Lebanese Hezbollah TV reports on "resistance" conference in Beirut

Lebanese Hezbollah Al-Manar TV 0726 gmt on 17 July interrupts its programmes to carry a live broadcast of the "Permanent Conference for the Resistance" at the Marriott in Beirut. The relay begins with the conference already in progress and Muhammad Ra'd, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, delivering his speech.

Ra'd says that the Lebanese are proud of the resistance, which defeated "the Zionist enemy" in the July War and did away with the myth of the invincible army; and yesterday, he adds, the Lebanese were again proud of the resistance when they received their liberated heroes.

Ra'd cites the statement by Hezbollah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah yesterday upon welcoming the liberated prisoners when he said: "the age of defeat is over and we are now in the age of victories." He then conveys the secretary general's thanks to the conferees for their participation in the conference, which, he says "embodies your solidarity with and adherence to the causes of the nation."

Ra'd says that he will devote his speech to the conference's main topic; namely, "the Islamists and the relationship between the resistance and the national plan."

He takes Lebanon as an example for discussing this topic and says that irrespective of their different communities and political trends the Lebanese unanimously agree on the national plan, which, he says is based on the following constants: First, maintaining the unity of Lebanon - land, people, and institutions; second, protecting Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and Arab identity; third, entrenching internal stability, social peace, and peaceful coexistence; fourth, strengthening Lebanon's defence capability to face "the continuous threats of aggression by the Zionist enemy"; Fifth, building a strong and stable state that reassures all Lebanese; and sixth, rejecting trusteeships and interferences that detract from the national sovereignty.

Ra'd says that while the Lebanese agree on these constants, they differ on the details of the short-term programmes adopted by this or that party. Even when an agreement is reached on a short-term programme, he says, the Lebanese again differ whenever they feel that a certain party is gaining more influence.

Ra'd says that this instability is due to several things: First, the sectarian structure of the Lebanese society, which places sectarian loyalty above national loyalty; second, the lack of credibility in commitment and performance by the representatives of the political forces; and third, Lebanon's geo-political position, which makes it a target for regional and international rivalry.

He says: "This is the situation in Lebanon. The problem concerning the resistance and its relationship with the national plan at this phase is not strange. The country is open to different and diverse problems, sometimes centring on the Arabism of Lebanon and at other times on political sectarianism, foreign interference, or Lebanon's position on the Arab-Israeli conflict. There is no end to this chain of problems, but what is important is that any problem that arises must be resolved according to the constants of the national plan."

Thus, he says, Hezbollah is also committed to the national constants out of its understanding of Lebanon's nature, demographic components, geographical environment, and higher interests. He adds: "No one must think that Hezbollah is an alien political movement or a mercenary group working as a hireling for this or that regime, no matter how close it is or how concerned it is with the situation in Lebanon."

Continuing, Ra'd alludes to the harmony that existed with Hezbollah under the different Lebanese administrations since President Hrawi, But, he says that this harmony was marred by several regional developments, including the US invasion of Iraq "to dominate Arab oil and support the Zionist enemy."

At this point, some of the liberated prisoners entered the conference hall amid loud applause by the audience, thus interrupting Ra'd's speech.

Continuing, Ra'd hails the resistance and its struggle to preserve national unity, social peace, and peaceful coexistence. He says: "The conclusion we want to record is that the resistance in Lebanon represents one of the main pillars of the national plan. There will be no problem about the relationship between the resistance and the state if we resorted to this plan."

Concluding his speech, Ra'd says: "Now that we have entered a new presidential era and a new government according to a national plan, which will be expressed by the government policy statement that began with the release of the prisoners, we affirm the following:

"First, the resistance is a strategic force for Lebanon and its army and people. It is an option which proved its feasibility in the liberation of the land and the prisoners, the defence of the homeland, and the deterrence of the enemy.

"Second: The resistance is a factor of stability for the Lebanese in general, especially after its successes in confronting the occupation and the Zionist aggression and foiling their aims. Its weapons are not for achieving any factional political gains at home. They are also not a target for those who attack the national accord charter in order to strengthen their stands and gains in the government at the expense of the resistance and the people and in the service of the plans of the enemies of the homeland.

"Third: Responsible and serious national dialogue on the basis of the national plan and its constants is the only course to chart a national strategy for liberation and defence that achieves harmony between the state and the resistance.

"Fourth: Trying to weaken or attack the resistance and its weapons is an immoral act; and failure to agree on a strategy for liberation and national defence is also a non-patriotic act that only serves the aims of the enemy.

"Fifth: The resistance men - leaders, cadres, and mujahidin - have always been and will remain under the canopy of the law. Their religious and national culture obliges them to preserve public order and respect other people's rights. The authority must also set an example for its citizens by strictly abiding by the laws.

"Sixth: Pending the laying down of the strategy for liberation and national defence, the resistance will maintain its full readiness to confront any aggression against Lebanon. It adheres to its national duty to defend the country and its people. While it realizes that it does not have the right to make a war decision, no one can deprive it of the right of defence."

Ra'd concludes his speech by wishing the conference success in its deliberations.

Source: Al-Manar Television, Beirut, in Arabic 0726 gmt 17 Jul 08