BICOM

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Shia Islamist Hezbollah organisation, made a rare public appearance in the southern part of Beirut yesterday, surrounded by bodyguards. Nasrallah spoke at an event to mark the Shia holy day of Ashoura, one of the most important festivals for Shi’ite Muslims. This was the first public speech by the Hezbollah leader since the Second Lebanon War of 2006, and his first public appearance since 2008. Nasrallah rarely leaves his hideout, fearing Israeli assassination.

He spoke briefly to the assembled crowd of thousands of Hezbollah supporters, before leaving the hall. He then gave a longer speech from a place of hiding, which was transmitted via satellite link. His public appearance, he said, was a message to those who believe they can ‘threaten us,’ he added, as many in the crowds shouted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel.’

In his speech, he described the ‘American-Israeli project’ as the ‘real threat’ to Lebanon, and called the US administration an ‘enemy and threat’ which was now resorting to fomenting sectarian tension in the Middle East. The Hezbollah leader also stressed that his movement was growing, and that it would never relinquish its weapons. He also commented on the situation in Syria, reiterating his opposition to the toppling of the Assad regime.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak, meanwhile, said yesterday that Hezbollah had begun to move weaponry out of Syria, to ensure that it does not fall into hostile hands if the Assad regime should fall.