HIZBALLAH CALLS FOR ISLAMIC REPUBLIC IN LEBANON

UNCLAS BEIRUT 00992 E.O. 12356: N/A TAGS: PINT PTER LE SUBJECT: HIZBALLAH CALLS FOR ISLAMIC REPUBLIC IN LEBANON ¶1. IN A STATEMENT PUBLISHED IN BEIRUT NEWSPAPERS ON FEBRUARY 18, HIZBALLAH DECLARED ITS ALLEGIANCE TO AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI AND PLEDGED TO ESTABLISH "REVOLUTION- ARY ISLAMIC RULE" IN LEBANON. STATEMENT DENIED THAT HIZBALLAH WOULD ESTABLISH ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST RULE BY FORCE, BUT "WE DO NOT HIDE OUR COMMITMENT TO ISLAMIC RULE, AND WE CALL ON ALL PEOPLE TO CHOOSE THIS REGIME. WE WILL FIGHT ABSOLUTISM TO ITS ROOTS." ¶2. STATEMENT IS REPORTED BY LOCAL PRESS TO BE HIZBALLAH'S FIRST PUBLIC MANIFESTO. BARTHOLOMEW