The leader of Hezbollah group of Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah promised to continue to build and strengthen its arsenal to protect the country from Israel’s attacks.

In a news conference in which he presented Hezbollah’s new political manifesto he said “The ongoing Israeli threat forces the resistance to continue to boost its capacity … in order to fulfill its role in liberating occupied territory”.

“The Israeli threat … calls for Lebanon to have a defense strategy built on the presence of a popular resistance that helps to defend the country against Israeli aggression and a national army that protects the country and its stability”.

Nasrallah called US the World’s leader in exporting terrorism and asked all the nations around the globe to stand against the threat posed by US. He said “There is no question that American terrorism is the origin of all terrorism around the world”.

While on the other hand US considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Nasrallah said that it was the former president George Bush who has turned US into a threat for the rest of the world.

He said “If a survey were to be held today, the United States would be the most hated nation in the world.

“Standing up to the US threat must be a worldwide effort, this is a delicate and difficult task .. and one that will involve generations to come”.

In 2006 a fierce war was fought between Hezbollah and Israel that destroyed much of the southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is the only party who has refused to disarm after 1975-1990 civil war of Lebanon saying that it country needed protection from Israel and that no one will help except themselves.

It argued that its weapons protect against Israel which withdrew its troops from the southern Lebanon in 2000 after a 22 year occupation. In a 32 page political manifesto Nasrallah ruled out any chance of ever recognizing Israel and said that the land belongs to Palestinians and they should reclaim it as their homeland.

He continued saying “We categorically reject any compromise with Israel or recognizing its legitimacy, this position is definitive, even if everyone recognizes Israel”.

He pressed on the issue of united Lebanon as Hezbollah is seen a state within state. He clarified that Lebanon is united and not divided “We want a Lebanon that is united through its land, its people, its state and institutions”.

The first manifesto handed over by Hezbollah in 1985 asked for Islamic rule to be established in Lebanon, but the party leadership has toned down its rhetoric in recent years as it gained political power.

Nasrallah who is now 49 is leading Hezbollah since 1992 after his predecessor, Abbas Moussaoui was killed by Israel in a helicopter raid. Since then the party has participated with the government of Lebanon.

(Courtesy : Al Jazeera)