Hezbollah, FPM try to contain fallout after war of words
It appears that the political leaderships of Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement have intervened to “contain the fallout and prevent a deeper rift,” following the latest war of words between the two parties, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper has reported.
Sources close to Hezbollah told the daily that "despite the heated dispute that broke out, the relationship between the two parties remains intact." They noted that the visit made by a Hezbollah delegation to Bassil in early September was characterized by a good and positive atmosphere, during which Bassil raised the possibility of resuming meetings and coming up with a new shared vision to navigate the upcoming period.
The sources pointed out that "following Bassil’s recent statements, a reaction ensued from (Hezbollah official Nawaf) al-Moussawi, given that the positions taken by the head of the Free Patriotic Movement were deemed unacceptable by Hezbollah's popular base." However, they stressed that "both sides are keen on overcoming what happened, and efforts are currently underway to achieve that."
FPM deputy head Naji Hayek meanwhile confirmed to the newspaper that "parliamentary communication continues -- even with our political opponents -- and will continue with Hezbollah despite the current exchange of insults between the supporters of both parties."
"We do not burn bridges with anyone, but we say what needs to be said at the appropriate time without sugarcoating. We realize that some will be displeased by our frankness, but at the end of the day, that is their problem, not ours," Hayek said.
He also reaffirmed the FPM’s "openness to dialogue with everyone without exception, unless there are parties that refuse to engage in dialogue and communication with us."
Moussawi and MP Hassan Fadlallah had recently snapped back at Bassil, after he criticized Hezbollah over its recent two wars with Israel.
Bassil has infuriated Hezbollah and its supporters by saying that they are still present in the wake of the latest two wars with Israel but have become “destitute, displaced, emigrant and bankrupt.”
“Unfortunately, a large portion of our people have fallen into surrender and despair … Is this the outcome? Is this the victory that we want?” Bassil added.
“I’m blaming Hezbollah because it implicated us in a war that we should not have engaged in, because it is not managing to get out of it and because it is not helping us to get out of it,” the FPM chief and former Hezbollah ally added.
Moussawi commented on Bassil's recent remarks by saying: "I am certain that no one in Lebanon likes this person; only (slain Hezbollah chief) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah used to tolerate him, and his words are disgraceful."
Source: Naharnet
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