Haniyeh: our right of return is sacred
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh visits Lebanon as part of a scheduled Arab tour, where he met top officials, popular and civil committees, and factions representatives
Right of return
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh said, "the return of 7 million Palestinian refugees to their cities of origin and hometowns in Palestine is a legal right that we will never concede or back down from, no matter the cost. We shall forever hold dear the constants of our Palestinian people and preserve them until liberation is achieved."
Palestinians in Lebanon
During a popular meeting held in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, with different popular and civil committees and factions representatives, as well as the Palestinian Popular Committees, Haniyeh emphasized that "the camps in Lebanon shall always stand as the exemplar of Palestinian steadfastness."
Haniyeh also called for the realization of the civil and social rights of the Palestinian refugees and the speeding up of the reconstruction process of the Nahr al-Bared camp in northern Lebanon.
He also confirmed that the "Battle of Seif al-Quds has brought together the Palestinian people living inside and outside Palestine by the choice of resistance. Our people and fellow citizens hailed the Resistance, as well as the Resistance commander Mohammed Deif", adding "the "Resistance enjoys several points of strength which it can use to deter the occupier and put an end to its crimes."
He concluded saying: "What we have taken by the force of Seif al-Quds shall not be given back by the force of negottiations over reconstruction, and we shall reconstruct Gaza regardless of what the Israeli occupation might think."
Haniyeh meets Sayyed Nasrallah
Yesterday, Tuesday, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah received Haniyeh and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they stressed "the depth of the existing relationship between Hezbollah and Hamas."
A statement issued by Hezbollah clarified that the two parties thoroughly discussed Seif al-Quds Battle, along with its causes, events, and results, all of which enables the Resistance in Palestine, side by side with the Axis of Resistance in the region, to lay a strong foundation derived from the achieved victory and to employ and organize all the potentials and capabilities which can pave the way for achieving the conclusive and ultimate victory.
Haniyeh meets Berri and Aoun
Earlier, Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri had also received Haniyeh. Berri addressed Haniyeh, saying: "Before all the media outlets, I congratulate you on this victory, and I congratulate all of Palestine on its steadfastness, resilience, and victory."
Moreover, in his meeting with Haniyeh last Monday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun confirmed that Lebanon continues to hold on to its fixed stance that supports the Palestinian cause and rejects naturalization, praising the exceptional role of the Palestinian Resistance during the last battle.
Arab tour
Haniyeh's visit to Lebanon today comes as part of his trip to the Arab states he is scheduled to visit: Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iran.
Haniyeh had already visited Morocco, heading a leading delegation from Hamas, upon the invitation of the Moroccan Justice and Development Party.