July 22, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Nasrallah says STL will indict Hezbollah members

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday during a press conference that Prime Minister Saad Hariri told him in May that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) – probing the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri – will indict Hezbollah members.

He said that “out of his keenness to ensure national unity, Hariri told me [despite the indictment, he will say] that the party is not connected [to the killing].”

“Everyone is talking about the [STL’s] upcoming indictment and agrees that [Hezbollah members will be accused], even before the indictment is issued,” said Nasrallah, adding, “We reject the idea that Hezbollah members might be indicted.”

However, the Hezbollah chief said that the indictment would accuse “undisciplined Hezbollah members.”

“Hezbollah is not afraid of anything. Those who conspire against the Resistance and against Lebanon are the ones who should worry,” Nasrallah reiterated.

He called on the March 14 leadership to seriously reconsider its positions, praising Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt for “having the courage to review his stances and to admit his mistakes.”

Jumblatt split from the March 14 alliance in August 2009 and reconciled with past political rivals, including Hezbollah and Syria.

“March 14 should [apologize to] Syria since in 2005 [they] were very wrong, and [they] almost dragged this country into destruction,” said Nasrallah, adding, “I have told PM Hariri that I will accuse Syria of killing [former PM Rafik Hariri] if there is evidence.”

The March 14 leadership had long accused Syria of being involved in the assassination.

Nasrallah said that his party “does not accept anything from the STL unless it has tangible evidence.”

He also stated he will not address the issue of a cabinet change before the STL issues its indictment, adding, “We will see what happens after the [STL] indictment [is issued].”