Hezbollah Deputy SG: Subordination to US the Only Reason Some Lebanese Oppose Return of Displaced Persons
By Staff
Beirut - The Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah pointed out that "the Syrian exodus to Lebanon has become a real problem after the number of refugees surpassed the one and a half million mark.”
“Lebanon is unable to carry on in this situation. The seven-year-long Syrian crisis is beginning to show improvements and breakthroughs. There are safe and stable places in Syria. The Syrian state is constantly working to improve its services and rise again following its triumph over a project that wanted to destroy Syria," said Sheikh Naim Qassem.
"Why don’t the displaced people return to Syria securely and at the same time in a stable manner?" he added during a speech at a memorial ceremony. "Because there is an international resolution sponsored by the US that prevents the return of the Syrian refugees to Syria, to tell the world that Syria is unstable and that Syria cannot return to its natural reality and the evidence is the presence of displaced persons in Lebanon."
Sheikh Qassem explained that "they [the Americans] have failed to use more direct methods, to utilize Daesh, the Nusra Front and the various forces funded by Gulf money as well as the international regional conspiracy in Syria to force the government to bow down. They only have one card left that they want to use in the political solution, which is the displaced people."
"Thus, the displaced people are not here because there is no place in Syria. There is evidence that tens of thousands have returned to Syria and are living normally. According to our information, there is a decision by the Syrian state to prevent the return of any displaced persons to a tent in Syria. Instead, they will return to a home or a tidy place with a roof in preparation for a better home. But there is no returning to tents. This is very important, especially with the daily improvement of life in Syria," His Eminence continued.
Sheikh Qassem wondered "why some people in Lebanon stand against the return of the displaced, knowing full well that America’s measures regarding the issue of displaced persons as well as other issues only prevent Lebanon from being independent. It wants Lebanon to be unable to make the decision it wants."
"But thank God there is a political force in Lebanon that decided to consolidate freedom and stability as well as Lebanon’s moral strength. It is working to enable Lebanon to stand on its feet regardless of those who want to discourage it and prevent stability in Lebanon," he added.
"Why do you stand against this position?" he asked. "There is no reason other than subordination to the American decision, which does not allow them to return. There is no justification or convincing evidence."
"We support the idea that Lebanon should not be a transit point and a headquarters for attacking Syria. And the measures we are talking about regarding the return of the displaced and the cooperation with the Syrian regime are an integral part of not being involved in efforts on the international level to confront Syria. We have evidence and we have logic. The others, however, have no evidence or logic except external orders given to them."
"We will work for the benefit of Lebanon no matter how loud the screams are. We will carry on despite the objections," he said.