BINT JBEIL – Thousands of Shia Hizbullah supporters greeted Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Lebanon’s “capital of the resistance” yesterday, saying his visit was a victory for the guerrilla group over Israel.
For long a front line in conflicts with Israel, most recently in 2006, Bint Jbeil was an ideal place for Hizbullah to host its main Shia ally, Mr Ahmadinejad, a sworn enemy of Israel who has called for the state to be wiped off the map.
Families of “martyrs” who fought Israel, together with Shia from throughout Lebanon and even abroad, said they turned out in force and defiance to show Israel, a mere 4km away, that they would never be cowed by its military superiority.
The Hizbullah stronghold of Bint Jbeil bore the brunt of Israeli air raids during that country’s war with the guerrilla group four years ago.
About 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 158 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed in the war.
“This visit is so important, especially for the strong, victorious people of the south,” Kafa al-Samra (40), who comes from the border village of Kfar Kila, said at a packed stadium shortly before Mr Ahmadinejad addressed the boisterous, flag-waving crowd.
“We are still at the beginning of the road, the first was in 2000, then in 2006, and this is the latest. The last victory will be when we eradicate Israel and pray in [Jerusalem’s] Aqsa mosque,” she said, referring to when prolonged guerrilla attacks forced Israel to withdraw from the south in 2000.
South Lebanon’s Shia, politically marginalised in the early years of Lebanese statehood, have seen their influence steadily grow since Iranian-backed Hizbullah was formed nearly three decades ago.
Many southern Lebanese said they were grateful for Iran’s recent support, especially in postwar aid.
Officials close to Hizbullah say Iran has contributed about $1 billion (€711 million) in aid.
Others said Iranian military support would be vital in any future confrontation with Israel, which they believed was inevitable.
“I am here to greet him because he has helped us with money and weapons. Nobody has stood by the resistance except for Iran,” said Ali Tabboush (35), who travelled from Saudi Arabia to attend the rally.
While Mr Ahmadinejad took pains to frame his trip as one that benefited all of Lebanon, his visit to the Shia-dominated south had a more specific audience.
The main highway to the south was lined with Iranian flags, and anti-Israeli slogans by Mr Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. “We and Iran are two souls in one body,” said Ms Samra. – (Reuters)