HUSAYN al-Khalil, the political aide to Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah on 12 May held a Beirut press conference where he insisted that the Lebanese army is sole authority for Lebanon’s security.
Al-Khalil began by recounting the political and security developments that occurred in Lebanon in the aftermath of the government’s decisions to halt Hezbollah’s telecommunication network and sack the head of the airport’s security service.
He notes that ‘the natural response’ to the cabinet statement and ‘violation of the national constants, the co-existence formula, and the Al-Ta’if Accord’ was the Lebanese people’s protests to express themselves, underline and defend their rights against a group of people who ‘violate the constitution and impose their hegemony on ministries and institutions through armed militias.’
On the outbreak of yesterday’s battles in Jabal Lubnan, he said that armed groups affiliated with the Progressive Socialist Party, led by Walid Junblatt, attacked the guards of a housing complex in the township of Bulaybil, killing four people.
‘Since the news conference held by His Eminence Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, we decided not to tolerate any attack on us by any party from now on,’ he said.
He added that ‘we did not hesitate’ to accept the proposals to stop the fighting ‘because we care about our people in Jabal Lubnan as much as we care about ourselves.’
On the incidents in the northern city of Tripoli, Al-Khalil refers to the ‘crime’ committed in the area of Halba by the pro-government ‘militias,’ and holds the ‘ruling team’ responsible.
‘The resistance – which has for long warned against deluding it, tampering with its security, and attempting to harm or circumvent its weapons, and which suffered greatly in the July war and was targeted by subsequent stabs and conspiracies – has always been keen to keep the conflict in its political sphere. However, it was put before one sole option, which is defending itself as much as the situation requires.
‘The goals of the war on the resistance are very clear. Mr Fu’ad al-Siniora has uncovered those goals by announcing that he no longer accepts Hezbollah and its weapons,’ Al-Khalil said.
He added: ‘The Lebanese Army is the only authority in charge of the Lebanese people’s security. The opposition has decided to ban all armed manifestations in the city of Beirut, placed the capital in the custody of the Lebanese Army, and stressed that it will continue its peaceful civil disobedience in response to the decision of the illegitimate government.’
Al-Halil adds that after the restoration of calm in Beirut and the end of confrontations between the opposition and the ‘authority’s militias’ in Jabal Lubnan, Hezbollah announces the following:
‘First, we will continue our peaceful civil protests on the ground along with the other opposition parties to achieve the goals that were set for this protest at the outset, led by cancelling the unjust decisions of the illegitimate government and heading immediately to the negotiating table.’
‘Second, we re-affirm our anxiousness to maintain the safety of our people in all areas and from all sects without exclusion. We are one people and affirm to them that our problem and theirs is primarily with a tyrant political team.’ He accused the ‘authority’s team’ of seeking to push the country ‘into the furnace of an all-out civil war through its recent decisions.’
‘This team sought through its latest decisions to ignite a war between the national Lebanese Army and the resistance, which would have caused the destruction of Lebanon in its entirety,’ he says.
‘Third, we welcome any Arab effort to help Lebanon overcome the current crisis and call upon all Arab sides which want to help in rescuing Lebanon not to act in favour of one party against the other.’
At 1800 gmt, Al-Halil began to take reporters’ questions. Replying to an indistinct question, he said: ‘This government is illegitimate. It is a coupist government, which has turned on the legislation, the Constitution, and the law. It is a selfish and imperious government. What keeps this government going is the concentrated Vitamin B shots given to it by the Americans.’
Asked about the opposition’s next steps, he said that ‘the opposition’s programme of escalation’ will not be discussed now.
Asked to comment on the Saudi ambassador’s departure from Lebanon, Al-Halil says: ‘He always receives instructions from the Americans. This is not his first time.’
Asked about the differences among some Arab countries during the Arab League ministerial meeting, he said: ‘I heard from the media that some Arab countries, which I do not want to name, proposed sending Arab troops to support the government and Lebanon and to confront the opposition.
‘If they really enjoy such nobility and honour, why did they not send their Arab troops during the July war? I wish, just like all other Arabs and Lebanese, that they had sent their troops to defend Lebanon during the July war against the Israeli aggression.
‘I also wish they had sent their Arab troops to prevent the Zionist attacks and crimes, which are committed on a daily basis, against the Palestinian people in Gaza. This is my reply to the question.
‘I do not want to discuss anything on the statement issued by the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting, but I would like to say that any side claiming its willingness to assist the Lebanese to end their ordeal is welcome. However, this side has to discuss things with us. This side is invited to come and take a close look, rather than come to Lebanon bearing predetermined and fabricated decisions made abroad,’ he added.
Elaborating, he said: ‘We welcome any Arab or non-Arab side that comes forward to assist the Lebanese to end their ordeal and to settle the political crisis in Lebanon. However, they are welcome only if they seek to bring the Lebanese together and to launch national dialogue among the Lebanese.’
He added: ‘His Eminence Sayyid Nasrallah is committed to his word, but now, dear brothers, we are the side that wants guarantees. We want guarantees in light of the decisions taken in broad daylight by this illegitimate government. What could be worse than talking about the telecommunication network, which is part of the resistance weapons?’
Asked if Hezbollah might be viewed as a ‘militia party, rather than a resistance party,’ he said: ‘I think that the resistance is targeted by foreign sides; namely, the Americans and the Israelis. If the US destroyer Cole is on its way, it is most welcome. There are also plots from the inside. Each has its own image. I believe that both images are not very different from each other.’
