Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made statements regarding the new era that began with the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria. Qassem stated that Israel's seizure of a buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights is evidence that Syria is facing a "dangerous expansionist enemy," and he expressed hope that the new government would see Israel as an "enemy" and would not normalize relations with it. "THE SYRIAN PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT"Expressing expectations for cooperation between the peoples and governments of Syria and Lebanon, Qassem stated that Hezbollah cannot judge the opposition forces in Syria until the situation in the country stabilizes. In his speech, the Hezbollah leader said, "We hope that all parties and forces will be included in the new government to be established in Syria. The Syrian people have the right to choose their own government and constitution." Qassem also noted that Hezbollah has lost its military supply route through Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, stating, "We will seek other routes."
|