Sheikh Qassem rejects American guardianship

Source: NowLebanon, 22-04-2008
Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed his party's desire to participate in national life and power, accusing the pro-government alliance of attempting to monopolize power.
"If a consensual president is elected without agreement, the pro-government alliance will form a government without consulting with us," he said.
"After the government is formed, the will take a hybrid electoral law to parliament and vote for it," Qassem added.
In a ceremony marking the thirtieth anniversary of the arrest of Samir Quntar, Qassem called for a president who would resist the US, while the government wanted to hand Lebanon to American guardianship, he said.
The Hizbullah official stressed his rejection of international or regional hegemony over Lebanon, requesting a state according to the Taif Accord.
Qassem underlined the need to liberate Lebanese prisoners in Israeli detention centers, noting that Hizbullah was fully prepared to "respond forcefully."
"Israel is afraid of the word ‘resistance' even before its missiles," Qassem said.