March 28, 2010 - Naharnet - Qassem Snaps Back at Rumors over STL: We're Not Impotent and We're Not Ashamed to Voice Our Opinion

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem on Sunday snapped back at the circulated media reports about Hizbullah members being summoned for questioning over the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

Several media outlets had said that STL Prosecutor's Office has ordered to summon six Hizbullah members to hearing in the Hariri case.

"Some are speaking of information leaked by the STL, but we're not impotent and we're not ashamed to talk about our stance or to voice our opinion," Qassem said at a ceremony in Bekaa, stressing that "others do not speak in Hizbullah's name and if we wanted to say a certain thing, we'd speak and reveal the facts because we're used to being honest with people."

On the other hand, Qassem stressed that "the results of the municipal elections will not change the political status quo or scene in Lebanon," noting that "the party is with holding elections on time and under any law."

"But if political stability in the country implies postponing these elections -- in order to incorporate some reforms – then we prefer the delay," he added.

Qassem said that Hizbullah has decided to coordinate with its ally, AMAL Movement, in all Lebanese regions in municipal elections.

"Therefore, we'll seek, along with all families and existing political forces, for the elections to take place with the least possible tension," he added.

As to Israel's latest crossing of the technical fence in the South, Qassem stressed that Israel crossed the fence for the sake of al-Wazzani's water," wondering "what has the U.N., the Security Council and the international community done" in this regard.

"Doesn't this crossing represent a hostile violation against Lebanon?"