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Last update - 05:55 18/07/2008
ANALYSIS / What does Nasrallah mean by 'defense strategy'?
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Hezbollah, prisoner swap 

In his latest speeches Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah has resumed using the term "defense strategy" in reference to future military action by his organization.

"We are always ready to discuss the defense strategy. We are not afraid of discussion," Nasrallah said in his speech in Beirut Wednesday, "... because Lebanon is not out of danger."

What did he mean? "Defense strategy" is in effect the justification for Hezbollah's continued military activity within Lebanon and vis-a-vis Israel.
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In the domestic sphere, Nasrallah was indicating Hezbollah's response to its political rivals' demand that it disarm or merge with the Lebanese Army, which the organization is loth to do.

The demand to disarm has been increasing since May, when Hezbollah militants attacked rivals from various sects throughout Lebanon.

Nasrallah claims that Hezbollah's weapons are only part of a broad defense system that Lebanon should set up.

On Wednesday he hinted that members of all sects in Lebanon would be required to contribute to the country's defense from now on. He did not say whether he meant that all Lebanese citizens will have to serve in the army, but he made it clear that Hezbollah would continue to act alongside the army as the Shi'ite defense force.

Israel is following Nasrallah's moves and statements closely.

Nasrallah said that now his organization's mission is to free Lebanese lands still occupied by Israel - the Shaba Farm area, Kfar Shuba (Har Dov) and the northern part of Ghajar village, from which Israelis forces did not withdraw after the Second Lebanon War.

Recent reports in the Lebanese media suggest that completing the prisoner exchange with Israel may bring about a change in Hezbollah's military actions.

The Israel Defense Forces, meanwhile, fears that Hezbollah will now seek ways to act against the IDF in Lebanon.

It could attack Israeli military aircraft, ships or soldiers entering Lebanese space or territory, in violation of the UN resolution that ended the 2006 war.

Nasrallah could also use the "defense strategy" to legitimize Hezbollah activity in Lebanese villages.

In the past two years Hezbollah has been bolstering its underground infrastructures in South Lebanon, despite villagers' fears that they could be hurt in a future confrontation.

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      1.   Israeli Forces Shoudn`t Enter Lebanon, A Sovereign State, Anyway 05:04  |  Johan Odin 18/07/08
      2.   I just read a report of George Orwell not spinning in his grave.. 05:27  |  Victor 18/07/08
      3.   Hizballah scores one more time. 05:31  |  Adonis 18/07/08
      4.   Nayeed Hasen Nas-Alllah 05:44  |  Steven 18/07/08
      5.   Suffice to say, Hesbollah has many scores to settle. 06:08  |  Chas. 18/07/08
      6.   Once again Israel applying aggression by being attacked by Hezbo 07:02  |  Dan 18/07/08
      7.   "defense strategy" - just ANOTHER nail in the coffin for 1701 07:16  |  CK Tan 18/07/08
      8.   We should fight them without any other consideration than beat... 08:03  |  Jean Van Daem 18/07/08
      9.   Next time just bomb, no troops 08:14  |  Ilan 18/07/08
      10.   Poor Lebanon: it can`t shake off this Hizbullah cancer 08:30  |  Samuel Prime 18/07/08
      11.   Nasrallah did. and hewill do it again... 08:37  |  bashar 18/07/08
      12.   Nasrallah`s Defense Strategy 09:02  |  Yosemite 18/07/08
      13.   End of Zionism 09:20  |  petr vojta 18/07/08
      14.   HEZBOLLAH CAN TAKE OVER LEBANESE ARMY 09:39  |  Arik Silverman 18/07/08
      15.   Israel is good at providing causes celebres 09:41  |  Clickfool 18/07/08
      16.   Israel still occupies parts of Lebanon 10:24  |  Natallie Durson 18/07/08
      17.   INDICT OLMERT NOW! No further proof needed 10:27  |  Dolly 18/07/08
      18.   RATS LIKE JUMBLATT, HARIRIE, SINIORA ETC. 10:58  |  indrajaya 18/07/08
      19.   PLEASE CLICKFOOL, LOOK A LITTLE BIT FARTHER... 11:14  |  MOSHEH 18/07/08
      20.   GEOGRAPHIC PRECISION FOR NATALIE DURSON... 11:24  |  MOSHEH 18/07/08
      21.   Cycle of violence 11:31  |  FreeOne 18/07/08
      22.   `to number 8 11:55  |  jimmy 18/07/08
      23.   There you go then 12:08  |  Chris Linthwaite 18/07/08
      24.   To Jean Van Daem # 8 You Cannot while Olmert stays 12:41  |  Dolly 18/07/08
      25.   Clickfool #15 and Natalie #16 12:57  |  GSW 18/07/08
      26.   Geographic precision: they live in delusion 13:22  |  Ilan 18/07/08
      27.   #18 indrajaya 13:27  |  Recep 18/07/08
      28.   number 25 13:35  |  Sami 18/07/08
      29.   Withdrawn GSW? 13:44  |  Bernie 18/07/08
      30.   on violating UN resolutions 13:55  |  rafael 18/07/08
      31.   To Jean 14:24  |  Alan 18/07/08
      32.   How deep is the rat hole 14:32  |  Sabra 18/07/08
      33.   A curious piece of logic by GSW # 25 14:35  |  Clickfool 18/07/08
      34.   Dear John Odius: it was interesting to hear 14:44  |  Star of David 18/07/08
      35.   Nasrallah 14:59  |  David 18/07/08
      36.   Iran has taken over in the Lebannon 15:34  |  ScotGuy 18/07/08
      37.   Clickfool, Hezbo terrorists are good at inventing causes celebres 15:59  |  Dan 18/07/08
      38.   Natallie Durson, can you quote the UN decision on your claim? 15:59  |  Dan 18/07/08
      39.   # 27, RECEP 16:15  |  indrajaya 18/07/08
      40.   Defense: Nasrallah unafraid of TALK and DISCUSS strategy. 16:19  |  The Archives 18/07/08
      41.   # 32, SABRA 16:20  |  indrajaya 18/07/08
      42.   Clickfool # 33 16:42  |  GSW 18/07/08
      43.   PLAIN AND SIMPLE;HE MEANS THE SHABA FARMS AND MORE MURDER;HE WILL 16:51  |  glenna 18/07/08
      44.   Who owns Sheeba 16:51  |  GSW 18/07/08
      45.   Hizbullah needs to score more points 16:57  |  Palestinian 18/07/08
      46.   Where in the resolution 17:07  |  Dave Duncan 18/07/08
      47.   bashar,if nASSrallah does it again,israel will do it again also! 17:29  |  terrornator 18/07/08
      48.   "villagers` fears ": HOW CONCERNED IS THE ZIONST WRITER FOR ARABS 17:38  |  JACKAL 18/07/08
      49.   Defense Strategy 17:43  |  ED 18/07/08
      50.   Looking for rationality in the Madman`s utterings 17:50  |  Sima 18/07/08
      51.   The defence strategy to keep Olmert and Barak in power 18:04  |  Sal 18/07/08
      52.   Nasrallah`s REAL "strategy" 18:12  |  Jimmy 18/07/08
      53.   Israel has a Weapon it knows not of, He will be there when she 18:33  |  Palestinian boy 18/07/08
      54.   #9 Ilan - US, EU, Iran, rest of world paying the 5 billion 18:39  |  Pablo B 18/07/08
      55.   #14 Arik - many Leb Army being trained by US/EU also hezb 18:55  |  Pablo B 18/07/08
      56.   GSW, Chebaa belongs to Lebanon 19:10  |  Bernie 18/07/08
      57.   Lebanese getting what they deserve-a Shite dictatorship 19:10  |  Voice of Reason 18/07/08
      58.   Resolution 1701 is a little Murky - Dave 19:17  |  Bernie 18/07/08
      59.   #35 GSW - UN about to publish the answer to Shebba Farms 19:17  |  Pablo B 18/07/08
      60.   For "Palestinian Boy" # 44 19:56  |  Clickfool 18/07/08
      61.   Defensive Strategy? 21:01  |  P. J. Casey 18/07/08
      62.   #10 Samuel Prime 21:04  |  ballistic 18/07/08
      63.   #26 Say Illan 21:08  |  ballistic 18/07/08
      64.   #35 GSW, well, for sure Israel doesn`t own it! 21:11  |  ballistic 18/07/08
      65.   what Nasrallah means by defense strategy 21:12  |  jj 18/07/08
      66.   #30 Rafael 21:16  |  ballistic 18/07/08
      67.   #35 Pablo, you certainly see clearly! 21:19  |  ballistic 18/07/08
      68.   Natali Durson hopes 21:37  |  arik 18/07/08
      69.   Hezbanon 21:57  |  Harry 18/07/08
      70.   what makes the Israelis bitter 22:14  |  Tony, Lebanese 18/07/08
      71.