By Naharnet Newsdesk
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that his Iran-backed group is in a 鈥渄efensive state鈥 in Lebanon, calling on other Lebanese not to 鈥渉elp Israel and America in their schemes.鈥
鈥淥ccupation is aggression and we are people who will definitely work to end this aggression. We鈥檙e in a defensive state. Do not tell us 鈥榙o not defend,鈥 because this is our land, life, dignity, pride and the future of our children and generations,鈥 Qassem said in a televised Ashoura sermon.
鈥淭hey say that we can鈥檛 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鈥檙e not debating if we鈥檙e stronger or not,鈥 Hezbollah鈥檚 leader added.
鈥淔irst of all, we do not aggress against anyone, we haven鈥檛 occupied anyone鈥檚 land and we haven鈥檛 approached anyone 鈥 We are in a defensive position in the face of an occupier and in the face of U.S.-Israeli aggression,鈥 Qassem said.
Addressing those who say that Hezbollah is 鈥渢aking the country into the unknown,鈥 Hezbollah鈥檚 leader stated that 鈥渢hose 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.鈥
鈥淲hat takes us into the unknown are those who do not say 鈥楴o鈥 to occupation and those who don鈥檛 exert real efforts or seek accord with their fellow citizens in the country — this is what takes into the unknown,鈥 Qassem went on to say.
Apparently addressing Lebanese officials and rival Lebanese parties, Hezbollah鈥檚 secretary-general added: 鈥淒o 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.鈥
鈥淲e and you would agree on all details and we would find a solution for what bothers you 鈥 but do not be with the enemies in this dangerous and critical juncture that Lebanon is going through,鈥 Qassem said.