‘We have more than 100,000 fighters!’: Nasrallah warns pro-US party

Description:

A translation of a key excerpt from a historic speech delivered by Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah surrounding the Tayyouneh massacre incident just days ago. Nasrallah addressed the pro-American and pro-Saudi Lebanese Forces (LF) party and its leader Samir Geagea and warned them against trying to drag Hezbollah and Lebanon into a civil war.

Commenting on a report that Geagea had urged some of his Lebanese allies to join him in a fight against Hezbollah, and that his Lebanese Forces party currently had 15,000 fighters for that purpose, Nasrallah revealed that Hezbollah today has more than 100,000 fighters, and that Geagea and his party ought to ‘sit down and behave themselves!’

Days ago, on the 14th of October, at least seven people were killed and 60 others injured after unknown gunmen attacked Hezbollah and Amal supporters as they passed through Beirut’s sensitive Tayyouneh district as part of an organised peaceful protest.

In a joint statement, Hezbollah and Amal said armed groups belonging to Samir Geagea’s Christian Lebanese Forces (LF) Party fired at the protesters from rooftops, aiming at their heads, in an attempt to drag Lebanon into a sectarian civil war.

The Tayyouneh district is historically an area of political and sectarian sensitivity, as a key site in the outbreak and development of Lebanon’s Civil War (1975-1990).

Source: Spot Shot (YouTube)

Date:
October 19, 2021

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Transcript:

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s Secretary General:

I advise the Lebanese Forces (LF) party and their leader (Samir Geagea) to give up totally on the idea of (inciting) internal strife (among Lebanese Christians and Muslims/Shias) and civil war. And here, listen (carefully to my words), I’ll speak clearly, and this is perhaps the first time that I’ll speak in this way:

I advise them (i.e. the LF party), and I urge Christians in Lebanon to advise them, (I urge the Christian) religious and political authorities (figures), elites, which are numerous, (I urge them) to advise the LF party and the leader of the LF party to stop thinking of (conducting) any activity that would lead to internal strife, and any activity that leads to civil war, regardless which (sides this strife) would be in the service of, (whether) in the service of (strengthening his position as a) leader (and that of his) party (among Christians), or (in favour of the interests of) a regional or foreign country, he should get this (plan) out of his head.

Because he’s doing the wrong calculations. What I want to say now, is a description (of facts and the reality of the situation), in order to prevent a civil war, and for (the sake of preserving) the safety of the country and (preserving) civil peace, security, safety, and stability (in Lebanon), and so that no one makes a mistake.

I’ll go back to (speaking about) the meeting in which he (LF party leader) was inciting some of his former allies, (by proposing and say to them): ‘let’s confront Hezbollah and fight a battle (with them)’, and I am sure of the accuracy/validity of these words (that were said in this meeting), and I wouldn’t have taken a stance based upon it if I wasn’t sure (of its validity). So, what was said (in this meeting)? There were three points (raised):

Firstly, that the LF (party) is now stronger than it was during the era of Bachir Gemayel (the former LF party leader), and that it has 15,000 fighters ready (today), which is (in itself) a confession of the existence of a (LF) military body, weaponry, and a militia (this while they call day and night for the disarmament of Hezbollah, claiming that it is a ‘militia’).

Secondly, that Hezbollah is weaker (today) than the (Palestine) Liberation Organization at that time (when the Lebanese civil war began in 1975).

Thirdly, that Hezbollah’s (position) in the region is weak today and that it’s time to get rid of it.

Okay, I want to tell you (i.e. the leader of the LF party) that you are miscalculating (with your schemes), just as you miscalculated in all your (previous) wars – all your (previous) wars which you lost.

(I’ll state the facts,) firstly, regionally (speaking), Hezbollah – since its establishment in 1982 – was at no point stronger than it is today, (with regards to its position) in the region. And I know how states address us and how regional (states) address us (regarding) our regional role  – and I’m a humble person – the way they describe Hezbollah and how they speak about it (and its power). I don’t describe it that way, I describe Hezbollah as a (party) that influences (equations) on the regional level, but they describe it in a much greater manner. In your regional calculations, you’re 100% wrong.

As for (your assumption) that the LF (party) is (today) stronger than (it was during the era) of Bachir (Gemayel’s leadership) I don’t know about that, I can’t comment on this issue.

(Regarding) the third point, that Hezbollah is weaker than the (Palestine) Liberation Organization, you’re very very wrong, (indeed) you’re very wrong. Your calculations are wrong, and if you’re basing your fight (latest actions) on this assumption, you’re wrong.

Let me tell you something, (I’m addressing) the LF party and the leader of the LF party, (just to let you know) in case you wish to prepare for a civil war that (you want) to impose on us (Lebanese), so that you do (your) calculations right (at least). Look, I won’t talk about the general public (supporting) the resistance (i.e., Hezbollah), nor will I talk about how many (supporters) our allies in the Amal Movement and other allies have. As for Hezbollah, I don’t wish to mention figures (- however -) I’ll have to mention, (but I will) not (count) the advocates, supporters, admirers (of Hezbollah), and as for the (inner body of) Hezbollah, I will not count the students, the self-employed, the (labour) unions, women’s organizations, civic organizations, scouts that include youths etc. etc., I only wish to inform you about the number (of)…and this is the first time I’ll have to announce this number (for the sake of) preventing a civil war (scenario), and not to threaten with a civil war, and you (everyone) know me well, I never say something that isn’t true, even in psychological warfare, I belong to a school which believes that lies don’t serve (the purpose of winning in) psychological warfare… reality and (telling the) truth is what serves (well) in a psychological war.

Look, the military body of Hezbollah alone – and we don’t deny having a military body – and we have weapons and (military) capabilities (as well)…Hezbollah alone, and I’m telling you (the number of) the men (of Hezbollah) only, and the Lebanese only (not to mention those in other states within the Resistance Axis) – who are Lebanese (nationals) for more than 100 years, and not (Lebanese) for 10 years (as some derogatively claim), (these men that I’m speaking about) are trained, organised, structured, armed, (highly) experienced and possess (great) spirituality, and if they were only given a signal, (without the need to be) ordered to, (if they were only) given a signal to attack the mountains, they would remove them from their place! Note down (the number): 100,000 fighters! 100,000 fighters!

You should know that Maryam Farhat – the oppressed woman – (that was shot in the head by a sniper while she was in her home), Hasan Mcheik, Mostafa Zbib, Hassan Nehmeh, Ali Ibrahim, Mohamad al-Sayyed, and Mohamad Tamer (the martyrs who were shot and killed in the Tayouneh attack, are not included in this number), (however,) when we talk about everyone (belonging to Hezbollah’s party and path), we’re talking about more than 100,000 fighters. Who are you trying to get into a civil war with? Who are you (trying to) lure into an internal strife? What (situation) do you wish to drag the country to?

Those 100,000 fighters, with their diverse and different (kinds of) weapons, we didn’t train them (to fight) a civil war or an internal strife, we prepared them to defend our country (against external threats), to liberate our territories, to protect our sea, oil, and gas (resources) that are being stolen (by the Israelis) before the Lebanese people’s eyes, we prepared (these fighters) to protect our cities and villages in Baalbek-Hermel (in which reside both) Christians and Muslims. We prepared them to protect the dignity and sovereignty of our country against any (external) attack and terrorism, and (certainly) not for an internal strife.

That’s why we didn’t use them in an internal strife; we were killed in Khaldeh, yet we didn’t take (military) action, and we were killed Thursday (i.e. in the Tayyouneh attack), yet we didn’t take (military) action, we aren’t weak at all, nor are we helpless, scared, or terrified, (but the truth is that) our calculations are right, we have (religious, moral, ethical) principles, we have goals, a Cause, a mission, and (we act upon the teachings of our) religion, we (are committed to our) ethics and values.

Therefore, in this regard, I say to them – I directly address the LF party, and their leader (in particular): Do not miscalculate! Do not miscalculate! Sit aside, be good boys and behave yourselves! Behave yourselves and learn a lesson from all your (unrighteous) wars (which you have lost and compare them to) all our (righteous) wars (which we have won).

I’m talking in this manner to conclude this whole point and say that today there’s a responsibility, a responsibility that rests with the state, with the religious authorities and Christian (authorities) in particular, the Lebanese people and Christian (people) in particular, (a responsibility) to stand against this murderer, criminal, butcher, incendiary (i.e. the LF party leader Samir Geagea) person, whose agenda, target, and plan is this (to ignite a civil war)! They (should all stand against him) to prevent a civil war and an internal strife, in order to (maintain) the stability of civil peace, and (overall) security and peace in the country.


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