Sayyed Nasrallah: Orthodox Electoral Law Provides Unity, Equity Among All Lebanese

Nour Rida

Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah appeared via video-link on Wednesday at 6:30 (local timing), absolutely refuting the rumors that claimed he had suffered a health setback. With audio-visual proof, Sayyed Nasrallah appeared via al-Manar TV to assure that these rumors are part of a media campaign being launched against Hizbullah. "The rumors spread in the previous days made me hold an urgent media appearance to show you that I am in good health. These rumors come as part of a media campaign against Hizbullah," he stated.

The Hizbullah leader discussed the latest developments, including the electoral law, the recent kidnappings, the attempts of sowing strife and the campaign against the Resistance.

Hizbullah Calls for Elections on Time

With regards to the electoral law, Sayyed Nasrallah said that "An electoral law based on proportional representation and a single electorate district would prevent extremism and achieve justice, equality and national unity for all the Lebanese."
Addressing the Orthodox law, Sayyed Nasrallah said that at the time one group completely opposed the Orthodox electoral draft, another talked of concerns and discussed this proposal.
"There is an alternative that my allies and I will work hard on: Lebanon as one constituency and voting will be proportional and will ensure equality," Sayyed Nasrallah stated.

The Muslims and Christians both will vote for 128 MPs, which half of will consist of Muslims and the other half of Christians, in such a way that every elected deputy is considered a deputy for all the Lebanese.

His Eminence underscored "this will decrease extremism, and proportionality will allow for everyone to be represented in the government. It is a chance for a national and humanitarian dream to come true through this proposal."
Furthermore, Sayyed Nasrallah iterated again that this law realizes national unity and openness between the different sects in Lebanon and strengthens the ties between the different parties at the time it weakens extremism. It also does not eliminate any sect weather major or minor.

"This law is based on turning Lebanon into a single electorate and does not divide the districts according to sects, alliances, groups, parties or families."
Commenting on claims that Hizbullah aims at delaying the elections, Sayyed Nasrallah assured "There exists internal and foreign forces working hard on delaying the elections but no one has the courage to say it out loud."
In fact, the Hizbullah leader underscored it is in Hizbullah's interest for the elections to be held on time.

The March 8 camp, according to Sayyed Nasrallah, does not suffer any financial problems, or disputes, adding "Yet, those suffering financial crisis, cracks in their alliances, and had wagered on the Syrian crisis too are the ones who seek postponing elections. Those seeking postponement are the ones waiting for the situations to change in Syria, Lebanon and the region."
On wage increases and SCC strikes, Sayyed Nasrallah called for an emergency cabinet session followed by its referral to parliament. He also expressed Hizbullah's support to resolving the issue of the new wage scale through holding a quick extraordinary session in order to send the draft law to parliament.

Kidnappers Should Be Prosecuted

As for the recent kidnappings, Sayyed Nasrallah described it as a criminal and dangerous phenomenon.
"I call on the security forces to lift the coverage off any abductor," he urged. He also mentioned that the kidnappers should be prosecuted, and that citizens should cooperate with all security forces to confront this serious phenomenon."
 
Clashes on Borders: FSA Groundless Rumors

Moving on to the rumors that clashes had been taking place on the Lebanese-Syrian borders, Sayyed Nasrallah assured these are groundless rumors targeting the Resistance.

"These claims included rumors about the bombardment of Hizbullah posts in rural areas such as al-Qusayr and al-Hermel in the Bekaa, also other claims that Hizbullah SG deputy Sheikh Naim Qassem has been injured. These are all baseless rumors," Sayyed Nasrallah stressed.

"There have been Media reports from US ambassador to Lebanon - which she did not refute- that there is a project between Hizbullah and the Syrian regime to control a number of Sunni towns, like al-Qusayr, to link the Shiite Lebanese towns to Alawite ones in Syria, but these are false claims and have no tangible evidence. I assure that what has been said is all lies."

On the contrary, Sayyed Nasrallah said the Syrian armed opposition controlled Shiite Lebanese towns and burned some of them, such as the town of Em al-Damamel, assuring that border town residents have carried arms for self-defense as they have the right to defend themselves.
Syrian armed men follow the KSA, Qatar, USA but no diplomatic efforts were undertaken to stop the bloodshed. Sayyed Nasrallah called on all people of the region to stop the bloodshed and cut the road before those who seek killing and sowing strife.

Some Pushing Lebanon into Sectarian Strife

The Resistance leader said there is a party pushing Lebanon into sectarian conflict, especially between Sunnis and Shiites. He assured that any sectarian internal strife is dangerous, completely unacceptable, and would burn the country, and addressed religious figures not to get carried away with such attempts.
Some Sunni MPs and Sheikhs are instigating sensitivities and strife, said the Resistance leader, explaining that they accuse Hizbullah and the Amal Movement of standing behind certain events without providing any evidence. Giving examples on this he recalled "they accused Hizbullah of killing two Sunni sheikhs on Lebanese army checkpoints because the army obeys Hizbullah. These are allegations that create strife among the Muslims."

As for the Islamist detainees issue, he also recalled "They accused Hizbullah of obstructing their prosecution because Hizbullah controls the Lebanese judiciary."
Addressing the Wissam al-Hassan assassination, he reminded "Even though investigations are still underway, yet the MPs immediately accused Hizbullah."
He went on to recall "they accused Hizbullah of infiltrating the group and setting up the ambush in Tal Kalakh."

Referring to the Arsal incident, he also went on to remind "They accused Hizbullah of entering Arsal and of ordering the army to arrest this or that."
Finally referring to Sidon, he stated "Thousands of Shiites live in Sidon. They do not need permission to live there. They want to trap us into going into conflict."
"We all should exert effort to preserve the country and the state should carry its responsibilities. We hope that all sides carry their share of responsibility, there are differences in point of views on Syria but it is not a Sunni-Shiite conflict, it is a political one," Sayyed Nasrallah concluded.

Source: moqawama.org