MP urges state to step in, protect Lebanon, without Hezbollah's help
As Israel kept violating a U.S.-French brokered ceasefire, weeks after it was reached, Hezbollah accused it of taking advantage of a 60-days time limit, describing the Lebanese state's efforts to stop Israel's violations as unsuccessful.
As part of the ceasefire deal, Israeli troops have 60 days to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river.
"There are efforts (to stop Israel's violations), but they are not giving the desired result," Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said Monday.
Israel says the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. It has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding.
Fadlallah said that Hezbollah is following up with the Lebanese government, urging it to fulfill its duties and protect Lebanon through institutions, the Lebanese army, the UNIFIL, and the monitoring committee. The U.S.-led committee tasked to monitor the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel also includes France, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lebanon, and Israel.
"Only our resistance can protect us," Fadlallah said, referring to Hezbollah, but went on to say that the state has a chance today to show if it can protect Lebanon without the resistance. "Go ahead, try your luck," he said.
On Monday, Israel raided a valley on the outskirts of al-Najjariyeh south of Sidon, wounding three people. Israel has carried out at least three airstrikes in the Sidon district since the ceasefire took effect. It claims its strikes target Hezbollah rockets and movements.
Source: Naharnet
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