Sayyed Nasrallah hails group for protecting Lebanon

Addressing people in a televised speech from the eastern town of Hermel, Sayyed Nasrallah stated that security must be beefed up inside Lebanon in order to allow people run a normal life and let job opportunities emerge and economy flourish.

He described the recent activities of Takfiri terrorist groups in the restive Beqaa Valley as a source of grave concern, stating that both the Lebanese government and nation must shoulder their share of responsibilities to establish security there.

“Some of the developments are related to economic situation and standard of living, but poverty is not the primary motive behind crimes but greed. If we go back to the root causes of crimes in Lebanon, we see that there are many and varied reasons. It is simplistic to assume that the reason for killings and security incidents in our region is the economic and living conditions,” Nasrallah pointed out.

He called upon the Lebanese government to honor its duties regarding the Beqaa region, and round up the provocateurs and criminals.

Hezbollah fighters have been engaged in clashes with Takfiri militants operating in the Beqaa Valley for months, and Nasrallah vowed last July that members of his movement would work to ensure security in the embattled region.

Turing to the Lebanese political developments, the Hezbollah chief also stated on Thursday that his group is in close contact with the Amal (Hope) Movement, and that the two sides have reached consensus on a host of major political issues.

He expressed hope that a new chapter would open in Lebanon’s politics, where all sides would undertake endeavors to work out solutions to domestic issues.

Lebanon has been without a president for more than two years, when the term of last president, Michel Suleiman, came to an end in May 2014.

The Lebanese parliament has so far been unsuccessful to pick a president because the two-third quorum needed to hold a vote has yet to be gained. The parliament will convene on October 31 for the 46th session to elect the president.

Hezbollah has accused Saudi Arabia of opposing political initiatives and obstructing the election of a president in Lebanon.