Hezbollah Chief vows 'escalation' if Lebanon does not get maritime rights

Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday threatened that there would be an “escalation” with Israel if Lebanon’s maritime demands are not met, Lebanese Naharnet news website reported.

“If the Lebanese state is not given what it wants, we will be heading to an escalation, even if the nuclear agreement is signed,” Nasrallah warned in a televised address during a Hezbollah event.

Nasrallah was apparently referring to the possibility of reaching a deal on the nuclear issue between Iran and world powers.

“Should the US mediator come and give the Lebanese state what it wants, we will be heading to calm, regardless of whether or not there will be a nuclear agreement,” Nasrallah affirmed.

“The eyes of the Lebanese should not be on Vienna… The eyes should be on Karish, the sea border and northern Israel,” Hezbollah’s leader added.

Nasrallah accused US mediator Amos Hochstein of “still wasting time,” warning that “his time is running out.”

READ: Israeli security officials warn of Hezbollah escalation if no agreement with Lebanon on maritime border