Forces of Change MP Mark Daou during an interview with Voix du Liban radio, July 9, 2023. (Credit: Twitter/@DaouMark)
BEIRUT — Forces of Change MP Mark Daou said on Sunday he was determined to continue confronting Hezbollah, accusing the party of threatening the country "by force of arms," during an interview with Voix du Liban 93.3FM radio.
"We cannot build a state in the presence of non-state weapons, which represent a permanent threat. We are facing an excessive use of force and a stranglehold," said Daou on Sunday, referring to Hezbollah's arsenal, the only party to hold heavy weapons since the end of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990).
His comments came the same day as several Forces of Change MPs visited Ghajar, a disputed village straddling the border between Lebanon and the occupied Golan Heights. Israeli forces cut off the Lebanese side of the village from Lebanon last weekend by building a fence around the village's northern section.
Daou was not part of the delegation of MPs, whose visit near Ghajar was criticized in some circles opposed to Hezbollah.
In recent weeks, tensions have grown along the border between Lebanon and Israel-controlled territory. Thursday saw the launch of at least one unclaimed mortar round from Lebanon towards Israeli-controlled territory. The Israeli army responded by shelling the area around the Lebanese villages of Kfar Shuba and Mazraat Halta with around 15 rockets. No injuries were reported.
"Aren't firing 40 rockets, killing Lokman Slim and an Irish soldier from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), attacking demonstrators [during the 2019 popular uprising] threats by force of arms?" Daou said, criticizing Hezbollah.
"We will continue to confront Hezbollah and the Amal movement, but the former is the true leader [of the country]," he said.
Shiite intellectual Lokman Slim, known for his opposition to Hezbollah, was assassinated on Feb. 4, 2021 in southern Lebanon, in a region controlled by the pro-Iranian party.
An Irish UNIFIL soldier was killed and three others wounded on Dec. 14, 2022 when their vehicle was attacked near the village of al-Aqbiya, also in the south, where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
Last June, a judicial source told AFP, based on an indictment, that five Hezbollah members were charged by the military court in this attack.
Hezbollah supporters were also accused of assaulting demonstrators during the popular protest movement in 2019.