I support the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in southern Lebanon and the boosting of the existing UNIFIL forces, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a recorded televised address broadcast on the group's al-Manar network on Wednesday night.
Nasrallah during Wednesday's televised address.
Photo: Channel 2
"In the past we used to oppose or not agree on deployment of the army at the borders ... because we were concerned about the army. ... We agree on deployment of the army, but do not hide our fear for it," Nasrallah said.
"The army could be destroyed within few days," he said.
Nasrallah also warned all Israeli Arabs to leave the port city of Haifa so the gurrilla organization could step up attacks without fear of shedding the blood of fellow Muslims.
"I have a special message to the Arabs of Haifa, to your martyrs and to your wounded. I call you to leave this city. I hope you do this. ... Please leave so we don't shed your blood, which is our blood."
The cleric also rejected a proposed international peacekeeping force for the region, saying it was not clear from whom they would be taking orders.
"This (the Lebanese army deployment) is the better and more convenient alternative than deployment of international troops. We don't know whose orders they will be taking," he said.
Nasrallah said that southern Lebanon would turn into a "graveyard" for IDF soldiers.
He demanded of Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora not to give in to American pressure.
Nasrallah called the US-French draft cease-fire plan was "unfair and unjust " and said his guerrilla fighters would "keep fighting to the last shot."
"The least we can describe this (draft resolution) is as unfair and unjust. It has given Israel more than it wanted and more than it was looking for," he said.
