Aoun Paving Way for New Alliances and Alter Balance of Power
Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naeem Qassem described MP Michel Aoun”s visit to Syria as historic, saying it helps remove all artificial barriers between the people of the two countries.
"Aoun”s choice is strategic, this is not just a normal protocol visit," Qassem said during a graduation ceremony on Thursday.
He said Aoun”s step will change alliances and alter the balance of power in the region. The visit would also impact Lebanon”s future because "with his brave and strategic stand (Aoun) is establishing what no one dared to establish before," Qassem said.
He added that "as long as criticism is directed against Aoun, then he is making great progress."
Qassem predicted that Aoun will receive more votes than expected during the 2009 parliamentary elections.
The Hizbullah official also described President Michel Suleiman”s trip to Damascus as "an elaborate visit that straightened bilateral relations and opened a highway for everyone."
Qassem also paid tribute to Army Commander Jean Qahwaji, saying he "safeguarded the military”s creed of resistance against Israel, and defined its mission in protecting civil stability and defending Lebanon."
"Qahwaji went to Syria from that position to cooperate with our Syrian brethren for the sake of Lebanon, its civil peace and to defend it against Israel. All this is great and important," Qassem said.
The number two Hizbullah official said the Doha agreement announced the final political defeat of the U.S. plan following the military and political defeat of Israel in July 2006.
"America left disappointed. Today it can receive a wreath in condolences for wasting three years of work in Lebanon. The resistance and all those that marched with the opposition can now walk with their head held high. They defeated America in Lebanon," Qassem said.
Addressing his political opponents in Lebanon, Qassem said: "Some in Lebanon believed that they could benefit from this (U.S.) project. Rest assured that our hands are stretched to you to build our country together. We don”t want Lebanon exclusively for us, we want it for everybody."
"Why are you afraid of this resistance? This resistance is against Israel. As for the inside, we are ready for electoral and popular competition (with you). Elections are coming and let those that people vote for win," he added.