Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-lebanon-hezbollah13-2009apr13,0,5664917.story
Hizbullah No. 2: Same Leadership Directs Political and Military Wings
[Los Angeles Times] Borzou Daragahi - On one point, the U.S. agrees with Hizbullah's No. 2 leader, Naim Qassem, and not such allies as Britain. Neither Qassem nor Washington distinguish between the Shiite militant group's political wing, which has members serving in the Lebanese Cabinet and parliament, and its military wing, preparing for the next round of battle against Israel. "Hizbullah has a single leadership," said the 57-year-old cleric in a rare interview with an American reporter recently. "All political, social and jihad work is tied to the decisions of this leadership," he said. "The same leadership that directs the parliamentary and government work also leads jihad actions in the struggle against Israel."