Qassem says Hezbollah in 'defensive state', ready to find 'solution'
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that his Iran-backed group is in a 'defensive state' in Lebanon, calling on other Lebanese not to 'help Israel and America in their schemes.'
'Occupation is aggression and we are people who will definitely work to end this aggression. We're in a defensive state. Do not tell us 'do not defend,' because this is our land, life, dignity, pride and the future of our children and generations,' Qassem said in a televised Ashoura sermon.
'They say that we can't confront this brutal force, but we tell them that there are ways to confront it. There is rejection, there is jihad and there is a stance. They say that we are stronger than them, but we're not debating if we're stronger or not,' Hezbollah's leader added.
'First of all, we do not aggress against anyone, we haven't occupied anyone's land and we haven't approached anyone … We are in a defensive position in the face of an occupier and in the face of U.S.-Israeli aggression,' Qassem said.
Addressing those who say that Hezbollah is 'taking the country into the unknown,' Hezbollah's leader stated that 'those who take the country into the unknown are those who support Israel and America in their schemes and decisions -- those who give up the land under the slogan of wanting to live some carefree life.'
'What takes us into the unknown are those who do not say 'No' to occupation and those who don't exert real efforts or seek accord with their fellow citizens in the country -- this is what takes into the unknown,' Qassem went on to say.
Apparently addressing Lebanese officials and rival Lebanese parties, Hezbollah's secretary-general added: 'Do not help Israel and America in their schemes. Put your patriotism first in the relation with your brothers and we and you would agree on everything.'
'We and you would agree on all details and we would find a solution for what bothers you … but do not be with the enemies in this dangerous and critical juncture that Lebanon is going through,' Qassem said.
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