Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat – Hezbollah parliamentary sources have called on “all those cited by the WikiLeaks documents…whether they are members of the March 14 Alliance or March 8 Alliance, to resign from politics.”
In a telephone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, sources revealed that “those mentioned in the WikiLeaks documents have become a burden on the internal [political] scene.” The source also stressed that “all of the campaigns against Hezbollah – whether these were initiated by some of our political allies or opponents – are part of the campaign to impose a blockade against Hezbollah, domestically, regionally, and internationally.”
The source added that “some of the statements issued by some of [Hezbollah’s] allies can be explained and understood in a different manner than that in which it was leaked; however it can only be viewed in one way by the general public, and particularly the Shiite community.”
The latest WikiLeaks documents dealt with the relationship between the two Shiite allies, Hezbollah and the Amal movement. A number of MPs and government ministers belonging to the Liberation and Development bloc – led by Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri – directly criticized Hezbollah, its strategy, and its possession of arms.
A leaked US embassy cable published by WikiLeaks also revealed that in 2006 Lebanese Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalifa had informed then US Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman that Hezbollah could find itself in a position to exert control over a large portion of the Sunni population, adding that this would be a “nightmare scenario.” He also stressed that should Syria fail to reach an agreement with the international commission of inquiry, with regards to the Hariri tribunal, then “Hezbollah will make our lives hell.” He said that should this happen, this will see the country returning to car bombs and terrorist attacks, whilst it would allow Syria to utilize its Palestinian agents and its sleeper agents in Lebanon. Khalifa also criticized Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, telling Feltman that he believes himself to be “greater than Salaheddine and all of us.”
In a separate meeting with then US Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, WikiLeaks revealed that Development and Liberation bloc MP Ali Osseiran also criticized Hezbollah and its leader. Osseiran described Hezbollah as an Iranian agent, and said that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had efficiently got rid of all Shiite opposition, placing Hezbollah in a position of regional importance.
Immediately following the publication of the leaked US diplomatic cables, the Amal movement issued a statement saying that what was published “was part of an exposed political conspiracy that previously failed, and which will fail to achieve its objectives today.” The Amal movement statement added that “this campaign relies upon security cables and statements,
The Amal movement statement also said that this campaign has so far avoided directly targeting Hezbollah except by addressing its possession of arms, and has therefore shifted its attack to the Amal movement and its leadership. The Amal movement said that it will remain at the helm of the resistance and will continue to demand Lebanese stability and security.