Hizbullah: Politics, resistance don`t conflict... Musawi: Lebanon is under the danger of meddling in its internal issue
source: Daily Star, 18-6-2005.
summary: BEIRUT: Following the announcement of its intentions to participate fully in the formation of Lebanon`s next government, the Islamic resistance group Hizbullah dismissed alleged contradictions in this step with its role as a resistance party.
The organization, which has refrained from participating in official governmental affairs since it took on political action in 1992, was recently swept to victory in the second and third rounds of the country`s parliamentary elections.
Hizbullah`s victory has so far raised its representation in Parliament from nine to 11 party members, and 25 members in its coalition bloc with Amal Movement.
But their decision to take on a more active role in Lebanon`s politics has raised questions as to whether the resistance party will cut down on its military operations against "Israel" and focus more on internal political issues.
Hizbullah`s International Relations Official Nawaf Musawi said the party`s decision to take part in the next Cabinet did not mean less focus on its goals as a resistance group.
He said: "There is no conflict between taking on more political responsibility on the internal political arena and keeping up the resistance work."
He added: "The group will maintain its resistance, and its readiness to face any "Israeli" aggression as long as the Zionist danger is there."
Musawi also said the party had made the decision to be more involved on the political scene on March 5, the day Syrian President Bashar Assad announced his decision to pull his troops out of Lebanon.
He said: "Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon created a vacuum in the country`s political scene, and international powers are trying to take advantage of this vacuum and impose their tutelage over Lebanon."
Musawi added the main proof of this was a meeting that took place in France earlier this week between foreign officials, where they discussed Lebanese internal issues.
He said: "This meeting discussed Lebanese internal affairs. We have information that they discussed the speaker position in the new Parliament, the formation of the Cabinet and possible alliances."
Musawi added: "This is a major breach to the Lebanese sovereignty and clearly shows that Lebanon is a strong candidate to be manipulated by international powers."
Hizbullah had explained the huge voter turnout in their favor in the South`s round of elections on June 5 and in the Bekaa on June 12 as public support for the party to keep its arms at a time when the resistance is facing mounting international pressure to disarm, most notably through Resolution 1559, issued in September 2004.
Musawi said: "Lebanon is under the danger of meddling in its internal issues, which is why the resistance party will be a main player in Lebanese politics from now on."
He added: "Hizbullah is a key player in this new phase of Lebanon`s history, and we will work in agreement with other existing political forces in Lebanon."
Nizar Hamzeh, a Lebanese political scientist and Hizbullah expert, said the party cannot afford to be left out of the cabinet at the time being.
He said: "The party is under international pressure to disarm and it needs to be in the center of what is going on. It would be very dangerous for them not to participate."
But Hamzeh said there was another reason why the party wanted to take more part in Lebanese internal politics.
He said: "The party also thinks it is about time to lobby for economical reforms and present social welfare services to supporters, which would work more efficiently if they are in government. As a party, they want to be able to take part in drawing the economic agenda for the country."
Hizbullah`s announcement of increased participation has been welcomed by many Lebanese, even in Christian areas.
Georges Khoury, a merchant from Deir al-Qamar, welcomed the party`s decision to enter government.
He said: "They are the only party that has not stolen from public funds so far, and they are very pragmatic. We hope that they keep this attitude after they have ministers in Cabinet."
