Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speech of May 25th, 2009

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech delivered in the great ceremony held by Hezbollah to mark the ninth anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day on May 25, 2009


I take refuge in Allah from the stoned devil. In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the world. Peace be on our Master and Prophet – The Seal of Prophets – Abi Al Qassem Mohamad Bin Abdullah and on his chaste and kind Household, chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers. Eminent scholars, brothers and sisters, dear ones, peace be upon you and Allah's blessing and mercy. First I want to congratulate you, all the Lebanese, resistant fighters, the Arab and Islamic world on the Day of Resistance and Liberation – the Day of Victory of Lebanon on its enemies. Our martyrs, families of martyrs, wounded, prisoners, fighters and steadfast people who have shouldered all the burdens of fighting, displacement and torture have presented this day as a gift to the whole country and the whole nation. We always want it to be a perfect national day, and we hope it is so. Our utmost care every year to mark this great occasion is not but to stress all the concepts of death-defying spirits, resistance and the values that have made this victory. We hope that the day will come when the Lebanese would feel more than any time in the past that this day is theirs which they would mark and celebrate. Likewise on this day, Lebanon – this small Arab country gained victory over the most powerful army in the region and one of the most powerful armies in the world with its will, people, the blood of its men, the tears of its orphans and the tolerance of its people and fighters. Lebanon could defeat the occupation which was taking control of the capital Beirut and about half of the land of the nation. But the resistance of the people of Beirut, Dahyieh, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, the South and the North and the resistance of all the heroes in Lebanon could gradually expel the occupation troops from Beirut, Dahyieh, the Mount, West Bekaa, Sidon, Tyr and Nabatiyeh. And on such days, our people were storming into Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya, Kafar Shouba, Naqura, Alma Shaab and all the other front villages to return them to the nation. Thus it is a day of great pride. The victory that took place on such days had great, historic and serious repercussions on the entity of the enemy, the track of the Arab-Israeli struggle and on the Palestinian cause. It was one of the essential reasons that founded the basis of Al Aqsa blessed Intifada in Palestine which has caused great turning developments.


Brothers and sisters! As I promised you days ago during the festival held in Nabatiyeh, I want today in this great occasion to make an address to our nation and our dear people in Mount Lebanon with all its sects. I will handle the truth and the nature of the alliance between us and The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM). Thirdly I want to talk about Beirut and for the last time about the events that took place in Beirut a year ago so that there remains no ambiguity and no place for any ill-investments. I want to talk about Der Spiegel and the new conspiracy. Finally I will speak about Dahyieh, its peoples, resistance and elections. But first - and since the speech comes at a very sensitive stage – I will talk with a great sense of responsibility. I hope that the dear audience – as I will be obliged in my speech to mention names of leaders and parties so as to be frank and make some reconsiderations that would be the base of a coming stage – would help me and serve the goal of this speech on this great and blessed day. So when I mention names and parties on which they have any emotional reservations or the like, I hope the audience would not make any insulting gesture upon the mentioning of whatever name or party.

First and as a lead-in to these topics I must recall and stress that since the establishment of Hezbollah in 1982, we devoted our lives and prime age for a single, just and clear cause which is the cause of resistance and liberating the land and prisoners, defending the nation and restoring dignities. Thus we were far from internal causes, struggles and politics. We were not even a part in the Lebanese political equation. Many used to blame us saying you have the responsibility of resistance as well as internal responsibilities in fighting corruption, changing the statue quo, developing and reforming the regime so as to serve and develop the deprived regions through the authority and not limiting them to self-capacities. Still we paid for this inclination and this priority which we used to insist on incessantly. Even after 2000, we did not partake in the Lebanese internal equation forcefully. We had a strong belief that the Israelis were preparing for war and that Israel which was defeated on May 25 will not remain silent on Lebanon and the Islamic resistance. It will not submit to the outcome of the major historic defeat. Thus we carried on preparing and getting ready to confront any Israeli war which we sought will be certainly waged. We didn't know the timing but we always asked Allah Almighty to delay its timing so that we get appropriately and fully ready. Still the events that took place in Lebanon in 2005 when the whole country was on the line of an earthquake and the great and serious developments took place after the assassination of martyr Premier Rafic Hariri, we felt that our homeland, resistance and people are at risk. Then yes, without forsaking the resistance and any detail or aspect of the resistance, we partook in the Lebanese political equation, not for the sake of power, posts or profits but for the sake of partaking in preserving our country which is at stake along with its points of strength on top of which is the resistance. Thus all through the past years – from 1982 onwards - we were keen on establishing good relations with all parties and avoiding getting into conflict with any party even if we weren't at good terms with it.

From this lead in we move to Mount Lebanon, Beirut and Dahyieh. I like to speak about Mount Lebanon first. I would like to talk about our Druze people in Mount Lebanon. I would like to underline that since the establishment of Hezbollah, we have had good relations with the Druze, not only in Mount Lebanon, but across Lebanon including Hasbaya, Rashaya and the other regions and with all their political leaders, factions, religious authorities and some elites. We built social and popular relations due to living as neighbors in common regions. We never sensed a problem between Shiites and Druze in general and between Hezbollah and the Druze in particular. What helped that things move in such a good and positive direction is what I mentioned in the introduction: that we didn't get engaged in any struggle with anyone, and we did not compete with anyone over a ministry, parliamentary post, other profits, administration or any internal affair. Our relations were good with all parties on top of which was the Progressive Socialist Party. Our relation with the Progressive Socialist Party remained tact even after 2005 when the Lebanese were divided into March 8 and March 14 camps. Indeed I will not go now to make an open reconsideration for this relation pursuant to what we all committed ourselves to and also as a show of respect to the other party because the Progressive Socialist Party did not go into an open reconsideration and was keen to preserve the atmosphere of dialogue and calmness. I will only mention the reason behind the problem. The problem began after a certain speech referred to the resistance and its arms with hard description. Since then, relations deteriorated to reach their most serious levels between 7 and 11 May, 2008. Minister Talal Irslan played a pivotal role to contain the problem. All concerned parties cooperated whether on the Shiite, Druze or national level. Thus was our going to Doha. We have to acknowledge that MP Walid Jumblat had a clear inclination towards calming down the situation and towards dialogue. He played a positive role during the Doha dialogue conference and afterwards. Many meetings took place between the Progressive Socialist Party and us (Hezbollah) in the residence of Talal Irslan which helped to calm souls and address any problem that might take place under the authority of the state institutions on top of which is the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces. Today, I would like to say that we are all concerned in communicating, meeting and making dialogue. I am concerned in making reconsideration. After the June 7 elections, regardless of the results all the Lebanese have to meet and convene. That's because we cannot build a country on the foundation of conflict, isolation and separation. I like to stop here tonight. Yet tonight I like to assure our Druze brothers, on behalf of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement that we adhere to coexistence in Dahyieh, Mount Lebanon, Rashaya, Western Bekaa, Hasbayya, Marjeyoun, Beirut and every other region as one people away from enmity, friendlessness and aversion. We are ready for dialogue, meeting, frankness and for dispersing doubts and confusions from both sides. I also would like to warn the Druze against those who seek to present Hezbollah and the Shiites as your enemies, and I likewise warn the Shiites against those who seek to present the Druze, particularly the Progressive Socialist Party, as their enemies. We are not enemies. The Israelis, the Zionist project and those who want to destroy Lebanon are the ones who want to create a state of enmity between the Lebanese families, sects and forces. Whenever a dispute, fighting, confusion or struggle takes place anywhere, they seek to consolidate this enmity instead of seeking to address its repercussions and uproot it. I want this point to be clear and fixed since it represents our will as a whole.

I need to make a short study here on elections 2005, elections 2009, our alliances in more than one districts and our decisive inclination to vote for the Change and Reform tickets. What I said in the introduction applies also on the Christian level especially on the Free Patriotic Movement. From the beginning too, we were never psychologically far from each other. Even before 2005, in the 1990s and even after 2000, we used to communicate and make dialogue via leaders and cadres from Hezbollah and the FPM. Even in the hardest times for the FPM in Lebanon when it was not at good terms with the Lebanese authority and Syria, we kept in touch though I cannot claim that we had an organized relation, understanding or even a prelude to an alliance. Perhaps the first contact which had a good political and emotional impact was Al-Manar’s interview with General Michel Aoun before his return to Lebanon. This interview could leave a positive impression on both parties. Yet even after Aoun returned, we did not establish an alliance or agreement. This is normal because we were in two opposite political camps. We were in the March 8 Alliance, and Aoun was in the March 14 alliance. In fact, the FPM was the essence of the March 14 Alliance. Now they took the name of March 14 alone. This is an internal affair between them and the FPM in which we do not intervene.

Despite our political differences, mutual respect and feelings were preserved. We have had a common experience in Haret Hreik on the level of municipal elections, and it was an encouraging experience. Then we formed the Quartet Alliance. In the Quartet Alliance, the alliance between Hezbollah and Amal was natural and I talked about that in Nabatiyeh. Having the Progressive Socialist Party in the Alliance is also natural because of the deep relations between us. The Alliance also included the Future Movement because months before the elections were to take place; we had organized dialogue with martyr Premier Rafic Hariri. We could reach political and election agreements which was in need for some final touches. Things were moving naturally towards an election alliance. The dispute was over the Christian ally or partner. After the martyrdom of Premier Rafic Hariri, we continued with (MP) Saad Hariri what we started on the Quartet Alliance. Then we did not have any problem to have the FPM (General Aoun) as the Christian partner as our partner. In fact, this was the best option for us on the psychological, political and emotional levels. He didn't cause any embarrassment for us whatsoever whereas other alliances did cause us great embarrassment. This was what we told our allies in the Quartet. But the other party in the Quartet refused Aoun (FPM) as the Christian partner. In fact, they were not at good terms with Aoun (FPM) since his return to Lebanon. The election and political dispute between them took place before any contact between us and Aoun. Here comes the importance of the conclusion I will reach in a while. We were not part of this dispute and battle. We wanted to make this alliance work because one of its main objectives was to calm the situation down in Lebanon and prevent internal sedition, particularly between Sunnis and Shiites.

We have seen that in 2005 elections, all the tickets which stood in face of the Future Movement were accused of being the killers or allies with the killers and whoever votes for them would be as voting for the killers. This might be tolerated in a Christian or Sunnite district but as the competition was between the Future Movement, Hezbollah and Amal Movement and such rhetoric was used in elections 2005, the elections as well as the entire country would have been flared up. So one of the essential aims of the Quartet Alliance was safeguarding the country against any sedition. This goal was fulfilled then. But they did not want General Aoun in the Alliance. So we differed on the Christian partner. Thus the alliance did not turn to a quintet, sextet or septet. It remained a quartet. To safeguard the Quartet alliance and its goal which aimed at preventing sedition and protecting the resistance we had also to commit ourselves to it in the electoral districts of Beirut, Baabda-Aley and West Bekaa. They sought to let us commit ourselves to it in the other districts but we did not. Thus in 2005, it was known that in Zahle, Northern Matn, Jbeil and Kisirwan, in the North, Zgharta, Batroun and Kora, our constituencies voted for the FPM, Maradeh Movement and our allies and friends in the Islamic and national forces. So we did not head towards a vertical and horizontal vote that covered all districts. Here I want to emphasize that the ongoing dispute between the constituents of the March 14 Alliance (particularly the Christians in the alliance) and General Aoun (FPM) was present before any Hezbollah – FPM understanding or alliance. Today, this is the central point they are targeting as they can’t find anything else to aim at.

After the elections, along with our keenness to preserve our relation with the Quartet Alliance and our presence in the government which was formed then, we took the initiative to continue our contact and searched for preludes for dialogue with the FPM because the outcome of the elections proved forcefully that Aoun (FPM) and his allies represent the majority of Christians. So if we were searching for a Christian partner who represents the majority, we had then to open this dialogue and make this relation. We started a lengthy dialogue which lasted for months and yielded the Agreement Paper which was signed during a meeting in Mar Michael Church on February 6, 2006. The agreement was open, transparent and clear. It was announced in a press conference. It was all "over the table" and nothing was "under the table". General Aoun and I said then that this agreement would be the platform for other agreements and not in face of anyone. It didn't target anyone but it rather aimed at integration. The content of this agreement was adopted to a great extent whether on the national dialogue table or in the oath speech made by His Excellence President Michel Suleiman. We got engaged in the experience of cooperation between Hezbollah and the FPM. The outcome of this experience after years reinforced trust and respect between the two parties. Here I give my testimony based on this experience. You know I am frank and faithful when saying the truth and I don't fear what I say. Anyway, my speech today does not have any election aims. It might be useful or harmful. I don't know whether what I will say now would benefit or harm General Aoun. Anyway, the truth must be said. I will present the conclusion we reached from this experience to tell you and our constituencies which will vote on June 7 to the Opposition in all the districts: Do not act on the bases of the Quartet. Our alliance is not occasional or a transient election alliance. It is rather a national political alliance which remained steadfast in the most difficult situations and in face of the hardest challenges. It might as well be sought as the basis of true national partnership.

Our experience revealed that General Aoun is a leader who has a clear vision and who has his own project and program. He is an independent man in the full sense of the word. Embassies have no influence on this man. No one can dictate on this man anything against his convictions and viewpoint. (And he is stubborn in that. It's we who know after our experience over these few years.) Also he is transparent and honest. He does not show one fact and hide another. He has nothing under the table. This man likes to be respected and respects other. Through my personal experience with him and the experience of Hezbollah with the FPM, he is devoted to Lebanon as one nation and state and as one people. At the same time, he is one of the most loyal Christian to Lebanese Christians, their role, dignity and future. Most important is that this man – from our norms in evaluation of men –is faithful. We have witnessed this faithfulness in his position in July War knowing that our Agreement then was only months' old. The whole world was attacking us whether the G8, G7, the UN Security Council, the regional states, America, France and the West. Here I will mention one point to let you know to what extent the position taken by Aoun was estranged in some milieus. One man – whose name I will mention now because there is no need for that – when describing the position of Aoun during July War and his bargaining on the resistance (and this was said on the television and not a private piece of information) said: Wait a couple of days when Hezbollah would be defeated and Israel gains victory. General Aoun will get insane and you will look for him in one of the in insane asylums in Paris. The experience proved that the so sayer was the only insane in the country. This faithfulness was shown in the political stance in July War. Here is a man who agreed on something with another and he put himself, his movement, political future and all whom he leads stick to this position based on faithfulness to the vision and the clarity, transparency and truthfulness which I talked about a while ago. This is what our experience proved.

I will lead you to the way leading to Hezbollah. With force, bullying and threatening nobody takes anything from us because we do not fear death, threatening and terrifying. With faithfulness you take us along with everything we have. We are faithful to the faithful. This faithfulness is today the bases of the current electoral alliance. The campaign of the other party especially the Christians of March 14 on General Aoun and the FPM in the elections is based on his alliance with Hezbollah. They are trying to hold him responsible: You made an alliance with Hezbollah! But back in 2005, he wasn't making an alliance with Hezbollah. It was you who were making an alliance and an agreement with Hezbollah. So it is falsehood and an attempt to deceive and neglect the Christian masses. This rhetoric is 4 (and not one) years old. They lined up falsities: They accused him of three-party rule which is fabricated. (When I say they accused him that means that he and we along with the rest of the opposition forces are in the accused). They fabricated the falsity of three-party rule and accused us all of it but the one targeted at by this lie is General Aoun. They accused him of working at shortening the term of the president. They accused him of what they called the third republic. What is even stranger is what I heard yesterday from one of Matn candidates who interpreted the third republic as an Islamic state special for Hezbollah! This needs no comments. They also say that should the Opposition win, Sayyed Nasrallah (and not General Aoun) will rule. Well they know that whoever wins the elections, he can't rule alone. No sect, party, movement or leader is able to rule alone. All of these accusations aimed at the Christian electors. Why do they fabricate all these lies? That's because they can't find anything to talk about. They can't say he doesn't have a vision. They can't say he is not independent or not keener over the sovereignty than they are. They can't say he was a militia man. They can't say he is corrupt. They can't say that he achieved leadership by being appointed. They can't say he has no history. They can't say he goes for federation and dividing the country. Thus when they can't find anything in him or his movement to speak about, they started fabricating lies and attacking. Finally I say frankly and boldly that the mere existence of this man and movement is a real national guarantee for one and a united Lebanon and for the rise of the responsible, just, capable and strong state.

The third topic is Beirut. When we talk about Beirut, some suppose that we are foreigners and strangers to it knowing that Beirut is the city where all Lebanese sects live. It sums up Lebanon with its religious and political diversity. Well, we are part of the residents of Beirut. This is one. Two: Hezbollah and I in particular don’t have to make introductions about the extent of our faith, adherence and commitment to cooperation and unity among Muslims, particularly between Shiites and Sunnis. This is a matter of faith. It is neither a matter of tactics nor a circumstantial matter. All through the past years and especially after 1982 and since we get acquainted to one another, we have never had problems with you and you haven’t had any problem with us. You know that, don't you? In the wake of political divisions, especially after 2006 war, when we demanded a unity government and considered the government back then as one that cannot protect and build the country. Following the major repercussions of the July War, a new division was established and we became Loyalty and Opposition blocs. It was normal that demonstrations and sit-inns take place besides political speeches. Now I want your (O audience) testimony and that of the residents of Beirut, the Lebanese people and the peoples of both the Arab and Islamic worlds and all who know Arabic or read it translated. Since the establishment of Hezbollah in 1982 till this very day, have you ever read a text or heard a speech by me or by any of my brethrens with a religious, sectarian or instigative nature? Well as far as sects and factions are concerned, when there are disputes with others, we talk as they do. We have the right to express ourselves in the proper way but we never resorted to sectarian and factional rhetoric. This is opposite to what was practiced by many all through the past years and are still practicing till now. When we differed with Future Movement, we never referred to Shiites and Sunnites. We never assailed Sunnis whereas newspapers, magazines, statements and speeches did assail Shiites. Well, your problem is not with Shiites but with me as Hezbollah. Then speak about Hezbollah as I talk about Future Movement. Speak about me as I speak about so and so political leader. As far as we are concerned, we never resorted to any sectarian or factional speech. We rather consider that forbidden and tantamount to treason.

Political events developed. Before May 5 and May 7 (2008), the Opposition sensed that thing are over. Nothing is yielding any results: neither cries nor sit-ins did work. Frankly we couldn't get out of the sit-in. We couldn't but wait for a whole year until it is time for elections. We have to remain for a whole year as political and media opposition, preserve the set-in until the elections are due. Then we would go for voting. Neither calling for a national unity nor dialogue nor early elections yielded any results. On the other hand, a scheme was being made. It was a project to target the resistance. The elements of this project were completed before May 5, 2008. The timing of Friday's speech – the day on which we graduated university students- was in the afternoon. Many Lebanese especially the residents of Beirut did not hear it. The speech was sectioned. The phrase "glorious day" was highlighted. But why I said that and in what framework it came weren't made clear. It was met with much political and media talk, attacks, instigations and denunciations; whereas all the questions I posed and the given I presented weren't answered or denied in ten days of comments on my word. I hope tonight the residents of Beirut and the Lebanese people would give me 15 minutes. Then let them make their judgments.

A scheme was being prepared. Militias were being formed and camouflaged by security firms. The fighters were sent to a number of Arab countries to receive training. I will not mention names to avoid troubles. Offices for security firms were opened in the various regions and especially in Beirut. Did Beirut need such armed offices? That's the question. If you say that your project is about building the state, why do you need armed militias under the title of security firms for? If you are saying that you (the state), army institutions and security forces are the parties which defend all citizens, what for then do you need these militias, arms and RPJs besides mobilizing, training and arming thousands? I hope that residents of Beirut would pose these questions on the leadership of the Future Movement and the March 14 bloc. Indeed no one showed up to deny this point. Let them say that they did not establish security firms, arm and train fighters in Arab states!

Second: thousands of armed fighters were brought about to Beirut. There was nothing going on in Beirut at that time that necessitated that. As for the sit-in it was limited to the area of a parking lot. That was in addition to a number of men guarding the camps. Does that necessitate bringing about thousands of fighters? Was there anything threatening Beirut and its residents? Was there anything threatening the government? No! The stance of the Opposition was clear. The matter is over. It's waiting until parliamentary elections are due in June 7 (2009). So why were thousands of fighters brought about to Beirut from the North, Bekaa and other regions? Can you deny that you brought about thousands of fighters? For ten days you attacked me but you could not deny the given I presented.

Third: The then government of PM Fouad Saniora held a meeting (which was not on its schedule) and discussed the telecommunication network of the Resistance and the head of the Airport Security Apparatus. Why was it not on the cabinet’s schedule? Why is the rush for? Couldn't that wait for a month, two, three or four? O people of Beirut have you ever asked Premier Fouad Saniora this question? Notice that before the cabinet’s decision, a panel of senior officers was formed including Internal Security chief General Ashraf Rifi and Major General George Khouri as well as a third officer whose name I forgot. (These officers can deny my speech if it was not true.) I believe the panel included three officers but these two gentlemen were in the panel. They contacted us when the talk started promulgating in the country. We discussed the telecommunication network. They said: Do you intend to extend a cable to Matn, Jbeil or Kisirwan what might raise fears? (That means that the network would have internal interests). We told them no we have no such intentions. They said: Are you sure? We said: Indeed, what has the network to do with Jbeil, Kisirwan, Matn, the North and Tripoli? They said: you have a cable extended from Dahyieh to the South. Do you intend to extend another to Baabda, Alley and Shouf (What makes Mr. Walid Jumblat worried)? We said: We pledge that this network will not extend outside Dahyieh neither to Shouf nor Alley nor Baabda. All what we need from the coastal line is that the cable reaches the south. Nothing else! As for Beirut, there is a cable extended from Dahyieh to Beirut. This is the crucial point. (Listen to these details. They are important. We can't take each other by falsities and ruin the country with allegations and speeches.) Well the cable passes in front of the French Embassy. We told them: Cut it off then. (I am now disclosing a secret because I am obliged to.) But do you promise us that in case of another Israeli war against Lebanon – God forbids – we or you would extend that cable again. They said: Yes we promise you that. We said: Great. The issue was over. They conveyed the results to Premier Saniora. They reported to us that everything was OK. Things were perfect. You remember that the government then formed a panel which included the interior minister and the defense minister. That penal charged these officers. As far as we knew then, the issue was over. Here I ask a question: Who came after a week, ten days or two weeks and pressed on them to raise the issue again during the cabinet meeting from outside the schedule? This is one question.

The second question is: I want to ask the residents of Beirut to pose this question on Premier Saniora and the ministers in the government: Who is mostly interested in dismantling Hezbollah’s telecommunications network? Doesn't Beirut and its residents back the Resistance? So who is interested in dismantling this network and considering everyone involved in it and outlaw, plunderer of public wealth and violator of sovereignty who should be put in jail, tried and punished? Is that for the interest of the Lebanese government? Well, notice that this network has been operating since before the year 2000 and under all the past governments. It is not new and certainly it was not built after 2005. I claimed that this issue was discussed for long hours in the cabinet meeting and resulted in disputes among ministers. Some ministers said that such a decision might ruin the country. Still others insisted on it and threatened to resign if it was not adopted. (Let them show up and deny what I am saying and say that I am lying on the Lebanese and the residents of Beirut. That was said but no one listened to this saying which was articulated by some rational ministers... Notice that not all the ministers who were at the meeting are accomplices in this decision. You then made external contacts to safeguard your decision. You agreed on it in a moonless night and issued it at dawn. You bargained on it. Well I agree that the residents of Beirut say whatever they want on May7, but I call on the residents of Beirut also to ask the Future Movement and Premier Fouad Saniora and the ministers in his government: Why did you make such a decision in such a way? (What are the reasons behind such a decision? Who has interest in it? Still they indeed know the repercussions and risks of such a decision.

Nobody until now has answered what I said on Friday. I have asked the brethrens in Hezbollah all these ten days not to make any comments. I don't want anyone to defend me even if I was insulted. True some brethrens such as Premier Omar Karami said that this is an answer to the speeches made by Future Movement. Minister Suleiman Franjiyeh was obliged during a televised interview to explain my speech because people didn't hear it. I thank him for that. Many other brethrens did so also. But I asked that no one from Hezbollah make any answer. I also asked them to observe if there are any comments other than on the word "glorious". No there were no other comments or denials. We said tomorrow they will show up to deny but that won't do them any good anymore. I say that there was a scheme of war in Beirut and the fighters were deployed to serve that purpose in apartments, headquarters, neighborhoods and streets so that the war would last for weeks. I have details on that. Well they surprised us by the decision on May 5. I tell you frankly that we demonstrated, cut roads with sand blocks and crippled activity in the airport, the port and the capital. Yet we did not go for war. Still we had decided that this won't be like previous cases when we were fired at and we would remain silent. That's because if fire was opened this would be the introduction for a pre-planned war. Thus action must be swift, decisive, limited and final. This is what took place on May 7. I have said on Friday that May 7 events prevented sedition between Sunnis and Shiites and prevented war from erupting in Beirut as planned. We all know that if conflict erupted between the people of Beirut and lasted for weeks, it won't be limited to Beirut but rather sedition will expand to cover all Lebanese cities and towns. It will not be also limited to Sunnites and Shiites but it will also expand to cover all Lebanese sects. That means the country would be lost. I said that May 7 prevented sedition and war, prevented turning Beirut to confrontation lines and to a hollow land, prevented the serious and catastrophic fighting of brothers, prevented giving a blow to the Resistance and prevented ordeal between the resistance and the Army (and that was not the goal). Consequently these events put the foundations of taking Lebanon out of the crisis and we went to Doha. Based on the risks it helped transcending and goals it helped achieving, I called it a glorious day. I also accept that May 7 was a painful and sad day. I also accept the remark of Premier Salim Hoss and I see it as a fatherly remark. I also accept all remarks made by our brethren leaders and scholars especially Sunni opposition leaders. Indeed it was a sad day because victims fell in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Dahyieh, Helba and Tripoli. Indeed it was a sad day because of materialistic losses here and there. It was sad because it left tough feelings between Lebanese. Also it was a sad day because the resistance that made freedom, pride and glory to Lebanon, all the Lebanese people and the Lebanese capital was forsaken. It stood alone to defend its existence, honor and arms. It was a sad day but here I am telling you: No matter how great risks, dangers, sorrows and pains that resulted after May 7, they remain trivial compared to what was planned for Beirut and Lebanon through the decision of May 5. Thus this was something greater and more glorious.

Brothers and sisters! I want to assert to the residents of Beirut and I don't want to say the Sunnites in Lebanon. The Sunnites in Lebanon are divided to opposition and loyalists. I want to tell the Sunni loyalists (since we have divisions in this country: Druze opposition, Druze loyalists, Sunni opposition, Sunni loyalists….) and via them all the Lebanese: On this day I address all saying: When we fought in southern Lebanon, we did not do that with a religious or a sectarian background. Our eyes weren't taken by Bint Jbeil more than by Shabaa and Hasbaya or Jizzine. We had our eye set on every Lebanese village and town in the south. We wanted all Lebanese people to be free and proud. We wanted everyone involved in collaborating with Israel in the border line to return to his country. We offered our blood for Lebanon's pride and dignity and to safeguard its people. Here I tell you: We offered the blood of our dear men, sons, leaders and scholars. I tell all Lebanese - Sunnis, Shiites, Druze and Christians alike: Your blood is ours; your flesh is ours; your soul is ours; your fate is ours. We cannot but be as such.


Now I move to the Der Spiegel report. To begin with, the scheme against Lebanon is still there. Few days ago, I said during the opening of the resistance conference on awareness and memory that the last arrow in the quiver of the US-Zionist project to confront resistance movements in our Arab and Islamic region is creating an Arab-Iranian and a Sunni-Shiite conflict. They don’t have anything else. This is their last arrow. Here I am telling you, that after (and even before) July War in 2006 and the events that followed, the last battle which some are planning to wage against Hezbollah is to falsely accuse it of assassinating martyr Premier Rafiq Hariri. This is the last battle. This scheme still exists. Surely all of you got acquainted to what Der Spiegel Daily reported. I don't have to read it. We have an explanation for the Der Spiegel report. Frankly and transparently what the report stated is extremely dangerous. It is not a news report that we comment on or not. I agree with Hezbollah’s statement that was issued hours after the report was published in Der Spiegel that this is not the first time that newspapers fabricate such reports. This is not the first time, isn't it? Few months earlier, the Kuwaiti Assiyasa Newspaper (Some youths might not remember the Sawt al-Adala Daily in Lebanon. It matches this newspaper anyway) fabricated and published articles and reports about telephone lines and scores of witnesses at a time it showed its conviction to the officers and moved towards finger pointing at Hezbollah. Well if three witnesses were about to ruin everything. Now we have scores of witnesses! So only God knows what is hidden. That's what the Kuwaiti Assiyasa Daily wrote. Back then, we refrained from issuing any statement given that the Kuwaiti Assiyasa is widely known for lying and fabricating news. No one worldwide also commented on the issue. Another Gulf Daily which I don't want to name and an Egyptian newspaper within months also raised the issue specifically after my well-known speech on Gaza during the war on Gaza. They answered my speech and some Egyptian newspapers wrote that this man is addressing Egypt while it is Hezbollah who killed Hariri! Still we did not comment.

However, the Der Spiegel report is different because the atmosphere, given, timing and exploitation - particularly by Israel –aroused our attention. I will highlight this issue because it is of great importance and seriousness. When the Der Spiegel report was posted, the Al-Arabiya Channel instantly made it its main headline and consumed hours of satellite broadcasting on it. The channel had sought some satisfactory statements but it was surprised by reservation. It did not find anyone to join its campaign. Who really joined in? Israel joined in and within hours not days. Few hours later, Liebermann showed up and presented himself as someone who gives heed to the law and said that based on the Der Spiegel report, an international arrest warrant must be issued against Hezbollah’s Secretary General. If the state of Lebanon does not hand him in, then he must be detained by force. Even more dangerous than Lieberman’s comment was Ehud Barak’s. That's dangerous. If his words are but a slip of the tongue, they are dangerous. If his words are facts and given, they are more dangerous then. He literarily said that the international court’s decision (He did not say the Der Spiegel report) to consider Hezbollah responsible for killing the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, indicates once more the nature and office of Hezbollah, not only concerning fighting us (the Israelis) but also as regarding fighting the Lebanese mentality. What was he talking about? If he did not comprehend what he read and mixed between the Der Spiegel report (which was referring to sources close to the international court, then his slip of the tongue is being exploited. However, if he said more, that will be extremely dangerous. See the Israelis who commented: Liebermann, Barak, Shahak, Haim Ramon… the Israeli Press the following day wrote headlines like: Hezbollah Killed Hariri. So it's over! In Israel, they accused, charged and issued statements. They are now demanding punishment and if the international community did not punish, Israel - the guardian of rights of the Sunnites and Jamaa and the avenger for the blood of martyrs will independently punish Hezbollah and its Secretary General.

Taking into consideration what Israelis said and how they dealt with and commented on the issue, it was not anymore a report or an article. It was more dangerous and serious. As for the timing, there are elections due in Lebanon. Israelis as well as the Americans are expressing deep concern about the opposition winning the elections. So how are we to cripple elections and influence them? Well, Der Spiegel is ready. Also regarding timing, efforts to dismantle more spy networks (some of which have executive missions) are ongoing at a fast pace. And what will be exposed later will be even greater. Hence, the Israelis want to save themselves before interrogations reveal that their networks are involved in the assassination. So let's turn the tables on our arch-enemy who is Hezbollah. As for regional timing, a new government is required to acknowledge the two-state solution and the right of return while it is moving towards more settlements and the judaizing of Al Qods and turning Jordan to an alternative country. So we have to redirect things and take the region to another place. They want to make Lebanon, the conflict in Lebanon and the dangerous and serious accusations in Lebanon the top priority, not Palestine. Also in timing, an Israeli maneuver is seeking whatever makes it legal. Still more the choice of nationalization is taken seriously and adopted by Obama's administration which is marketing it in the Arab world.

Brothers and sisters! Timing is not the most dangerous element. The strategy is more dangerous. When Premier Hariri was assassinated, many parties had worked to point at Shiites to create war between Sunnites and Shiites in Lebanon in the peak of agitated emotions. Now what is Der Spiegel saying? What are Liebermann, Barak and Shahak among other Israelis saying? What are the black hands which make such fabrications saying? It is saying: O Sunnis! Whether you used to like martyr Premier Rafic Hariri or not, the ones who killed your leader are the Shiites in Lebanon and particularly Hezbollah. So it's they whom you must avenge from, fight and show enmity to. So they don't want the truth; they are not searching for the truth; they are rather seeking to create sedition in the country. This was no soon sensed by rational politicians in Lebanon who talked about the attempt to revive sedition. Isn't that so? It's normal that Speaker Berri, President Suleiman, General Aoun, Premier Karami, Minister Franjiyeh and the other parties and the Islamic Labor Party take the position they did. But I hereby give my testimony even to those I differ with. I praise specifically the courage and bravery in the position of MP Walid Jumblat yesterday. Indeed his reading is right. Here I repeat his very words: The Lebanese are to deal with the Der Spiegel report as being more dangerous even than the Ain el-Roummaneh bus. This is why we have to act responsibly. When the news was published (even before we made any statement), one of the Lebanese channels was making an interview with Premier Karami. As the report was published, the journalist asked him to comment. Every rational man would answer that this is a plot to create sedition. This was how Premier Karami answered. He did not say it is journalistic news and we have to wait for what the international court says!

Anyway, few weeks ago I said that after the release of the four officers our demand is that doors don't remain open before the international court before those who have misled the investigation for four years and fabricated witnesses and falsities. Yet regretfully, I tell you that our information shows that doors are still open before them. We might know some of them but we might not know others. Thus I call upon you all to act responsibly. As for us, we consider that what the Der Spiegel wrote and what the Israeli leaders said hours later are nothing but an Israeli accusation to Hezbollah of having assassinated martyr Premier Rafic Hariri and we will deal with it accordingly.


As for Dahyieh, What shall I say about Dahyieh, the residents of Dahyieh, the natives of its towns and those who emigrated and were displaced to it? Since the very beginning, this region stood up to occupation with such a will, bravery and pride and humiliated the enemy's arrogance at the gates of Khalde. This very Dahyieh carried on resisting until it drove out the occupation from Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Dahyieh then turned to be the background of the Resistance as were Baalbeck and Hermel. It did not spare any son, money, support and pain and tolerated repercussions and punishment. This Dahyieh was always faithful to the political choice of the resistance. It voted, demonstrated and showed up forcefully in all occasions whether to support Gaza, Najaf, Palestine, the Arab causes, the resistance and the martyrs. It used to answer the call whether in rainy and frosty winter days or hot summer days. During July War, when they poured their grudge and savagery on its men, women, children, edifices and institutions, they wanted to shake its faith. Still its faith only grew. They wanted to shake its will; but it grew more willful. They wanted to defame its name; but it became like the sun that shines on the Globe. Dahyieh is the city of love and support. It is the cozy bosom that welcomed all who were displaced to it from the south, Bekaa, the North, Mount Lebanon and even Beirut due to the Israeli aggression, civil war and the negligence of distant regions. Dahyieh was there to all who came. It was the tender father, the loving mother and the supporting brother. It soothed pains and wiped away the dust of displacement and turned the refuge to a nation. No estrangement! No sadness! Yes they wanted Dahyieh to become a misery belt as Sayyed Moussa Assader said but it was rather a dignity belt. They wanted Dahyieh a compound for misery; but it was the fountainhead of hope and pride. They wanted Dahyieh to be always on the margins of this nation; but it was the heart of the nation. They wanted it to be a forgotten land and a devastated land in July but it plunged into the memory of history and the conscience of the whole nation and drew the future. O people, families, emigrants, men, women and children of Dahyieh! I address you with the very words I addressed the people of the South days ago. Peace be on you O people who own proud spirits, zealous souls and chaste and kind bosoms. You never favored the obedience of the ignoble to the death of the generous. When the ignoble Zionist backed by the ignoble of the world put you before two choices: war or humiliation, you shouted with your voices, blood, awareness and great determination – old and young, men and women alike - the cry of your Imam, the Master of Martyrs, in historic Karbala: Humiliation, how remote!


You offered great sacrifices. You were patient in the battlefield. Thus were the resistance, jihad and victory in May 2000 and July 2006. Brothers and sisters! We are waiting for you on June 7. June 7 elections have a new characteristic. We made an alliance and will vote for an alliance which is based on a clear political vision. We will vote for a firm and solid alliance. The most evident proof of its firmness is July War and the victory of Lebanon and its people. We will vote for an alliance which we support with our minds and hearts. In Baabda in 2005, I acknowledge I was a little tough on people because I was seeing many risks. So when you voted in Baabda your minds were in one place and your hearts in another. But on June 7, you will vote and both your minds and hearts are in one place. On June 7, I advice those among you who vote here not to stay home. (You know the elections law does not allow but those registered in the district of the town to vote in it. So some of you might have to vote in other districts). Know that there is a great responsibility on your shoulders. On June 7, show up in polling stations to save Lebanon from the mentality of monopolizing and abolishment and take it – shoulder next to shoulder and hand in hand - to the mentality of national sharing and national unity and cooperation. So you have great responsibilities lying ahead. Before June 7 and between May 31 and June 4 Israel will conduct maneuvers. We made a call. A while ago, I have heard that the President had called for the Higher Defense Council to convene tomorrow to discuss the Israeli maneuvers. This is how a state really becomes a state and starts to gain the trust of its people. The President is calling on the Higher Defense Council to convene, is calling on the army to be fully ready, and is showing the world Israel's practices, violations, maneuvers and spying networks. True His Excellence, the President is assuming his responsibilities, but we also thank others who are performing their obligations.

On these days, in as much as I call on you to be cautious, I call on you to be assured. As I said on my prolonged speech on maneuvers, I see any Israeli aggression or other action as remote (this is a political analysis). Still be cautious. When we put see such action as remote, we do not bargain on the noble feelings of the Zionists, the support of America to Lebanon, the conscience of the UN but rather on our people, army and resistance. On the Day of Victory and Resistance on May 25, I again tell Barak (who wants to take me to the international court) and the government of the enemy which is threatening Lebanon: During your maneuvers, the Islamic resistance along with the Lebanese National Army will be mobilized and on high alert. I promise that if anyone even thought of making a stupid move of staging an aggression against Lebanon, our response will be great. If anyone thought of trespassing into our land with five or even ten battalions, I pledge in the name of Abbass Musawi, Ragheb Harb, Imad Moghniyah, Sayyed Moussa Sadre and all of the founders and the leaders of the resistance, the resistance will destroy your battalions and your army in south Lebanon. During the maneuvers, we will be ready but no one will see us and our arms. No one will discover our place. My advice to the Lebanese Security Forces – which is working industriously these days along with the Public Security - is: there is an opportunity for a vast activity because during these four days, Israeli spy cells will be fully mobilized to spy on the fully ready resistance during the maneuvers. No body will see our arms. Let no one feel frightened. Let the country remain at ease and work for the elections. But we will be awake day and night as long as an enemy is threatening our people, nation, blood and dignity.

Brothers and sisters! Until June 7, let you flags be held up high and the signs of victory adorn your faces. Hundred returns but with the liberation complete with the restoration of the Shabaa Farms and the Kafasrshouba Hills to Lebanon. The greatest feast for our nation is when Palestine returns to the Palestinians and Al Qods to its rightful owners. Long live Lebanon and the Resistance. Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessing.

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Narallah: Der Spiegel Report is an Israeli Accusation to Hezbollah

Al-Manar TV reports: After the southern city of Nabatiye, Beirut’s southern suburb marked Resistance and Liberation Day Monday as tens of thousands of people gathered at the impressively organized Raya playground to listen to the speech of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah.

Political, military, security and religious figures also attended the massive ceremony that comes amid an intensifying campaign against Hezbollah including the latest report by the German weekly Der Spiegel which claimed that the resistance party was behind the assassination of former Prime Minister martyr Rafiq Hariri!

Sayyed Nasrallah congratulated all the Lebanese and the Arab and Islamic world on the Resistance and Liberation day “that constitutes Lebanon’s triumph on its enemies. It is the day that was granted to us by our martyrs and wounded and our steadfast families.”

“This day calls for pride and this victory has so many serious repercussions on the zionist entity as well as the Arab-Israeli conflict including the Palestinian cause. It is one of the main cornerstones of the Intifada that established many developments and turning points. Brothers and sisters, today I would like to address the alliance between Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement, Beirut – and for the last time the Beirut incidents a year ago – so as to make things clear, the Der Spiegel report and the new conspiracy, Dahiyeh and its people and resistance as well as elections.”

“I have to recall and stress that ever since Hezbollah was founded in 1982, we have been mobilizing our youth for a single and just cause; the cause of the resistance, the liberation of Lebanese detainees and the restoration of dignities. This is why we kept away from domestic politics and we only became part of the Lebanese internal equation in 2000. Even then, we did not engage politics in strong way because we used to strongly believe that Israel was planning for a military action. Israel will never accept its historic defeat in 2000 and will not Lebanon and the Lebanese resistance alone. This is why we used all the time we had to prepare ourselves properly. But the incidents that occurred in 2005, when the whole country was shaken by the assassination of martyr Rafiq Hariri and its aftermath. Back then, we felt that the whole nation, the people and the resistance were in jeopardy. Nevertheless, we engaged the domestic equation, not for the sake of power but for sake of preserving our country and its resources on top of which is the resistance. We were keen on establishing good relations with all sides and staying away from any conflict with anyone.”

“As for Mount Lebanon, Beirut and Dahiyeh, I would like to underline that since the establishment of Hezbollah, we have had good relations with our Druze brothers, not only in Mount Lebanon, but across Lebanon, with all their leaders and their religious authorities. We never sensed a problem between Shiites and Druze in general and between Hezbollah and the Druze in particular. Our relation with the Progressive Socialist Party remained tact even after the Lebanese were divided into March 8 and March 14 camps. I would like to point that the problem began after certain speeches that assailed the resistance and its arms. Since then relations deteriorated to reach its most dangerous levels in May 2008. Minister Talal Areslan played a pivotal role to contain the problem and everyone cooperated with him. We have to acknowledge that MP Jumblatt had a clear position to go for calming the situation down and played a positive role during the Doha dialogue conference. Today, I would like to say that we are all concerned in communicating now and after the June 7 elections, regardless of the results. We cannot build a country on the foundation of conflict and isolation. On behalf of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, I assure our Druze brothers that we adhere to coexistence in Dahiye, Mount Lebanon, Rashayya, Bekaa, Hasbayya, Marjeyoun, Beirut and every other region as one people away from enmity. We are ready for open dialogue and I would like to warn the Druze against those who seek to project Hezbollah and the Shiites as your enemies and I warn the Shiites against those who seek to project the Druze, particularly the Progressive Socialist Party, as their enemies. We are not enemies. The Israelis are the enemies who want this to happen between us.”

“As to the relation with the Free Patriotic Movement, we were never psychologically far from each other, even before 2005, even in the hardest times for the FPM in Lebanon when it were at odds with the Lebanese authority and the Syrians. We kept in touch, although I cannot claim that we had an organized relation or understanding or even a begging of an alliance. Perhaps the first contact which had a good impact was Al-Manar’s interview with General Michel Aoun before his return to Lebanon. Yet even after Aoun returned, we did not establish an alliance. This is normal because we were in two opposite camps. We were in the March 8 alliance and Aoun was in the March 14 alliance; in fact he was the foundation of the March 14 alliance. Although we had political differences, mutual respect was preserved and we have had an encouraging experience during municipal elections. Then we formed the quartet alliance. We continued with (MP) Saad Hariri after the assassination of his father, but the first problem we encountered was over the Christian partner. We did not have any problem to have Aoun as our partner. In fact, this was the best option for us, but not for the rest of the (quartet) allies. So they refused Aoun. We wanted to make this alliance succeed because one of its main objectives was to calm the situation down and prevent sedition, particularly between Sunnis and Shiites. This goal was fulfilled. I wanted to emphasize that the ongoing dispute between the constituents of the March 14 alliance, particularly Christians in the alliance, with General Aoun was present before any Hezbollah – FPM understanding or alliance. Today, they can’t find anything else to aim at. Our understanding was adopted at the dialogue table and in President Michel Sleiman’s oath. Our experience revealed that General Aoun has a clear vision and has his own project and program. He is an independent man who is not influenced by embassies. He is a transparent, honest and respectful man who respects other. He is devoted to Lebanon and a country for one people and loyal to Lebanese Christians, their role, dignity and future. The mere existence of this man and his Free Patriotic Movement is a real national guarantee for Lebanon and for the rise of the responsible, just, capable and strong state.”

“Regarding Beirut, the city where all Lebanese sects live in and where religious and political diversity is found, we are part of the residents of Beirut. Hezbollah and I don’t have to make introductions about the extent of our faith, adherence and commitment to cooperation and unity among Muslims, particularly between Shiites and Sunnis. This is a matter of faith. It neither a matter of tactics nor a circumstantial matter. We have never had problems with you (Beirutis) and you haven’t had any problem with us since 1982; you know this. In the wake of political divisions, especially after the 2006 war when we demanded a unity government and considered the government back then as one that cannot protect and build the country. Following the major repercussions of the June war, a new division was established and we became loyalty and opposition blocs. I call upon you as witnesses: Have you ever heard or read a speech or a text by me or by any of my brothers of a religious, sectarian or instigative nature? When we have political disputes we speak in politics but unlike others, we have never made a sectarian speech. We have never assailed Sunnis even after the discord between us and the Future Movement, whereas we still find newspapers and magazines assailing Shiites. We consider that any sectarian speech is tantamount to treason. As things developed, we began to sense that there was nothing to do but to stick to the sit-in until elections. Nothing else could have been fruitful. However, there was a scheme in the making; one that was planned to target the resistance. The elements of this project were completed before May 5 2008. Militias were being formed and camouflaged by security firms. The fighters were sent to a number of Arab countries to receive training. Did Beirut need such bellicose offices? If you say that your project is about building the state, what are these offices for? If you cite the state, army and institutions, what do you need these offices for? I hope that Beirutis would ask these questions to the leadership of the Future Movement and the March 14 bloc. No one denied that thousands of fighters were brought to Beirut. There was nothing going on in Beirut at that time; just a sit-in in a parking lot. What was threatening Beirut to bring thousands of fighters in? You have been retorting to my speech for ten day but you never denied bringing in thousands of fighter to Beirut. Why? The then government of PM Fouad Saniora held a meeting and discussed Hezbollah’s telecommunication network, which by the way was not on the cabinet’s schedule. Why? What was the rush for? Worth mentioning, just before the cabinet’s decision, a panel of senior officers including Internal Security chief General Ashraf Rifi and Major General George Khouri as well as a third officer whose name I forgot. We discussed the network and we reached an agreement on all pending issues. Who was behind raising the issue again during the cabinet meeting on the fifth of May and from outside the schedule? Who is interested the most in dismantling Hezbollah’s telecommunications network and consider everyone involved in it and outlaw who should be tried and punished? For your information, this network has been operating since before the year 2000; every past government knew about it. It is not new and certainly was not built after 2005. Discussing the issues consumed long hours and resulted in disputes among ministers, some of whom insisted on taking the decision and threatened to resign if it were not adopted. Not all the ministers who were at the meeting are involved. Some of them were wise and advised other ministers that such a decision would result in war and sedition, but they did not listen. You made the decision and issued it at dawn, and certainly bargained on it. I call on Beirutis to ask the Future Movement and Saniora: Why did you make such a decision while knowing its consequences. No one has answered this yet. In one of my speeches, everything they could find to comment on was my expression: “a glorious day”. I say once again that there was a scheme of war in Beirut and the fighters were deployed to serve that purpose. Beirut was meant to turn into a war zone. I have details about this plan. So they took their decision on May 5 and we called for popular mutiny to protest, but not to fight. We did not go for war but we had decided that if we were fired at we shall not keep silent, because this would have been the introduction of the pre-planned war, therefore we had to act swiftly and decisively. I have said that the May 7 events prevented sedition and war between Sunnis and Shiites, which would have expanded to beyond Beirut. I also accept that May 7 was a sad day. But because the resistance that brought freedom, pride and glory to Lebanon was in danger, it was left to defend its existence, honor and arms. When we fought in south Lebanon, we did not have a religious or a sectarian background. We had our eye set on every southern village and town and we wanted all the Lebanese people to be free. We offered our blood for Lebanon and therefore, I tell the Sunnis, Shiites, Druze and Christians of Lebanon: Your blood is our blood, your flesh is our flesh, your fate is our fate. We cannot but be as such.”

“On the Der Spiegel report. To begin with, the plot against Lebanon is still standing. I reminded during the opening of the resistance conference on awareness that the last arrow in the quiver of the US-zionist project to confront resistance movements was founding an Arab-Iranian and a Sunni-Shiite conflict. They don’t have anything else. This is their last straw. After the June war in 2006 and the events that preceded it, the last planned battle to fight against Hezbollah is to falsely accuse it of assassinating martyr Rafiq Hariri. This scheme persists.

We have an explanation for the Der Spiegel report but first I have to clearly and transparently state that this is extremely dangerous. It is not a news report that we do not comment on. I agree with Hezbollah’s statement that this is not the first time that newspapers fabricate such reports. A few month earlier, the Kuwaiti Assiyasiyya, which is known to match the Sawt al-Adala daily in Lebanon, posted articles and reports about telephone lines and dozens of witnesses. Back then, we refrained from issuing any statement given that the Kuwaiti Assiyasiyya is widely known for lying and fabricating news. Other Gulf and Egyptian newspapers also raised the issue after my speech about Gaza. We did not comment. However, the Der Spiegel report is different because the atmosphere, timing and particularly the Israeli exploitation prompted us to stand up and issue a statement and prompted me to tackle the issue tonight. This is an extremely dangerous issue. When the Der Spiegel report was posted, the Al-Arabiya channel made it its main headline and consumed hours of satellite broadcasting on it. The channel ahd sought some satisfactory statements but it was surprised by reservation. It did not find anyone to echo it but the Israelis. Lieberman came out to project himself as someone who gives heed to the law and said that ‘based on the Der Spiegel report, an international arrest warrant must be issued against Hezbollah’s Secretary General. If the state of Lebanon does not hand him over, then he must be detained by force.’

Even more dangerous that Lieberman’s comment was Ehud Barak’s. He literarily says that the ‘international court’s decision (not the Der Spiegel report) to consider Hezbollah responsible for killing the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, indicates one more time to the nature and the function of Hezbollah.’ If Barak had mixed between the Der Spiegel report and the international court, then his slip of the tongue would be exploited. However, if it were more than a slip of a tongue, then his comments are extremely dangerous. The Der Spiegel report made headlines on Israel newspapers. They accused, charged and reached verdicts. They are now demanding punishment on the one hand and warning that Israel, the guardian of rights, will independently punish Hezbollah and its Secretary General.

With regards to timing, elections are drawing near and the Israelis as well as the Americans are expressing deep concern about the opposition winning the elections. Also, efforts to dismantle more spy networks, some of which have executive missions, is ongoing at a fast pace, hence, the Israelis want to save themselves. Moreover, Israel now has a new government that is required to acknowledge the two-state solution and the right of return, therefore, they have to redirect things and take the region to another place. They want to make Lebanon and the conflict in Lebanon top priority, not Palestine.

On the other hand, there is a strategic danger. When Hariri was assassinated, many sides had worked to point the figure of accusation at the Shiites. This is what Der Spiegel, Lieberman and Barak are saying. Those who fabricated this want to create sedition and conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites, mainly Hezbollah. This was soon grasped by the savants of politics in Lebanon who talked about the attempt to revive sedition. I hereby praise the courage and the position of MP Jumblatt. I agree with his comment and repeat it after him: The Der Spiegel report is even more dangerous than the Ain el-Roummaneh bus (that saw the beginning of civil war in 1975). This is why we have to act responsibly. For us, what the Der Spiegel has said and what the Israeli leaders have said are nothing but an Israeli accusation to Hezbollah of having assassinated Hariri and we will only consider it an Israeli accusation, nothing more.”

“As for Dahiyeh, since the very beginning this region stood up to occupation and humiliated Israel at the gates of Khalde. It resisted until it drove out the occupation from Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Dahiyeh offered support, money and blood. It was punished because it chose the path of the resistance. It’s biggest test was during the 2006 war, when it was destroyed only to break it will, but it only gained more power and more determination. Yes they wanted Dahiyeh to become a misery belt but it was nothing but a dignity belt. They wanted Dahiyeh to be a miserable place, but it rose as a stream of hope and pride. They wanted Dahiyeh to live on the margins of this nation, they wanted it to be a forgotten land, but it has drawn the future. May Allah’s peace be with you; the people in Dahiyeh who shouted the slogan of Imam Hussien peace be upon him: Disgrace, how remote. You were patient during the battle and the result was victory in 2000 and 2006. We are waiting for you on June 7, the day when you will vote and your hearts and minds will be at the same place. There are still responsibilities lying ahead. Israel will conduct maneuvers between May 31 and June 4. I have heard that President Sleiman has called for the Higher Dense Council to convene Tuesday to assess the maneuvers. This is how a state really becomes a state and starts to gain its people’s trust. As much as urge cautiousness, we want you to rest assured that we are on high alert. I tell Barak and his government that we will be on high alert when you begin your maneuvers, side by side with the Lebanese army. I promise that if anyone even thought of making a stupid move against Lebanon, our response will be unprecedented. If anyone thought of trespassing into our land with five or even ten battalions, I pledge in the name of Abbas Moussawi, Ragheb Harb, Imad Moghniyeh, sayyed Moussa Sadr and all of the founders and the leaders of the resistance, the resistance will destroy your battalions and your army in south Lebanon. Will will be ready, but no one will notice us. I seek this opportunity to advise Lebanese security forces that Israeli spy cells will be fully mobilized to spy on the resistance during the maneuvers.”

“Until we meet on the seventh of June, when we will see your flags held up high and the signs of victory adorning your faces, I wish a happy Resistance and Liberation day; the liberation that will be complete when the Shebaa Farms and the Kafasrshouba Hills return back to us and when Palestine return to the Palestinians and Quds to its rightful owners.”

Peace be upon you.

The Empire under Obama is as stupid as it was under Dubya

Lately, the USraelian Empire has been in the panic mode. On June 7th, an election will take place in Lebanon. Unsurprisingly, Hezbollah should do very well. And why not? Hezbollah single handedly beat the Israelis, it prevented a coup by the Lebanese "Three Stooges" (Hariri, Jumblatt and Siniora) and it has re-built the areas destroyed by the Israelis in a record time.

Obama's puppeteers understand this and this is why they have come up with an "oh-so-slick" response to this threat: they sent Biden to Lebanon and planted a story in Spiegel claiming that it was Hezbollah which killed Hariri.

Biden to Lebanon is just the pinnacle of arrogance and hubris. The Imperial High Command absolutely refuses to admit that being seen with a senior Imperial Leader is a kiss of death for any Arab politician unless that politician is a total USraelian stooge and puppet (Mubarak comes to mind).

As for blaming Hezbollah for the murder of Hariri, one has to feel some sympathy for the plight of the Empire. See, Lebanon does not have a marketplace quite like Markale, or a village quite like Racak: with the entire press corps ready to pick-up any "massacre" report no matter how absurd and without any possibility for the local authorities to investigate. So blaming the Hariri murder on Hezbollah is the best possible option - nevermind that Syria has been blamed for it almost since day one (blaming Syria was needed then, blaming Hezbollah is needed now) and nevermind that Hezbollah had nothing to gain, and much to loose, by such an action.

These silly tactics will not bring a single vote to the USraelian stooges in Lebanon. Those who are already at the Empire's service do not need more "reasons" (they need money and power). Those who support Hezbollah will only laugh at the crude and predicable nature of these operations. And the few in the middle who might hesitate in their vote will probably find themselves more, not less, attracted to the Party which manages to elicit such nonsensical but frantic interventions by the USraelians.

I predict that Hezbollah will do amazingly well in the next elections and that the US puppets currently in power in Lebanon will loose most of their power.

We will find out soon enough.

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speech of May 20th, 2009

The speech delivered by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the Spring Festival celebrating the Day of Victory in Nabatiyeh

I take refuge in Allah from the stoned devil. In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the world. Peace be on our Master and Prophet – The Seal of Prophets – Abi Al Qassem Mohamad Bin Abdullah and on his chaste and kind Household, chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers. Eminent scholars, brothers and sisters, dear ones, peace be upon you and Allah's blessing and mercy. Allah says in the Holy Qoran: (And We wished to be Gracious to those who were being depressed in the land and to make them leaders and make them heirs). It's with great pride and pleasure that we gather from all the villages of the south to mark the Day of Resistance and Liberation in the village of the Master of Martyrs - Abi Abdullah Al Hussein (pbuh), the city of the adorers of the Master of Martyrs (pbuh), and the city of the first popular uprising in Ashura against the Zionist invaders in the name of Imam Hussein. Greetings to all of you who came from all villages and towns of the South to celebrate the Day of Victory. You are the pioneer makers of this victory. On Resistance Day, I say that you are the people of this Resistance and its leaders, masters, martyrs, prisoners, wounded, fighters and steadfast and faithful embracers. On the Day of Liberation, I say that you achieved this liberation with your blood and your sons' arms and firm and great sacrifices. This liberation was a gift from Allah Al Mighty bestowed on you as a reward for your faithfulness and sincerity. Thus you were qualified for His victory and promise. You behaved modestly, asked for Allah's forgiveness, praised Allah and offered your victory to all of Lebanon and the whole nation. Peace be upon you, O people who rejected oppression, refused humiliation, protected nations and preserved trusts. Peace be upon you, the people who own proud spirits, zealous souls and chaste and kind bosoms. You never favored the obedience of the ignoble to the death of the generous when the ignoble Zionist who usurped Palestine's historic right backed by the ignoble of the world put you before two choices: war or humiliation and surrender and you shouted with your voices, blood, awareness and great determination the cry of your Imam in historic Karbala: Humiliation, how remote!

Peace be upon you, O people who own proud spirits, zealous souls and chaste and kind bosoms. You never favored the obedience of the ignoble to the death of the generous when the ignoble Zionists backed by the ignoble of the world put you before two choices: war or humiliation, fighting or surrendering, uprising or succumbing. You shouted with your voices, blood, awareness, the determination of the young and the old, woman and man, the enfant and the old man the cry of your Imam in historic Karbala: "Humiliation, how remote!" Thus was the resistance, the martyr leaders, the great self-martyrs, the prisoners, the wounded and the patience on displacement, destruction, poverty, hunger, deprivation, conspiracies and connivance. Thus was the continuing jihad and the promised divine victory on May 25, 2000.

Brothers and sisters, we are marking a great occasion, the Day of Resistance and Victory. We are also heading towards a very great event: the parliamentary elections on June 7. I have much to say but since we are commemorating this occasion today in Nabatiyeh, Monday night Inshallah in Dahyieh (Beirut southern suburbs) and next Friday in the city of Baalbeck, there'll indeed be three speeches. Thus I subdivided the topics into these three speeches. So what I won't tackle today would be put off until Monday or next Friday. Today's speech doesn't cover all the various topics. Thus today I will make a general speech which will yet be about the south in general. Dahyieh's speech will be general but it will also be a speech to the people of Dahyieh and the capital Beirut and Mount Lebanon. In the seal of ceremonies in the city of sun and the city of Sayyed Abbass Musawi, I will make a general speech which will be also about Bekaa, Baalbeck and Hermel. Today our speech is in Nabatiyeh. I have several topics. I will try to be as brief as possible.

The first topic is the topic of resistance and the state. To give you an idea, we have the topic of the resistance and the state, the spying networks, a quick word on mines, the topic of development and water and finally the topic of parliamentary elections, electoral districts, tickets and constituencies starting from Jizzine to Nabatiyeh, Tyr, Zahrani, Bint Jbeil and Hasbaya, while Sidon will be left to its people (and we indeed are among its people).

The first topic is that of the resistance and the state. Since 1948 when that usurper entity was erected, the Lebanese South (and Lebanon in general but the South in particular and more specially the southern villages at the borders which have been known for decades as the occupied Border Line) has always subject to threats, plundering of land and water and the displacement of its people, residents and population… It was always subject to aggressions starting back in 1948. This is known by our fathers and grandfathers (May Allah make them live long). They are still alive and they talk about these stages which are also recorded by history books, official documents and the media. Since the very beginning, the south was subject to threat, plundering, aggression and danger. Since the very beginning, the choice of the people of the south was the state. If we went back to the stances of our scholars in Jabal Amel, politicians, poets, elites and people living in that stage used to express that choice. It was clear that the choice was the state. I will quote only one document which is yet of great value. It's very eloquent because it is that of Imam Sayyed Abdul Hussein Sharafeddine. The document is from a history book which goes to 1948, following the massacre of Houla which was perpetrated by the Israelis (It is a horrible massacre - as the text says - in the border village of Houla. It is a massacre similar to the massacres of Deir Yassine and Kafar Qassem). After the massacre, Imam Sayyed Abdul Hussein Sharafeddine sent a letter to the Lebanese President then (Sheik Bshara Khoury). Among what he said in that letter, he touched on Lebanon, the independence and hopes. He said: "Lebanon thought that time had given it what it wanted; however and especially with regards to south, it was disappointed by rootless claims and hopes. That's because the status of ministries (for negligence, deprivation, tardiness and overlooking the south were there since the Lebanese State was first established) and trivial policies dispossess the wise man of his logic and the patient of his tolerance. It adorned the preposterous and concealed aberration. We only need to regard the calamity of Jabal Amel with its violated borders, shed blood, plundered villages (by the Jewish Zionists), children oppressed with fear and killing besides the ruining of plantations and crops." This is a documented letter. I will carry on reading it to some leading politicians who want to take us to the "state". On the dialogue table, they said that Lebanon from 1948 to 1970 was not subject to any Israeli aggression. Israelis did not stage aggressions against Lebanon except when Palestinian factions started Palestinian commando operations from Lebanon. One of the deputies who were in the session (who might be present here and is smiling now; isn't it so hajj Ali) went out of the room, took a volume for Assafir Newspaper which documents that stage, made copies of that part and distributed them on the dialogue table. He never repents. He never steps back. He came to repeat the very story. Soon the drills will take place. What's the problem in that? For fifty years Israel has been making maneuvers, waging wars against Lebanon and killing the people of Lebanon, destroying our villages in southern Lebanon. That doesn't matter. Imam Sharafeddine carries on saying: "This country is paying the tax of blood to the strangers who were thrown and cast away by the land and the sky. This deep-rooted mountain is inflicted with humiliation and poverty." (Here I like to interrupt Sayyed Abdul Hussein Sharafeddine. O our great Imam and master: Rest assured. Jabal Amel has emerged from your cloak and that of Imam Moussa Assader shouting: Disgrace, how remote!) Who has inflicted this mountain with humiliation and poverty? Imam Sharafeddine also says: "This mountain is performing its obligations and paying its taxes but is not given its rights as if it is the losing partner (I tell you that it is still the losing partner.) Who pays with sheep and is denied sheep. Haven't you heard –O President of Lebanon – the poet of the Mount while describing this calamity: My sorrow on you O Houla. I wish I would die of regret over you." The Imam continues the other verses then says: "Your Excellency, the President, if there is no ability to protect, is there no ability to provide with care?" (If we are not able to defend, fight and safeguard our country, won't we be able to wipe tears, heal wounds and feed the hungry?) "If rights are not fulfilled, why ungratefulness is still taking place?" Finally he says: "If you saluted Jabal Amel, say Peace be on you and on Lebanon!"

This was from 1949 on the occasion of Houla Massacre where scores of Lebanese martyrs from Houla village were killed.

From the beginning, the project of the south and the people of the south has been the state. After Imam Sharafeddine, Imam Moussa Assader assumed this heavy responsibility. Since the onset of the sixties until his abduction and absenting away from the jihad arena, his speech was unified and clear. He always used to address the state and the heads of the state. This south is a part of the nation. Send your army to protect it. Come and defend it. You are responsible for it, its land, water and people. No answer was heard. There were two cases. (We won't count connivance. Let's put it aside). If we thought ill we'd say that was negligence and carelessness (As if the south is not a part of Lebanon as the other distinct parts which have their own share in this negligence and carelessness.) If we thought well we say that was weakness and feebleness. Amid negligence and weakness, the south was bleeding and paying high prices. Finally, Imam Assader was obliged to call the southerners to pursue and hold arms. We all remember those days and the Kalashnikov with the two wooden grips. The young men remember that. In that period, Imam Assader established Amal Movement and called on the young men to exercise and join the fighting fronts in Taibeh and other villages to defend the south and its people. But he never abandoned calling on the Lebanese state to assume its responsibility in defending the South and its people. Then was the invasion of 1982. The state remained absent. I don't want to open the bloody and hard files of that stage. It was you the children of Imam Assader in Amal Movement and Hezbollah besides your brethrens and colleagues in the Islamic and national Lebanese forces and the Palestinian factions who faced the occupation, pulled the enemy out and defeated them. All that took place while the state was on another planet. To be fair, during the last years before the liberation especially under President Emile Lahoud, a clear alteration took place towards protecting the resistance and supporting it officially and morally. That was clear during the successive governments of Premier Salim Hoss, martyr Premier Rafic Hariri and Premier Omar Karami. Today we can't but stress and hail the steadfast position of His Eminence President Michael Suleiman whether when he became president or through his former post as the Army Commander. Except for this stage, for a long period of time the state was on another planet if I didn't say more.

Do you know dear people what is your crime and guilt? Your crime is that you refused occupation while you were asked to accept it. It's that you stood and resisted while you were asked to succumb and stay inactive. It's that you fought with bare chests and armless fists but for oil, stones, iron and a few weapons but with deep faith at a time the world abandoned you. Your great guilt is that you resisted; your greater guilt is that you gained victory and defeated Israel. You restored your land and liberated your captives. This achievement embarrassed – with the full meaning of the word – all those who remained inactive and silent, lingered back, felt afraid and weak, succumbed and called for giving up rights. Thus all of these insisted on punishing you. When you together confronted July War which they erupted to grind you, you remained steadfast along with all the noble in the country and the nation. You gained victory. This was the greatest guilt which no repentance might redeem. There are sins if man asked repentance for, he will be accepted. There are on the other hand sins which no repentance might redeem. The sin you committed and for which there is no repentance is your victory in July and your staying in your land and rapid return to it on August 14. I won't ever forget this word said by our greater brethren Speaker Nabih Berri. After July War was over, I met him. He told me then: O Sayyed! We must be cautious. They won't allow us to rejoice with this victory. They will let us pay costly for it. So when we fight, we must pay costly; if we were defeated, we must pay costly; if we gained victory, we must pay costly. Today, brothers and sister, on the Day of Resistance and Liberation, we – the sons and grandsons renew the call of our fathers and grandfathers. Yes we want the state. But what state? Is it the state of taxes and fees? No! Is it the state of real estate companies? No! Is it the state in which Lebanon as a whole turns to distinct neglected parts? No! We want a strong, able, just, brave and responsible state. We want a state with an army, security forces and political authority which defend and protect the south and safeguard the dignity of the south. We frankly and faithfully say we don't present the resistance as an alternative to the state. As for a state that calls itself a state and forgets the south and its people and doesn't take it into consideration, doesn't put plans for it, doesn't defend it, it's not a state at all to blame the resistance for presenting itself as an alternative for such a state. Here I'm telling you and all the Lebanese, that we in the alliance of the Lebanese National Opposition want the establishment of a strong able serious state that defends its land, water, sovereignty, honor and dignity. With the will of the National Lebanese Opposition, with you and by your will and voting on June 7, we will build the strong state Inshallah. This state must gain the confidence of the people and their belief in its practice, seriousness, strong presence, prompt follow up and confrontation of all what threatens the people and not be content with slogans. If we make a thousand speeches to say that the state possesses the decision of peace and war while it is absent, if we make a thousand slogans about spreading the state's authority over Lebanon, while it is not present on the ground to shoulder its responsibilities, the problem will never be lost. The problem is solved when there is a state which convinces its people that it is strong and capable. It must commit itself to defend, safeguard and secure this people and their dignity. This is as far as the first topic is concerned.

The second topic is the spying networks and collaborators' cells. First I must praise the efforts of the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces and the various security apparatuses. We stress that this is basically the demanded effort and the basic charge of the various security bodies. This is the right track which we must all carry on. There were true efforts exerted in the recent weeks in the spying network issue. See when there is seriousness in shouldering responsibility; you gain the respect and confidence of the people. This is what we want. We don't want any moral achievement. Put aside the work of the resistance. We are interested in dismantling these networks and arresting these collaborators so that the Zionists' eyes be blinded and thus protect the people and the country. Let whoever deserves be awarded with tokens, medals and badges of honor for making this achievement.

In the topic of spying networks, there are some quick points which I must mention:

First: there must be significant popular cooperation with security apparatuses, on part of families, people and political powers. Everyone who has a piece of information or remark must show up at security apparatuses.

Second: Spies and agents must be uncovered regardless of their religion, sect, family or town. They must never be protected. No excuses and pretexts must be given to any of them. Collaboration with the enemy and treason are an unjustifiable sin and a crime.

Third: On your behalf and on behalf of the families of martyrs and wounded, on behalf of those whose houses were demolished and those who paid taxes to rebuild the infrastructure, I call that collaborators, who provided the enemy with information that had caused all of this, be sentenced to capital punishment. Let go with this joke of sentencing them to one month, two months, one year, two years or ten years to prison. This doesn't protect the country and the national security. Anyone who adopts a lenient policy is an accomplice in spilling the blood of the Lebanese people. I have to be frank and firm on this matter: Do not play with the security or the judiciary on the basis of religious or sectarian balance even as far as collaborators are concerned. Here I am telling you: Start with executing Shiite collaborators.

Fourth, I address the rest of the spies and collaborators who are still operating on Lebanese soil. You are exposed now and no soon you will fall in the hands of justice. This is why I suggest that you turn yourselves in quickly. Perhaps this would commute your punishment. You must know that you are of no value to your Israeli masters. You are not worth a handful of soil to them. So do what is right and return back to your country, people and state before it is too late.

Fifth: We in Hezbollah have always been in close cooperation with the security apparatuses, but I declare that the resistance will unreservedly spare no effort to cooperate with all official security apparatuses in the framework of this comprehensive national, official and public effort to achieve this noble goal of purging Lebanon from these networks.

Sixth: We must cooperate to ease the political tension. Political and sectarian divisions in any country must not lead to justify even treason and collaboration. I must point here also that in large cities, things are lost by time. But in villages, the dead never dies even if after a 100 years. I want to address our people in the various regions, especially in villages: We must act with a sense of legal, moral and fraternal responsibility. The Holy Qoran says: (Nor can a bearer of burdens bear another's burden.) What is the guilt of the father, mother, wife, son or family of any collaborator or spy in any of our villages or families? They have no guilt. Isn't it enough that this spy harmed his family and parents? We must feel sorry for them, comfort, console and soothe them in their great calamity which is the gravest of all calamities. You as well as I know that especially in southern Lebanon what the feelings of the family, father, mother, wife, son or daughter of those whose son, husband or father is a collaborator are. In the issue of collaborators, I hope we would act with total mercy. Allah Almighty wants His characteristics to be manifested in His creatures. His mercy is great and His punishment is harsh. So I call you to be very merciful with the families of the collaborators and very tough with the collaborators and spies.

There is one final point in the spying networks topic which I like to mention now. I will leave a section on the spying networks topic to some other time. The spies and spying networks are not always united into one net. Israelis might contact one spy or at most a small group of collaborators. So if this spy was arrested, the rest won't be exposed or if this small group was arrested, the other groups won't be exposed. Well, these spies and collaborators and groups don't work only at gathering information. There is something more dangerous. Some of them are executive spies. Well, in the house of one of the spies, they seized 20 kilograms of TNT? Why is there 20 kilograms of TNT at an agent's home? This question must be answered. We must pause before it. Well if a spy gathers information, he might need to protect himself. He might keep at home a Kalashnikov or a hand grenade or an RPJ but indeed not 20 kilograms of TNT. So there are executive agents. Some agents, such as Mahmoud Rafea, had confessed of delivering bags and cases with explosives. Some agents carried on field reconnaissance missions and not simple information gathering. They carried out field reconnaissance missions as preparatory steps for killing. Others had facilitated the entrance and exit of Israelis after accomplishing their missions. This executive aspect must be taken into consideration, so that the door be open and those who have prejudgments, take stances beforehand or issue pre-set judiciary decisions and sentences be convinced that this Israeli action must be closely studied. That's because this might lead to the exposure of many of those who partook in the assassinations and explosions which took place in Lebanon especially in 2005 onwards. Still more, some of these collaborators had significant roles in stirring ordeals on the sectarian and regional levels. Still some of these agents admitted they were charged of stirring sedition between Hezbollah and Amal Movement even in the last few years. It has been made clear that in some villages despite the positive excellent atmosphere between Hezbollah and Amal Movement which I will tackle in a while and despite the excellent political, emotional, social, familial and fraternal atmosphere which the southern villages enjoy, some skirmishes used to take place at times which were exploited to develop into worse events. Later it would be made clear that they were Israeli-made via these networks and spies. Thus we must be very cautious.

The third point is mine fields. Many mines have been defused thanks to firms and supporting states as well as the efforts, supervisions and coordination of the Lebanese army. The Islamic resistance took part and shared with its capabilities and men to defuse vast areas. Martyrs fell while undertaking this mission. A funding problem exists now. It's the responsibility of the government to fund and seek funding sources. But anyway, on the Day of Resistance and Liberation in Nabatiyeh, I make a pledge to our parents in the south that in case of any deficiency – as is the case now – the Islamic Resistance – with its fighters and capacities - will assume the responsibility and work forcefully across the area of the south in cooperation with the Lebanese Army to bring the file of cluster bombs to an end as soon as possible Inshallah. Anyway, this is part of the daily criminal war still led by Israel on our land.

The fourth topic is development and water resources. After liberating the occupied Border Line, I came to Bint Jbeil and made a speech. (And every speech brings about problems). But on that day, the problem was with the Israelis who came with the intention of implanting their flag in Bint Jbeil and failed to do so. We stood in Bint Jbeil and said frankly: We are not the state. We are not an alternative to the state. We don't shoulder the responsibilities of the state. This region has been neglected for decades. Before the occupation, the state was absent as the words of Sayyed Abdul Hussein Sharafeddine show. During the occupation, the state was absent. Now the occupation is over. O state, come and spread your sovereignty on all Lebanese territories. Where has the state been during the past years regarding developing the border area so that people remain there? People started fleeing because there are no job opportunities. The border area after the liberation is suffering from hollowness because the state is not shouldering its responsibilities. Unfortunately, the state in our country is still as it is. It recognizes Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya, Shabaa, Jizzine and the other villages which were under occupation as far as taxes are concerned. The state was absent. Well yes, the South Council was active and present but even the South Council has been besieged in the past years through budget cuts and mistrust... Even before July War (We want to furnish you with excuses), you used to say that the army wasn't deployed in that region. So you doubted whether that region is subject to the state and consequently you are not able to make any developments there. Now three years have passed. The Lebanese army is deployed in the whole region. On the borders, besides the Lebanese Army, there are 15 thousand UNIFIL. What have you done in these three years? Which state we are calling on to come back and shoulder its responsibilities? Here I say also: The government established by the National Opposition through which it will build a strong state will be a fair state. It will implement just development. It will cover the border area with its project and responsibilities. Also as far as water is concerned, our rivers are lost in the sea. No soon will the Americans tell us that there is a water crisis in the region. The waters of Litani River and other rivers are lost in the sea. Why don't you give them to Israel? It will be shameful of you if you don't? You won't have any human feelings!!!! Our waters are lost in the sea. We must all work on the Litani Project which speaker Nabih Berri spoke about few days ago while announcing the tickets. I tell you that I join my voice to his: All the deputies of the south along with all the deputies of the Opposition will join efforts in the coming stage to achieve this project which is the dream of our ancestors.

I have one last short sentence on this topic which is also a quotation for Imam Sayyed Abdul Hussein Sharafeddine. On December 9, 1941, (i.e. when we were under the French mandate) he sent a letter to one of the senior leaders in which he reminds him of several demands including the following: "Quench the thirst of the land as well as the people of Jabal Amel from the waters of Litani which is lost in the sea while people are thirsty and their lands are perishing of drought. People as well as livestock might together be drinking from the stagnant water." Well this is still the case, isn't it? We must put this issue before our eyes.

Fifth is the great and important event (the parliamentary elections) due on June 7. Some may say that in Southern Lebanon there might not be an election battle as the drive and the incentive for voters to go to polling stations are missing. But I tell you that all Lebanese regions are concerned in elections on June 7. Yet the south, the people of the south and the southern districts – for reasons I will handle briefly – are the most important and must be the first to show up intensively at polling stations on June 7.

We will start with the constituency of Jizzine. We tried our best to have a single ticket for the Opposition in Jizzine. Still two tickets were formed by the dear allies. We respect and take their circumstances into consideration. Well this was the friendly formula we reached at last. I stress on both allies who are dear on the heart of everyone in Hezbollah (All do take into consideration our sensitive position in Jizzine) that God willing we will cooperate with both dear allies in a way that satisfies both. Here I stress that the competition between two tickets for the Opposition in Jizzine must not be a reason for our supporters to back off. We must have a strong presence in this constituency to secure another three candidates to parliament.

ASs for other constituencies, the backbone of the alliances there is the Amal-Hezbollah alliance along with the other brethrens from the other national parties and political dignitaries. Before as well as after the elections, I like to stress on the deep-rooted alliance between Hezbollah and Amal Movement. For long years, we as well as the brethrens in Amal Movement, used to speak about a strategic alliance. Well some show up to say that is a compulsory alliance. They used to call it "compulsory marriage". But years, experiences, events and hard challenges (you as well as I know that in the past five years, political and security hurricanes and military quakes hit and shook Lebanon) proved that this strategic alliance is but historic, strong and as deep-rooted as the mountain of Jabal Amal. No one can bargain on any weakness or feebleness in this alliance. I stress that this alliance was pivotal for July Victory when we integrated politically, militarily, socially, popularly and in the battlefield in every village, city, neighborhood, home and family. We were embraced by the other allies and the noble in this nation. Still the milieu (the villages, towns, cities, families and markets) which were mainly targeted and subject to Israeli attacks was that of Hezbollah and Amal Movement. Wounds, martyrs' blood and our belonging to one great Imam, one cause and one fate united us. I like to say that not only in July War this alliance was pivotal. It was also pivotal in the Lebanese National Opposition Alliance which set Lebanon out of the most difficult and crucial stages in its history. This alliance is pivotal also in the Opposition which God willing will lead this Opposition to winning the elections on June 7 so as to push Lebanon towards a new savior state. This alliance is a national interest in the first place and a southern interest in the second. The first to benefit from us on the security, strength, dignity and cooperation level is the south and its people. I also assert that there are politicians and many poisoned pens in Lebanon which bargained and still bargain and have wrought in the past years to cause sedition between the leaderships and members of Hezbollah and Amal Movement. This same incitation is still practiced to cause sedition between Hezbollah and Amal, between Hezbollah and the National Free Party, between Hezbollah and the other allying forces in the National Opposition whether they belonged to Sunni, Druze or Christian milieus through saying again and again that the National Opposition is Hezbollah and its appendices, through the fake presentation of Amal Movement, the National Free Party or any other national or Islamic party in any of the Opposition districts as annexed to Hezbollah. Offense, provocation and incitation are aimed at by this conduct. Indeed it has other aims such as inciting and warning foreign forces and countries that if the Opposition wins it's Sayyed Hassan who will rule (and not Speaker Berri or General Aoun or any other leaders in the Opposition. I won't be able to mention all but I like and respect them all.) What do they aim at from such rhetoric? Is it a slip of a tongue or a breathtaking speech? No this rhetoric is addressed to the Americans and the West: O help us! If the Opposition wins, these will rule. They know that in the previous national unity government we were ascetic. Here I am telling you, in the upcoming government, we will be under the disposal and at the service of our allies. Still all what they say is instigating and provocative. No, that will not deceive the leaders, members or masses of Hezbollah and Amal Movement.

Hezbollah and Amal Movement are but two big, dear, careful, rational cooperative brothers and as Sheik Ragheb Harb says: Driven away is anyone who might disunite them.

We resort in confronting any provocation or devilish insinuation to the mutual trust and deep and strong relations which were built between us and which have overcome politics and political interests and become rooted in emotions, kindness and care. This relation is above all of these trivialities. (And this is what they don't know).

Accordingly, in the other constituencies, they tried much to write about portions and other points. In fact, (I don’t know if there is any equal to this case) when we sat with our brethrens in Amal Movement to discuss the tickets and the portions shared between us, that didn't take 15 minutes. (I'm saying 15 not to say 5 minutes and be accused of exaggeration). You might wonder what we did in the rest of the time of the session. Anyway, meeting with Speaker Nabih is exciting!

We have no problem with portions, numbers or any other issue at all. We are convinced and content of the set tickets. We had no other demands or expectations as some were anticipating so that troubles would be aroused.

Some people tried in their websites and speeches to say that Hezbollah went back to talking about religious obligations. In fact, the awareness, maturity and responsibility and suffering you went through during these four years made you jurisprudents and legal experts. You don't need anyone to tell you what to do anymore.

Today I am telling you what the position of Hezbollah in utmost clarity is. Our goal from the elections is that the Opposition wins the majority of seats in parliament not to suffice the desire to rule but to save Lebanon from ill schemes and ill intentions. (This I will say again in Dahyieh and Baalbeck.) Our share (as Hezbollah) in this alliance or in the majority is not important. The issue is political. Some might at times say that we are morally embarrassed from so and so who is running in our constituency. The issue is moral too. It has to do with the loyalty to Lebanon, to the people of Lebanon, to the Resistance, to the generations to come and to the future. Thus we are before an election battle in which we practice politics and morals when we commit ourselves accurately to the Opposition tickets. Here I am stressing that every candidate in these constituencies: Zahrani, Nabatiyeh, Tyr, Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya-Marjoun is a Hezbollah candidate. This is how we deal with this issue.

There is one final point. Why are the south and the people of the South the people most concerned in showing up in voting stations on the day of elections? Some might say that there are competing tickets. Other competitors have no chance to win due to the clear popular force of the Opposition in the South. I will tell you why you have to show up.

Some seek to present elections as a referendum on the resistance and its arms. The people most concerned with the resistance and its arms are the citizens of the South. Why? That's because the South is at the border with Occupied Palestine, at the front area which is always subject to aggressions and in the arena of threat, plundering and danger. The other Lebanese areas shoulder with the South the consequences of confronting dangers, aggressions and threats. Then who is concerned with any aggression and confronting any aggression? Who is threatened? Who is subject to Zionist greed? Who is sought to be secluded and displaced from his land, to demolish his house and plunder his waters? It is the citizen of the South in the first place. Thus the people of the South are the first concerned to express their position on the resistance, its arms and persistence.

Yes the resistance does protect you. You embrace and protect it too. The resistance defends you and you defend it too. That's because you are the resistance and the resistance is you. Thus on June 7 (when international media will observe the elections in Lebanon. Some also dispatched committees to observe the elections in Lebanon) we must come from all southern villages, towns, farms, neighborhoods and cities. Let it be a ceremonial scene for victory, martyrs and resistant fighters.

On June 7, we will all show up at voting stations. We will come to the South from all over Lebanon to tell the whole world: We are the sons of the South whose houses were demolished in July. We will not abandon the Resistance. We are the people of the South whose children and women you killed in horrible massacres in the South in July War. Still we will not give up the Resistance.

June 7 must be a day in which you must dissuade every conspirator, conniver, insane person wherever he is in the world from conspiring against the resistance

On June 7, you must stress to our people and dear ones that this resistance which is in your hearts, minds and arms and your adherence to in your land is for all the people of the South and for all the Lebanese people. It's the resistance which bestowed pride and victory on Lebanon. It has safeguarded Lebanon and restored the glory of its cedar trees worldwide.

On June 7, you will prove again that you are the sons of Moussa Assader. You are the hope of the weak and afflicted and the continuous cry in face of tyrants.

Finally, dear people! On June 7, you will prove again as I said on September 22, that you are the most honorable, dignified and chaste people.

May Allah bless you and support your steps. May Allah reward you the reward of the patient faithful fighters. Inshallah we will meet in the near future. When we always trust in Allah and look in your faces and rely on you, your consciences, hearts and arms we view with hope the final phrase that we believe in: The time of victory has come and the time of defeats has gone.

Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessing.