Hezbollah to the Lebanese Army: Release our men and return the explosives

Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah admitted that a shipment of explosives seized in Lebanon belongs to the organization and demanded the release of those detained and the return of the shipment. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam made clear that the state will not tolerate illegal weapons.

Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah admitted that the shipment of explosives seized last week by the Lebanese army belongs to the organization. In his remarks, reported by the Associated Press, Fadlallah demanded the immediate release of those detained in the affair and the return of the shipment, emphasizing that the explosives were intended for use against the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon. He called claims that the shipment was intended for an assassination of senior government officials "baseless." Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam responded by making clear that the state will no longer tolerate the possession of illegal weapons, and that all those involved will be identified. He stressed that this type of explosive has special significance given its past use in political assassinations. The seized vehicle carried 500 kg of explosives. Since the beginning of the month, the Lebanese army has confiscated two additional shipments in the east of the country, near the border with Syria. The incident represents an escalation between Hezbollah and the Lebanese army, which is trying to restore control to the central government.