Hizbollah claims right to own anti-aircraft weapons

BEIRUT, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- Secretart General of Hizbollah party Hassan Nasrallah declared Monday at a rally of his supporters that his party had the right to bear arms and to use air power in any confrontation with Israel.
"The time where we were weak and defenseless is gone because now we have the right to own weapons and to use them with strength," he told the rally at a suburb of Beirut.
He indicated that Israel had superiority in air power, but nevertheless feared Hizbollah's acquisition of anti-aircraft weapons, which would bring into the fore a different equation of power. He insinuated in his speech to the supporters that his party might obtain anit-aircraft weapons and use them if necessary.
Asking the Lebanese to tone down political discourse in the country, he expressed hope that the anniversary of the assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri would become a regualr national occasion for all Lebanese to observe.
He deplored the clashes that took place two days ago while the anniversary was being held. He appealed for calm among all political entities and parties and called on the public to participate with gusto in the upcoming legislative elections because he considered them "crucial." Commenting on the Arab political scene, Nasrallah said "we renew our support for all forms of reconciliation and dialogue among Palestinian factions and we register our delight at improvement in Arab relations, especially those between Saudi and Arabia and Syria." (end) an.ajs KUNA 170031 Feb 09NNNN