Nasrallah: Escalation is inevitable if Lebanon doesn’t get its maritime rights

Hizbollah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah has stressed that “if Lebanon doesn’t get its maritime rights during the US-mediated negotiations, escalation will be inevitable whether a new nuclear deal between Iran and the West is signed or not.

During a ceremony held on Friday to lay the foundation stone of “Janta” tourist landmark in Bekaa, Nasrallah said that the nuclear deal has nothing to do with the issue of demarcating the borders and it will not affect Lebanon’s maritime rights, affirming that Lebanon should focus on its oil and gas resources and the disputable zone in Karish and on the maritime borders, because the American mediator is still wasting time.

Criticizing the Lebanese political forces which falsely accuse Hezbollah of linking the maritime border file to the nuclear deal, Nasrallah said “whether a nuclear deal is signed or not, if Lebanon secures its rights, calm will be maintained; however, escalation will be inevitable if Lebanon’s rights are denied.”

In a relevant context, Nasrallah reaffirmed the need to exert more efforts to form a Lebanese government with complete authorities.

Hamda Mustafa