Sheikh Qassem: Resistance is not in competition with the State

Source: Al-Manar TV, 25-9-2008
Hizbullah renewed Thursday its commitment to reconciliation as the only means to reduce tension and consolidate unity among Lebanese.
In this context, Deputy Hizbullah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said that reconciliation efforts were intended to reduce political disagreements. Speaking during an Iftar (fast breaking) on Thursday night in the Batoul School on the airport highway, Sheikh Qassem stressed that conflict should occur in the political arena, rather than in the streets.
Sheikh Qassem called on people to abandon the "militias' weapons," noting that ballot boxes would determine the national will. His eminence stressed that political agreement would lead to solutions for economic and security problems.
Hizbullah deputy Secretary General recalled that the Islamic Resistance represented an independent vision that overthrew the tutelage, liberated the land and embarked upon protection of the country. "We never considered that the Resistance is in competition with the State since its duty was always limited to protect the country and defend its land. The Resistance does not seek internal gains or favoring one party over another or even pressuring anyone militarily for electoral purposes," his eminence said.
Sheikh Qassem added that the Resistance represented, indeed, the strength of the State. "Resistance supports the strong state against the weak one," his eminence asserted. "We want the strong state and we stick to the Resistance because we want to see Lebanon strong enough to face all challenges."