and refuse disgrace regardless of the tens of thousands of homes destroyed and the hundreds of those martyrs and injured. You stood up against collusion, betrayal and disgrace for a dignified and honorable death instead.
Hence, some of you were martyred, yet with your martyrdom, you created the historic victory in Lebanon.
Despite the destruction of tens of thousands of your homes, the martyrdom of thousands of your people and the injury of your men, women and children and the small number of supporters by your side and despite facing conspiracies, it was with this Karbala mindset of Hossein (PBUH) that you rejected humiliation and shame and insisted on resistance.
The outcome was a victory of the blood over sword.
What is happening today in Gaza is not similar but identical to what happened in July of 2006.
As Lebanese, we can well understand what is happening in Gaza. It is the same as what happened here, the same choices, the same battle, the same conspiracies and God-willing there will have the same outcome.
When we look at the Gaza Strip, which is subjected to hunger and thirst and surrounded by fire and intimidation and gave martyrs and wounded by the hundreds yesterday, we find that its people remain patient and firm. They do not express weakness or frailty... We see the legitimate Prime Minister Ismail Hanieh coming out from under the rubble and fire to say "even if they wipe out Gaza completely, we will not surrender or back down, and we will preserve our dignity and our rights".
This is truly Karbala...when men facing fire day and night with the martyrs still being mourned, reject humiliation and shame.
Today, brothers and sisters, let me speak openly about certain aspects of this confrontation that I left unsaid in the July War. I well understand the situation faced by our brothers in Gaza. Their situation is more difficult than our situation [in the July War].
Therefore, they are more concerned about carefully considering and weighing what they say, but let me today call a spade a spade, come what may!
Today, we must express the truth loud and clear, so that the entire nation will become aware of its responsibility in the face of the ongoing situation.
Brothers and sisters,
In Gaza as in Lebanon, the situation is very clear. Let me describe what is happening clearly and explicitly.
It is clear that America and Israel are pursuing a project in the region that seeks to impose an unequal settlement on the rest of the Arab world. After Egypt and Jordan signed so-called peace treaties with the Israelis, only Palestine, Lebanon and Syria remain, and the Americans and Zionists now want to settle the issue according to their conditions.
They want Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians to obey and surrender to these conditions without having any other option.
To impose these conditions, Americans and Zionists are using force, pressure, blockade, internal strife, provocation of internal sedition among resistance movements, media, political and psychological warfare, assassinations and wars.
Their intention is to subdue those who have so far refused to yield to the will and conditions of America and Israel. Some Arab regimes have also been true accomplices in this project.
It is not true that there is Arab silence. We see help extended to Israel, I do not mean all Arabs or all Arab regimes; only those which have signed so-called peace treaties with Israel. Today they are helping Zionists politically, psychologically, socially, culturally and media-wise, through security and the military, on preparing the circumstances for the surrender of the resistors against the American-Zionist project in the Palestine issue.
So let us be very utterly clear. In our region, Arab countries are forging partnerships with the Israelis.
The 2006 war was waged against us in Lebanon with Arab consent and upon Arab request. The Israelis were crystal clear when they exposed this, and the Arab regimes cannot deny it because the Israelis may produce evidence of this collusion -- that they were contacted and asked to rid them (Arabs) of Hezbollah.
When the war started, they were comforting the Israelis after their initial failure in the first few days. Yet, those Arab regimes continued to demand Israel to eliminate of Hezbollah and that Israel sever Hezbollah's head.
The same thing is happening in Gaza today. Those same sides are asking Israel to eliminate Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the rest of the resistance factions to do away with and settle this battle once and for all. The truth is that they are helping the Zionist entity in this.
We have heard, and this is very unfortunate, that Israeli officials say that the magnitude of Arab support for the war on Gaza well exceed the support they extended for the Israeli war on Lebanon in July 2006.
This is the true picture. I can even tell you that some of these Arab regimes are the real cause behind the division among the Palestinians.
These regimes contributed, instigated, financed and armed, so that fighting is drawn to Palestinian factions, exactly what they did in Lebanon before.
The former [Lebanese] cabinet would not have dared to make such notorious decisions on May 5, had it not been for the encouragement and support of these Arab regimes. They wanted to drag Lebanon into the grip of a cruel internal war and internal sedition, but the performance of the opposition in those days made all their efforts in vein.
They are not neutral. They are convinced that what they do is right and have committed themselves to this project, which is very unfortunate to see.
When infighting and internal division in Palestine or Lebanon happens, these very same Arab regimes use this as an excuse for inaction and say "Well, look at the Palestinians, what are we to do when they are killing one another?" They only use this excuse to rid themselves of their responsibility toward Palestine and Lebanon.
No one asked these Arab regimes in the July 2006 war nor today in the Gaza Strip to fight for the Lebanese or the Palestinians but only to adopt a fair and appropriate political stand on media issues to say the least. Yet again, as in the July War, we find the Arab regimes hold the victims responsible.
Yesterday, we heard an Egyptian official holding the side that ended the Palestinian national dialogue efforts as responsible for what is now happening in Gaza. By 'side', he meant Hamas. He also said, that in the Egyptian view, since they had issued warnings, those who have not heeded their calls are responsible of what become of them.
How can one believe that such statements have come from an Arab person or official?
When at the height of the blockade on Gaza and when Gazans was suffering from hunger and illness, that same person said, "we will cripple the leg of anyone attempting to cross into Egypt!"
By God, brothers and sisters,
Allow me to draw on history. When we see such examples of officials, leaders and figures in the Arab world, I personally understand something in the words of Hossein (PBUH) who said, "Life under tyranny is death and under such circumstances martyrdom is freedom."
By God, there is no value for life under the control of such figures and leaders who plot and plan against their nation. When 300 people are massacred in Gaza in a matter of minutes, an Arab official holds the victims and martyrs responsible for the confrontation. It is as if they expected Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian factions in Gaza to consent to an extension of the blockade, the calm of the starvation and the calm of the humiliation that they were being subjected to for the past six months!
Today, we hear the same rhetoric we heard during the July 2006 war, an attempt to hold the resistance in Gaza responsible for the war and its consequences. This is shameful and unfortunate.
Some Arab satellite channels, which may as well be called Hebrew channels, that I have been watching yesterday and today covered the Gaza massacre as if these people had died in road accidents in an obscure part of the world!
They report the deaths and then they go back to their regular daily programs, as if nothing happened and no humanitarian calamity is taking place in the Gaza Strip, simply because these channels would feel embarrassed in front of their viewers if they called the victims 'martyrs' rather than 'dead'.
Brothers and sisters, this is the reality of today, the people of Gaza have made a difficult decision: they are in effect exercising that decision with their steadfastness, resistance, defiance, honor and glory as you yourselves did in 2006.
No amount of sacrifices, destruction, tears, blood and abandonment prevents them from continuing to insist on their right to resistance. But what is the responsibility of the nation today?
As a nation our main goal has to be stopping Zionist attacks on Gaza and preventing Israelis from achieving any of their objectives. In this manner, Gaza will be secured despite the gravity of the sacrifices that have to be made. Every state must work toward this goal and not only the citizens of Gaza.
People whose governments have resorted to inaction must force them to act. There is no justification for anyone to say that they cannot do anything because of their repressive regimes.
We must take to the streets in the Arab and Muslim world. We must raise our voices and pressure our governments even if they shoot us, it is still a duty -- for whoever falls martyr in these protests is a martyr on the path to al-Quds (Jerusalem), a martyr of Islam, and a martyr of a whole line of prophets and divine missions, they are martyrs of humanity.
Officials cannot apologize for their inaction and nations cannot complain that they have suppressive rulers.
In the July war, I did not ask this of the Arab people, but in the case of Gaza, I say all of us are duty-bound to take to the streets by the thousands, by the tens and hundreds of thousands, and demand from these government to act responsibly. These governments know full well what they are capable of doing, particularly at a time when the United States and European countries are suffering from financial and economic turmoil.
First of all, today the Arab world possesses oil, money and political strength and with modest efforts can stop the aggression against our people and the people in Gaza.
Secondly, the Arab and Muslim worlds must demand that the Egyptian regime, which has a crucial role in what is happening in Gaza today, not to enter war but to simply open the (Rafah) crossing for food, medicine, water and even weapons to reach our people in Gaza. The people in Gaza are men and women are victory-makers capable of resistance and steadfastness and have performed very well in the past.
In the July war in Lebanon, we did not ask any Arab country to open a battlefront but yes, we did ask for borders to be opened.
This is where we must acknowledge Syria for its assistance that led to our victory in the July war, because despite repeated aerial bombardment of all our border crossings and the main roads, Syria did not close its border with us.
We only ask of Egypt to indefinitely open the crossing for the sake of the living and not for the injured or the martyred.
Egypt, the largest and most important of Arab States, is not a Red Cross or a Red Crescent institution and will not be asked to deal with the people of Gaza in such manner.
What is required of the Egyptian leadership and regime is to resolve this issue and not to politically take advantage of the war to pressure Hamas and those of the resistance in Gaza in a bid to accept Israeli conditions in return for a ceasefire -- as some of us here in Lebanon did in the first days of the July aggression.
But they must politically help the people of Gaza and stop the aggression without forcing them to accept certain conditions. This is their real responsibility. This is what the Arab and Muslim worlds must be demanding of Egypt.
Up until now, we have been cautiously making appeals but after what happened yesterday, we say to the Egyptian regime:
If you do not open the Rafah border crossing, if you do not come to the rescue of your brothers in Gaza, then you are have a hand in the siege and the killing and in causing the Palestinian tragedy.
Egyptian officials have to hear this from all the people of the Arab and Muslims worlds, from religious scholars, political parties, elites, intellectuals and media professionals from all walks of life. They must know that they will be the condemned by history, the entire nation, the prophets and the martyrs if they are not quick to make a humane and historical stand today.
This part of my speech is directed at the people of Egypt, its Muslim, its Arabs, its proud people, the defiant, generous, resistance-loving, decent, courageous and noble people of Egypt, whom we all know what goes on in their hearts and minds. We know their mentality. Let the Egyptian people take to the streets in their millions.
Can the Egyptian police arrest millions of Egyptians?
No! They cannot!
We call upon the people of Egypt because they are the ones facing the regime which has closed the Rafah crossing.
People of Egypt, you must open the Rafah crossing with your bear hands if you must. I am talking of the position of a member of the resistance that fought for 33 days, and on behalf of the people who fought, sacrificed and gave martyrs.
What we know and what we hear about the officers and soldiers of the Egyptian armed forces, who are still proud of their Arab roots and continue to oppose Zionism, despite decades having passed from the Camp David peace agreement.
This is what we know them for. I am not calling for a coup in Egypt, and I am in no position to call for one. But I am calling for generals and officers to ask their political leadership whether it is their devotion to the military, the responsibilities entrusted in them and their rows of medals that prompts them to guard Israeli borders while watching our own people being slaughtered in Gaza?
The presence of everyone today is what will change the equation. The people in Egypt, its political parties, religious scholars, the Al-Azhar religious institution and the armed forces as well as the political elites are what will change the equation. I do not think there is an excuse for anyone to sit back and watch for the way to change the equation today is to modify Egypt's political stance.
That is what rulers of the Arab world and the Egyptian peoples must demand from the rulers of Egypt. If the Rafah crossing is opened for water, medicine, food, money and weapons to our people in Gaza, the epic victory that took place in Lebanon will be once again be repeated. We are confident of this victory despite all the harsh conditions of our people in the Gaza Strip.
Brothers and sisters, should Gaza endure this onslaught for days or weeks, the aggression will stop, as this enemy does not endure a war of attrition nor withstand the long days of war. This enemy will eventually end the aggression; it will fail in its objectives and with that their leaders who wanted to take political power by shedding Palestinian blood will fail.
Yes, some will tell us, in Lebanon too, that the solution lies in comprehensive peace. They will tell us this is the solution that will end the tragedy! Regardless of our ideologically principled position on the subject of comprehensive peace, I ask them what they have achieved from talks with Israel since Madrid and even before Madrid other than being subjected to further massacres, killings, aggression and more humiliation and the yielding to various conditions?
In the Palestinian settlement, the negotiations at Camp David by the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat were not held with the Likud or Kadima, but with the Labor Party and Barak himself. However, at Camp David, the Palestinians were not even ensured the minimum of their legitimate rights, not even enough to save face.
Which kind of just and comprehensive peace can be achieved be accepting humiliating Israeli conditions that exclude the 'right of return' to al-Quds (Jerusalem), the Palestinian territories where a viable Palestinian state can be established? What is all this nonsense when people are being killed and slaughtered in Palestine?!
As in the past and now in Lebanon, some talk about 'just and comprehensive peace'. I ask them whether they have managed to first convince the Israelis that a 'just and comprehensive peace' can be established that they now demand resistance movements to lay down their arms?
Have the Israelis ever made any concessions until now, in Lebanon, Palestine or anywhere for that matter?
Have the Israelis ever returned your legitimate rights, at least the minimum of them? Never! Some tell us such nonsense that in Lebanon the international community will protect us; well where is the international community that is supposed to be protecting the unarmed people in Gaza, the children and women of Gaza?
They say that we are protected by international resolutions. Where are the international resolutions in the Arab-Israeli conflict, of which not even a single one has been implemented not even Resolution 425?
Arab solidarity will protects us. What Arab solidarity?! Arab rulers waste days before they can agree on holding a meeting and have yet to agree on holding one now as a result of reservations here and there!
Brothers and sisters, what happened and is still happening today in Gaza, and what took place during the July 2006 aggression should be enough to convince each and every Arab and every patriot living in his homeland that what can protect our people and restore our rights is resistance and jihad. All other options are mere illusions!
To wake us up from our slumber -- in both Arab and Muslim worlds -- do we need a hundred more massacres like Qana and Gaza? Do we need the repetition of massacres like Deir Yassin? Do we need hundreds more massacres like that of the Ibrahimi Mosque?
By God, this matter is deeply regrettable because this enemy, whom you want peace with, offers you a new massacre every year or so as proof of its inherent terrorist, criminal and racist nature and its thirst for the blood of the innocent.
Your calls for peace will only be met with more slaughters and murder. Do we need more massacres in order for our leaders, people and elite to realize that we are before an enemy whose inherent nature is brutality, racism and terrorism, with whom it is impossible to establish peace under any circumstances. How then can peace with humiliating conditions be achieved with such an enemy? Do we need more blood to be convinced of that?
We are confident that the people of Gaza and the resistance have unshakable faith in God and divine victory, although some may not believe in this.
Here and on your behalf, on behalf of the resistance of Lebanon, the families of the martyrs, of prisoners, the wounded, and on behalf of every resistance member and honorable Mujahid in Lebanon, I congratulate Gazans on their martyrs as we pay our condolences to the families of martyrs and ask God Almighty for a speedy recovery of their wounded.
The Gazans are on the field, steadfast in battle and have limitless devotion. They are a people of dignity, defiance and resistance.
These are the real factors that will bring victory. Faith, loyalty, honesty, consistency and steadfastness is what will bring victory, and God is your aide. The entire Arab world is duty-bound to stand by your side. It is not permissible for anyone to lag from their abilities and potential in your support and aid.
As for Lebanon, I like to say a few words about the current events. Since the beginning of the bloody Israeli aggression on Gaza, Olmert, Barak, Livni and a number of Israeli officials, made strong threats and warnings to any other front, by which they particularly meant Lebanon. They took the proper precautions on the border and are on full alert on the northern border of occupied Palestine.
Today, they sent calls to the settlers in occupied northern Palestine to prepare and equip their shelters.
I do not want to frighten anyone or cause concern, but we cannot mislead anyone here as there are two possibilities:
The first is that everything the Israelis say or do in the northern occupied region of Palestine may be preventative precautions to deal with any developments on the Lebanese front.
The other is that the Israeli enemy is conspiring with some Arab regimes and with the world preoccupied with the financial crisis and the political vacuum created in the US because of the departure of Bush and Obama taking power, it is pondering an act of aggression against Lebanon.
The Israelis may take advantage of this situation in the world to strike Lebanon as they are in need of creating such a situation to gain political leverage in their elections or to restore its deterrent image.
We should not be reassured by such claims that Israel cannot fight on two fronts at the same time. It has fought on 3 and 4 fronts in the past. This must make the Lebanese government, army and people as well as the Lebanese resistance more attentive and cautious not to be tricked by such statements. For instance, one issue is of the missiles discovered eight days ago and just before the military attack on Gaza! I would like to ask: Who placed these missiles where they were before the war began?
When several Katyusha rockets were discovered in al-Naqoura, some Lebanese figures made statements and pointed the finger of blame at us. So much so that one of them even said that no one can make moves in that region, but Hizbullah. Yet, we did not hear these same figures say anything when the Zionists kidnapped the two Tarraf brothers from the Southern Blida within this same period. Their was no evidence of their patriotic concern and bleeding hearts for Lebanon when this happened.
Moreover, if the information upon which they build their political analysis, then this is a disaster as such information has proven to be both incorrect and false and has shown to be someone's attempt to shift the blame on the Hezbollah for that matter.
I would like to say to them that Hezbollah possesses the courage to take responsibility for any action we take. We do not hide or shy away from our responsibilities as some do!
We possess such courage and do not need to defend ourselves against such accusations, but what occurred is, yes, suspicion of the other side. Could Israel have not penetrated southern Lebanon to set up missiles of this type?
Can those many individuals and networks in Lebanon that collaborate with Israel not have carried out such acts to provide a justification for Israel to launch an aggression against Lebanon? Unfortunately, those politicians provided a justification and helped engineer up. When they condemned the Katyusha, they said that this provides a pretext for Israel to attack Lebanon! Who says it provides a pretext?!
Had such an occurrence taken place before, would it have justified an assault on Lebanon to destroy and confront Lebanon?
You are providing Israel with excuses through such rhetoric and absurd and unfounded statements. I will not delve deep into this matter now, but I am in the process of inviting Lebanon, as I do the region, yet my focus now remains on Lebanon specifically, the country that rattled Israel twice, and many more times, the most well-known of such defeats were those of the years 2000 and 2006.
Yes, we must be on alert. I do not want to frighten you but to avoid this subject from becoming a media frenzy, I will tell you that I asked the brothers in the south particularly, to be present, vigilant and cautious as we face a brutal and treacherous enemy. We do not know the size of the schemes hatched around us, regionally and in the world; we are not fearful of what happened in 2006 or of what happened or what is happening in Gaza.
We believe in the choice we made, and are quite prepared to repel any assault on our land, country and dignity. We have written our slogans in blood and are both willing and prepared to confront all aggressors, no matter who they may be.
Brother and sisters, all of us in Lebanon, and throughout the Muslim and Arab worlds, are duty-bound in these historical days, especially in the ten days leading to Ashura, to shoulder our responsibility toward what is happening in Gaza. The burden of what happens in Gaza is not only for the Gazans and Palestinians to bear.
We must continue in our efforts and actions, and should not settle for a protest here and a sit-in there, an action here and another there; we ought to invest every effort in defending our people in Gaza.
Tomorrow has been announced as a day of mourning by His Eminence Seyyed Ali Khamenei, for all resistance fighters and all free souls. Tomorrow is important for us to express our solidarity with and sympathy for our people in Gaza and to mourn the martyrs who passed away there.
I invite everyone tomorrow afternoon to participate in a large gathering at al-Rayah stadium to pay tribute and participate in the mourning of the martyrs of the resistance in Gaza and to express our solidarity with the people of Gaza. I know there are many Ashura gatherings scheduled to be held in neighborhoods, mosques and Hoseiniya halls tomorrow.
I call for the cancellation of all of these gatherings and I urge everyone to attend the al-Rayah gathering instead. I invite all men, women, children, young and old to come together in a stand of solidarity with Gaza and its martyrs.
Tomorrow, we ought to make the world hear our voice and see our fearless Hosseini fists risen in declaration to the world that we will remain standing and unyielding to murder, the shedding of blood and intimidation.
I would always invite you to the al-Rayah stadium on the tenth of Muharram, but tomorrow is the day of Ashura for us since everyday is an Ashura and every land is Karbala. Tomorrow is a call to Hossein and an answer to his call; tomorrow it is upon you to respond to Hossein's call.
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