Machnouk Describes Resistance Brigades as Occupation Brigades
Asharq Al-Awsat
21 August 2016
http://english.aawsat.com/2016/08/article55356833/machnouk-describes-resistance-brigades-occupation-brigades

Beirut – It is true that the so-called Hezbollah had transferred most of its
leadership and military elite to the Syrian arena to protect Bashar Al-Asad
and the Iranian plot for the area, yet in return it was preparing an
alternate army named “Resistance Brigades”.

The alternate army was recently described by Lebanese Minister of Interior
as “occupation brigades.”

The minister said that the brigades are not acceptable under any
circumstances, pledging that he will fight this occupation with all
political and peaceful means.

It is no secret that the Resistance Brigades formed in the early 90’s to
fight Israel had changed its goals. It is now used inside Lebanon in any
internal security event.

The group comprised of Lebanese young men who wanted to fight the Israeli
occupation of south Lebanon without having to officially join Hezbollah.

Lebanese people didn’t forget the dangerous domestic missions especially
after the Syrians left Lebanon in 2005. Its role started by occupying Beirut’s
downtown for over a year and half from November 2006 till Novembers 2008.
Then in 2011 they had several armed clashes in Beirut main areas and “Black
Shirts” attempt to overthrow the government of PM Najib Mikati.

Minister Machnouk said on Friday: “The latest show of force was what I read
in a newspaper that the Resistance Brigades – whom I call the strife
brigades – have a 50,000-strong army as well as domestic missions.”

“After reading these words, I would like to say that these are not strife
brigades but rather occupation brigades and we will never tolerate this
occupation under any circumstances,” the minister added.

“We were raised on the calls for resisting Israel but we will not accept
that this occupation be turned into a Lebanese occupation and we will resist
it with all peaceful and political means and ways. We will not tolerate it
anywhere, not only at the dialogue,” Machnouk stressed.

Director of Umam Documentation and Research Center Lukman Salim said that
the mission of the brigades is to create an alternate militia for Hezbollah,
which follows less-strict rules. He considered the importance of these
brigades is that they are of different Lebanese sects.

Salim is a Shia activist opposing to the so-called Hezbollah told Asharq
Al-Awsat newspaper that brigades include thieves who misuse the concept of
the resistance. It includes fighters of all sects and religions and are not
included within the strict rules Hezbollah imposes on its own fighters.

Salim added that Lebanon could be considered under Hezbollah’s political and
military occupation.

According to Salim, Hezbollah believes that Lebanon is a part of its fight
whether in Syria, Iraq or Yemen. “Lebanon is part of the battle even if it
is somehow stable now.”