On May 27, 2013, the Al-Arabiya network posted on its website an article titled "Old Video Comes Back to Haunt Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah," linking to a MEMRI TV clip – translated and posted by MEMRI in October 2010 - in which a young Hassan Nasrallah laid out his dream of a "Greater Islamic Republic" under the leadership of Iran. "Lebanon should not be an Islamic republic on its own, but rather part of the Greater Islamic Republic, governed by the Master of Time [the Mahdi], and his rightful deputy, the Jurisprudent Ruler, Imam Khomeini," Nasrallah said in the video, which was presumably shot in 1988, before he had taken the helm of Hizbullah.
The Al-Arabiya website article was posted following Nasrallah's televised May 25 address, in which he officially admitted engagement in the Syrian civil war and defended his support of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Following is the text of the excerpts of Nasrallah's archival address, translated by MEMRI TV. To view the video, go to: http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/2636.
"Our Plan... Is To Establish An Islamic State Under The Rule Of Islam"
Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah: "What is the nature of the regime that Hizbullah wants for Lebanon at present, in light of the state of the country and the numerous sects? The preceding lectures have answered this question. Right now, we do not have a plan for a regime in Lebanon. We believe that we should remove the colonialism and the Israeli [occupation], and only then can a plan be implemented."
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"Our plan, to which we, as faithful believers, have no alternative, is to establish an Islamic state under the rule of Islam. Lebanon should not be an Islamic republic on its own, but rather, part of the Greater Islamic Republic, governed by the Master of Time [the Mahdi], and his rightful deputy, the Jurisprudent Ruler, Imam Khomeini. [...]
"[I was asked] about Hizbullah's relations with Iran and with the leadership of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. As far as we are concerned, these relations... I am one of the people working for Hizbullah and its active apparatuses. I would not have remained for a single moment in any apparatus of Hizbullah if I were not absolutely convinced that these apparatuses are connected, through a certain hierarchy, to the Jurisprudent Ruler and Leader, whose decisions are binding."
Our Relation With Iranian Leadership and Rule Of The Jurisprudent Is "Axiomatic"
"As far as we are concerned, this is axiomatic. Diplomatic and political statements are not what is important in this case. Ayatollah Karroubi cannot simply admit: Yes, Hizbullah are our people in Lebanon. This is inconceivable, both politically and media-wise. Our essential and organic relation with the leadership of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Rule of the Jurisprudent is axiomatic, as far as we are concerned.
"We belong to this path, we make sacrifices for its sake, and we expose ourselves to dangers, because we are convinced that the blood we shed flows for the sake of the Rule of the Jurisprudent. [...]
"Should the Jurisprudent Ruler be the one to appoint the leaders, and bestow legitimacy upon them, in all Muslim countries? Yes, because his jurisprudence is not limited by geographical boundaries. It extends to wherever Muslims may be." [...]
