Nasralah stresses friendship with Syria and challenges

Secretary General of Hizbollah Hassan Nasrallah emphasized full alliance with Syria in facing dangers and challenges.

Nasrallah, who was speaking to a mass rally had gathered in Beirut Friday for funeral procession for the three martyrs killed during Monday's clashes with Israeli troops, underlined that Hizbullah highly values its friendship with Syria, calling upon all Lebanese to enhance this friendship and strengthen it because it it is in Lebanon's interest.

"Syria is the only Arab country who backs Lebanon, helps it to get over its crisis and liberate most of its occupied lands, as well as preserve its stability and unity," the Secretary General said.

Nasrallah challenged critics of Hizbollah to prove loyalty, saying "we will ask, who are you? and what have you done for Lebanon? and what are your relations with embassies and ambassadors? what are your relations with Israel and western countries?" Nasrallah clarified that the party accept discussion and dialogue in Lebanon but rejects any accusation regarding allegiance to the country.

He added that Hizbulla's orders do not come from Damascus nor Tehran, but from Beirut. "It is our duty to capture Israeli soldiers and swap them for Arab prisoners in Israel," he underlined.

As for the Rafiq al-Hariri's assassination, Nasrallah appreciated Syria's cooperative stance with the UN investigation team, noting that there are judicial conditions and protocol as well as certain discussions Syria needs to guarantee that the investigation is a judicial one and not a political process targeting her.

"Everyone is looking for the truth, but the UN investigation team should work to uncover the truth... and we reject any kind of political exploitation of it," he added.

He warned against plots aim to damage the distinguished ties between Syria and Lebanon, calling all Arab and international communities to cooperate in order to get Syria out of this impasse "which affects not only Syria, but the whole region."