The leader of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, heaps praise on the movement's military commanderMustafa Badreddine, who waskilled in Syria last week, saying he was a front-runner in the fight against Israel.
"Badreddine played a key role alongside [his predecessor]Imad Mughniyeh... in the 2006 war against Israel before assuming several responsibilities including the dismantling of Israeli spy networks," Nasrallah said in a televised speech on Friday.
Nasrallah was speaking to mark one week after Badreddine was killed.
He said Badreddine was tasked with overseeing Hezbollah's security and military units in Syria since Takfiri militants initiated a war there in 2011.
Hezbollah fighters are combating alongside the Syrian government forces against a range of terrorist groups operating in the war-torn Arab country, including Daesh and the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front.
The Hezbollah leader said Badreddine was initially directing the Syria operation from Lebanon, but later insisted on traveling to Syria to oversee in person the sensitive operation.
Nasrallah said Hezbollah was against Badreddines presence in Syria as the group knew of the media controversy that would arise of his involvement in the war.
He noted that Badreddines presence in Syria helped Hezbollah prevent the fall of the country into the hands of Takfiris and their American masters and spies in the region.
The 55-year-old Hezbollah commander led Hezbollah's military wing whichis helping the Syrian government drive out foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists from Syria.
Badreddine also directedmilitary operationsagainst the Israeli invasionofLebanon and was a frequent target of attempts byTel Aviv, Washington and its allies to assassinate or capture him.
He was the cousin and brother-in-law of Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated by Israelin 2008.
He said Hezbollah has not entirely ruled outIsrael of having a hand in Badreddines killing, but the group has not foundany cluesduring the probe that could directly hint at Israels role.
Nasrallah denied speculationsraised in some Arab media that Hezbollah did not assign blame on Israel for Badreddines killing because it wanted to escape responsibility for retaliation, saying throughout34 years of confrontation with Israel, the regime in Tel Aviv has never doubted the genuineness of Hezbollah pledges for carrying out such retaliations.
Our history is a proof that when we vow to retaliate we honor our pledges, Nasrallah said, adding that Hezbollah would not stand on ceremony to openly blameIsrael forperpetrating a crime when the evidence exists.
Nasrallah said Badreddines murdercame at the hands of Takfiri groups and was orchestrated by those actively seeking to undermine the resistance front, including the United States.
He said, however, that the death of the commander would not lead toHezbollah withdrawingfrom Syria. Badreddine's blood will push us to a bigger presence in Syria... We will remain in Syria and more leader will go into Syria, Nasrallah said.