Hizbullah: Blair not welcome in Beirut
In London Times interview, senior group members calls British prime minister a 'killer', says he should stay away from Lebanon because of his support for Israel during war. Blair now debating whether to risk hostile reception or bypass country during his Middle East visit
Ghaleb Abu Zeynab, a senior member of Hizbullah’s politburo, told The Times that Blair should stay away from the country because he was “up to his ears in the blood of Lebanese women and children”.
British officials said they were confident Blair would be welcomed by the Lebanese government, headed by Fouad Siniora. According to the report, however, Blair would risk an angry reception from Hizbullah supporters if he visits the country.
Blair, who is expected to return from holiday in the next few days and is planning to spend the weekend preparing his Middle East mission, now faces a serious dilemma, according to the report. He can travel to Lebanon and risk facing a hostile reception, or he can bypass Lebanon and restrict his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. He would then face the charge that his peace mission has avoided the very country at the center of the conflict.
When the fighting in Lebanon broke out, Britain followed the United States by refusing to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The policy infuriated many in the Arab world.
Last week Britain tried to improve relations when Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, made a short visit to Beirut and doubled British aid to GBP 12.5 million (about USD 23.65 million).
But any hope that Blair might be able to repair the damage was thrown into doubt after Abu Zeynab, a member of Hizbullah’s politburo, told The Times that the people of Lebanon did not want Blair’s help.
'He killed a whole nation'
Speaking in an interview at the group's headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, he said: “Blair is not welcome in Lebanon. I am not speaking on behalf of Hizbullah but all the Lebanese people. They do not want someone who cried crocodile tears to visit their country.
“He is up to his ears in the blood of Lebanese women and children. He is not welcome here. He is a killer. He killed a whole nation, not just individuals,” he said. “What you see around you (the destruction of the southern suburbs) is the result of Blair’s policy. We do not want to see him.”
According to The Times, Downing Street said Wednesday that Blair still hoped to visit the region, but no date had yet been agreed. Officials refused to be drawn on which countries he hoped to visit.
Blair indicated before his holiday that he was keen to revive the Road Map for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. He said: “It is my intention to visit the region, in particular Israel and Palestine, over the coming period and to consult those there and of course members of the Quartet on the best way forward.”
