Ahmed Al-Asaad: Enough open wars
Head of the Lebanese Option Gathering Ahmed Al-Asaad rejected the prospect of an open war that would lead Lebanon to destruction.
“We are fed up with open wars,” Asaad said in a press conference today.
“We have no problem if Arab states and Iran participate in this war. But we will not accept that this war be our responsibility, and especially the responsibility of the Shia community. This is not acceptable anymore,” he added.
Asaad said he denounces any assassination, referring to the killing of Hezbollah official Imad Mugniyah.
“Violence is not a solution, for it only leads to more violence,” Asaad said.
He also commented on the statement of the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in which he said that Israel would be eliminated by Hezbollah.
“You are watching while we are fighting. Don’t the Lebanese people deserve to live in peace and stability like
the Syrian and Iranian people?” he said, directing his question to Iranian leaders.
He also expressed his rejection of civil war and said it is a red line. “The Syrian regime is seeking a settlement by compromising over the Special Tribunal, while Iran is trying to build its Persian Empire through the Shia.
“The Lebanese and the Shia are fed up with being used fuel for foreign agendas,” Asaad said.
He accused Syria and Iran of being behind the clashes that have taken place recently in Beirut.
“Civil unrest is a message from this regional axis to the international community to blackmail it using Lebanon’s security and stability. Their message is: Stability and security can only be restored by the return of Syrian influence over Lebanon,” Asaad said.
“I have informed US officials I met with during my visit to Washington that the struggle in Lebanon must be won by democratic forces. I feel that US officials are serious about facing this regional axis,” he added.
“Those accusing us of treason are traitors to the principles of Islam and Shiism. These principles recognize freedom of expression, openness, and they prohibit us from accusing others of treason. The Imam Al-Hussein led his revolution because he did not accept for Islamic thinking to be monopolized by a single party,” Asaad said.
Commenting on the Winograd Report and Israel’s recognition of its defeat in the July War, Asaad said, “We defeat Israel through our awareness and by developing our economy, not only with Katyushas and missiles.”