Nasrallah appeared to mock Rice, who just concluded the first American diplomatic foray in the region since the fighting began July 12. She repeatedly said there was no place in "a new Middle East" for Hezbollah or other Islamist groups bent on Israel's destruction.
Nasrallah claimed Israel's military offensive was linked to a U.S.-Israeli plan for "a new Middle East." He claimed Israel had been planning to attack his forces in southern Lebanon by October but lost the element of surprise and was forced to move early after his forces crossed the border into Israel and captured two soldiers on July 12. Eight Israeli soldiers died in the attack.
"In an American and Zionist assessment, there are obstacles to a new Middle East. In the new Middle East, the Palestinian cause should be liquidated," Nasrallah said.
"In the new Middle East, there is no place for any resistance movement. The resistance movements in Palestine and Lebanon must be eliminated," Nasrallah added, referring to Hamas, fellow Islamic militants fighting in the
Gaza Strip.
"The new Middle East means a region controlled by the U.S. administration which unilaterally runs (the region's) affairs and resources with Israel being its prime partner."
He said Israel could not win a ground war against Hezbollah.
"The goal of the incursion to prevent the rocketing of the settlements will not be achieved," he said. "The rocketing will continue no matter what the incursion is. We are ready for a ground confrontation. We will have the upper hand in a ground confrontation. We will recover any land occupied by the enemy," Nasrallah vowed.
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