Nasrallah, Fadlallah warn against US efforts to instigate strife among Muslims

Source: Daily Star staff, 21-10-2006
\r\n\\r\\nBEIRUT: Hizbullah`s leader and Lebanon`s senior Shiite cleric have stressed the importance of "paying attention to the smallest developments amid the United States` continued interference in Lebanon`s affairs." A statement issued after a two-hour meeting between Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah Friday, said there are attempts to sow strife among Muslims in more than one region of the Islamic world."
\r\n\\r\\nThe two clerics urged Muslims to be aware of the dangers of such strife, conveying their "respect" to all efforts aimed at preserving "Islamic unity."
\r\n\\r\\nThe two leaders discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region following the resistance`s "victory over the latest "Israeli" offensive."
\r\n\\r\\nIn his weekly sermon in the Haret Hreik mosque prior to the meeting, Fadlallah said Lebanon was being put under "direct international tutelage."
\r\n\\r\\nHe expressed his concerns that the country was being transformed into "what is called an international protectorate."
\r\n\\r\\n"I am afraid of the presence of a hidden plan to marginalize Lebanon, reassure "Israel" and complicate relations in the Islamic and Arab world," the cleric said.
\r\n\\r\\nFadlallah slammed "Israel`s" "continued violations of Lebanon`s land and airspace, while international peacekeeping troops simply stand aside."
\r\n\\r\\n"The UN did nothing to stop the "Israeli" violations ... nor did the Lebanese government take a firm position [regarding the issue]]," he said.
\r\n\\r\\nMeanwhile, the vice president of the Higher Shiite Council called on the Lebanese people to preserve the country "through their unity."
\r\n\\r\\n"We have asked for enlarging the government to include other forces not for toppling it ... this issue is up to the country`s Parliament and Cabinet," Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan said in his Friday sermon.
\r\n\\r\\nThe sheikh hailed Speaker Nabih Berri`s "humanitarian and national" role, urging the Lebanese to support him in resolving the situation in Lebanon.\\r\\n\r\n