Nasrallah speaks (Archive Photo)
צילום: איי אף פי
'Resistance isn't our only profession'
Hizbullah General Secretary Hassan Nasrallah tells Le Monde he's ready to discuss any topic, including disarmament, with other Lebanese political parties
Hizbullah General Secretary Hassan Nasrallah said yesterday that his group was prepared to discuss giving up its weapons.
In an interview with the French paper Le Monde, Nasrallah said, "We are fully prepared to discuss any topic with the Lebanese political parties, including weaponry held by the organization."
"Resistance isn't our only profession. Without it, we won't be unemployed," said Nasrallah.
At the same time, he rejected the idea that Hizbullah be integrated within the Lebanese army, saying the group would be Israel's first target should war break out between the countries.
"If someone has a better idea how to effectively defend the country, we are ready to listen," Nasrallah added.
Rebels without a cause
It's too early to say that Nasrallah has turned his back on his past and become a man of peace. In the interview, he raised the issue of the Shebaa Farms on the slopes of Mount Dov – territory which Hizbullah, in contrast the U.N. Security Council, considers Lebanese.
"Let me remind the Israelis that they are on Lebanese lands, and remind the Lebanese that part of their homeland is still in need of liberation," he said.
It is possible that Hizbullah's recent change of heart on the weapons issue is due to calls from Lebanese officials to give them up. These same personalities have criticized the Shiite militia's stance on Shebaa Farms, claiming that the territory is not Lebanese and is being exploited in order to attack Israel.
Two weeks ago, U.N. Special Envoy Terje Larsen, while visiting Syria, backed up Israel's claim that it had fully withdrawn from Lebanon in May 2000.
