Hajj Hassan: We will reply to any gunfire targeting us

Source: nowlebanon.com, 17-06-2008

In an interview with NTV, MP Hussein Hajj Hassan of the Loyalty to the Resistance commented on the current events saying, "The residents of the Bekaa, and especially the residents of Saadnayel and Taalabaya, have been hurt by the Future Movement because its media outlets have been lying for a while now."

Hajj Hassan added, "There is a third party that is probably trying to create tension for electoral reasons or because of outside decisions or just pure hatred. This was very obvious in the latest security incidents. We are still calling for clam and calling on Saadnayel and Taalabay officials to carry on with their contacts in order to put an end to these clashes, in spite of everything."

He added, "MP Jamal Jarrah expressed his fears of the renewal of clashes before they broke out. Where did he get the inside scoop from?"

"Our weapons were directed against the Zionist enemy, and we will not point them inside the country. We have possessed weapons since 1982. But why are they arming themselves, and against whom will they use their weapons?"

He went on to say, "If we were the ones who started firing, as they claim, let the Lebanese Army and the ISF declare it."

"They have heavy weapons and are bragging about them and have used them. The Future Movement must be convinced that what it is doing is not useful and will only lead to additional tension and deaths. This is a political decision that MP Saad Hariri must take."

Hajj Hassan discussed the Future movement saying, "We are still in touch with some Future Movement officials, and we are ready to make contacts with everyone in the movement. What happened in Beirut on May 7 was a quick and clean operation, and it happened the same way in Saadnayel. We will reply to any gunfire targeting us."

He added, "It is not the Future Movement supporters at fault, but the group's leadership. Neither MP Saad Hariri, PM Fouad Saniora nor any of the majority leaders are our enemies. We disagreed in politics, then agreed in Qatar, and we must carry on with the implementation of this agreement."

He concluded saying, "I have solid information that parties to the Future Movement started the confrontations."