Voices from Iran and Syria
The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice has warned Hezbollah's main allies, Syria and Iran, that they face isolation unless they try to halt the war in Lebanon.

A Syrian who supports Hezbollah, and an Iranian who does not, discuss the group's role in the conflict.

HALA, 27, CIVIL ENGINEER, HAMA, SYRIA

I support Hezbollah. Not for religious sectarian reasons, but because Hezbollah symbolises Arab resistance. This is what is lacking from the Arab scene.

Israel always blames Syria and Iran for all the problems in the region because these are the two countries that stand in the face of Israel and try to resist it.

Compared with Israel, Hezbollah has limited international support. But it does have lots of support among real people within Syria.

Israel has the backing of the international community, especially the USA. So why don't Arab countries rally round Hezbollah seeing as Israel already has the support of the world's major powers?

If the current stand-off continues Syria may get attacked. US forces could come across the border from Iraq, because they are already there.

As I see it, there are two possible ways this conflict could go.

The temporary one is that Hezbollah continues its attacks and keeps on fighting.

The more permanent solution is that the Arab countries cut off oil to the west and open up their borders so people from Arab countries who want to go and fight can do so.

BAHMAN, SCIENCE TEACHER, TEHRAN, IRAN

I am no great fan of Hezbollah. Yet the West's pronouncements on this current crisis shock and anger me.

Are Bush, Rice and their patsy Blair so foolish to believe what they say when they place all the blame on Hezbollah, Syria and Iran?

Blame naturally is on both sides, but Israel as the more powerful player carries more responsibility for the entire Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Hezbollah, while having its own agenda for prisoner exchange, was also reacting to Israeli actions in Gaza.

Hezbollah's popularity and strength are linked proportionally to Israel's policies and use of violence in the region.

Here in Iran we do get tired of Ahmedinejad's constant banging on about Israel and his pathetic statements about the Holocaust.

But Israel's horrific actions in Lebanon, its repeated disregard for Muslim and Christian Arab civilians has served to harden popular opinion. Israel is viewed as barbaric, oppressive and racist.

If Israel made serious moves towards peace in the Middle East, groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah would not find domestic support for violent acts.

But as long as Israel kills and imprisons as it wishes, these groups will find people willing to fill their ranks. And I can't say I blame them.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/5219680.stm

Published: 2006/07/27 10:28:20 GMT

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