Fadlallah: Moghnieh martyrdom will not discourage us

Source: Daily Star, 16-02-2008
BEIRUT: Senior Muslim-Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah lashed out at the United States on Friday accusing it of obstructing "any sort of solution" to the 14-month-old political deadlock in Lebanon. "The US has worked on weakening the Arab initiative aimed at solving the crisis in Lebanon and stirring political as well as sectarian tensions among the Lebanese," Fadlallah said during his Friday sermon at the Imam Hassanayn Mosque in Haret Hreik.
The Arab three-point plan calls for electing the head of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) General Michel Suleiman as president, the formation of a national unity government, and the drafting of a new electoral law for the 2009 parliamentary poll.
"The situation in Lebanon is going from bad to worse and the US and its Lebanese allies should be held responsible for the deadlock in Lebanon," he said.
Fadlallah added that the Lebanese live "in a state of fear and uncertainty because they no longer stand united."
"The Lebanese fear that violence might resume, especially due to foreign interference in our little country's internal affairs and politicians don't seem to care any longer," Fadlallah said. "Politicians follow their own interests while the Lebanese are hungry and suffering."
Speaking about top Hizbullah commander Imad Moghnieh who was assassinated in Damascus late Tuesday night, the Sayyed said Moghnieh's death "does not in any way imply the death of the resistance."
"Imad Moghnieh has made major contributions to our fight against "Israel" but his death will not discourage us," he added.