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Lebanese Bristle Over Iran Commander's Comments Regarding Hezbollah Missile
Capabilities

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN - Lebanese Sunni Muslims, Christians, and others are condemning
   recent remarks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force
   Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who claimed that Lebanon owed its missile
   capabilities to Iran and that Lebanon was in the front line in Iran's
   fight against Israel.

   Political leaders and citizens alike say the remarks raise questions
   about Lebanon's sovereignty and threaten to further complicate its
   already-stalled Cabinet formation process.

   Hussein al-Wajeh, the media adviser to Lebanon's Sunni Prime
   Minister-designate, Saad Hariri, lashed out at Hajizadeh, saying that
   Lebanon was not and would not be the front line for Iran's battles.

   "The Lebanese will not pay any price on behalf of the Iranian regime.
   Despite this, some Iranian officials insist on considering Lebanon an
   Iranian province,"Hussein Al-Wajeh said.

   Christian politician Sami Gemayel of the Kataeb Party said, "Lebanon
   and the Lebanese are a hostage in Iran's hands through Hezbollah. They
   are using us as human shields in their battle, which Lebanon has
   nothing to do with. The presidency, the government and parliament are
   false witnesses and are covering up controlling Lebanon."

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