Cleric blames Hezbollah for insecurity

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The possibility of war for Lebanon exists so long as Shiite resistance movement Hezbollah plays a role in state affairs, a leading Christian cleric said Friday.

Saber-rattling between Israel and Lebanon is escalating as both sides blame the other for regional instability. Israel said it is justified to maintain a defensive posture amid a looming Hezbollah threat. Beirut, for its part, said Hezbollah has the right to an armed resistance so long as the threat from Israel remains.

Nasrallah Sfeir, the patriarch of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, told Lebanese magazine al-Massira that the armed divisions in Lebanon were "forcing" their agenda on others in the state.

He said the possibility for war exists as long as Hezbollah has a role in Lebanese affairs, Hezbollah's al-Manar news station reports.

Hezbollah emerged from June parliamentary elections with two ministerial positions in the new Lebanese government. Beirut in late 2009 agreed on a policy statement that allows Hezbollah to keep its weapons in violation of U.N. resolutions.

Sfeir in December said he feared an armed resistance that would use its weapons on Lebanon's enemies one day, and turn them on their domestic adversaries the next.

He called instead for incorporation into the Lebanese army, saying, "The Lebanese army alone should confront the enemy."