A high-ranking figure of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says his group is determined to fight any scheme devised either by the United States or the Israeli regime to undermine Lebanon, stressing that the Beirut government “can't be strong without Hezbollah.”
“Hezbollah is the pillar of modern Lebanon. Lebanon can't be strong and stable without this pillar, which has become an integral part of empowering institutions, shaping future, maintaining independence and preventing the occupying regime (of Israel),” Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said at a ceremony in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on Saturday.
He added, “The United States is trying to subordinate Lebanon [to foreigners]. Israel and America spare no efforts to attack Lebanon and impose sanctions on us. Hezbollah, nevertheless, is an obstacle to the implementation of such policies.”
The official further noted that Hezbollah would confront any interference in Lebanon’s forthcoming parliamentary elections, and hoped that the polls would be representative of the entire Lebanese nation.
“America seeks to meddle in these elections in order to reduce the number of our lawmakers and allied political blocs,” Qassem pointed out.
Addressing his supporters via a televised speech from the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek on February 24, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called upon people from all walks of life to participate in the May 6 elections.
“Voters should consider national interests when picking candidates and voting for them. People should approach the upcoming legislative polls from the perspective of fulfilling responsibilities towards the country,” he said.
Nasrallah added that Lebanese voters should not cast their ballots in favor of those who would hand over the country to the US, compromise over oil reserves with the Israeli regime, conspire against Hezbollah or destroy the country’s economy.