Tufayli: Hezbollah fighters in Syria not martyrs

Former Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah Subhi al-Tufayli has claimed that members of the party killed in the Syrian war are not martyrs. Al-Tufayli said he is certain that the party is playing an active part in Syria, and added that Syrian Shiites do not need help or protection from anyone. "We caused their current problems. Sayeda Zeinab does not need people who protect them," he said. He accused Hezbollah of defending the ruling regime in Syria and covering its crimes, adding that the party should bear the responsibility of those Shiites who have been killed in Syria. He criticised young Lebanese people who are fighting in Syria instead of joining the resistance against Israel, warning that Israel is "the biggest beneficiary" from the current Syrian conflict.   "I would support the oppressed Syrian people and children right now. I would do my best to prevent the sedition between Sunnis and Shiites." He said that Hezbollah members involved in killing children or intimidating the Syrian people are not martyrs. Discussing Lebanon's role, he said Lebanese political arena was lacking in "ethics and taboos." "Lebanon suffers from a state of insecurity. If state performs its role, we would not need the weapons," he stressed.