The leader of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, rejected this Saturday (27) the agreement between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States and defended the application of the memorandum of understanding that was signed between Iran and the United States, which provides, among other points, the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
The group stated that the bilateral agreement between Israel and Lebanon is not valid and once again took a stance against direct negotiations between the two countries.
In a statement, Qassem stated that “the agreement in Washington [entre Israel e Líbano] it is humiliating, shameful and a surrender of sovereignty. This agreement is null and void, and the provisions of the Iran-United States memorandum of understanding must be applied.”
Qassem also accused Lebanese authorities of “legitimizing” the Israeli occupation and called on the government to repent of “its sins, which are ruining Lebanon.” According to the Hezbollah leader, Lebanon “legitimized” the Israeli occupation “for many years”, which “could even lead to the annexation of these lands”.
Framework agreement
This Friday (26), Israel, Lebanon and the United States signed an agreement that establishes the basis for future negotiations in Washington. The content of the document was not disclosed. According to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the objective is to create a basis for “lasting peace and security”.
“We are pleased to announce a framework agreement between the sovereign government of Lebanon and the government of Israel, with the mediation and support of the United States,” Rubio said, and asserted that the treaty establishes “a foundation for lasting peace and security.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the agreement “a first step” toward restoring the country’s sovereignty. The text provides that the Lebanese Armed Forces will reestablish authority over all Lebanese territory until the disarmament of armed groups is verified. It was also decided that the Lebanese Army will take control of two pilot zones, one south and one north of the Litani River.
Shortly after the signing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah hands over its weapons. According to Netanyahu, “the most important thing of all is that Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is an important achievement, and we will maintain it until Hezbollah is disarmed.” Netanyahu also declared that the Army maintains “complete freedom of action” against any threat in the occupied region.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, in turn, stated that the Armed Forces had received instructions to prepare for a “prolonged stay” in the security zone occupied by Israel in southern Lebanon. According to him, “there will be no redeployment of troops by Israel in southern Lebanon, nor withdrawal, until the terrorist organization Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon.”
Katz also threatened to respond if Iran tries to block implementation of the deal. “If Iran tries to attack Israel to prevent the implementation of the agreement, we will act against it with great force,” he declared. The minister added that the agreement represented a “strategic blow to the Iranian axis”.
This Saturday (27), Israeli planes carried out an attack on the city of Nabatieh al Fawqa, in southern Lebanon, according to reports from journalists on the ground and the Lebanese National News Agency. The bombing occurred at around 12:30 pm, Brasília time, after another attack in the vicinity of the city, the day after the agreement was signed.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
