Hezbollah an important security pillar in West Asia: Iranian envoy at condolence meeting for Hassan Nasrallah

Mourners attend a rally in memory of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. | Photo: AP

Hezbollah is an “important pillar of security” in West Asia, Iran’s envoy to India said here on Monday. Speaking at a condolence meeting in memory of slain Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan NasrallahIranian and Palestinian ambassadors said Hezbollah would recover from the setback of losing its top leaders to Israeli attacks.

“Hezbollah is a legitimate political party in Lebanon. There is a saying in Lebanon that the army, the nation and the resistance form the “golden triangle” of Lebanon. Nowadays, Hezbollah’s military wing is defending Lebanon’s territory together with the Lebanese army against Israel,” Iranian Ambassador Iraj Elahi said. The condolence meeting was organized by Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi, Patron-in-Chief of Anjuman-E-Haidari, the largest Shia organization in India.

Dr. Elahi also said that Hezbollah is fighting extremism and terrorism and has defeated the Islamic State in Syria, adding, “Hezbollah is an important pillar of security in the region. It fights Daesh (IS) terrorism and sacrifices itself to protect the region.

The Iranian envoy said Nasrallah’s death would not affect the military campaign against Israel and that Hezbollah’s fight would continue. Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Al Hajjah also reiterated that Hezbollah would be reborn.

Mr Naqvi said Hezbollah was waging a war that was “just”. “Hezbollah has never harmed an innocent person. Hezbollah is fighting for the freedom of Palestine. If Hezbollah is a terrorist organization then what would you say about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (of Bangladesh), Subhas Chandra Bose, Nehrugee and Gandhigee?” the senior cleric stated, saying that Hassan Nasrallah followed the path of Imam Hussein as he sacrificed himself while fighting for the oppressed Palestinians.

Referring to the pager attacks in Lebanon, she said Israel was not engaged in direct combat and added: “Israel will be wiped off the world map.” The congregation recites Surah Al-Fatiha for the late Nasrallah and his comrades who died in the Israeli bombing on September 27 in the Lebanese capital Beirut.