Hezbollah chief renews Israel threat

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in Beirut that "as long as Israeli threats persist" his group won't surrender its weapons.

"These weapons will remain because they are used for defense," Nasrallah said in a televised speech

He also vowed again that Hezbollah will destroy Israel if the Jewish state launches an attack on Lebanon, the Daily Star reported.

Nasrallah hinted he wants Israel to return the remains of missing guerrillas despite the 197 such bodies Israel handed over in a July prisoner swap.

He also stressed that even if Lebanon achieves its goal of gaining control of the Shebaa Farms, Hezbollah will continue its struggle.