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BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Hezbollah opposition chief declared “open
war” on Israel on Thursday as hundreds of thousands of government
supporters filled central Beirut to remember slain ex-premier Rafiq
Hariri.
In Washington meanwhile, US President George W.
Bush called for an end to foreign influence in the country.
“Zionists, if you want this kind of open war,
then let the whole world listen: Let this war be open,” Hassan
Nasrallah said at the funeral of top Hezbollah commander Imad
Mughnieh, killed in Damascus on Tuesday by a car bombing blamed on
Israel.
“The blood of Imad Mughnieh will contribute to
the disappearance of the Jewish state,” said Nasrallah, whose
fighters claimed victory in the devastating July-August 2006 war
against Israel. “You killed him outside our natural battleground.
Our battleground with you is on Lebanese territory and you have
overstepped the border.”
Israel has welcomed Mughnieh’s killing but
denied any involvement. Military radio there said Nasrallah was
openly threatening Israeli targets abroad, and the antiterrorism
office urged Israelis abroad to take extra precautions.
On a visit to Washington, Israeli Foreign
Minister Tzipi Livni played down the threat.
Israel is a strong state, the Jewish people are
strong and our answer to terror is clear. Statements by this or that
terrorist won’t change this and we are not panicking,” she said.
Israeli chief of staff Lieutenant General Gaby
Ashkenazi earlier “ordered land, air and naval forces on alert to
ensure defense of the northern border and of other interests in the
country.”
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack
described the threat as alarming. “Hezbollah has a long record of
carrying out violent acts, acts of terrorism around the globe,” he
added.
-- AFP
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