BEIRUT, Feb 22 (AFP) - A leading member of Lebanon's opposition called on Tuesday on Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Shiite fundamentalist group Hezbollah to join forces.
"Nasrallah, a great Lebanese who freed Lebanese territory from Israeli occupation, should join the caravan of those who want liberty and independence," Druze leader and MP Walid Jumblatt told journalists.
Nasrallah had called on the opposition Saturday to engage in dialogue to resolve the political crisis following the February 14 assassination of former premier Rafiq Hariri.
The opposition has stepped up its campaign to oust Syrian forces from Lebanon, blaming Damascus and the pro-Syrian government in Beirut of having a hand in the murder of Hariri
"Lebanon is no longer sovereign because all of its institutions are appendixes of the intelligence services in Anjar," he said, in reference to the headquarters in eastern Lebanon of Syria's military intelligence.
Hezbollah, a political and military movement, is backed by both Syria and Iran. Its militia spearheaded the guerilla campaign that led to Israel withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon in 2000 after two decades of occupation.
02/22/2005 14:44 GMT - AFP