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Hezbollah's leader warns Israel | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah has warned Israel of launching new attacks against his Lebanon-based Shia Muslim group. | |
His speech was broadcast at a mass rally in Beirut to mark the first anniversary of the end of the war between Hezbollah and Israel. | |
Hezbollah regards the 34-day war as a "divine victory" for its forces. | |
More than 1,000 Lebanese, mostly civilians, died in the war as well as 116 Israeli soldiers and 43 civilians. | More than 1,000 Lebanese, mostly civilians, died in the war as well as 116 Israeli soldiers and 43 civilians. |
"If you, the Zionists, are considering attacking Lebanon, I am reserving a surprise for you that will change the fate of the war and the region," Sheikh Nasrallah told thousands of people attending the rally. | |
"In the same way we were victorious in August 2006, I warn them that here in Lebanon there is A resistance, an army and a people... that reject humiliation and fear only God," he said. | |
He added that Israel and the US had tried to divide the Lebanese people during the war. | |
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah did not personally attend the gathering, which was organised by Hezbollah. His speech was broadcast on giant TV screens set up at the venue. | |
Massive destruction | |
Much of Lebanon's infrastructure was damaged by an intense Israeli bombardment in 2006 after Hezbollah forces seized two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. | |
Lebanon is still rebuilding, one year after the war ended | |
Bridges, roads and thousands of homes were destroyed in the Israeli bombardment and a major ground assault across the border. | Bridges, roads and thousands of homes were destroyed in the Israeli bombardment and a major ground assault across the border. |
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has faced repeated calls to resign over his handling of the war. | Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has faced repeated calls to resign over his handling of the war. |
One of Israel's stated aims was to eliminate Hezbollah's ability to fire rockets, thousands of which were launched into northern Israel. | One of Israel's stated aims was to eliminate Hezbollah's ability to fire rockets, thousands of which were launched into northern Israel. |
Despite its military weight, Israel was unable to crush Hezbollah, allowing the group to claim victory. | Despite its military weight, Israel was unable to crush Hezbollah, allowing the group to claim victory. |
The two Israeli soldiers remain captive. | The two Israeli soldiers remain captive. |
Political crisis | |
UN Security Council resolution 1701 halted the war, allowing for the deployment of Lebanese soldiers and a beefed-up UN peacekeeping force to the battle zone along the southern border with Israel - Hezbollah's stronghold. | UN Security Council resolution 1701 halted the war, allowing for the deployment of Lebanese soldiers and a beefed-up UN peacekeeping force to the battle zone along the southern border with Israel - Hezbollah's stronghold. |
An uneasy peace has existed in the last year but Hezbollah has not disarmed - one of the conditions of the UN Security Council resolution. | An uneasy peace has existed in the last year but Hezbollah has not disarmed - one of the conditions of the UN Security Council resolution. |
Lebanon is now facing its biggest political crisis since the end of its long civil war in 1990. | Lebanon is now facing its biggest political crisis since the end of its long civil war in 1990. |
It is trapped between those in the government who look to the West and those in the opposition who look to Syria, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Beirut. | It is trapped between those in the government who look to the West and those in the opposition who look to Syria, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Beirut. |
The French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, is attempting to mediate between the two sides. | The French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, is attempting to mediate between the two sides. |