Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech At Launch of Jabal Amel Forum on March 29, 2014
Full speech delivered by Hizbullah Secretary General, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, at the launch of the Jabal Amel Culture and literature Forum in the Southern town of Ainatha.
I take refuge in Allah from the stoned devil. In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful. Peace be upon the Seal of Prophets, our Master and Prophet, Abi Al Qassem Mohammad, on his chaste and pure Household, on his chosen companions and on all messengers and prophets.
Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
It is also my obligation to welcome you all in this dear occasion and kind meeting which is an occasion which is looked forward to from last summer one way or another, as the brethrens mentioned. God-willing we would be granted success this day in launching this forum, this institution, and this edifice so that it would join this blessed, continuous, optimistic, and victorious procession from its field of specialty, role, and nature, God-willing.
Today my speech is divided into two parts. In the first part, I will go back to some aspects of the very beginning from which I will usher to Jabal Amel and poetry and literature in Jabal Amel. From the first part, I will move to the second part in which I would like to talk about some current issues and required responsibilities from the perspective of the first part too.
In the second part, we will talk some politics. As for the first part, let us keep it in harmony with the occasion and the status quo.
From the very beginning, Allah Al Mighty created man in the best of moulds whether on the physical or the spiritual level. Allah granted man the mind. What a mind it is! This noble creation which was granted to man has enormous capacities in acquiring knowledge as well as in producing knowledge. Thus human mind is not a receiver only; it is also a producer and a generator. It has the ability to roam in the horizons, the land, and the skies as well as the worldly and divine realms. It can also transcend barriers and borders and penetrate through screens…
Then Allah Al Mighty bestowed another blessing on man in granting him the ability – the various abilities- to articulate and to express what he thinks of and believes and what crosses his mind, as well as the emotions and feelings he experiences and even the imagination and illusions and everything he wants. This man was empowered with this ability – the ability to express and translate this internal content to the other – to every rational other who hears and comprehends. This ability to articulate and express is one of the most important reasons of human life development and enhancement on all perspectives and levels. It’s because all ideas, information, conclusions, morals, and experiences pass among people in the very generation and in the very era and from one generation to another until Doom’s Day via the various and diversified means of expression. That is because when Allah Al Mighty granted man this ability, He did not limit it to one means. He rather diversified and varied these means; on top of these means comes language and words. In words, I do not mean spoken words only. Words or language can be spoken at times and written at others. In fact, writing started even before pens and pencils were invented.
I will return to this means in a while.
One of these means is signaling. Man can express the ideas that cross his mind and his emotions through signals: hand signals and body movements. Other examples of these means are painting, sculpturing, and music. In some ways, music expresses the hidden contents of man – the feelings of man: his joy, his sadness, his hope, his despair, his estrangement, his loneliness…. Each has a different expression. Indeed, all of these abilities have been always available and activated from old times to our very day. However, in our present day, thanks to the scientific developments and the abilities granted to man, broad horizons were opened for the mission of expression including what we witnessed and are witnessing now on the level of cinema, TV screens, theater, internet, and the various communication means.
However, all through history until Doom’s Day, the most powerful and important among these abilities remains language and words; words and sentences which stand for meanings used by man. Man uses words and sentences to express meanings which he means or wants to convey to others.
Thus man was granted the mind and the ability to express. With his mental strength, he specifies meanings. With his mental strength, he forms in the mind sentences and words through which he wants to express definite meanings which in turn he articulates through his throat and tongue and consequently, they get out in the form of voice or through his pen he writes them down as letters.
One of the wonders of Allah Al Mighty in His creation is diversification in languages and tongues. From the beginning of mankind until our very day, there are thousands – not hundreds – of human languages.
Some became extent and came to an end; others still exist. Others are developing and will remain developing to the Day of Resurrection. Every language has its special characteristics and elements of beauty. Moreover, any language – as I am not talking about a definite language – is one of the things in which the wonders of beauty are manifested. Inasmuch as the wonders of beauty are manifested in all the entities of this Universe, and one of these entities in this Universe in which the wonders of beauty is manifested is human language.
Languages have levels and degrees among themselves. They have diversified means in prose and poetry and others. The people of every language vary in their personal and innate abilities in using this language and exploiting its diversified capabilities to convey these required ideas and images.
Here the Arab language mounts the throne of human languages. We are not saying so because we are Arabs. In fact, non Arabs also acknowledge this fact. The Arab language mounts the throne of human languages thanks to its strength, wealth, broadness, flexibility, beauty, grace, charm, and ability to comprise and develop. It is enough pride and nobleness that Allah Al Mighty chose the Arabic Language to be the language of revelation of His last, eternal Divine Book. This is enough pride. That does not need evidence. In fact, electing the Arabic Language to be the language of revelation of the last Divine Book has much great and substantial wisdom but there is no chance to explain that now.
All through history, the Arabs – and those who turned to Arabs later – have been known for their fluency and eloquence and their professionalism in the styles and arts of literature and poetry. It can even be said that the distinctive characteristic and the main topic for these peoples are fluency and eloquence. The elite among these peoples are the poets and the speakers, and the source of pride for every tribe and clan is its poet and speaker. From the very beginning to our very day, some of this literature and poetry was a product to be bought and sold. The poet would compose the poem for the one who pays him money generously – and at times ungenerously too. Some literature and poetry come under the title of fake pride and precipitated fanaticism.
However, what I care to say on this occasion is that what is important is that all through history some of this literature and poetry was at the service of missions, human and moral values, righteousness, justice, confronting tyranny, and defending the dignity of the nation and its existence, sanctities, and resisting invaders and occupiers and awaking the peoples and arousing their emotions and zeal. This is the primary, most important, greatest, and the most humanistic mission of literature and poetry which must be part of the weapon, abilities, personality, civilization, and the makers of the future of this nation.
Numerous in history are the stories of poets and men of letters who were hurled in jails or were beheaded or were crucified in squares because of a poem they wrote or an eloquent speech they delivered as the contents of this poem or that speech did not appeal to the warden or the hangman.
This kind of literature and poetry has always existed in Jabal Amel. For hundreds of years, Jabal Amal has been known for his scholar and jurisprudent heritage. It is also known for its jurists and scholars – some of whom are first class jurists in the Islamic world all through history.
However, among the characteristics of Jabal Amel is that its jurists and scholars are men of letters and poets in most cases. I am saying in most cases not to say in all cases to be on the safe side. This is one of the characteristics of the jurists and scholars of Jabal Amel.
A simple review mentioned in the Book “Amel Al Aamel fi Ulama’ Jabal Amel” mentions the names of scholars. The writer almost always refers to the figures he mentions saying: “He was a great jurist, scholar, poet and author”. He rarely talks about a scholar or a jurist without referring to him as a poet and a man of letter. Moreover, poetry in its various forms – the eloquent and the colloquial – was a remarkable characteristic whether of the diversified educated elite or of the common people in Jabal Amel. On the scientific level, we find that the literary powers of the jurists in Jabal Amel were excellently invested even in writing scientific and juristic texts as well as texts on principles. Moreover, the issues of these sciences were put into poetry – charming and enchanting poetry that can be memorized easily.
That’s why we also find that the books and publications of Jabal Amel authors added fluency, beauty, and eloquence of expression to their scientific strength and power of evidence what granted them this level of immortality, care, and consideration in the scientific hawzas and scientific studies centers for Muslims and especially for Shiites.
Poetry and any literary work in Jabal Amal had always been a platform that expresses the commitment of the people, scholars, jurists, and elite of this are to the causes of the homeland and the nation from the literary, cultural, political, jihadi as well as all levels. We are talking now about Jabal Amel because the occasion is the inauguration of the forum of Jabal Amel; thus we reserve the right of all areas and regions in their heritage, history, and role.
From a temporal point of view we can see that from the beginning of the previous century and especially before and after WWI, we find this commitment in more than one dimension. Indeed because we do not have enough time, I will not mention names and evidences. I will make a general presentation only.
The first topic: Defending the Arabic Language. One of the major missions which the poets, authors, and scholars of Jabal Amal contributed in achieving and performing is safeguarding and defending the Arabic language at one stage in face of the Turkish language and following the WWI in face of western languages – namely the French language. Language to any people or to any nation is part of its civilization identity, and the loss of this language is the loss of this civilization identity. For us and for the people of Jabal Amel, the Arabic Language represented this concept and what is deeper and farther from this concept because this language came to be integrated with our conviction, Holy Book, the Traditions of our Prophet (Peace be upon him), history, values, morals, fate, future, and relations. Thus today, dear sirs and scholars, one of the obligations is to safeguard and defend this language.
Now, we – Arabs – do not understand Arabic. Some Arabic words need translation and interpretation. There is a new creation in more than one place in the Arab word: half of the spoken words is Arabic and the other half is foreign – not to say French or English not to target a definite language. Thus defending and safeguarding this language is one of the most important obligations.
In the past, the scholars of Jabal Amel turned schools, hawzas, and even houses to centers for teaching the Arabic language and its sciences and terminologies so as to enable the generations to safeguard the language and to confront the illiteracy and ignorance that were prevailing.
The second topic: Confronting foreign colonialism. This was true not only in Lebanon. In fact, the scholars of Jabal Amel had their stances in all the causes of the nation. Today this resistance – this state that exists – is an original expression and an original extension to this history and to these generations.
Today, some people call on you saying: “Today, we – Lebanese – have in Lebanon enough problems. Why are we to take a stance from the causes of the region and the threats that confront the nation and the struggles in the region which concern us one way or another?
The scholars, men of letters, poets, elites, and common people in Jabal Amel as well as in many Lebanese regions and all over the Arab and Islamic world not only in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Syria, or Egypt – meaning the neighboring countries – were always active. Even in 1911, when Italy invaded Libya, one of the jurists of Jabal Amel who was the son of this kind town – Ainatha – who was a jurist, a man of letters and a poet – issued a statement, gave speeches, and composed poetry on the call to confront the Italian occupation of Libya.
Here we are not talking about the neighboring states. The stances of Jabal Amel scholars and jurists are recorded, and God-willing among the missions of this forum is presenting this history and these documents besides highlighting that historic stage and the stances that were taken and the sufferings that took place.
The third topic: The stance from Palestine in particular, the decisive and early confrontation of the Zionist project and “Israeli” ambitions, and the establishment of the usurper state and this Zionist project in Palestine. This is evident in Jabal Amel’s jurists’ stances, poems, fatwas, statements, literature, instigations, and motivations. I will talk about this when talking about the resistance; so I will come back to this point.
There are other causes that concern the nation including safeguarding the unity of the nation, opposing disintegrating and disjointing it. The jurists, scholars, and poets of Jabal Amel also took well-known positions from these causes. However, after there came to be a new situation and when the Arab country was divided into sectors and entities, they still believed in, were faithful to, and defended this nation too. We can refer to their terminologies, words, and poetry which talk about Lebanon as a homeland, about loving this nation, about being attached to this country, and about getting ready to defend this nation. The stances of Jabal Amel, the people of Jabal Amel, and the elites of Jabal Amel always backed unity, cooperation, and integration, as they also refused ordeals, evaded seditions, and called for organizing priorities.
We inherit from these senior figures and from these generations this culture and this mentality and this understanding. Had the people of Jabal Amel wanted to seek a stance towards Palestine or what is taking place at the level of the nation or towards integrating and not dividing the Arab and Islamic world based on the oppression, tyranny, deprivation, and injustice they suffered from on the hands of the Ottoman authorities which was ruling the nation in the name of Islamic caliphate at that time, they were supposed to back isolation, divisions, and partitions. They were supposed to be unsociable.
They were supposed to care only for their own integrity and the safety of their people and area. However, since the very beginning, Jabal Amel backed all the national pioneers and all the pioneers of this nation in defending the sanctities and Palestine as well as in confronting the Zionist project and disintegration, partition, and division, and in facing seditions. Today when we belong to this intellect and to this resistance, we do not belong to an imported intellect. This is the original intellect in our nation, land, environment, society and history. This is the original. If we are not as they were, we would be the strangers. But because we are trying to be as they were, we are the ones who truly belong to this land, this history, and these values.
Before ushering to the second part of the speech, I say that what we expect from this forum – Jabal Amel Culture and literature Forum – God-willing is to keep, safeguard, develop, present, and contribute in presenting this great heritage of our ancestors to our people in this region and to the present and future generations which do not know much about the near past.
Unfortunately, not only the youth but also many of the political, media, and cultural elites in Lebanon do not know much about the near past.
God-willing, I hope they would carry on in their path especially that we are before very serious cultural, civilizational, political, and existing challenges. Hereof, I usher to the second part of my speech.
In the second part, I would like to talk about two topics. The first topic has to do with Lebanon, and the second part has to do with Syria. At last, I will wrap my speech with Lebanon.
There is always a great challenge called the Zionist project. It had posed a serious threat since the beginning of the past century until 1948 when the usurper entity of this project was established. This challenge still exists.
Some try to ignore this threat and consider it inexistent. In fact, this is not only wrong; it is also a grave sin.
The only option which was available and is still available before the peoples of our nation- including the Lebanese people – is the resistance with all its cultural, political, economic, security, and military dimensions.
In depth, the truth, origin, the depth of the resistance is the culture of direct jihadi, military action or remaining steadfast: the steadfastness of the owners of the land in their land and their tolerating of the consequences, and their offering of sacrifices… all of these express and embody this culture. If this culture did not exist, none of these things would have existed. All these aspects of the resistance are manifestations of the culture of resistance. In depth, the resistance is a culture. Some in Lebanon and in the Arab world too have arguments. Let’s talk about Lebanon. Some have arguments on the resistance. It is not something new. The argument over the resistance has nothing to do with fighting in Syria or with the events of 2006, 1982, 1978, or the beginning of the seventies when the Palestinian resistance factions immigrated to Lebanon, if we went backwards.
No, since the establishment of the Zionist entity in the region – in Palestine – there was an argument over the resistance. There has always been a dispute over understanding and defining this enemy and the options of confronting this enemy. This is not a new argument. This has nothing to do with a party or a movement or a leader or a personality or an organization or a sect or a region or a faction. Never! This argument existed even before and after Imam Mussa Sader, and before and after the resistance of Amal and Hizbullah. When the national secular forces were the primary title of the resistance, this argument and debate over the resistance existed. So let no one make the mistake by saying that a national debate took place because of the performance of the true resistance. No! This debate exists since the very beginning – since 1948.
Thus I always used to tell those who confront us in arguments saying the resistance has lost the national consensus over it by saying that never one day there was a national consensus over the resistance in Lebanon. Even on the eve of May 25th or 26th – even in the peak of the resistance when the resistance was presenting its victory in Bint Jbeil to all the Lebanese – there was not a national consensus over the resistance. This is misleading. This is not true. Thus today, some people say: We have a problem with the resistance because it has an Islamic title and because the resistance men are Shiites.
Now, were you with the resistance when all the resistance fighters were from all sects? Were you with the resistance when its title was the national and secular sects? The big fallacy exists today. However, the generation of youths who were not contemporary to that stage might be misled with this speech. Thus they may conclude that after Hizbullah went to fight in Syria or because of its political stance in year so and so or in the such and such cause, the national consensus over the resistance in Lebanon was toppled and came to an end.
Today, I want to assert that some of those who argue and argued the option of the resistance know while the others don’t know these facts. Still those who know ignore that in fact the resistance is not a definite organization, party, movement, trend, group, or sect. It is a culture. It is a political intellectual trend which can embrace diversified entities which can be doctrinally and ideologically contradicting. It may embrace emotions, sects, peoples, and nations. That’s because the bases of the resistance are innate in man and the goals of the resistance are a common interest on the domestic and national levels.
Some people don’t know that since 1948 there has been a resistance in Lebanon. They don’t know because they don’t know what the resistance means. Some say it goes back to the early 70s, or to 1978 or to 1982 or the following years. The resistance – the Lebanese resistance – in Lebanon exists since 1948 since the first moment of the existence of the occupation. It became legitimate from that very moment. It practiced its right from that very moment; however, with the available capacities. Those are unaware that since 1948, the South was being aggressed against.
They don’t know anything about the massacres which were perpetrated against many bordering villages. They don’t know what the residents of the bordering area suffered from regardless of their sects. Here I am not talking about the Shiites only. They don’t know anything about what the security forces stations at the bordering regions were subject to and the harm that was afflicted on the state’s institutions and security forces. They don’t know anything about the violation of air, land, and sea sovereignty.
One day, even on the dialogue table when we used to meet in the parliament, not only one but several of the attendees said: No, before the Palestinians came to Lebanon, there wasn’t any problem. In fact, there was not any problem with Israel. I am not accusing anyone falsely. All of this is recorded in the parliament. They said there wasn’t any problem. What the “Israelis” did in Lebanon in the late 60s and the early 70s is a reaction to the Palestinian resistance and the Palestinian military action. How can a person say that he is a Lebanese politician and wants to take part in making the present and the future of the Lebanese while he does not know the history of a major region in Lebanon? He does not know the history of the past several years.
I still remember that one of the deputies was obliged to leave the session to bring along a documentary book which was published by Al Safir Newspaper as I still remember. He came back and told everyone that they must learn. He started with 1948. The faces of some were changed. Still they said that might be possible!!! Well, there are historic documents. What do you want us to do for you? Do you want us to take you to the cemeteries? Do you want us to bring for you the elderly who are still alive to bear witness before you? In the sense that we believe in, this resistance started since that moment with the available capabilities indeed. Some of the forms of the resistance of that area’s people were to remain in their land, and they remained in their land; to cultivate their land and they did; and to be killed under the ceilings of their houses and never to quit their land, and they were killed under the ceiling of their houses.
This was the resistance which was available at that time. It was the resistance in taking stances and in opposing. It was the resistance of Imam Sayyed Mussa Al Sader who prohibited our patient to buy a medicine from the so called “good wall”. It is the resistance which preferred dying sick than staying healthy while seeking medicine and a medical treatment from “Israel”. This resistance used to take place before any movement or party. It was the resistance of the people. The resistance is every house in these villages, bordering regions, and the entire South. It is every upright mosque and every populous church. It is every olive tree and tobacco plant – though tobacco plants are the specialty of Speaker Berri but we will borrow them from him for a while now.
It is every living being in the South which is still standing on its feet and every erect tomb. It is every poem, verse, tear, smile, wound, drop of blood, word, bullet, sigh, and strong fist. It is this patience, steadfastness, and determination. In Jabal Amel, the resistance is everything. It is the air, the water, the land, the sky, the hills, and the valleys. It is the people who did not leave it to be looted by the occupation and they never left it.
This is the resistance in Lebanon. It is everyone who believed in it, backed it, supported it, and was patient and offered blood to back it such as our people in Bekaa and in all the Lebanese regions. In fact, all the resisting factions and the resisting generations are a clear manifestation of this truth and this atmosphere.
Consequently, who is making a battle today? As you notice everyday there is a speech though the government was formed and we sit together and see each other and though the counsel is working again, thanks God.
The common parliamentary committees, the secondary committees, and the deputies see each other, joke together, laugh together, and talk with each other. Still, the media outlets, newspapers, TV stations, and speakers of the other bloc act as if we are still in the previous stage. They always stress on the issue of the resistance. If you have a problem with Hizbullah, talk with Hizbullah. If you have a problem with Amal Movement, talk with Amal Movement. If you have a problem with a definite organization, talk with that organization.
The issue of the resistance is more sublime, more grand, holier, broader, and deeper than any problem with a party or whatever problem. Indeed, some know where they are targeting, because, in depth, their problem is with the resistance and not with this party or that movement or that organization. Rather they are exploiting these issues to target it. The resistance is all of that. Thus any defamation or harmful attribute is a defamation and abuse to all who and what are resistance and not to a definite group. Indeed such an attribute has consequences which will be revealed in the coming few days.
Talking about the failure of the tripartite equation, some may draw conclusions. However, what is your evidence? Talk about facts. Where did the tripartite equation flop? Indeed, here we do not stick to definite terms and phrases. This is one of the positive points in the Arabic Language. The Arabic Language saved the Lebanese Government in its ministerial statement. That’s what we mean when we talk about the strength, soundness, and correlation of the Arabic Language. However, in depth and apart from the terms and expressions, where did the tripartite equation flop and where did it gain victory? Allow me to ask you where you succeeded. I am addressing you who talk about the failure of the tripartite equation.
The tripartite equation managed to liberate the land when the entire world – including diplomacy – failed to do so. The resisting state also managed to restore the detainees. The resistance along with the army and the people managed so far in protecting Lebanon, the South, the borders, and the front villages.
The tripartite equation imposed a strong Lebanon in the regional equation. When thinking about the region, no one can ignore Lebanon because in Lebanon there is gold before there being oil and gas. It’s because in Lebanon there is gold. This is a brilliant, definite achievement for the tripartite equation and to its strong elements which never were broken and will never be broken God-willing. These are the achievements of the tripartite equation. What are your achievements?
Where are your achievements? I will be content with this question.
Because at the end we will call for appeasement we will not make a problem now. However, when we talk about building the state, debts, and projects, let them talk about their achievements.
In this framework and through this occasion and before all what was evoked in the past weeks and recent months as far as the issue of the resistance and the “Israeli” issue and talking about a war, risks, and seizing opportunities and the like is concerned, I also would like to assert to you that this resistance will remain a firm resistance. It is now firm, and it will remain firm and towering. It will always defend its nation and people and safeguard all the previous achievements including the rules of engagement which were the result of April Agreement in 1996 and the achievements of July War. Thanks to our deterrence power, our villages will remain safe, our fields will always be cultivated, and our banners will always flutter. I assert to you that there is no reason to worry at all as far as this issue is concerned.
Now, some might be seeking to intimidate the country as a result of the fighting in Syria saying that some of the people in this axis are busy fighting in Syria and that might open the door and the horizons before the “Israelis” to settle an old score with Lebanon or to launch a war on Lebanon. These “Israeli” calculations are not true. When the “Israelis” decide to make a war, there are several points which they will take into consideration. All these considerations do not lead them to the option of war so far. One of the most important considerations is that the “Israelis” know very well that this resistance is strong and has become even stronger.
Most probably, some would tell us that martyrs fall for us here and there. This is exhausting!
This has always been the case of the resistance. The resistance has always been growing stronger with time, with sacrifices, and with offerings. This is not an element of weakness. In some of its aspects it is an element of strength.
Today from the town of Ainatha – from the liberated borderline which dear neighboring occupied Palestine – I want to announce and assert to you: Today the resistance is not only strong; compared to its state in July 2006, it is stronger and more able on all levels whether human, materialistic, military, the ability to confront, and willingness to make victory God-willing.
We do not want war. We do not seek war. As a resistance, our strategy is not an open war. This is well-known. However, if there is any worry on the fate of the country in any heart, mind, house, or village should any of these Zionists think of waging a war on Lebanon, I assert to you that is not the case. Unfortunately, the enemy knows more than the Lebanese the extent of the development, ability, and power of the resistance on more than one level, and the enemy takes this into consideration.
Asserting on this and before moving to the second topic and because I have not spoken for more than a month and a half, I want to tell you: Gold will remain gold. Yes, gold will remain gold.
If there is gold before you, and someone changes his mind and says this is tin, will gold turn to tin? If he says this is iron, will gold turn to iron? If he says this is wood, will gold turn to wood?
No, it will remain gold. The others’ attribute of things does not change the truth about these things. This is a fixed principle in existence and in philosophy.
Moreover and due to the economic situations in the world, it is strange that whoever has money is buying gold because gold is getting expensive day after day. The price of gold is increasing. This is the case of states too. Some days ago, one of the very rich countries – a state rich in gold, has a great surplus in strong currencies, and perhaps does not have debts and the like – fetched gold that worth billions of dollars.
If today someone needs to guarantee his money, neither the dollar nor the euro nor any other strong currency would supply the guarantee. Today the true guarantee is gold. In Lebanon, there is a kind of gold unmatched in the entire world.
How do some people in Lebanon permit themselves to waste this gold? As for wood, the Lebanese have made from it coffins to the occupation officers and soldiers who entered Lebanon on feet and left it on shoulders. This wood would remain there to make coffins for all invaders and occupiers of this holy and blessed land.
We do not have any problem with wood, but each has its worth, value, role, and utility.
Here we come to the last thing by which I would like to wrap my speech.
Indeed one way or another, this attribute will influence our stance from attending the dialogue table on Monday. I do not want to announce a final decisive stance. However, indeed this comprehension, this mentality, and this atmosphere will be very influential on the decision that will be taken by Hizbullah concerning partaking or refraining from attending the dialogue table. Our allies, friends, and dear ones are absolutely free to take the stance they find suitable. So no matter what our stance would be, it is not binding and it must not embarrass others. It is normal that at times stances over some issues vary pursuant to the discrepancy of positions and targets.
The last point which I want to mention and which I want to wrap my speech with is that today all the attack on the resistance in Lebanon is based on one essential point – partaking in the fight in Syria. Someone might say: “You went to Syria, and thus the national consensus was toppled – we clarified this point. You went to Syria and thus the function of the arms changed. It is not anymore a resisting weapon”. Well before this, was this weapon viewed as a resisting weapon?!
Anyway, all of this is now being said. Our going to Syria and our stance are the primary problem which is being continuously provoked. Since some time to our day, this problem is being provoked daily.
Because this issue is preoccupying all of the country and all of us, I would like to comment on this issue in the final section of my speech. Notice that from the very beginning the problem the other bloc in Lebanon, the Arab and Islamic governments and regimes, and the governments and regimes of the world have with us as far as the Syrian issue is concerned is our political stance and not our military intervention. Our military intervention came too late. As it is said, we intervened after all others intervened, came, and fought. We came very late. The problem was in our political stance.
Since the first day we said: We are not with this struggle in Syria. We are not with toppling the regime, and we are not with toppling the state. We are with reforms, with a political solution, with political dialogue, and with achieving the rightful demands of the people. However, we are not with anyone who wants to break, topple, destroy, and ruin Syria and anyone who wants to impose major strategic options on it. Here is the point. Before reforms and demands, the point is major strategic options.
We took this stance. Many people took another stance. We were required to take the other stance and to be a part of it. Because we did not become part of it, the war was launched on us too. So in depth, the issue has to do with the political stance first and not with the military intervention. A major thing is taking place in the region. They say: Do come and be part of this major thing or else get ready to be hanged.
This is the storm which was about to hit the region. It was required that we all prostrate to it, move with it or bow to it. The least thing expected was to bow to this storm.
We did not become a part of it. We were not in line with it because we considered that this storm mounts to major strategic and existing threats concerning Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and the entire region. We had explained this extensively in the past, and we will not repeat it now. Accordingly, we took a political stance.
With time our stance developed into action, and we went to the battlefield. All the Lebanese know that as we had talked about it in the media. Some criticized us sharply because of that. The first military intervention was limited.
Tens of Hizbullah members went to Western Gotha to the town of Sayyeda Zeinab (Peace be upon her). This took place some 18 months ago or a bit more. When the armed groups controlled most – not all – of the Western Gotha area, these armed troops were 200 meters away from the Shrine of Sayyeda Zeinab (Peace be upon her). We saw first that this shrine has a religious status for all Muslims, and second that destroying this shrine would stir a sectarian sedition in more than one place in the Islamic world. Well, we went there to give a hand. The Syrian Army, the National Defense, and the residents of the region were there, and they were defending the shrine. We dispatched scores of members to help in defending the shrine. That was the limit of our intervention. Still this stance was criticized.
Today there is a very great state.
It is a state that considers itself very great. It is a NATO member and is seeking to become part of the European Union. Some view it as a sample. I mean Turkey. Today, the Turkish government is discussing intervening militarily in Syria to defend the tomb of the great ancestor of the Ottomans. Now if you ask all the Islamic peoples about his name, they won’t give you an answer. I myself don’t know his name. I won’t hide that I read it but then I forgot it. I could not memorize it. I could not bring along the name with me too. Well, who knows him from among the Islamic world? What does he mean for Muslims? What does he symbolize in the conscience and feelings of Muslims whether Shiites or Sunnites? Still Turkey has the right to think of intervening militarily and to violate the sovereignty of a state – the Syrian State – and set plots… for fear that Daesh may reach and blow up the tomb.
Well why is that permissible to you and what we are doing is not permissible to us? We went to defend a shrine which is revered by all Muslims and a personality which is respected and sacred for all Muslims because she is the granddaughter of the Prophet of Islam Mohammad (Peace be upon him and his Household). Who is he whom you are about to make a regional war for?
You are about to wage a regional war! There was a real danger. In our case, there was not a real danger. Moreover, we did not violate the Syrian sovereignty. Indeed this is not new. President Bashar Assad talked about this issue some time ago. When asked, he answered that the resistance entered Syria pursuant to an approval from the Syrian Government. Someone might say now that we violated the Lebanese sovereignty. This is debatable. However, at least we did not violate the Syrian sovereignty. Well, today a state in the NATO which is entitled to be an EU member is planning for war and for direct regional intervention in Syria because a tomb for the great ancestor of the Ottomans – meaning the Ottoman State – is threatened by Daesh. Perhaps it is they who would ask Daesh to destroy it. Allah knows best.
Well, things developed to Al Qasir and other areas. You all know that very well. Then it was clear that the battle in Syria reached a stage as a result of the magnitude of the international and regional intervention and the mobilization that brought along tens of thousands of fighters from all around the world to Syria. Here I will frankly say what I said before but will reiterate now. The issue is not anymore the Shrine of Sayyeda Zeinab or the Lebanese residing in Syria. Since that time, the issue became the resistance, the axis of the resistance, the future of the resistance, the region’s political identity, and where would things lead us to. We have talked about this previously.
Why am I repeating it now? It is not to take more time but rather to tell you the point we reached at this very moment. Well, where are we now? From the very beginning, we backed a political solution. The Arab League wanted to topple the regime. It did not accept any political dialogue before the departure of President Assad and his regime. Well, three year later, you noticed the recommendations of the latest Arab Summit. Well, it took the Arabs three years of war, killing, fighting, demolition, destruction, ordeals, and seditions to say what they must have said from the very beginning and to move in the path they must have chosen from the very beginning.
What is required now? Go and search for a way to practice pressure on Syria and on President Bashar Assad. We want to reach a political solution. We want to make serious political dialogue. Things are not going smoothly in Genève II. When first President Assad called for dialogue saying the Syrian leadership is ready to carry radical and essential reforms, none of you was ready to discuss the idea of a political solution or a political dialogue in Syria and the region. We told you to go for a political solution but you headed towards a military solution. Now you reached what was being said from the very beginning.
Indeed, I am addressing the Arabs, the other bloc in Lebanon, and the states which are still intervening in this struggle. From the very beginning we said that what is taking place in Syria will drag the entire region to the threat of terrorism and Takfirism. You said that the story is not as such, and that the story in Syria is that of reforms, changes, democracy, and human rights. Now what is the status quo you are talking about? After three years, you are referring to Syria – the land which is controlled by armed groups – as a threat to regional states and the world. Following three years of your financing, arming, provocations, thrusting towards military solutions, crippling political solutions, and protection of armed groups, you formed a terrorist list to enlist in it most of these armed groups? What is left by now?
Apart from our stance from this list, when you say that Daesh, Nosra, and the Muslim Brotherhood (Al Ikhwan Al Muslimun) are terrorists, who is left in Syria then – frankly speaking?
Well, did the region and the world need three years to discover that what is taking place in Syria will lead to this result? Indeed some in Lebanon still did not discover that what is taking place in Syria is a threat to Lebanon. By God, the Americans who are the farthest from the region as well as the French, the Europeans, some Gulf states, and North African states consider that what is taking place on the land of Syria which is controlled by armed group a threat to them and to their security. This indeed is the case.
Even there were some calm squares where there were no calls for fighting, clashing, and holy jihad. Now things changed. Such things started in Tunisia. Unfortunately, still in Lebanon, there are some who say that what is taking place in Syria does not pose a threat to Lebanon.
I told you from the very beginning: What is taking place in Syria has transcended the calls for reform and democracy. What would be the case should the fighting Takfiri trend take control? You know that the Takfiri trend does not accept anyone with itself even from within the fighting Takfiri trend! This is the case now between Daesh and Nosra who have the same intellect, sect, school, leadership, prince, and political project. The dispute between them is administrative and organizational.
Such things happen in any party or organization. Who is in charge: so and so or such and such? The entire battle is to decide who the leader is: Abu Mohammad Golani or Abu Bakr Baghdadi. But who is paying the price? Thousands of victims, massive demolition, and tough battles are taking place because of an administrative organizational dispute. How are these to coexist with all the Lebanese, with the rest of the Lebanese, with the rest of the Syrians, and with the rest of the neighboring states and peoples? Your brethrens, dear ones, and allies – that is not to say your masters – have discovered this status quo, why are you still much retarded?
Stubbornness is good was it not at the expense of Lebanon, the fate of Lebanon, and the future of Lebanon? For 18 months by now some political blocs and sides call on Hizbullah to withdraw from Syria. Today I do not want to defend. I want to make a call: You are to change your stance. Reconsider you stance. Revise your stance. Make a new reading for what is taking place.
I will not tell you: Come and fight along us in Syria. No, that is not demanded. In fact, there are some people, some Lebanese groups from various and different sects who had suggested joining us in fighting where we are fighting. However, we told them that there is no need for that. Do not assume this political and social burden. We have assumed this burden, and we are moving forward in it.
Still some people insist daily that the problem in Lebanon is that Hizbullah went to Syria.
Here I am telling you that the problem in Lebanon is being late to go to Syria, that you are still in your places, and that you haven’t gone to Syria yet. Moreover, some of you have gone to the wrong place. Here I am not telling you to go to Syria and fight with us. I am telling you to review and reconsider this issue. Day after day the soundness, integrity, and validity of the options we have taken are being verified. I also would like to tell you something I might be saying so frankly for the first time.
I tell all the Lebanese, and the political currents, The March 14 Bloc, and The March 8 Bloc, and even those in the middle, on the left and on the right: Should the Takfiri terrorism gain victory in Syria, all of us will be annulled. There will remain no party and no resistance. We will all be canceled. Don’t you see what is taking place in Aleppo, Idlib, Raqqah, Deir Zur, Fallugeh, and Anbar? Don’t ask the secular; rather ask the Islamists and the Islamic parties in these regions about what is being afflicted on them. However, should the Takfiri Terrorism be defeated in Syria, we will all are remain. If this axis gained victory in Syria, all the Lebanese would be safeguarded.
This axis is not seeking revenge. It is seeking integrity, harmony, and strength. It is not seeking revenge. Here we have major national choices. Let’s make our choices.
Now we have said what we wanted to say. Our brethrens too did so. There are few journalistic and TV interviews. Our brethrens are also giving many speeches in several occasions. We hope we will not get engaged for long in this contest. Based on all the above, today Lebanon is before a chance. This government was formed apart from the circumstances and situations in which it was formed as we have talked previously. However, this is a chance. We call for activating governmental action. We will be positive and cooperative. We will partake in activating governmental action and addressing the causes that concern the people and the security situation which is a priority in all regions especially in the North and in Bekaa.
There must be cooperation to address the security crisis. Indeed, a security approach is not enough. Security problems in many regions especially Tripoli and Northern Bekaa much be approached from a political, social, developmental, and economic perspectives as well.
Let’s try to prepare seriously for the presidential elections apart from accusations of seeking vacuum and backing vacuum.
All the political sides in Lebanon have the right to care for having its candidate become the president in the presidential elections. They also have the right to practice the legal democratic game to do so. Well, this also needs effort and hardworking.
Now Lebanon has this chance. Lebanon can really set itself aside from what is taking place in Syria. The other bloc is not able to do anything anymore in Syria. Let them not bother themselves. There is no hope that the time of sending blankets, milk cans, and fighter would come again. You can see the change in the internal situation in Syria, as well as the change in the regional and international situations. Then, in the light of these changes, alterations, and developments, let us – both of us – keep Syria aside.
We pray for Allah Al Mighty for a good ending in Syria. We pray for Allah Al Mighty for the prevention of bloodshed in Syria and for pushing Syria towards a political solution. Let’s then lessen or stop the harsh and tough speeches of instigation and shouting. Let’s put our hands together. We never wanted to cancel anyone. Even under PM Najeeb Mikati, there was a group which wanted to abstain from partaking in the government. We did not wish that. Rather we wanted it to attend and partake.
No one can cancel anyone in Lebanon. No one can eliminate anyone in Lebanon.
At least, I am sure our bloc does not have any targets or intentions of elimination or cancelation. We acknowledge the presence of the other and we want its participation.
Well, we might differ over issues that have to do with the fate of the country. This is normal. This chance is now open before the Lebanese. Let them calm down and take a deep breath. Let them make a somehow decent poem or literary work. Let them concentrate on the crises of the country in an attempt to address them. Don’t wait for the situations in the region. Don’t wait for the changes in the region. Let’s address our problems without waiting for tomorrow.
As for the presidential elections, I want to stress on this point: We are among the people who insist on the presidential elections taking place on time. Should there be early elections, we will back that too. As far as this issue is concerned, we do not seek vacuum at all. We back the call for early elections. This call might not appeal to some sides. However, after all, elections won’t be early anymore as we have entered the legal duration. I mean by early that elections take place as soon as possible so that a new stage would be established in Lebanon. In light of this new stage, we will go and carry on our dialogue over the defense strategy; we will carry on seeking, exerting effort, and cooperating jointly to elevate the country from its current state. May Allah bless you. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Source: Al-Ahed News
