AL-THANI: In Lebanon, Hizbullah and the Shia are around 40 percent of the population, so if the Lebanese government went to enforce it [the draft resolution] … we might see a civil war again.
Why do they have to take on Hizbullah? They have to take the place of Hizbullah, and Hizbullah has to become a normal political party.
If the Israelis withdraw, they have to give [the land] to the United Nations force, which will deliver it to the Lebanese forces.
If we enforce the UNIFIL with the right weapons and structure, it could work. The [Lebanese government] objects to any forces other than UNIFIL … The government of Lebanon wants the umbrella of UNIFIL. That’s what we support.
It could still be part of the UNIFIL [force].
It is a Lebanese party, but maybe they have a good relationship with Iran.
I see no evidence of this.
I don’t agree with what he says. That’s not acceptable.
But maybe in 10 years they will.
Yes. Maybe [the next generation of Arab leaders] will once again say they want to throw the Israelis into the sea. So why not take advantage of reasonable people and cut a deal? Things could change.
This is what I think.
We have normal relations. It doesn’t mean we are very close, but we exchange views. Some Arab nations think we should not talk to them.
I don’t know exactly why … Your government has a short memory.
In the Middle East, there is frustration with United States policy. For that reason, you have a lot of enemies. And your friends are afraid to say they are your friends … because the majority sides with anyone carrying out acts against Israel or America.
Yes. You cannot ignore [the Syrians]. It’s bad policy to try to degrade and demoralize countries by not talking to them.
Shebaa could be given to the U.N. for a while and then, after a border demarcation, the U.N. would give it to Lebanon.
This is why starting the war was a mistake.
Things have changed. We are not representing Hizbullah. We are not the enemy of Hizbullah.
