BICOM

In a rare public appearance, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah yesterday emphasised his organisation’s commitment to upholding the Assad regime in Syria and alleged Israel and some Arab countries are coordinating positions against Iran.

Yesterday, Nasrallah addressed a large crowd in southern Beirut to mark the religious ceremony of Ashura. He said Hezbollah fighters will remain in Syria, “As long as the reasons [to be there] remain,” saying “Our fighters are present on Syrian soil… to confront all the dangers it faces from the international, regional… attack on this country and region.” Hezbollah has fought side by side with Syrian troops loyal to President Assad, most notably recapturing the town of Qusair earlier this year, viewed as a serious blow to opposition groups.

Earlier this week, Hezbollah fighters helped Assad’s forces recapture a southern Damascus suburb. AFP says Nasrallah explained Hezbollah would defend Assad, because Syria “supports the resistance” against Israel.

In a similar speech on Wednesday, Nasrallah accused Israel and Arab countries of being in league to scupper an interim deal between the international community and Iran. In what appeared to be a reference to Sunni countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, which have also expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear programme. Nasrallah said, “These countries…strongly oppose any accord between Iran and the [international] countries” commenting “It is regrettable that some Arab countries take the Israeli side in its murderous choices. It is regrettable that [the Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is the spokesman for some Arab countries.” Nasrallah reaffirmed Hezbollah’s geopolitical position, saying “We have two allies – Iran and Syria. We are sure of that alliance.”