http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/party-of-god-on-war-footing/story-e6frg6so-1225821796265
Party of God on war footing John Lyons, Middle East correspondent From: The Australian January 21, 2010 12:00AM HEZBOLLAH says it has regrouped since the 2006 conflict with Israel and is in a stronger position for a new war between Israel and Lebanon. The group's international spokesman, Ibrahim Mousawi, told The Australian yesterday that if Israel and Lebanon returned to war, "we will do something that they will regret". "If they (Israel) attack again, Hezbollah is in a position to defend and liberate," Dr Mousawi said in his Beirut office. "Hezbollah is stronger now than in 2006. Hezbollah has been training thousands and thousands and thousands of people to defend their country. Hezbollah is ready." The comments followed last weekend's speech by Hezbollah's Lebanon-based chief, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, in which he said the organisation would "change the face of the region" in any war with Israel. Nasrallah made the comments to a conference attended by Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and delegates from about 30 countries, who gathered to discuss "the resistance" against Israel. Nasrallah told the delegates: "I promise you, in view of all the threats you hear today, that should a new war with the Zionists erupt, we will crush the enemy, emerge victorious and change the face of the region." Dr Mousawi, who has a PhD in political science from Birmingham University, would not go into detail when asked whether Hezbollah would deploy its weaponry on Lebanon's southern border with Israel in the event of any Israeli attack on the nuclear facilities of Iran, Hezbollah's ally. Asked what Nasrallah had meant by "changing the face of the region", Dr Mousawi said: "Israel has always been viewed as an army that cannot be defeated . . . Israel is looked upon now as the policeman of the region, the superpower, the one that can do what it wants. This will change. It will not have the same capacity to carry out its aims." Hezbollah was the leading partner in the "March 8 alliance", which was defeated in last year's Lebanese elections by the pro-Western "March 14 alliance", led by Saad Hariri. However, Hezbollah retains significant power in the new government via a blocking veto over any major government decision. Hezbollah - the Party of God - holds its "resistance" against Israel as central to its identity. "Hezbollah views Lebanon as under attack from Israel and needs to have all Lebanon united against the Israeli threat," Dr Mousawi said. Related Coverage a.. Fatal blast in Hezbollah stronghold Adelaide Now, 26 Dec 2009 b.. Hariri walks away from governing The Australian, 20 Sep 2009 c.. Hezbollah threat 'stronger than ever' The Australian, 5 Aug 2009 d.. Vote for bombs or business The Australian, 12 Jun 2009 e.. A new cold war in the Middle East The Australian, 10 Jun 2009
