Lebanese MP to Hezbollah: Disarm in 6 months - or leave

Bayar Abu Asi, a Lebanese Parliament member representing the Lebanese Forces Party (Christians), gave an interview for Lebanese television today (Sunday) in which he demanded that Hezbollah truly disarm:

"We insist that Hezbollah must surrender its weapons within 6 months. We want to build a state. If they don't want to surrender their weapons, let them take a piece of land and leave us in peace. We don't want to continue being associated with a religious party whose ideology is connected to Iran. They shouldn't stay here to exploit us. I am not a guest of Hezbollah. As a Christian, as a member of the Lebanese Forces, as a Lebanese citizen - I am not a guest of Hezbollah. 'Bargaining chip, weakness card...' This cannot continue. We want to build a state. We want to live."

Tensions in Lebanon have been high after Israel struck a major weapons warehouse in the Dahia neighborhood of Beirut. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who has been advancing the disarmament of Hezbollah, protested against the strike, calling on France and the United States to enforce the cease fire on Israel, as well.