“Hezbollah arms are illegitimate”, says Future Movement

The Future Movement bloc issued a statement following its weekly meeting in which it stated : “Hezbollah’s weapons have proved to be illegitimate” adding “ they are pointed at the chests of the Lebanese citizens.”

“The arms are being used to influence public opinion and are being employed in regional conflicts,” the statement said

The bloc added that it has a constitutional right to become the country’s opposition in order to “confront the terror [of the Hezbollah-led March 8 coalition].”

The bloc also reiterated that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is the “only body that is authorized to uncover the truth behind the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [in 2005] and the martyrs of assassinations.”

“The tribunal is not a revenge tool but it intends to achieve justice.”

Outgoing PM Saad Hariri vowed on Monday to fight the use of non-state weapons in Lebanon in a “peaceful and democratic way.”

Tensions in Lebanon have been simmering for months as it has become increasingly apparent the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon STL) is leaning toward charging Hezbollah , the Shiite militant Muslim group with killing former PM Rafik Hariri on Valentine’s Day 2005.

The massive, 1,000 kilogram, car bomb that killed Mr. Hariri as he traveled along Beirut’s fashionable seaside Corniche, left a crater 10 meters deep, knocked down several buildings and killed 21 other people, in addition to killing the billionaire tycoon who had rebuilt war-shattered Beirut.

Lebanese politicians fear any indictment of Hezbollah members for the killing could lead to a situation where the group might militarily seize large parts of Lebanon, just as it did in May 2008, when it briefly grabbed control of the western part of Beirut and tried, but failed, to occupy the Druze stronghold of Mt. Lebanon.

For months now, rumors have hinted UN investigators have uncovered evidence a Hezbollah hit-squad carried out the killing.

Hezbollah’s leaders have denied the charge.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also warned all Lebanese last November not to assist UN investigators, saying to do so would be tantamount to an attack on his movement.

Nasrallah vowed to “cut off the hand” of anyone who tried to arrest a Hezbollah fighter.