BEIRUT: Hezbollah said Thursday it has a right to defend itself against Israel and rejected the prospect of any political negotiations between Lebanon and its southern neighbor.
The statement came after Israel warned that it could intensify operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing the group of rearming.
“We reaffirm our legitimate right... to defend ourselves against an enemy that imposes war on our country and does not cease its attacks,” Hezbollah said.
The militant movement, which is backed by Iran, also rejected the prospect of “any political negotiations” between Lebanon and Israel, saying that such talks would “not serve the national interest.”
Hezbollah called its statement an open letter addressed to the Lebanese people and their leaders.
