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Last update - 01:29 14/03/2009
Nasrallah vows Hezbollah will never recognize Israel
By Haaretz Service
Tags: israel news, britain 

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah vowed on Friday that his organization will never recognize Israel.

In a speech delivered from his secret hiding place and beamed via video to thousands of Hezbollah followers in Lebanon, Nasrallah said his organization will never officially accept Israel, which in his words represents "a rapacious, racist, and illegal entity."

"We are strong and we are capable," Nasrallah said. "If we will stand on our feet, we can destroy this entity."
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"As long as this rapacious entity exists, then resistance is our honor and our lives," Nasrallah added, imploring all Arabs and Muslims to adhere to the same path.

The Hezbollah chief also commented on the possibility of future talks with the United States in light of recent reports that Britain plans on reaching out to the political wing of the Lebanon-based Shi'ite movement.

"The United States is ready now to talk with any party, not out of a sense of morality, but because it failed in its attempts to implement its plans in the region," Nasrallah said. "It failed in its plan to conduct regime change in Syria and it failed in stopping Iran."

"The American plan to liquidate the resistance will fail in the same way," Nasrallah continued. "Generally speaking, before the U.S. lists its conditions for negotiations, we must ask ourselves if we want to hold contacts with it."

The Hezbollah chief also said he was supportive of Palestinian efforts to reach inter-factional consensus as part of the reconciliation talks currently being held in Egypt.

"The inner-Palestinian dialogue in Cairo is deserving of widespread support," Nasrallah said. "We in Hezbollah are joining all those who are calling on the Palestinian to make every effort to arrive at unity and cooperation."

Nasrallah also criticized voices in the moderate camp of Arab states that accuse Iran of sowing division in the region and for contributing to the plight of the Palestinians through its support for Hamas.

"We as Arabs must reach out with support and friendship and not accuse states like Iran and Turkey in harming the rights of Arabs," he said.

Report: U.S. slams renewed ties between Britain, Hezbollah

A senior official in the Obama administration said the United States disagrees with Britain's decision to renew contact with the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

The New York Times reported on Friday that the official, who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity, said the British government had informed the "previous administration" of its decision.

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office last Thursday said it was re-establishing contact with the political wing of the Lebanese militant group,as part of an effort to press the militant organization to disarm.

The official also said that the U.S. would like Britain to explain "the difference between the political, social and military wings of Hezbollah because we don't see the difference between the integrated leadership that they see."

Britain ceased contact with members of Hezbollah in 2005, and listed Hezbollah's military wing as a proscribed terrorist organization last year.

However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said last week that it had reconsidered its position following political developments in Lebanon.

"We have reconsidered the position...in light of more positive developments within Lebanon," Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell told a parliamentary committee last week. "For that reason we have explored establishing contacts."

Rammell said he was referring to the formation in July last year of a unity government in which Hezbollah and its allies hold effective veto power, as agreed under a deal that ended a paralyzing political conflict in the country.

"We will look to have further discussions and our overriding objective within that is to press Hezbollah to play a more constructive role, particularly to move away from violence," Rammell said.

The move could be significant because Britain, the United States and other powers are locked in a dispute with Iran, Hezbollah's backers, over its nuclear program.

The U.S. State Department said last Friday that it has not changed its stance regarding Hezbollah, and that it feels the time is not right for renewed contacts with the Lebanon-based militant group.

The U.S. also said it would closely follow developments between Britain and Hezbollah.

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      1.   An interesting development. 15:14  |  Stephen. 13/03/09
      2.   This simply shows the level the Brits have sunk to 15:18  |  Christopher 13/03/09
      3.   What`s to lose? NOT talking to Hezbollah has achieved nothing 15:20  |  Michael 13/03/09
      4.   US Slams UK Hezbollah ties 16:05  |  DT 13/03/09
      5.   They want to pressure Hezbollah to disarm 16:11  |  CommonSense 13/03/09
      6.   Gutless britian 16:15  |  Robert 13/03/09
      7.   US SLAMS UK 16:27  |  Avi 13/03/09
      8.   What a deceptive title 16:34  |  Manhattanite 13/03/09
      9.   mesagge to America: Lead, follow, or get out of the way 16:45  |  Natallie Durson 13/03/09
      10.   You can`t make progress without talking 16:55  |  mosdave 13/03/09
      11.   Anglo-Saxon attitudes to Hezbollah 17:03  |  Mod 13/03/09
      12.   Anglo-Saxon attitudes to Hezbollah 17:08  |  Mod 13/03/09
      13.   Free Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland from the English 18:00  |  Michael 13/03/09
      14.   British freedom to have a Foreign Policy 18:10  |  Mike 13/03/09
      15.   So what? Hezbollah is not labeled in Europe anyway 18:12  |  fritz t. 13/03/09
      16.   It"s none of the US`s business. 18:28  |  Yom Clark 13/03/09
      17.   Sharia Law coming to a European city near you. 18:34  |  4:20 13/03/09
      18.   The Eliot Abrams View Prevails - No Positive Discussion 19:09  |  chet 13/03/09
      19.   A paralyzing political conflict in the country. 19:09  |  Ben 13/03/09
      20.   Why America can`t cope 19:16  |  Mark Lincoln 13/03/09
      21.   Eurabia rearing its ugly head yest again... 19:24  |  Mongo 13/03/09
      22.   Britain appeases its growing Moslem populaton. US learns lesson? 19:25  |  common sense 13/03/09
      23.   In UK,double and triple-seater baby buggies are all over towns 19:28  |  Census Watcher 13/03/09
      24.   America, bring first your own ("moral") house in order..... 19:30  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/09
      25.   A response from Britain? 19:34  |  Elina 13/03/09
      26.   Wrong then, wrong now, right later 20:13  |  Morris Valentine 13/03/09
      27.   Hezbollah 20:18  |  Jean-Paul Walshaw 13/03/09
      28.   Lets all try to understand, rather than condem. 20:28  |  Stephen. 13/03/09
      29.   this is not surprising,it`s just a matter of time before the 20:37  |  too bad 13/03/09
      30.   #3 20:39  |  Adam 13/03/09
      31.   Adam - stupid statement! 21:07  |  Palestinian Brit 13/03/09
      32.   More contradictions from the Obama administration..... 21:49  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/09
      33.   To #9 21:59  |  American 13/03/09
      34.   Yes. we in the UK have a real sense of humanity 22:07  |  H 13/03/09
      35.   Renewed ties 22:42  |  Elina 13/03/09
      36.   Collaboration 23:01  |  Baruch Gold 13/03/09
      37.   This from the people who brought us Lord Neville Chamberlain 23:06  |  MichaelF 13/03/09
      38.   wrong step by uk government 23:30  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 13/03/09
      39.   #5, Morris Valentine 23:34  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 13/03/09
      40.   After the amount of times that US 23:34  |  kiwi girl 13/03/09
      41.   Should Zionism now be put on the 23:49  |  kiwi girl 13/03/09
      42.   The UK 23:50  |  Sabra 13/03/09
      43.   To #3 Yom Clark 23:55  |  Andy 13/03/09
      44.   Actually the decision to talk to 00:02  |  Elizabeth Regina 14/03/09
      45.   Not the Great Britain we used to know 00:21  |  Nano 14/03/09
      46.   Britain has no choice 00:51  |  ottomatik 14/03/09
      47.   Nasrallah and Hitler 01:30  |  Brod 14/03/09
      48.   you better get nukes Israel 01:33  |  POP 14/03/09
      49.   Hezbollah - Israel`s nightmare 01:42  |  Mandelarab 14/03/09
      50.   kiwi girl stop occupation of others land and go home. 01:44  |  mirror 14/03/09
      51.   above 01:44  |  moishe 14/03/09
      52.   Salaam #3 01:49  |  Z 14/03/09
      53.   To Kiwi Girl (#11) 01:51  |  Jake 14/03/09
      54.   Wasn`t Hezbollah created to fight Israeli occupation of Lebanon? 01:58  |  Robin 14/03/09
      55.   kiwigirl 02:02  |  Lisse 14/03/09
      56.   Nasrallah talks 02:05  |  Arnold 14/03/09
      57.   "rapacious, racist, illegal entity" 02:17  |  Nathan 14/03/09
      58.   #11 kiwi`s list 02:20  |  SG 14/03/09
      59.   To Adam 02:27  |  M 14/03/09
      60.   Hez 02:33  |  David 14/03/09
      61.   `Resisting` what exactly? 02:33  |  Dan 14/03/09
      62.   Mark my words, this man will bring a disaster to Lebanon 02:35  |  Dan 14/03/09
      63.   #2 02:35  |  David 14/03/09
      64.   Morrsi Valentine # 5 Great Britain is not called Great for 02:43  |  American in NY 14/03/09
      65.   Morris # 5 Great Britain is not called Great for no reason 02:48  |  American in NY 14/03/09
      66.   Where are you Nassralla? 02:56  |  Ariel 14/03/09
      67.   Lisse # 20 There are Jewish terrorists as well 02:58  |  American in NY 14/03/09
      68.   To #10 03:01  |  Danny 14/03/09
      69.   Hezbo`d beware.....I`m a comin` 03:12  |  `Doc` Holiday 14/03/09
      70.   #34 American to this day there was no conclusive evidence 03:14  |  BIG SUR 14/03/09
      71.   Some listings of Known Arab TERRORISTS PROVEN TO BE TERRORISTS TO 03:20  |  Big Sur 14/03/09
      72.   H #10 You forgot the humanitarian aid noted Israeli Dr`s @ Darfur 03:22  |  Big Sur 14/03/09
      73.   Robin # 21 Partly 03:24  |  Jeff Northridge 14/03/09
      74.   Israel & terrorism 03:24  |  Le Corbeau 14/03/09
      75.   To # 33 03:26  |  Danny 14/03/09
      76.   Hitler`s 3rd Reich was also to last 1000 years! 03:26  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 14/03/09
      77.   #36 Danny , do they still Burn Crosses in Texas? 03:32  |  Big Sur 14/03/09
      78.   nasrallh is lieing again,he and hezbollah are both obsessed with 03:57  |  he`s wrong again 14/03/09
      79.   Adam talk reality for a change #3 04:16  |  Palestinian Prince 14/03/09
      80.   Ariel you`re calling Nasrallah a coward for being underground? 04:19  |  ELIAS KHOURY 14/03/09
      81.   No enemy of the Jewish people has ever outlived the Jewish people 04:23  |  Fortuna Benmayor 14/03/09
      82.   Nathan - NYC 04:24  |  Alex 14/03/09
      83.   The UK 04:35  |  The Gentile 14/03/09
      84.   Nasrallah`s speech - rejecting UK 04:35  |  Reid 14/03/09
      85.   Nasrallah`s speech - rejecting UK 04:44  |  Reid 14/03/09
      86.   Where did Nazy get the idea Israel WANTS recognition? 04:50  |  Conroy 14/03/09
      87.   The resistence is a lie 05:08  |  Alfredo 14/03/09
      88.   Peace through strength, Nasrallah got my vote 05:19  |  Joe 14/03/09
      89.   Hate and terror in the name of resistance 05:25  |  JOZEF 14/03/09
      90.   Hate is not allowed and that what he spreads 05:34  |  Deba 14/03/09
      91.   Israeli haters inc, here you have it 06:13  |  Dan 14/03/09
      92.   Nasrallah stating the obvious & the most expected. 06:17  |  Akram Zekaria 14/03/09
      93.   Enough already with this genocidal broken record 06:19  |  Dan 14/03/09
      94.   Nothing to offer 06:25  |  John 14/03/09
      95.   Nazrallah is scared... 06:27  |  lola 14/03/09
      96.   We don`t need Nasrallah recognizing the sun either. 06:44  |  Moshe 14/03/09
      97.   Nasralla, declares that he will destroy Israel 06:50  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 14/03/09
      98.   95~ lola "Nazrallah is scared". 06:53  |  Akram Zekaria 14/03/09
      99.   To American on voting women 06:54  |  utagawa 14/03/09
      100.   Hizbullah is a private revolutionary movement controlled by Iran 06:57  |  Jean Van Daem 14/03/09
      101.   nasrallah 07:12  |  zoe 14/03/09
      102.   MichaelF - we also brought you Balfour 07:49  |  Palestinian Brit 14/03/09
      103.   Way to Be Britania! 07:50  |  Brad 14/03/09
      104.   Joe 07:52  |  Brad 14/03/09
      105.   Kiwi Girl 08:01  |  Brad 14/03/09
      106.   kiwi girl-#40 your double standards and hypocrisy are amazing 09:03  |  Daniel Leopold 14/03/09
      107.   Ariel # 66 10:02  |  Abby 14/03/09
      108.   Nasrallahs speech or the ability to read between the lines.... 10:11  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/03/09
      109.   More of Nasrallah and Hamas words, to some neutral observers. 10:21  |  Sceptic 14/03/09
      110.   "Try to do the best out of this statement" 11:10  |  Democratic warrior 14/03/09
      111.   Reading or hallucinating between the lines? 11:15  |  Sceptic 14/03/09
      112.   At least, he voiced clearly the arab racist mainstream out 11:51  |  Daniel 14/03/09
      113.   Nasrallah: The man Israelis love to hate 12:23  |  Natallie Durson 14/03/09
      114.   Lebanon is Hezbahlastan, Hezbahlastan is Lebanon 12:33  |  Jack 14/03/09
      115.   WHY SHOULD HE RECOGNIZE ISRAEL? 12:43  |  indrajaya 14/03/09
      116.   THE hiding" Hawk of Lebanon" must be getting worried about 13:11  |  PETER SM 14/03/09
      117.   #53 Jake 13:14  |  Lucee 14/03/09
      118.   #109 Sceptic, there is a reason why smart people..... 13:18  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/03/09
      119.   Nothing but a campaign speech 13:19  |  Lucee 14/03/09
      120.   Is Nasrallahs speech coming from thePolitical Wing or Terror Wing 13:24  |  Alan SA 14/03/09
      121.   Answer to Indrajaya 13:28  |  Democratic warrior 14/03/09
      122.   INDRAJAYA. 14:11  |  DANNY. 14/03/09
      123.   Iran will not be a theocracy forwever. 15:48  |  Mary p 14/03/09
      124.   Nasrallah in distress? 15:50  |  Nano 14/03/09
      125.   To #43 02:07  |  Kalle 15/03/09
      126.   Indrajaya-#115-Why should he recognize Israel 02:18  |  Daniel Leopold 15/03/09
      127.   let me see now,are the nations going to rebuild lebanon after 03:49  |  glenna 15/03/09
      128.   ISREAL 18:08  |  JAN 05/04/09
      129.   D.T. and remark about Ireland 17:43  |  JAN 12/04/09
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