MP George Okais issued the following statement:
Today, MP Hassan Fadlallah made a shocking statement that not only violates government decisions but also defies the most basic principles of logic.
After explicitly acknowledging Hezbollah’s material and moral ownership of the explosives, he then had the audacity to insult the intelligence of the Lebanese people by claiming that the explosives were being transported for the purpose of resisting Israel.
We remind MP Fadlallah that former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated while Hezbollah was resisting or claiming to resist Israel. Many March 14 leaders were also assassinated while Hezbollah was resisting or claiming to resist Israel. This long-standing pretext has repeatedly been used to cover up crimes committed inside Lebanon and Hezbollah’s efforts to tighten its grip on the country’s domestic political scene, even by physically eliminating its opponents.
We call on the government either to refer the entire case to the Judicial Council or, at the very least, to initiate serious legal proceedings against the party’s highest-ranking leaders. This must be done without haste, but also without hesitation. At the same time, we call on MP Fadlallah and all the leaders of the party he represents to stop trying to influence the judiciary or pressure the agencies tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding the transportation of the explosives.
We stress that the era of intimidation and accusations of treason is over for good. The legitimacy Hezbollah’s leaders tried to claim for their fight against Israel was shattered by the first assassination the group carried out inside Lebanon, the violence of May 7, the renewed clashes in Tayouneh, and ultimately the murder of Lokman Slim, who was shot in the head. These acts stand alongside the many other attacks on Lebanon’s freedom and sovereignty.
Finally, we want to make it clear to everyone, near and far, that we will closely follow the ongoing investigation into the Dahr al-Baidar truck case and take an appropriate position based on its findings. Our approach will be guided by the government’s decisions banning Hezbollah’s military and security activities, as well as the tripartite framework agreement intended to bring military operations in Lebanon to an end.
We urge the judiciary and security agencies to safeguard civil peace and act as a firm hand against those who undermine security not as a crutch for them to lean on to cover up their criminal acts.
Today, MP Hassan Fadlallah made a shocking statement that not only violates government decisions but also defies the most basic principles of logic.
After explicitly acknowledging Hezbollah’s material and moral ownership of the explosives, he then had the audacity to insult the intelligence of the Lebanese people by claiming that the explosives were being transported for the purpose of resisting Israel.
We remind MP Fadlallah that former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated while Hezbollah was resisting or claiming to resist Israel. Many March 14 leaders were also assassinated while Hezbollah was resisting or claiming to resist Israel. This long-standing pretext has repeatedly been used to cover up crimes committed inside Lebanon and Hezbollah’s efforts to tighten its grip on the country’s domestic political scene, even by physically eliminating its opponents.
We call on the government either to refer the entire case to the Judicial Council or, at the very least, to initiate serious legal proceedings against the party’s highest-ranking leaders. This must be done without haste, but also without hesitation. At the same time, we call on MP Fadlallah and all the leaders of the party he represents to stop trying to influence the judiciary or pressure the agencies tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding the transportation of the explosives.
We stress that the era of intimidation and accusations of treason is over for good. The legitimacy Hezbollah’s leaders tried to claim for their fight against Israel was shattered by the first assassination the group carried out inside Lebanon, the violence of May 7, the renewed clashes in Tayouneh, and ultimately the murder of Lokman Slim, who was shot in the head. These acts stand alongside the many other attacks on Lebanon’s freedom and sovereignty.
Finally, we want to make it clear to everyone, near and far, that we will closely follow the ongoing investigation into the Dahr al-Baidar truck case and take an appropriate position based on its findings. Our approach will be guided by the government’s decisions banning Hezbollah’s military and security activities, as well as the tripartite framework agreement intended to bring military operations in Lebanon to an end.
We urge the judiciary and security agencies to safeguard civil peace and act as a firm hand against those who undermine security not as a crutch for them to lean on to cover up their criminal acts.
