HEZBOLLAH: WE'RE READY FOR 'OPEN WAR'

By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer

July 14, 2006

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Hezbollah's leader said Friday that his group is ready for "open war" with Israel, and as his words were broadcast, guerrillas attacked an Israeli warship that had been firing missiles into southern Beirut.

Speaking defiantly in an audiotape on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television less than an hour after missiles struck his headquarters and home, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah addressed Israelis and said they must take responsibility for their actions.

"You wanted an open war, and we are heading for an open war," he said. "We are ready for it."

"The surprises that I have promised you will start now. Now in the middle of the sea, facing Beirut, the Israeli warship that has attacked the infrastructure, people's homes and civilians — look at it burning," Nasrallah said.

"It will sink and with it will sink scores of Israeli Zionist soldiers. This is just the beginning," he warned.

Al-Jazeera reported the Israeli military was searching for four missing troops from the ship. Israeli officials would not immediately comment on the Arab broadcaster's report; an army spokesman said earlier the ship had apparently been struck by a rocket but that the damage was minor and no one was injured.

Immediately after Nasrallah's message was broadcast, Arab television showed nighttime video of what it said was the Israeli warship burning. But the video was unclear.

The audiotape came shortly after Israeli missiles struck Hezbollah headquarters and Nasrallah's house in southern Beirut. His comments, however, apparently were prerecorded, and Nasrallah did not refer to the missile attack on his offices and residence.

His words were greeted with heavy celebratory gunfire that rang out across the Lebanese capital.

The Hezbollah leader also repeated a threat to hit the Israeli coastal city of Haifa and other towns farther south. "To Haifa? Believe me, beyond and beyond Haifa."

"Our homes will not be the only ones to be destroyed, our children will not be the only ones to die. ... Those days are over, I promise you.

"You (Israelis) must take responsibility for what your government has done," he added. "You will soon discover how stupid and foolish your new government is."

Nasrallah called on the Lebanese people to be patient and steadfast.

"I promise you a new victory, just as I always have," he said.