We Won”t be Dragged into Internal Conflict over Resistance Arms
Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urged Christians in Lebanon to engage in "calm dialogue" to discuss various options, stressing that Hizbullah will not be dragged into internal conflict over the issue of arms.
"We have entered a new phase in Lebanon: Reframing relations with Syria based on solid ground and cooperation," Nasrallah told tens of thousands of supporters who gathered in Beirut”s southern suburbs to commemorate Ashoura.
"Today we have a national unity government represented by various forces which gives an opportunity for progress. We want to cooperate and join hands," Nasrallah added via video link on a giant screen.
"The only thing left to talk about is resistance arms. But we will not be dragged into any provocation," he warned.
Nasrallah urged Christians in Lebanon to engage in "calm dialogue among themselves to discuss present and future options and to benefit from the experiences of the past."
"Christians should not tolerate those who want to push them to commit suicide," Nasrallah cautioned.
Ashoura ceremony came after a mysterious explosion rocked Dahiyeh overnight, targeting Hizbullah”s ally in Lebanon, Hamas.
It caps a 10-day period of self-flagellation and mourning for the Prophet Muhammad”s grandson, Imam Hussein, killed in 680 A.D. during a battle that sealed the split between Shiites and Sunnis.
During the 10 days, throngs of Shiite pilgrims march to the holy Iraqi city of Karbala, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Baghdad. The lunar Islamic calendar varies against the West”s, and this year Ashoura happens to climax on Dec. 27.