Following are excerpts from an interview of former Hizbullah secretary-general Subhi Tufeili, which aired on Murr TV on February 25, 2013.

Subhi Tufeili: The Shiites in Syria do not need anyone to defend them. On the contrary, it was us [Lebanese Shiites] who got them into trouble. The Shiites in Syria are in danger today because of us. We bear the responsibility for any Shiite who is harmed in Syria. We are the ones who have caused them problems and pain. The Shiites in Syria are not in need of our help or support.

[...]

Hizbullah is embroiling the Syrian Shiites in a tragedy. Every Shiite killed in Syria is killed because of Hizbullah. Hizbullah and Iran bear the responsibility for every home destroyed and tree uprooted. We could have spared the Shiites in Syria, in Lebanon, and in the region this abhorrent sectarian conflict.

There is a people and an oppressive ruler. The people wants to get rid of that ruler. We call ourselves followers of Imam Hussein and cry about the injustice done to him, and we say that the Imam Hussein acted against injustice... [What is happening in Syria] is injustice and crime.

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Interviewer: Should a Hizbullah member who is killed in Syria be considered a martyr?

Subhi Tufeili: You're asking if he should be considered a martyr for killing Muslim children?! For terrifying them?! For destroying their homes?! Was he liberating Palestine and therefore should be considered a martyr?! He is no martyr. He is going to Hell. That is what the Koran says.