Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said during a televised speech from an undisclosed location that his group would not lay down its weapons even if the disputed Shebaa Farms in southern Lebanon was liberated from Israeli occupation. "Even if Shebaa Farms are liberated, the weapons of the resistance will remain because these weapons are for defense. We are threatened by Israel, so let us discuss how to defend our country." He said Nasrallah added : "The decision of war and peace is in the hands of Israel and America. Israel is the one which is threatening Lebanon with war" Shebaa was captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day war with Israel. Israel says Shebaa is Syrian territory and its fate should be determined in future peace talks with Damascus. Lebanese and Syrian officials claim that Shebaa is a Lebanese territory. Lebanese officials said several residents have land deeds stamped by the Lebanese government.
Israel officially ended its 22-year occupation of southern Lebanon in May 2000. Nasrallah accused Israel of threatening Lebanon and said his group will destroy "the five (Israeli) brigades in the south, Western Bekaa and everywhere."