The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, delivers speech on the 30th anniversary of the founding of Al-Manar TV.
8-6-2021
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Master and Prophet, the Seal of Prophets, Abi al-Qassem Muhammad Bin Abdullah and his good and pure household and his good and chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.
Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you all.
Before I delve into the occasion at hand, the 30th anniversary of the founding of Al-Manar TV, I would like to thank all the supporters, all the brothers and sisters, all the families that were concerned about my health after my speech on May 25, on the anniversary of Resistance and Liberation Day. Man, in the end, is a person who gets tired, gets sick, ages. They expressed their pain, their affection, or their sadness. In fact, they expressed their love, and I take pride in this love. They prayed, made vows, gave alms, made offerings, distributed bread and salt, wrote and some of them also composed poems on social media, and called to check on me. Some people sent recipes, and others sent honey. In any case, it is a blessing in disguise. That is we gained your prayers and this sincere expression of love. I take pride in this love, and I thank everyone. I would like to offer them reassurances. There are people who kill us off. Some kill us off with the coronavirus, while others have started looking for a successor. In any case, age is in God’s hands. God willing, I am with you and among you, and we will remain on this path together. I still say: I am still dreaming and have great hope that we will pray in Al-Quds at Al-Aqsa Mosque together, if God wills it.
The introduction – let's delve into this occasion. Of course, I pray for everyone, God willing, they and their loved ones are not afflicted with any disease and for everyone to have health and wellness.
Regarding the occasion, I have divided the speech into three sections. The first section is about Al-Manar and the occasion. In the second section, I will briefly tackle some regional developments since we spoke broadly about them in the previous speech. And the third section is regarding the internal Lebanese situation, which we will tackle a little more than in previous times.
1- The occasion:
This channel was founded thirty years ago. For the first time, I will mention dates so that these are documented on this occasion. On 6/4/1991 it started broadcasting, on the second death anniversary of the nation’s imam, Imam Khomeini, which was just a few days ago. This great imam revived the nation and renewed Islam in the twentieth century. He not only created a popular or political revolution and established a new political system, but he also presented a civilized alternative to humanity at this time and revived the spirit of revolution against injustice, arrogance, and tyranny and the spirit of resistance against the occupiers and invaders. Our Islamic resistance in Lebanon was a trace of his pure and blessed breath.
On this occasion, I would like to extend my gratitude to His Eminence the Sayyed. Of course, Al-Manar TV was not the only institution that His Eminence Sayyid Issa Al-Tabatabai founded with a group of his brothers and presented it to the resistance in Lebanon on a silver platter. There are many institutions, including Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, which now preoccupies the minds of many with love from friends, and envy and anxiety from others.
Anyway, on the occasion of Al-Manar, I thank him and the rest of the brothers, who participated, made efforts, and worked hard, and I know in detail the extent of their efforts in establishing this institution and developing it.
I must also thank those who continued the work – all the previous directors, the current general manager, all the brothers and sisters who assumed responsibility in various positions in Al-Manar channel until this day.
And I always say – not only on the occasion of Al-Manar but in all my meetings with our institutions, units, and formations – that what we have achieved in any of the paths, in terms of victories, results, and positives, is first thanks to God Almighty and His help. It is also the result of the accumulation of efforts from the beginning. It is not only the result of the efforts of the current officials – though their efforts are blessed – it has always been the result of the accumulation of efforts, jihad, hard work, staying up late, the blood of martyrs, anxiety, fear, and difficult days. They give this result. Thank you all.
This channel was founded on piety from the beginning. It was established from the beginning to be the voice and image of the resistance, the resistance that will create liberation in 2000. During the nineties it was the channel of the resistance, and it become from 2000 and onward the channel of the resistance and liberation. This channel was established from the beginning with a cause and a message. It is not a television channel that seeks profit and is looking for financial gains and for programs that require a lot of advertising money. It is not a channel looking for excitement or competition or to win first place among other channels. This channel has a cause and a message. It makes sacrifices and pays the price. Its staff work hard and are even exposed to the dangers of destruction, killing, and martyrdom, as it happened in the July war.
This is a channel that does not tilt with every wind. It does not change its clothes and skin. It does not transfer the rifle from one shoulder to the other. It is not a channel for rent by any state, regime, or financier. This is the channel belongs to those resistance fighters that make sacrifices. It belongs to the families of the martyrs, the wounded, and those who suffered in prison. This channel represents the tears of those afflicted in the days of sacrifice and the smile of the victors in the time of triumph.
Therefore, the nature and reality of this channel are different. Its function is different. Through all the follow-up during all these years, I testify that this channel was at the level of its cause, message, and job entrusted to it despite the low capabilities, equipment, and the number in this field compared to similar channels.
Al-Manar TV had to engage in a media battle to promote and support the idea of resistance, to awaken the nation, to defend this choice with audio and video. Today, praise be to God, there are many channels that have the ideology and the culture of resistance. But at that time in the 90s, a television channel or radio station that had this ideology and culture and bore the responsibility for this cause, was rare. Whereas there were hundreds of satellite channels and radio stations that promoted the other side – to surrender to what they call peace, which is in fact defeat and failure – a culture of helplessness and accepting what is given to us, etc.
Al-Manar evolved with time. Here, I’ll delve into several different stages. I will say a couple of words regarding the regional situation when I talk about every stage.
The first development in Al-Manar’s movement was after 2000 while covering the liberation. Of course, Al-Manar, along with Al-Nour radio station, covered those great days. The media of the resistance was able to introduce this real victory to every mind, eye, heart, ear, conscience, home, and family. In any case, this great success was thanks to God Almighty during those days. Until 2000, Al-Manar gave martyrs, and I am blessed to mention the names of these martyrs who worked for the station at that stage:
- Martyr Baqer Haidar Ahmed
- Martyr Bahjat Dakrob
- Martyr Rabie Yahya Fahs
- Martyr Ali Abbas Al-Moussawi
- Martyr Abbas Ali Karneeb
Before 2000s and 2001, Al-Manar gave these martyrs while performing their jihad and media tasks.
Among the direct results of the victory of the resistance in 2000 was the great interaction in Palestine. We dedicated the victory to the Palestinian people. A few months later, the blessed Al-Aqsa Intifada took place. At the time, Al-Manar was a terrestrial television. The general manager at that time called me and told me that: The Intifada in Palestine is oppressed and strange, and there is not enough media coverage by the Arab media. Could you authorize us, for example, to switch to satellite broadcasting?
I said: Can you? That is, do you have the ability to broadcast via satellite? He said: Yes, with the help of God Almighty and with the available capabilities.
This is basically the way of Hezbollah. This is how Al-Manar began, with the capabilities that exist, the humble capabilities, but with great faith, solid will, and sincere intentions. When the intentions are sincere, God Almighty grants success and blessings. The beginning of the satellite broadcasting was on 28/9/2000. This means that the main incentive that pushed Al-Manar to broadcast via satellite was the Al-Aqsa’s Intifada in Palestine. This confirms that Al-Manar is the channel of the cause, the channel of the message, and the channel of the resistance. After the satellite broadcast and coverage of Palestine and the Intifida in Palestine, Al-Manar became the channel of Palestine and the Palestinian cause as well as the channel of the Arabs and Muslims. Its great coverage was what was happening in Palestine.
During those days, one of my visitors joked with me, saying: There are several TV channels in Lebanon. He started counting the Lebanese TV channels – our respect to all of them. He did not mention Al-Manar channel. I told him: What about Al-Manar? Why did you take it into account? He said: No, this is a Palestinian channel that has nothing to do with Lebanon. I told him that we are proud of that.
Al-Manar has largely performed its role in the service of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian resistance since the beginning of satellite broadcasting in 2000.
Allow me here to say a few words about the Palestinian issue. I will not add much since our last speech on May 25 was a lengthy one. I will just a couple of things.
What is happening in Palestine, brothers and sisters, in Al-Quds in particular, and at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular must be followed up on. Here, I must stress that when we talk about Al-Quds and the land of Palestine, we are talking about the holy land according to the Quranic text “The Holy Land”. No one should forget this. When we talk about Al-Aqsa Mosque, we are talking about the journey of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and the blessed land, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Al-Quds. What is happening in Palestine today – the daily details – must be followed up by the whole nation, not only by the Palestinian people, and everyone who bears the faith, Islamic, and jihad responsibility towards Palestine and the sanctities in Palestine. Why?
Because we are facing a hateful and foolish enemy that is in crisis. And when the enemy is spiteful, in crisis, and foolish, it may run away from its internal crises. Today, everyone knows the extent of the political, social, and cultural dilemmas the “Israeli” society is in, and these dilemmas are expressed in different forms, including the political impasse, the call for repeated elections, and the inability to form a government.
One of the brothers today drew my attention in a friendly manner, saying: Have you noticed that Netanyahu and Trump are alike? I told him: how? He said: When Trump lost in the elections, the first thing he said was the elections were rigged! Today, Netanyahu is describing the government that will be presented to the Knesset on Wednesday as the biggest fraud in the history of “Israel”, and Trump was saying that the elections were the biggest fraud in the history of the American elections. It appears that they are photocopies. They are copying each other. This is the state of the defeated and those in crisis. Therefore, Netanyahu may resort to any options, as he threatened with the nuclear issue and may resort to foolishness again on the Palestinian issue. Hence, he is putting the entire nation in front of new challenges. Therefore, this matter must be pursued!
We should remember that A-Quds and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are the responsibility of the entire nation. There are those who bear responsibility and others who abandon the responsibility, and we are nearing the days of the Naksa in June 1967. We must also bear witness that the Palestinians belong to Al-Quds, the West Bank, and the 1948 territories. They preserved the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds during the past decades with their presence, survival, steadfastness, patience, defenseless fists, bodies, chests, and cries. Even today, they are still doing so; Gaza, its people, and its resistance entered Al-Quds Sword battle.
It is clear that the Palestinians in Gaza, Al-Quds, the West Bank, and in 1948 territories are determined to protect Al-Quds and the sanctities. It is up to the nation to bear this responsibility alongside the Palestinian people, and behind the Palestinian people. In my most recent speech, I spoke about the responsibility of the nation and the regional equation. We work hard to establish an equation of this kind and are communicating with everyone. The first help came from the faithful Yemen, the wise Yemen, and the blessed Yemen, when His Eminence the Leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi announced in his last speech that his movement, the resistance fighters, the mujahideen, and his people are ready to be part of this regional equation to protect Al-Quds and the sanctities. Before he made the announcement, I knew that they were ready to be part of this equation. The Yemeni demonstrations and the closing statements on Sarkha Day was also another indication. We are in contact and in discussion with everyone who could be part of this equation that we must make and which can truly protect Al-Quds and the holy sites, God willing.
Let’s return to Al-Manar.
This is when it comes to the Palestine. Al-Manar continues to carry out this responsibility, and its last coverage of the Al-Quds Sword battle was great and comprehensive. We are thankful to it.
We return to Al-Manar after 2000. The American-“Israeli” aggression against Lebanon took place in 2006. The decision was American, and the implementation was “Israeli”. All documents and studies later confirmed this because the Americans at the time of Bush and Condoleezza Rice were working to establish the new Middle East project in which Lebanon was part of. In that war, Al-Manar was steadfast, along with the resistance, the people of the resistance, and all those who were steadfast in Lebanon. It paid a heavy price.
A few days after the start of the war on July 16, 2006, the main building of Al-Manar was destroyed and a large number of workers escaped at the last moment.
A few minutes before the bombing of Al-Manar, I was in contact with the brother responsible. He was asking me that we had agreed that a small number of employees would remain and that you would keep up with them constantly. It was one of God Almighty’s blessings that during that phone call – of course the situation intensified and became more dangerous – we agreed that they would evacuate quickly. A few minutes later, the building was bombed, and I consider that moment of the July war a divine act, divine kindness, divine mercy, and some divine kindness to us during that war. The channel’s employees escaped and moved to broadcast from another location. They continued broadcasting until the last moment, even though they were in a place that could be exposed and bombed since the enemy had no red lines. But they worked courageously.
I compare their presence there to the presence of fighters on the battle fronts. They worked with a spirit of martyrdom and great courage. I never forget the brothers and sisters who would appear on TV, their smiles, their courage, and their strong tone of voice. On this occasion, too, we must remember – we seldomly speak of the living – those who have left us. The late Hajj Ali Al-Mismar and his smile during the days of the July war, and the smile of the rest of the brothers and sisters who appeared on the screen during those difficult days. Al-Manar participated in the July war. It also participated in addressing the repercussions of the war because after the war there were repercussions on the country as well as social, humanitarian, political, cultural and media challenges – there was a lot of empty, silly, and frivolous talk.
Rather, after the July war, Al-Manar and the resistance’s media outlets, Hezbollah, and its allies were faced with a strange challenge. Usually when a person wins, he takes pride in his victory. Following the July victory, the enemy admitted defeat and failure. The enemy formed the Winograd Commission to investigate that lasted for several months. It issued results on the failure, defeat, confusion, and imbalance at the political and military levels as well as on the field. Many specialized committees were formed within the “Israeli” army to take lessons and study errors and technical gaps. The enemy admitted its defeat and failure, while some people in Lebanon said that the enemy won! This is a rare approach in human history, but this is Lebanon; it has many exceptions, and most of the time, it is unparalleled in human history. In any case, it [Al-Manar] took part in the repercussions of the war, and we overcame them.
I will move to the next stage. Even though the third stage is longer, I will leave it to the third. As the US-Saudi aggression on Yemen began, Al-Manar bore a unique responsibility here.
At a time when most of the media outlets in the Arab world remained silent as the graves, it was Al-Manar, which was being broadcast on Arabsat and Nilesat, that spoke out. We paid the price when we reported on the Palestinian issue. I think in 2004, when the “Israelis” found that Al-Manar was the strong and motivating voice and had a great presence in Palestine and the Arab world, because it was based on the great achievement and victory of the resistance in 2000, its credibility, its morals, and its realism, there were efforts to besiege it and bring it down. They accused it [Al-Manar] of anti-Semitism and blocked it from the Hot Bird satellite in 2004, and Al-Manar remained on Arabsat and Nilesat. Hence, the price was to take down Al-Manar from Arabsat, and a few months later from Nilesat.
The reason, brothers and sisters, the only reason for this is its position regarding Yemen. Some of our friends who were keen for Al-Manar to return to the Arabsat and Nilesat negotiated with us that the condition for its return is not to talk about Yemen and the US-Saudi aggression against Yemen. But we rejected that! It is meaningless for Al-Manar to return to Arabsat and Nilesat as a dead channel that remains silent over the great historical grievances, the crushing of bones, the killing of children, and the massacres being committed by this aggression in Yemen for the past years. Hence, Al-Manar paid this price because of our and its position, and we are proud that this is part of the contribution made by Hezbollah in standing beside the oppressed Yemeni people. From the beginning, we believed in the wrongdoing against the Yemeni people who were attacked. We believed in their ability to persevere despite the aggression and the massacres. We also believed in their ability to triumph. You can go back to Hezbollah’s first statements and speeches as well as Al-Manar TV’s reports.
We believe that this victory is inevitable. During all the past years, we witnessed heroic epics by the brave and honorable Yemeni fighters. Today, we are seeing a great failure of the US-Saudi aggression against Yemen, and they are looking for a way out to save face – I don't know how much they can save – but the truth is, yes, they are looking for a way out and are looking for gains. They believed that continuing the war would not bear fruit, but rather lead to more failure, defeat, losses, and more danger because the war proved that the people who are fighting in Yemen are getting stronger and more influential in Yemen and in the region. But as usual, when the war project fails, they resort to economic and political means and pressure to achieve through politics, sanctions, pressure, and siege what they were unable to achieve through a military war.
This is what happened with Iran in the past and what is happening now. This is what is happening in Syria. This is what is happening now in Yemen. This is what is happening in Lebanon. This is what is happening in many countries in the world that did not submit and did not bow down to American arrogance, in particular. That is why Saudi Arabia established an initiative called a ceasefire and going to negotiations. The brothers in Yemen said that the ceasefire is not enough. The humanitarian file must be addressed, meaning the siege must be lifted. The Americans are adopting the Saudi initiative. America that presents itself as the first international courier to stop the war in Yemen is deceiving the public opinion, the people, and the countries of the world. It is resorting to deception, misinformation, and lies when presenting itself like so. It is also adopting the idea of stopping the war, but it is agreeing to the continuation of the siege to serve political goals.
This means the war stops and we go to negotiations under the pressure of hunger, epidemics, the coronavirus, diseases, poverty, all the difficult economic conditions, the lack of foodstuffs and oil derivatives – this is just for you to see the scene, especially the Lebanese; what we are suffering from these days, the Yemenis have been suffering for years, to know the extent of their suffering.
For the Yemeni national team to negotiate under the pressure of hunger, pain, disease, death, and siege, and thus makes concessions it refused to make under a military war, is the deception that is going on now. A few days ago, the US State Department as well as the US envoy, and the UN envoy held Ansarullah responsible for not stopping the war in Yemen. This is a lie. This is misleading. Here, I address the Arab and the Islamic worlds and the people of our world. You must first understand the truth and understand the position of these oppressed people and support them as well. No one should be deceived by this and say that these people want to the war to continue and do not want peace and to end the bloodshed. This is a false and baseless accusation and has no foundation.
The stage before the last with Al-Manar. The last stage is going to be about the internal situation.
The stage before the last began in 2011, with the start of crisis in Syria and a few years later in Iraq, when Daesh seized a number of Iraqi provinces. Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon – the entire resistance axis, in fact – fought a major battle with the new American project – the Takfiri groups – that was operating under the guise of Islam, raising an Islamic banner, and presenting Islamic faces, names, and titles. This was what was difficult about this battle. This battle is one of the embodiments of sedition, yes, because truth and falsehood are mixed.
As we entered this battle, we had to differentiate between the white thread and the black one of this ordeal. Al-Manar and the media outlets of the resistance had to clearly explain the faces of truth and that of falsehood, so that the people would be with the truth and not falsehood, as it usually happens when confronting sedition. Al-Manar also carried out its responsibility and presented martyrs here. once again, this station presented martyrs. We are blessed to mention their names: Martyr Halim Ali Alaw, martyr Hamza Shehadeh Al-Hajj Hassan, martyr Hassan Hussein Abdullah, and martyr Muhammad Mantash.
It assumed responsibility. This station was also a partner in the victory – the second liberation of Lebanon in our northern barrens, along our borders with Syria in the Bekaa region, the victory in Iraq over Daesh, and the victory in Syria over all these groups that were serving this American project. This victory was enshrined politically in recent days through the presidential elections in Syria, and this large popular and public turnout inside and outside Syria, which expressed the political meaning of the military victory during all the past years.
The last stage:
We delve into the internal situation. Since the beginning of its establishment, Al-Manar has kept pace with all the internal files, of course, within the limits of the established policies. As with every other matter, it was keen on having balance, honesty, realism, not provoking sedition, and preserving sanctities when it came to internal affairs – because there are people who have no limits and do not respect personal boundaries or the boundaries of groups, regions, sects, forces, etc. when it comes to media hype and scoops.
They have no problem. They do not respect sanctities or have dignity. Al-Manar is absolutely committed to these limits and also in the service of the cause.
Inside, there is the war against corruption, the battle for sovereignty, the battle to confront deprivation, and addressing people’s issues and concerns. We also have the political battles and internal events that shook Lebanon and almost threw it into the abyss, starting with the major events that took place in 2000 and began with the martyrdom of martyr Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and those who were with him. Al-Manar still continues to assume this responsibility to this day, and now by broadcasting the rest of the speech, we are bearing part of the internal responsibility.
Regarding the internal issues, brothers and sisters, allow me to speak about the following topics during the remaining time:
1- The parliamentary elections: There are two matters under this topic.
The first matter: There are people who have been, for weeks, writing, speaking, and talking about the dangers of postponing or the possibility of postponing the parliamentary elections and the possibility of extending the term of the current parliament. And I found that some European countries are also openly talking about these concerns. Of course, when a possibility of this kind is being talked about, the accusation is implicitly directed at those who are now considered to be the majority in the current parliament. I would like to briefly comment on this point and say that Hezbollah, at the very least, did not think of this matter – i.e., postponing the parliamentary elections. It did not occur to us to even think about it. We did not discuss this matter with any of our allies, nor did any of our allies discuss it with us, and no one mentioned any of this. Therefore, these concerns, I think, if they are based on the fact that there will be a decision by the political forces that constitute the current majority in the Parliament that they may postpone the elections to preserve their majority, I say this matter did not come to mind. We did not think about it, and we did not discuss it with anyone. The parliamentary elections must take place on time, regardless of the circumstances. This is our decisive position.
The second matter: Early parliamentary elections. Do you remember in October when the demonstrations took place, and I delivered a speech two or three days later, on the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein in Baalbek? I said we were against early parliamentary elections. Today, we against early parliamentary elections. Frankly, we consider that resorting to early parliamentary elections is, firstly, a waste of time because what will change in the political scene, and secondly, it is a distraction for people from the challenges that occupy them day and night. Instead of talking about early parliamentary elections, the political forces should form a government. Instead of talking about early parliamentary elections, those who decide to boycott the government and not be part of it should take responsibility and participate in the government. The early parliamentary elections, whatever their cause or background, are in the end a distraction – to distract the people. Let’s suppose we agreed on early parliamentary elections. The date will be determined at least after three months. This means, we will go to elections and after the elections, we will elect a council president, a council office, parliamentary consultations, then a new prime minister-designate. We are back to square one. The whole year would be lost to early parliamentary elections. This is not a solution. This is a distraction.
Thirdly, these elections will not make any fundamental change in the political reality. I feel that most – I am not saying all but most – of those calling for early parliamentary elections have partisan and factional calculations – if we hold the elections now, I will add one or two representatives, and this side may decrease one or two representatives. This is what is being taken into consideration. It has nothing to do with the homeland, the people, or steps to address [the crisis]. We all know what the results of the early parliamentary elections will be if they took place. Therefore, we do not agree to early parliamentary elections and consider them as such.
2- Government formation: We are with the continuation of the quest. By we, we mean Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and us, and we are helping him and by his side amid the quest. I hope that no one sets dates, meaning no one says a week, ten days, or two weeks, etc. This means that no one should say after seven or eight months, it’s a week, two weeks, or three.
We must not despair. We must continue to work. Those concerned with forming the government must always hear the voice of the people calling for the formation of a government as soon as possible. They should painfully see the queues of cars in front of gas stations. they should see with sadness and fear the absence of some types of medicine from pharmacies. They should anxiously see the worry in people’s eyes when basic foodstuffs lack in shops and cooperatives and medicine as well as medical equipment lack in hospitals. They should put this humanitarian scene above all political considerations that impose on them strictness here or there or to take a certain position here or there. Therefore, we must all continue to work and not despair to reach a result.
3- The living situation: The third and final point is the living condition. Of course, the crisis we are experiencing is the product of, as we said earlier, thirty years or forty years of accumulation – some say thirty years or more, since the civil war in Lebanon until today. In previous speeches, we spoke about the distribution of responsibilities and identifying them. I will not repeat, I will talk about the results now.
As a result of accumulation and a set of reasons, we are where we are now. Of course, those who did not recognize the defeat of “Israel” and the victory of the resistance in 2006 are the same people. They are see Hezbollah as the only reason for the crises in Lebanon. This is what the Americans say. This is what the “Israelis” says. The “Israelis” in the media repeatedly say that they are betting on it, and they ignore all other real reasons.
In any case, the accumulation of crises brought the country to a financial crisis, a liquidity crisis, the state’s financial crisis, an economic crisis, a living crisis, poverty, unemployment, lack of job opportunities, etc. But if we look at the situation we are now in, the major crisis we are facing, we find that there are additional reasons for the suffering we are experiencing. There are also other reasons that exist that can be addressed. We can work on them, but they need a decision.
1- The weak official performance, pending the formation of the government. The current official performance is weak, in all files; meaning instead of waiting for days to secure money for fuel so that people don’t get worried and the whole country does not live fearing darkness, the state could’ve acted faster. The official performance of various ministries – some might tell you we cannot gather the government and work. But the government, ministers, ministries, and directors must bear it. Today, you feel that there are a lot of managers and state employees that act as if they have resigned from their jobs. The official performance is weak. But this can be addressed. It needs determination, a sense of responsibility, and attendance, especially since the government formation crisis has been prolonged and may be prolonged. We do not know anything. We are making an effort alongside Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, but we do not know where we are going.
2- The second thing I want to highlight today – even though I talked about before, but I want to highlight it – is the monopoly of the monopolists. Some of the ministries that are following up on the files, as well as some merchants and some knowledgeable parties, told us and provided us with the following: There are medicines in Lebanon, but they are in warehouses, monopolized by medicine dealers and some pharmacy owners. They also said that foodstuffs as well as medical equipment are available but are hidden in the warehouses of the monopolists, and so on. When it comes to gasoline and diesel, you find that they are being monopolized. There are countries that are facing the same crises we are facing. But there is a state that has a regime which is bearing responsibility. I know a lot of countries, and I will not name them, that inspect warehouses, shops, stores, and pharmacies. They utilize their security apparatus, to raid, confiscate monopolized goods, and throw those monopolizing in prison. These monopolists are punished with long jail terms. This is how a state holds responsibilities.
As for us in Lebanon, the monopolists are left alone and are known by name – father’s name, surname, and date of birth. They also enjoy political cover, unfortunately. They are protected by political forces, religious references, and may also be protected by parties in the state. This matter can also be addressed. There are no radical solutions in the foreseeable future. Radical solutions to the economic and living crisis in Lebanon require years, and some pessimists say, 10, 20, and 30 years. Optimistic experts say we need years. We cannot wait for a radical treatment. These are symptoms of the original disease. Should we succumb to the symptoms of the disease? We cannot treat the original disease, but we can treat the symptoms in order to stay alive for a longer period. We can reduce pain and relieve suffering. This is possible.
Monopoly was mentioned in religious texts and speeches of prophets – for both Muslims and Christians. Here, we are talking about the Messenger of God. Monopoly was present in Medina. During the time of the Messenger’s rulership of the Arabian Peninsula. What he said was like a law, and an official statement, because the Prophet was the ruler of the Islamic state, the ruler of Medina, the capital of his Islamic state. The Messenger (PBUH) said: No one hoards except the traitors. Who is saying this? The one who said “I was sent to uphold and complement ethical values.”
The Messenger of God, who is the messenger and prophet of mercy, is describing those who are monopolizing as traitors. Look how monopoly is a major crime in the eyes of Islam. “No one hoards except the traitors. The monopolist in our market is like an atheist in the book of God.”
I want to say this especially to the merchants who say that we are Muslims and belong to the Messenger of God Muhammad. The Messenger of God says, “The hoarders will be crammed.” Look with whom these hoarders will be crammed on the Day of Resurrection. “The hoarders and killers will be crammed in Hell in the same level.”
I will talk about the last point in what the Messenger said in a couple of words. The monopolist is cursed; meaning this monopolist is cursed by God, His angels, His prophets, His messengers, and His creation. There is another hadith: Monopoly is the trait of the ungodly. This means that the monopolists are immoral. We are using this moral and humanitarian discourse to address the monopolists in Lebanon, those who monopolize medicine, medical equipment, foodstuffs, and the necessities of life that people need, including gasoline and diesel fuel, in your warehouses and not give them to people, waiting for prices to rise in order to make outrageous profits.
You are traitors, you are murderers, you are immoral, and you are partners in Hell with the murderers. You are cursed by God, His Messenger, prophets, and angels. You must know the crime you are committing against the people, against yourselves, against your hereafter, and against your families whom you feed unlawful money, has bad consequences in this world and in the hereafter.
It is also the responsibility of the state. At the beginning of the crisis when the coronavirus spread, some people took advantage of the situation and monopolized. I addressed the ministry of economy and urged them to form inspection committees and inspects shops, pharmacies, bakeries, and [gasoline] stations. Let them search and inspect warehouses and those monopolizing and hiding materials. If you have a shortage of employees, there are many employees in the public sector. Some do not even go to their jobs, and if they did, they’d work for a few hours. Of course, some of them and not all of them. There is also the army. You can seek help from it. The security forces and the security services are present. Are they all occupied?
O brother, we are ready to offer. On that day, I offered 20,000 volunteers, and today I once again offer 20,000 volunteers. The current government and the current concerned ministries should declare a war on monopolies and monopolists, and this is part of the treatment. I repeat and say that it is not all radical treatment. I remind you of another file. In fact, the scenes that we have seen over the past few weeks and the past few days on TV stations – the gasoline stations and the long queues – are disgraceful. All those queuing, in general, were humiliated. Can't we address with this matter?
Yes, we can address it. Why can't we not address it? Today, there is a possibility to address it, but it needs a bold and courageous political decision. We cannot continue to be afraid of the Americans and take them into consideration. At that time, I offered, and it was not an offer for that time only – it does not mean that its time has ended and that we scored a point and show off. No, I’ll repeat the offer again. If Lebanon accepts and decides, gasoline and diesel ships will sail from Iran to Lebanon. You’ll get all the diesel and gasoline you need, and in Lebanese pounds. And there will be no reason for Lebanon’s central bank to say it does not have dollars or that it will use the reserve requirement or the depositors’ money, etc. Al this will also be in Lebanese pounds, and there is no problem. This is something that is possible. All this humiliation that you see at the petrol and diesel stations can be addressed with one decision, but it should be a bold and courageous decision.
Our country surrendered to the United States of America. We accepted that it let us be killed. It wants to kill us and does not want to let us live, and we accept with it. This can be addressed, and it is on the table. Some ask: and you, what can you do? Of course, this is what we can do. As long as there is a state that bears the responsibility. I also want to repeat what I said in the past. When the state gives up – of course, the state should remain – but when a time when the state cannot shoulder its responsibilities, and we reach a place where there is no solution and this humiliation continues, from now I tell you. We, Hezbollah, will go to Iran and negotiate with the Iranian government, and they’ve already agreed. We will buy petrol and diesel ships and bring them to the port of Beirut. Let the Lebanese state prevent the entry of gasoline and diesel to the Lebanese people. But we cannot tolerate to see our people, with our respect to all officials in the state and elsewhere, humiliated like this.
Also in this context, and this is the last point. I intended today to speak for only an hour. Brothers, let us be honest and frank with the Lebanese people. Some people might say, Sayyed, you are not obliged to be frank with the Lebanese people. Let state officials talk to the people. Whether they will speak or not, I don't know. But, O Lebanese, the news is unpleasant. Unfortunately, no one is going to announce this fact. Everything you are hearing about the rationalization of subsidies is not related. If there is to be a rationalization of subsidies or an official decision to rationalize subsidies, everyone must bear the responsibility. We frankly understand the position of the caretaker prime minister and why he alone is bearing the responsibility, while some parties that are not part of the government but have been in previous governments for the past 30 or 15 years are responsible for the situation we are in now and why they’re not participating in this decision, the rationalization of subsidies. They just watch and bidding.
And if a new government is formed, and here I am not accusing anyone, there is talk that one of the reasons for delaying the formation of the government is that the new government’s program is already known. This is one of our crises in the new government and that it has no option but the International Monetary Fund. However, the IMF’s first condition is lifting subsidies. This means that the government has to make a decision without taking the people’s interest into consideration. This means, let us wait a month, two, or three. Subsidies will be lifted on their own, then we will form a government that will not bear such a burden.
Objectively, this talk comes to mind. This could be one of the reasons for postponing the government, and everything is possible in this country, which will happen and follow its course. The current government has not taken a decision, and when the next government will be formed is not known. Practically speaking , the central bank is spending the money it has. A time will come when it will run out of money. Hence, subsidies will stop realistically without the government or political forces taking responsibility for this decision and bearing its burdens. But the people will suffer from this decision. This will mean that the prices of various foodstuffs that were directly and indirectly subsidized will rise, and we will enter a new phase of suffering. We are in need of everything that alleviates this suffering.
While we wait for the next government, all the leaders in Lebanon as well as the political forces must think and allocate – we are one of them – on a daily basis how we can alleviate this suffering if we entered this stage? We cannot get rid of the suffering because it requires major treatments. But can we alleviate this suffering? Yes, there are many ways to do so that we can talk about later. Rather we will do and not talk about. These steps speak for themselves – it is alleviating the suffering. Among the steps that will help many Lebanese families face this suffering, is now in parliament – the cash cards that 750,000 families in Lebanon, that is the majority of the Lebanese people, can benefit from. If the food ration card is approved in the parliament, it will not solve a major problem, but it will help 750,000 families alleviate this suffering.
We support the cash card project suggested by the President and the Prime Minister, supported by the Ministers since the government did not meet, and it was submitted with exceptional approval to the parliament. We call on the parliament to adopt it as soon as possible because people’s nerves are being toyed with. Every day it is said that the money allocated for subsidies or that can provide subsidies will run out by the end of June and within three months. We will eventually reach this point. If the government is not formed, we will reach this point. And if the government is formed, it will reach a decision to lift subsidies, meaning prices will rise and people will suffer. So, we must work to alleviate the suffering. One of the steps to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, the suffering of 750,000 families is the cash card. Meanwhile, the state ministries will not be able to accurately implement the food ration card that some parties suggested. The financial card is easier to implement. There may be some difficulties. There may be a specific problem, but in general implementing is easier than the ration card.
We hope, God willing, that the deputies in the parliament and under the patronage of the Speaker of Parliament will find a specific formula and method for financing this plan as soon as possible. In any case, this is a step, and we must all think about other steps. But there is no doubt that the formation of a new government is the natural entrance to be able to address the symptoms of the economic and financial crisis. It is the natural entrance to put this crisis on the path to a solution, and there is no other entrance because this is the executive authority in the country. Otherwise, we say that there is no state and the people must solve their own problems. We will, thus, be at a different stage with a different nature and essence. Then, it will require a different action.
Brothers and sisters, we end with this. Once again, I congratulate the brothers and sisters and all the supporters on the 30th anniversary of Al-Manar Channel. God willing, this channel will continue to work in service of the Lebanese people, our Arab and Islamic people, and all the free people in the world and report to them the news of the coming victories in the time of victories and put a smile on their faces, make them proud, and give them hope. God willing, we look forward to the day when Al-Manar will broadcast its news from inside Al-Aqsa Mosque and from inside Al-Quds.
Many Happy Return. May peace and God's mercy and blessings be upon you.
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