Beirut International Forum for Resistance

On Friday, Beirut hosted a 3-day conference seeking international support for the resiatance groups fighting against the occupiers of Muslim lands in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. The conference was attended by delegates from 42 Arab and non-Arab countries including the leader of Lebanese Islamic Resistance Hizb’Allah Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hamas Khaled Meshaal, vice-president of Islamic Iran Mohammed Reza Mir Tajeddini, regional leader of Ba’ath Party Shahinaz Fakoush, former Lebanese prime minister Salim al-Hos, founder of International Action Center (IAC) former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and head of the International Council of Scholars Sheikh Dr. Yusuf Qaradawi. Messages of support from the President of Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. ahmadinejad and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – supporting a unified resistance against the Israeli and American imperialism in the region.

The Forum was organized by an initiative launched by the Arab Center for Communication and Solidarity, following up on several similar Forums which began with the Jerusalem Forum in Istanbul in 2007, followed by Right to Return Forum in Dasmascus in 2008, the Forum for Supporting Sudan in Khartoum in Spring 2009 and the Golan Forum in Qunaitira in Fall 2009.

One of the largest delegate came from Venezuela consisting of 30 members including MPs. MP Victor Chirinos brought message of support from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

All speakers condemned Egyptian government for the construction of US-sponsored underground seperation wall to deprive outside access to the 1.5 million besieged Gaza people. They also recognized the support of Turkey, Islamic Iran, Syria and Hizb’allah to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip and their constructive role in the settlement of the Middle East dispute. The conference supported Hamas and Hizb’Allah resistance against Zionist occupation and Iraqi and Afghan resistance against the US and NATO occupation. The participants urged the UN member countries to reinstate UN Resolution 3379 that equated Zionism with racism.

Hassan Nasrallah in his speech said: “I promise you, in view of all the threats you hear today – that should a new war with Zionists erupt, we will crush the enemy, come out victorious and change the face of the region. The future of this region is resistance, dignity and freedom. And inshAllah (God willing), Israel, the occupation, hegemony and arrogance are in the process of disappearance.” Hizb’Allah is the only Arab militia which has successfully defeated Israeli army twice, in 2000 and 2006.

Khaled Meshaal said: “Resistance is legitimate right of Palestinians by all international laws – which gives the peoples’ right to resist occupation. The message of this forum is that resistance is not only the natural reaction against occupation, but it also can stand firm and achieve victory.”

British MP George Galloway told Lebanese newspaper As Safir that everyone whose land has been occupied, has the right to resist against the occupation and that Hizb’Allah in 2006 demonstrated to the world that Israel was no longer an invincible force. Galloway said: “People are no longer afraid of Israel and all that Israel can do is threaten Iran, Lebanon and Gaza, but it is not in a position to launch any war, I think.”

The addresses of other speakers can be read here.