Israel Matzav

Hezbullah number 2 calls for March 14 to 'politically accuse Israel'

Hezbullah's number 2 in command, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has called on the March 14 coalition - that would be the ostensibly 'pro-Western' group led by Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri - to 'politically' accuse Israel of involvement in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri (Saad's father), in a bid to deflect the expected results of the UN commission report that will blame Hezbullah for the assassination.

Qassem said that political accusation "only needs a podium and a statement," noting that "accusing Israel at least gives a positive sign that they (March 14 forces) want to reach the truth."

Hizbullah number two described the so-called false witnesses as "the real enemies of Lebanon, even if they hold Lebanese or Arab nationalities."

He stressed that "false witnesses and their fabricators" have served Israel's interest more than Tel Aviv itself expects.

"False witnesses are not a joke, a lie or an act that harmed one or two people, but they have rather harmed the whole country," Qassem added.

He stressed that "procrastination" in tackling the false witnesses issue "will never be of use."

"Tackling the issue has become now the cabinet's responsibility, and during next week it will be settled, and we hope for a speedy investigation and effective mechanisms that make us reach results as quick as possible, especially that the indications that point at false witnesses and their fabricators are clear to everyone," Qassem added.

"The names are known and the individuals are known, and those lurking in dark rooms are also known. We don't want to resort to public information, but we rather want the investigation to take the course that truly unveils them."

Qassem called on the U.N.-backed probe into the murder of ex-PM Rafik Hariri to "summon Israeli leaders, Mossad agents and individuals," stressing that "they won't dare, because it's required that Israel remain outside the circle" of accusation.

There's one big problem with Qassem's scenario: The commission (which is truly independent) apparently has enough evidence to name the Hezbullah personnel who were responsible for the assassination. So far, March 14 is holding its ground. But all hell is expected to break loose after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leaves Lebanon at the end of this week. Will Hezbullah look to go to war with Israel as a distraction? That may be one of the rationales behind Ahmadinejad's visit.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:28 AM