Hezbollah Leader Calls for New Suicide Terror Attacks Worldwide - 2002-12-09

The leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah has called for new suicide terrorist attacks worldwide. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, recently encouraged Palestinians at a gathering in Lebanon to carry out suicide bombings around the world without hesitation. His speech was broadcast by Hezbollah's television station in Lebanon. Hezbollah has a long history of terrorism in the Middle East and elsewhere. The victims of Hezbollah's terrorist attacks have included individuals of various nationalities, including Israelis, Lebanese, Americans, French, Argentinians, and others. In October 1982, Hezbollah suicide bombers attacked a U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, killing two hundred and forty-one Americans and fifty-eight French soldiers. Hezbollah is also believed to have been involved in terrorist attacks on the U.S. embassy facilities in Beirut in 1983 and 1984. Additionally, Hezbollah is suspected of being involved in the 1994 attack on the Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which resulted in nearly one hundred deaths. Based in Lebanon, Hezbollah is an extremist Shia group that focuses on expanding its influence in Lebanon and opposing Israel and the United States. The U.S. has designated Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization and is working to bring those responsible for these terrorist crimes to justice. Nasrallah has called for the destruction of Israel and criticized Arab leaders who seek a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hezbollah has a close alliance with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Another Hezbollah leader, Imad Mughniyeh, is wanted by U.S. officials for his involvement in terrorist operations, including the hijacking of a Trans World Airlines passenger jet in 1985, during which an American was deliberately killed. He is believed to be hiding in Lebanon or Iran. The U.S. has offered a five million dollar reward for information leading to his capture. The U.S. condemns Hezbollah's encouragement of violence and terrorism. According to President George Bush, countries around the world must unite to stand against all terrorists. He states that in this world, there are both noble ideals and wicked goals. While there may be disagreements on how to draw the line between good and evil, there is no such thing as a good terrorist. As President Bush has said, no national ideal and no injustice can ever justify the deliberate killing of innocents. Any government that rejects this principle and seeks to choose and pursue terrorist friends will be aware of the consequences.