Sayyed Nasrallah discusses US and Domestic Issues
Hezbollah Secretary-General stated that Capitol riots have "dangerous" implications. Sayyed Hassan discussed domestic political files, including the investigation regarding Beirut port explosion and the hostile media campaign against "Al-Qard Al-Hassan".
The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, commented during a televised speech, Friday, on the chaos that took place outside and inside the US Congress, saying that “the Americans created similar events at Congress, to the ones abroad in order to bring down regimes”. He indicated that the implications of the Congressional events are “very serious and great” despite the US allies’ attempt to “mitigate them”.
Sayyed Nasrallah explained that Trump “represents a crude sample of American political and military arrogance”. He added that this is a “simple” example of what “Trump committed during the past four years in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, in addition to the crime of assassinating the two leaders Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
Furthermore, he stated that “what the Americans witnessed reflects on the falsehood of US democracy and the danger of a person like Trump reaching American presidency”.
Sayyed Nasrallah considered that the Americans recently got a closer look on “the result of Trump’s policy and his willingness to kill even the Americans, for the sake of power”. However, according to Nasrallah, these violations can’t be compared with what he committed in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and the embargo imposed on Iran and Venezuela.
Sayyed Nasrallah: the Americans took a close look at the dangers of Trump’s policy.
Investigation into the Beirut port Explosion
The Secretary-General of Hezbollah touched on the issue of the Beirut port explosion and stressed that the issue “is a national topic that concerns all Lebanese and it cannot be transformed into a regional, sectarian or political issue in any way, because that would be inhuman and immoral”.
Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that Hezbollah “will pursue the issue of the port explosion, through investigations, judiciary and accountability until the end”. He insisted that “the port explosion file will reach a fair conclusion”.
Nasrallah condemned the use of this case for “political targets, whether against Hezbollah or President Michel Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement, regarding their alliance with Hezbollah”.
Sayyed Nasrallah demanded to reveal the investigation findings and “know whether it was a sabotage or the result of negligence”. In the same context he noted that “the judicial investigator should inform the Lebanese about what happened with the port explosion’s case”.
He called for “adjusting the course of the forensic investigation in the case”, noting that the judicial investigator “tends to assume administrative responsibilities without clarifying the truth and clues behind the explosion”.
On August 4, the port of Beirut witnessed a huge explosion of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, which killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands and destroyed a huge part of the capital.
Sayyed Nasrallah: The results of the Beirut port investigation must be announced and they must clarify if it was an act of sabotage.
Targeting the “Al-Qard Al-Hasan”
As for the media campaign against “Al-Qard Al-Hassan”, Nasrallah said “it is an association that provides small and soft loans. It started with an individual initiative then it was later adopted by Hezbollah”.
He added, “The foundation was set up with people’s contributions. It provides the customers with a quick capital in accordance with specific rules. The mission of the association is to serve people starting from an ethical and religious standpoint”.
Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that “there are a number of reasons that have led to the success of Al-Qard Al-Hassan because it mainly didn’t seek profit or investment. Thus, there is no risk to fear.”
He affirmed that the “Al-Qard Al-Hassan” was not designed to serve a specific sect or region. Rather, “it assists people to take advantage of any benefits that their status may present, regardless of their sect or region, or whether the client is Lebanese or a resident.”
Sayyed Nasrallah noted that “American pressure on Lebanese banks compelled many depositors to transfer their money to Al-Qard Al-Hassan, considering that “the campaign against the association has been plotted and premediated to intimidate shareholders.”
About drugs seized in Italy
After accusing Hezbollah’s media of being behind a “drug smuggling operation seized in Italy”, the Secretary-General affirmed that “Hezbollah has a uncompromising stance on this issue, because drug trade is religiously forbidden, recalling that it is categorically prohibited to use, trade, manufacture or assist in this topic.”
Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that “ Party members who are proved to be involved in drug-related activities will be dismissed”, stressing that Hezbollah does not use drugs “even in the battle fields against the enemy.”
He added, “We must find a solution for some Lebanese media that deals with this issue,”stressing that” misleading information that is spread against the Party is something that we cannot tolerate, even Italian officials didn’t confirm the information. Thus, we consider these allegations an infringement on our dignity”.
Fighting corruption is a must
Sayyed Nasrallah noted “there are those who want to fight corruption in Lebanon through political battles, however ending this topic must follow the legal procedure ”. He reiterated that Hezbollah “does not protect corruption and does not cover anyone in this file”.
He continued “when it comes to addressing corruption within the judiciary, insulting through the media does not lead to accomplish this issue.”
Sayyed Nasrallah criticized the way of resolving the corruption files on the basis of discretionary and selectivity, calling for “the adoption of a single standard and criteria in treating files.”
The government formation
As for the government formation, Nasrallah stressed the necessity of not “waiting for US-Iranian negotiations because that will not happen,” noting that the formation of the Lebanese government “is not a priority for the Americans in these circumstances.”
Sayyed Nasrallah called for “transcending external considerations and focusing on the internal side,”urging” to listen to the demands of some parties, because there is a crisis of confidence and increasing concerns among some people. This is not just an arithmetic issue related to the number of ministers”.
Sayyed Nasrallah added that Hezbollah would try “to do something in the coming days, to take advantage of the time in order to resolve the matter, bridge points of view, and mollify the crisis impact of confidence.”
Regarding the health issue, Sayyed Nasrallah said “the people infected with the Coronavirus in Lebanon are exceeding the barrier of 210 000”. He held all the residents in Lebanon responsible and accountable for any case of evading the anti-coronavirus measures, stressing the need to “bear responsibility until the country overcomes the pandemic safe and sound”.