Hizbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel late Tuesday against mounting another war on Lebanon.

Speaking on the anniversary of the ceasefire in last year’s 34-day conflict, Nasrallah said any attack would elicit “a colossal surprise likely to change the outcome of the war and the fate of the region.”

He admitted Hizbollah was now waging a “war of nerves” but said his aim was to avoid further warfare. Tens of thousands of Hizbollah supporters gathered at the sportsfield to commemorate the movement’s “divine victory” over Israel.

Although the anniversary of the victory was the occasion for the address, Nasrallah focused on the crisis on Lebanon’s domestic scene.

Political compromise
He declared that the movement supported negotiations leading to a political compromise between the Hizbollah-led opposition and the government, backed by the US and France which reject compromise with Hizbollah.

The movement demands increased participation in the cabinet of opposition parties and a veto on policy.  Its ministers resigned from the government headed by Fuad Siniora in November 2006 and hundreds of supporters settled into a tent city in the heart of the Lebanese capital, besieging the seat of government.

The crisis has sharpened because parliament must elect a new president by the end of September and cannot do so unless authorised by the incumbent Emile Lahoud, a Hizbollah ally, and called into session by Speaker Nabih Berri, another Hizbollah ally.

The two main candidates for the post are former President Amin Gemayel, who is supported by the government, and retired General Michel Aoun, the candidate of the opposition.

However, Gemayel’s defeat in a byelection for a parliamentary seat in a Christian area has given a major boost to Aoun.

Meanwhile, thousands of Lebanese people who lost their homes and livelihood during last summer's war complain that the government, which pledged to give them $40,000 dollars to rebuild, has delivered only half.  In many cases, this means they cannot proceed with rebuilding homes or commercial premises because they do not have enough money to complete construction.

Hizbollah gave each family who lost its home $10,000 to pay for rent until their homes could be reconstructed.  The government’s failure to pay the balance, although millions were donated for reconstruction by foreign powers, has alienated homeless Lebanese and increased their support for Hizbollah.