Hizbullah is Destroying Lebanon, its Ideology is Based on War
Israeli President Shimon Peres said Hizbullah is destroying Lebanon through its subservience to Iran adding that there is no reason for enmity between Lebanon and the Jewish state.
"We wish to see Lebanon again as the Switzerland of the Middle East – Switzerland, and not Iran," Peres said during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona on Thursday.
"The situation in Lebanon has changed. We have not changed. We never were and never will be enemies of Lebanon," Israeli media quoted him as saying.
He said there is no reason for enmity between Lebanon and the Jewish state. "We wish the Lebanese people success in rebuilding their country and hope that an alliance of peace and good neighborly relations will emerge between us," Peres added.
Calling Hizbullah a "curse," he accused it of "destroying" Lebanon and "bringing calamity" on the country and its people through its subservience to Iran. He added, however, that "Israeli deterrence has been restored."
Peres told the ceremony that the alleged Hizbullah arms depots pose a greater threat to Lebanon than Israel. The Israeli president further went as saying that the Shiite group”s entire ideology is based war and destruction.
"Hizbullah established a state within a state, and army within an army; an organization thirsty for blood in a land yearning for peace. It is not Israel which is a danger to Lebanon. The land of the cedars is cursed by Hizbullah," Peres added.