In an interview with LBCI television on Thursday, Lebanon First bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat criticized Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s threat to bomb Israeli ships if Tel Aviv attacks the Lebanese coastline.

“This is a mobilizing speech. Israel could step up its attacks and threats because of this political speech,” Fatfat said. He said no one should give Tel Aviv a pretext to attack Lebanon again.

Since last month, Israel has repeatedly accused Syria of arming Hezbollah with Scud missiles and other weaponry, and warned that in the event of a new conflict it will hold Lebanon, not just Hezbollah, responsible for an attack from its territory.

Fatfat said the big problem in Nasrallah’s speech was that he gave the “impression that defense strategy matters have been settled.”

In a speech marking Liberation Day on Tuesday, Nasrallah said the Ministerial Statement clause which stipulates the Lebanese army, people and Resistance are all legitimate means to face the recurrent Israeli threats, “represents the official Lebanese position.”

Just a day earlier, President Michel Sleiman told Al-Manar television that he is committed to the Ministerial Statement clause that the Lebanese army, people and Resistance are all legitimate means to face the recurrent Israeli threats.

In response, Fatfat said the president should leave “the defense strategy to the dialogue table rather than to media arguments.”

Sleiman’s comments also drew criticism from Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who said the president should only express positions backed by all the Lebanese people.

-NOW Lebanon

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