Hezbollah chief accuses U.S. of plotting civil war in Lebanon
"America's real plan is to fuel a civil war, while the national plan is for all Lebanese to live in peace with one another," Hassan Nasrallah said during a speech to mark the 31st anniversary of the country's 1975-1990 civil war. "There will be no return to civil war. All the political powers as well as the media must work to reduce religious tensions and make everyone understand that they will not allow Lebanon to be destroyed again."
Nasrallah's comments came Saturday ahead of trip to Washington planned for next week by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.
The United States was at the forefront of UN efforts that forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in April 2005, and advance an international probe into the February 2005 murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri.
Nasrallah, whose movement has strong ties to Tehran and Damascus, also said he planned to participate in the resumption of "national dialogue" talks aimed at digging the country out of political crisis.
"We have no other choice but to pursue this dialogue despite the dangers to our security," Nasrallah said.
Hezbollah's armed status is a key point of contention. The group, which patrols southern Lebanon in the name of resistance to Israel, has been called on to disarm by UN Security Council Resolution 1559.
The discussions among leaders of various political and religious factions began in early March and are to resume April 28.
One local newspaper, As-Safir, reported recently that nine suspects had been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Nasrallah, which was to take place when he arrived at the meeting on April 28.
The fate of embattled pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, whose mandate was controversially extended under Syrian pressure in 2004, is also a predominant topic in the talks.
The anti-Syrian parliamentary majority elected last year has repeatedly called for Lahoud to step down before his term ends in 2007, calls the president has refused.
"Either we reach an agreement (on a successor to Lahoud), or there will be no such agreement in which case the majority as well as the government must accept cohabitation with President Lahoud, in the interest of the country, until the end of his mandate," Nasrallah said.