Nasrallah: Unity Key Factor To Win Oil Battle, US Not An Honest Mediator

16 Feb 2018

Lebanon - Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday maintained that the Lebanese unified official stance regarding Lebanon's rights to its offshore resources was a key factor to score victory in the regional battle over oil and gas, calling the state to approach this file from a position of strength.

"The Lebanese are unified in this battle; this unity of stance is the most important factor to score an achievement in this battle," Nasrallah said.

"We must not allow the devils to sow discord among the Lebanese; and by the devils I mean the US," he added.

Nasrallah delivered a speech via a giant screen at the commemoration of Hezbollah's martyr leaders, at Sayyed Asshohada Complex.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield have paid official visits to Lebanon to discuss the situation in the region and the proposals put forward to resolve border disputes between Lebanon and Israel.

"The American is Israel's advocate; do not reckon on this mediation because the Americans only want to achieve the interest of Israel and not that of Lebanon," Nasrallah warned. "The US sent threatening messages to Lebanon and did not even respect the mediation's formalities; we must keep wary while negotiating with those Americans."

"Furthermore, you all know that there is no American mediation but dictations and threats to Lebanon," he corroborated.

"We must remain unified and courageous, and we must believe in our right and strength" he stressed.

Nasrallah has indicated that today's battle must be "be approached differently; when Israel occupied the south, some Lebanese considered that the battle did not concern them. Today, the oil resources present in the south belongs to all the Lebanese. The oil resources are the only hope to end the debt crisis."

"The entire region has publicly entered the oil and gas battle," Nasrallah noted, adding that under the administration of US President Donald Trump, Israel is seeking to reap an international resolution to annex Occupied Golan to the Zionist entity.

Nasrallah went on to say that Hezbollah would not interfere in the demarcation of the maritime and land borders, maintaining that this is the responsibility of the state alone. "Defending Lebanon is also among the state's responsibilities; the state must have a courageous and unswerving stance."

"The Lebanese state and people must approach this file from a position of strength, and we must negotiate as the strong side; you can threaten Israel that it threatening you (...) your only strength in this battle is the resistance," he underlined.

"And, if the American asks you to bow to his demands to restrain Israel, tell him that he must accept your terms so that you hold Hezbollah back from taking action against Israel," he continued.

Nasrallah added: "Should the Higher Defense Council decide that Israel's offshore oil installations should stop to operate, I promise you that we are ready to impair them within hours.

On the fresh downing of an Israeli F16 jet, Nasrallah hailed the defense as "a huge achievement" and a "heroic act" by the Syrian air defenses, confirming that the post-downing stage is different than before.

The Hezbollah leader also indicated that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, alone, had taken the decision to counter any Israeli air strike on Syria.

"The decision was made by President Bashar al-Assad alone, and those who downed the Zionist jet were the officers and soldiers of the brave Syrian army," he underscored.

Turning to the upcoming legislative polls, Nasrallah said the proportional vote law as the best in Lebanon's history.

Moreover, he indicated that there would be no electoral coalition with the Lebanese Forces and the Future Movement.

On the alliance with the Free Patriotic Movement, Nasrallah said that the political coalition with the FPM was "strong and steadfast" and that "the relation is unshakable," adding that the two parties might compete in some districts.

"As to the Progressive Socialist Party, the matter is open to discussions," he indicated.

"This country is built on partnership; as to our candidates, I shall announce their names on forthcoming Monday or Tuesday," Nasrallah said.