Hanan Awarekeh

02/08/2008 A senior Hezbollah commander says that while the resistance group does not seek war with Israel, it is ready for one and is stronger than before. Meanwhile, Lebanon's national unity government agreed on a statement that political sources said grants Hezbollah the right to use all possible means to liberate "occupied land."

The policy statement, expected to be approved by Lebanon's cabinet Monday, recognizes the right of Lebanon, its government, people and resistance to use all means possible to regain Lebanese sovereignty over occupied Shebaa Farms and nearby Israeli-held parts of Ghajjar village.

Earlier, Hezbollah’s senior commander in southern Lebanon Sheikh Nabil Kaouk told the UK's Telegraph that "the resistance is now stronger than before and this keeps the option of war awake. If we were weak, Israel would not hesitate to start another war." "When Hezbollah is strong, our strength stops Israel from starting a new war," he said. "We don't seek war, but we must be ready."

Sheikh Kaouk also stressed on the relationship with both Iran and Syria. "We are proud of our friendship with Iran and with Syria and every country which helps us to gain our rights," he said. However, when asked where Hezbollah’s weapons were originating, Sheikh Kaouk said: "All parties in Lebanon are getting weapons. No one asks from where."

Asked about the prospect of an Israeli strike on Iran and Hezbollah’s response to such development, the senior commander said: "I doubt that Israel will attack Iran because they know the consequences."

In a recent speech delivered at the Labor party offices in Tel Aviv, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that “the Hezbollah has doubled or tripled the amount of missiles it has in the last two years.:
Barak added that Hezbollah’s missiles "can reach all parts of Israel.”

His eminence also said that the Second Lebanon War in 2006 was a success for the resistance group. "Israel didn't achieve any of its goals. The known goal of Israel is 'death to Hezbollah'. Hezbollah is still here," he told the paper.

http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=52084&language=en