Mahfouz then added: “Slowly, slowly, Sheikh, your phrases and the vocabulary of your speech are drawn from a bygone era, but your project contradicts the Lebanese constitution, the Lebanese laws, and the nature of living together as Muslims, Christians, and Druze. Perhaps your book, which you published under the title: “Hezbollah: The Approach – The Experience – The Future,” clarifies your denial of the civil republic and your call for a doctrine that does not harmonize with the composition of Lebanese society, which consists of 18 sects.”
He continued, saying: “Sheikh Naim, it is not important your refusal to hand over the militia’s weapons, the most important thing is the will of the Lebanese and the generalization of the culture of the state and institutions. “It is not important if you accept or reject,” weapons are your means of hegemony and control to secure your project and the interests of a foreign country. The matter is no longer up to your taste.”
Mahfouz continued his statement: “You are servants of Iran, and we do not allow you to direct insults and abuse at the Lebanese who reject your project and your militias, and who other than you serves in the service of the greater servant. Sheikh Naim, correct your course, improve your performance, and soften your expressions, for people are not slaves to your mood.”
He also stated: “Sheikh Naim, we will not allow you to accuse anyone of treason after today, for your house is made of glass and your cardboard throne is no longer useful, and before rage, intimidation, and threats, you are responsible for bringing in the occupation and for the destruction of the country. In what capacity, Sheikh Qassem, do you consider that Lebanon’s appointment of a “civilian” to the ceasefire monitoring committee is against the law and a free concession and an additional downfall for the government?”
Mahfouz wondered in the statement: “Who are you? And what is your position? In order to make an assessment that we see only as enabling a foreign country to exploit our land and use a faction to sabotage its service. What is issued by the state, by the government, by the President of the Republic, are final decisions for implementation, and any opposition from you should be through government institutions and parliament, otherwise keep your reservations within your headquarters.”
He added, saying: “Sheikh Naim, the ship sank since 2000, and what is happening today is a correction of the distortion and abnormality that you created under the pretext of resistance.”
Mahfouz concluded his response to Qassem by saying: “Sheikh Naim, it is time to write the end to the long Iranian film, so that you can then join the Lebanese state under the banner of the Lebanese Republic, which sponsors and protects all Lebanese.”
