Sheikh Qassem: Elections will Determine Lebanon΄s Fate ~ "Israelis" are Responsible for Moghnieh΄s Assassinati

Source: Al-Watan Daily, 17-11-2008

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed on Monday that the "Israeli" networks were existent and widespread, noting that they were operating in Lebanon and Syria as well as other places in the region. "Such networks aren't usually linked to each other," his eminence said, noting that their contact is direct with the "Israeli" Mossad.

In an exclusive interview with Qatari daily Al-Watan to be published later, Sheikh Qassem noted that the investigation course in the assassination of Islamic Resistance top commander Martyr Imad Moghnieh could make use of the discovery of the Mossad-linked terrorist network of Ali al-Jarrah. "The investigations with Jarrah's network can give new or complementary data that could be useful in the investigations," Sheikh Qassem stressed, emphasizing that, anyway, the investigations were continuous.

"When all details become clear, they will be announced," Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General declared. Sheikh Qassem said, however, that Hizbullah was more convinced, day after day, that the "Israelis" were behind Hajj Redwan's assassination, regardless of the identities of whoever might have participated in the criminal act. "We have no doubt that the "Israelis" are directly responsible of the direction and the execution of the crime," his eminence said, noting that such deductions were made according to a series of data that would be revealed later on.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Qassem expressed belief that the "Israeli" maneuvers were targeting two main matters at the time being. "First, they are seeking to raise the "Israelis" moral and make them fell that their defeated army was recovering and reacquiring health," his eminence said. "But the maneuvers have also another mission, an electoral one," Sheikh Qassem pointed out.

"Given the fierce competition between "Israeli" various political parties, each one is seeking to portray itself as the strongest in order to gain more popularity that would be reflected during the elections," his eminence explained, calling on everyone to pay attention to their impudent statements, full of threats and tension. "Those are electoral campaigns that they are in need of," Sheikh Qassem said. "But it doesn't seem that we're heading to a military operation at this stage," his eminence asserted, revealing the Zionist entity wasn't ready yet for such confrontation.

Sheikh Qassem, however, confirmed once again that, in contrast, the Resistance was more than ready for all options. "The "Israelis" completely perceive that if they just think of any aggression, they would have to face an expensive adventure, a lot more complicated than the July 2006 war."

In another issue, Sheikh Qassem expressed satisfaction because the loyalty and the opposition believe they would emerge victorious out of the upcoming parliamentary elections. "Hence, everyone is hopeful he might win in the elections and, as a result, the elections become everyone's request and therefore the chance of completing it successfully becomes too strong," Sheikh Qassem explained.

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General also raised the issue of electoral money, noting that it was spent publicly under social and human titles and through various ways. "But at the end, it's known that the parliamentary elections would have a big effect on determining the future of Lebanon," Sheikh Qassem announced, adding that the stage that separates us from the parliamentary elections would be devoted to calm and relieving.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Qassem made it clear that the Hizbullah conference wasn't held yet as some press reports claimed. "Its timing hasn't come yet," his eminence said, recalling that Hizbullah doesn't usually announce its exact scheduling for security considerations. "All what has been published about the conference results is not true since the conference wasn't held yet," his eminence stressed.