Sheikh Qassem: Indictment Buried Even Before Issuance

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem in a speech he delivered in a religious ceremony in Beirut's southern suburb said "They are using the international American-Israeli tribunal to score a victory against us. But practically, this tribunal has become uncovered and has proved its failure."

He said that the issuance of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL)'s indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri case will not change anything because it is already dead.

"During the last year and a half, they announced the content of the indictment through the leaks published in Der Spiegel and companions with the aim to monitor results and take decisions based on them. But what did they get? They perceived that the indictment was dead and became colorless, tasteless and useless."

Sheikh Qassem assured "If we suppose that the indictment would be released tomorrow, then it will change nothing because we have buried it before it is issued," adding that the indictment has become worthless to Hizbullah for four different reasons and considerations. "First, the indictment will not change a thing in our reality and effectiveness as well as in Hizbullah role, morale and position. Whoever had the illusion that the indictment would weaken us perceived that at the opposite, it has increased our cohesion with the opposition members and supporters. Therefore, following the leaks, we became even stronger and firmer in our interactions with ourselves, what means that the upcoming indictment will have no influence on any of us."

Hizbullah SG Deputy further continued "Second, we're facing during this stage and we will face later on some political and media heresies which seem to be confused." He pointed to the weakness of such tactics which will not change anything in the general balance. "Third, it has been proved that the United States was unable to use the local and regional arenas to serve its project. The US is nowadays confused about the way to affect us. But what's sure, it's that all the US attempts failed and are doomed to fail."
In a final remark, Sheikh Qassrm noted that the local betters on the tribunal to change their political status and increase their influence at the expense of Hezbollah and the opposition's presence and effectiveness have also failed in their mission.

"Then, what remains of the indictment?" His Eminence wondered. "Nothing," he answered. "We're neither scared nor afraid. Therefore, when we raise our voice, we do so in the interest of Lebanon, not because we're hurt. We overcame a lot of challenges bigger than the STL, including the July 2006 war. Would the tribunal stop us? You have to take lessons from what happened during this stage."

"We recommend all Lebanese to encourage the solution because we want the best for country and because our interest obligates us to remain far from the American-Israeli agenda," Sheikh Qassem pointed out, urging all Lebanon to work altogether to reach an understanding on the potential exists of the crisis. "This is only what will save Lebanon in the long term."

He went on to say "Hezbollah enjoyed a broad range of resistance fighters from all sects, parties and forces. We managed to give the priority to the logic of unity. We didn't engage into the sedition schemes, and we succeeded in emphasizing the principle of citizenship, preventing the federalism supporters of achieving their plots."

Finally Sheikh Qassem concluded by stressing that the Resistance party's decision is not to enter in a debate with anybody. He called on the Resistance's supporters to be patient, urging them not to be affected by the insults of the other parties. "We will not be dragged into the sedition plots and schemes," his eminence said. "We will always with the logic of Lebanon's unity, strength and resistance. We will remain committed to the precious balance of coordination between the Army, Resistance and Nation."