Hezbollah to discuss national defense strategy

Hezbollah's deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said Sunday that his party is ready to discuss different views of a national defense strategy in national dialogue sessions due to begin Monday. “We have a theory of how the defense strategy should be and we are ready to discuss it,” Qassem said during a ceremony in south Lebanon. “Others should put forward their own vision for a strategy and when we convince each other, we can agree on an overall strategy that serves Lebanon’s interests,” he added. The National Dialogue, stalled since November 2012, is slated to resume Monday between representatives of rival parties including Hezbollah, the Future Movement and Kataeb. The Lebanese Forces has announced that, barring unexpected positive developments, it will refrain from participating in the dialogue, which it fears will be a waste of time. President Michel Sleiman, who will chair the session, has said that the dialogue will discuss a national defense strategy that would benefit from Hezbollah’s arsenal and resolve the question of arms currently outside the jurisdiction of the state. Qassem said that a national defense strategy should be based on social cohesion, Lebanon’s strength and the tripartite formula of the “the people, the army, and the resistance.” “This defense strategy would place arms in their proper place, which is defense of the country. Such a strategy would also ensure a strong Lebanon, not a weak one led by others,” said Qassem who voiced his party’s support for taking the country from a state of chaos to one of stability. The Hezbollah official also outlined the components he believes are necessary for the establishment of a strong state: a new electoral system based on proportional representation, preventing Lebanon from becoming a pawn in others’ hands, confronting Israeli threats and occupation, and serving the people via social and economic development projects.