Nasrallah warns Israelis not to pick another fight

BEIRUT: Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday warned that "all possibilities" were open against Israel as he gave a fiery speech in which he blasted the Jewish state's bloody offensive against the Gaza Strip. "We have to act as though all possibilities are real and open [against Israel] and we must always be ready for any eventuality," said Nasrallah, whose party defended Lebanon during the summer 2006 war with Israel.

His comment marked the first time he has spoken so openly on the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel since the war in Gaza began on December 27.

Nasrallah, addressing tens of thousands of supporters in Beirut's suburbs via video link on the occasion of Ashura, warned that the 2006 conflict in which some 1,200 Lebanese - mostly civilians - and 160 Israelis - mostly soldiers - were killed would be "but a walk in the park" compared to what awaits Israel if it launches a new offensive on Lebanon.

"I say to [Israeli Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert, the loser, the vanquished in Lebanon, that you cannot overcome Hamas or Hizbullah," Nasrallah said.

"Your 2006 war will be but a walk in the park compared to what we have prepared for you in the event of a new offensive," he added.

Olmert on Tuesday warned Hizbullah against starting any new conflict, warning the resistance group that Israel was ready to respond on its northern front if threatened.

"Let it be clear, we will make no compromise on our security ... No one should get the wrong impression over our determination and our alertness on any front. We are not afraid of any confrontation or threat.

"We truly hope that no one will put us to the test," Olmert said in a speech broadcast on Israel's Army Radio.

"We are ready to sacrifice our souls, our brothers and sisters, our children, our loved ones for what we believe in," Nasrallah said Wednesday.

He also reiterated past criticism of Egypt for failing to open its border with Gaza and blasted the UN Security Council for not acting to denounce the Israeli offensive that has left more than 700 Palestinians dead.

"Does the government in Egypt need more than 650 victims and 2,500 wounded to open the Rafah crossing once and for all to help the people of Gaza toward victory?" Nasrallah said. "I am simply asking for the opening of a crossing and not another front."

The sayyed also commended Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez for expelling Israel's ambassador to Caracas. "Arab governments must learn from this great Latin American leader to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people and must cut relations with Israel," he said.

Jordan, Egypt and Mauritania are the only Arab countries with full diplomatic ties to Israel.