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Last update - 13:18 03/07/2008 ANALYSIS / Hezbollah using swap deal as quick fix for problems at home By Zvi Bar'el Tags: israel, hassan nasrallah  Why was Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah so anxious Wednesday to report the signing of the prisoner exchange? And why doesn't he provide details on the abducted Israeli soldiers? Nasrallah's distrust in the Israeli government, even after the cabinet approved the deal, apparently lies behind his insistence on staying mum. But announcing a done deal makes Israel responsible for any deviation. The timing of Nasrallah's announcement is related to the harsh criticism being voiced by his political rivals at home. "Isn't signing this agreement tantamount to indirect negotiations with Israel?" former president Amin Gemayel goaded Nasrallah. So the Hezbollah chief saw an opportunity to show his organization in a positive light against the background of efforts to forge a national unity government and the justified argument that he is responsible for the Lebanon's political paralysis. It's hard to say anything bad about the man who frees prisoners. Advertisement Nasrallah Wednesday termed the agreement a "new victory" for all Lebanese and even offered to open a political dialogue with his rivals. Characterizing the agreement as an Arab and Muslim victory was aimed at his rivals in the Arab and Muslim world. Uncharacteristically, he detailed the release of the Palestinian and Arab prisoners and Israel's opposition. "The release of Palestinian and Arab prisoners was a principle we worked on in the negotiations," he said, adding that it was agreed that he would send a letter to the secretary general of the United Nations asking for his help in releasing them. The implication is that Israel will release Palestinian and Arab prisoners without specifying names and the exact number - as a gesture to the UN head. And then Nasrallah can take credit. Some argue that as the chapter of the Lebanese prisoners comes to an end, and in view of the Lebanese government's demand to transfer the disputed Shaba Farms to UN control, Nasrallah is likely to lose his pretext for armed struggle - and that could lead to demands for Hezbollah's disarmament. He took care of that Wednesday. After the full liberation of Lebanon (including Israel's withdrawal from Shaba Farms), Nasrallah said he will have to use arms to defend Lebanon from future aggression. Thus, Nasrallah declared that the Lebanese Army is not capable of getting the job done, and that Lebanon's real military force vis-a-vis Israel is Hezbollah. Related articles: Nasrallah: Our report contains firm conclusion on Ron Arad's fate Survey: Nasrallah is the most admired leader in the Arab world Britain tightens ban on Hezbollah to cover military wing Bookmark to del.icio.us   Photoshopped launch Did Iran doctor an image of its provocative missile test launch? 'Hitler was a good boss' Nazi bodyguard describes the fuhrer's last moments in a Berlin bunker.   1.   Israeli moves playing in hizbollah hands 06:56  |  lebanese-american 03/07/08   2.   To people of Lebanon: shame on you!! 07:39  |  VLAD 03/07/08   3.   Nasrallah saved Lebanon from Israeli settlers 07:45  |  Natallie Durson 03/07/08   4.   jews should be thankful for nasrallah 08:38  |  tea man 03/07/08   5.   To #3 08:54  |  VLAD 03/07/08   6.   to VLAD 09:30  |  Arthur 03/07/08   7.   Lebanon and the Hizbullah. 09:36  |  Jean Van Daem 03/07/08   8.   VLAD, shame on you 1000 times more 09:41  |  northern neighbor 03/07/08   9.   to Vlad 10:19  |  john 03/07/08   10.   To Vlad 10:42  |  FreeOne 03/07/08   11.   #4 I should be thankful? 11:01  |  A mother 03/07/08   12.   To Arthur, John and others - Complicity. 12:18  |  Jean Van Daem 03/07/08   13.   #5 Vlad 12:21  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/07/08   14.   why not blame the mother who killed her child 17:54  |  tea man 03/07/08   15.   to vlad 01:27  |  tmoan 05/07/08   16.   #14 Tea Man 19:00  |  Nathaniel 05/07/08   17.   of course VLAD is right 23:49  |  rich 05/07/08   18.   Chris Linthwaite 23:52  |  rich 05/07/08   19.   nathaniel you are really smart 06:08  |  tea man 06/07/08   20.   Quick fix 18:35  |  Paul 11/07/08

Read & React Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch? Responses: 166 Hitler's bodyguard: The Fuhrer was a good boss Responses: 127 PM suspected of asking various bodies to fund same foreign trips Responses: 53 Ari Shavit: The real problem is America Responses: 106 H.A. Hellyer: Who speaks for Europe's Muslims? Responses: 45 More Headlines 04:24 Two seriously wounded in Jerusalem shooting attack 04:05 Olmert suspected of defrauding state, charities to fund trips abroad 03:49 NRP Chairman: In a civilized country, Olmert would have resigned long ago 03:52 Olmert, Zaken, and Rishon Tours: A case of deja vu 04:47 Ron Arad's daughter: You can't declare him dead with no information 23:28 For Jewish American soldiers in Iraq, there is a different kind of service 01:02 Former U.S. diplomat gets year in prison for anti-Arab comments 04:00 Arab state tells Israel it would not oppose Iran strike 13:15 4 Israelis arrested for allegedly selling weapons to Palestinians 12:53 Six people killed in separate car accidents overnight 21:34 Lebanon forms unity gov't which gives Hezbollah veto power 21:16 IDF raids undermine my administration, Palestinian PM tells U.S. 03:53 Senior Iranian Ayatollah: Our missiles neither threat nor fake 20:57 Israel denies reports of IAF training in U.S.-controlled Iraq Previous Editions Select Day 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun

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