Sheikh Qassem: Zionist entity has no interest in another war in Lebanon

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated on Saturday that Hizbullah was prepared for the possibility of another armed conflict with the Zionist entity, but stressed the latter "has no interest in another war in Lebanon."

"We are prepared for the possibility of such a conflict, but I don't believe that under the current circumstances "Israel" has an interest in waging another war in Lebanon," Sheikh Qassem said during an interview with French daily Le Figaro. "The offensive in Gaza proved that the "Israeli" army has not drawn any lessons from the 2006 war in Lebanon," his eminence noted, adding that the Zionist entity also "remains incapable of translating its military force into diplomatic achievements."

Sheikh Qassem renewed the Resistance party's pledge to avenge the assassination of its senior commander Imad Moghnieh (Hajj Redwan) on February 12, 2008. "We have no doubt that "Israel" is behind the assassination. We vowed to respond and it is our right," his eminence said. "This response won't warrant a declaration of war on "Israel's" part, but in any case "Israel" does not need any excuse to initiate hostile acts," his eminence recalled.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Qassem denied once again any involvement of Hizbullah in the recent launchings of Katyusha rockets toward occupied Palestine. "We reserve the right to retaliate to any act of aggression", his eminence added. ""Israel's" defeat - both militarily and psychologically - is clear. The war in 2006 proved once again the need for armed resistance," the Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General told Le Figaro.

Asked about his opinion on the election results in the Zionist entity, Sheikh Qassem said he saw "no difference" between Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, Labor leader Ehud Barak and Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni. ""Israel's" policy is that of an aggressive nation," his eminence recalled, adding that he believed the so-called peace process between "Israel" and Syria was doomed to fail "because "Israel" wants to impose its conditions without making any concessions."

Addressing US President Barack Obama's administration, Sheikh Qassem said he didn't have too much hope. "Obama's initial statements regarding the Palestinian cause are similar to those made by his predecessor, who had expressed unconditional support for "Israel" and showed that he did not respect the Palestinian people's democratic choice."