Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterates his rejection of the US-mediated Israel-Lebanon framework.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Friday again rejected the US-mediated framework agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon in June, opposing both the proposed Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of the terror group. Under the framework, Israel would gradually withdraw its forces from Lebanon in return for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. The agreement also calls for the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy in designated "pilot zones" after Israeli troops leave those areas.
"We reject the framework agreement with Israel and call for its cancellation. We do not agree to the pilot zones or their outcomes. The framework agreement is illegitimate, illegal, humiliating, and undermines Lebanese sovereignty," Qassem said in televised remarks. "The Lebanese authorities have chosen a path that dishonors them, Lebanon, and the sacrifices of the Lebanese people. Say no for once. Try to show that you have what it takes to achieve something in the future," he added.
Qassem also claimed that Hezbollah had blocked Israel's territorial ambitions. "We have thwarted the so-called 'Greater Israel' project and prevented it from reaching Beirut and undermining Lebanon's power and capabilities." "Today," he continued, "the enemy does not dare to build settlements in southern Lebanon because, due to the presence of the resistance, the situation there is unstable for them.
Since the framework was signed, Washington has facilitated several rounds of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. During a recent round of talks in Rome, the sides discussed potential countries that could participate in an oversight mechanism responsible for monitoring the Lebanese army's deployment in the pilot zones and supervising efforts to remove Hezbollah's infrastructure and weapons.
Diplomatic sources later told Reuters that Israel and Lebanon had chosen Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Indonesia as potential members of the proposed monitoring panel. Hezbollah was not a party to the framework and continues to oppose direct negotiations with Israel. The group has also maintained its refusal to give up its weapons. (Ed note: Does anyone really believe that Bezbollah is going to go away? Only the ones who want to make deals or negoriate.) (Read More)
Diplomatic sources later told Reuters that Israel and Lebanon had chosen Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Indonesia as potential members of the proposed monitoring panel. Hezbollah was not a party to the framework and continues to oppose direct negotiations with Israel. The group has also maintained its refusal to give up its weapons. (Ed note: Does anyone really believe that Bezbollah is going to go away? Only the ones who want to make deals or negoriate.) (Read More)
