Hizbullah Rejects Dispute with Sfeir, Calls for Explanation

 
Source: almanar.com.lb, 22-6-2009

Just after Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah raised questions over the statement delivered by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir on the eve of the parliamentary elections and the reasons of the Patriarch beliefs that an opposition's victory would have harmed the country, a campaign "in support of Bkerki" was launched here and there, claiming that Sayyed Nasrallah has touched a "red line."

But Sayyed Nasrallah refused to yield to provocations and told his visitors that he wouldn't enter in a dispute with the Maronite Patriarch under any circumstance, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar said on Monday.

The daily quoted Sayyed Nasrallah as telling his guests that he has already announced his stance "and that's it."

According to the daily, Hizbullah Secretary General undermined the value of the comments made by the March 14 leaders over the issue.

On Sunday, Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem called for an explanation from Bkirki on Patriarch Sfeir's statement a day before the June 7 polls that the opposition's victory in the elections threatens the Lebanese entity.

Sheikh Qassem made it clear that Hizbullah fully respects the spiritual role of Bkirki and the Maronite Patriarch, stressing that Sayyed Nasralleh didn't criticize the person of Sfeir but commented on a political position taken by him.

In another topic, Sheikh Qassem said serious consultations on cabinet formation haven't started yet, noting that the opposition will announce a common stance whether to participate in government or not after consultations.

His eminence also expected behind-the-scene consultations to reach a compromise between the loyalty and opposition blocs, adding that the Syrian-Saudi agreement will reflect positively on the country.