Hezbollah chief makes rare public apperance

Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebanon's Hezbollah's group has made a rare public appearance at a Beirut rally to mark the Muslim holy day of Ashoura.

The leader has rarely been seen in public since his group battled Israel in a month-long war in 2006, fearing Israeli assassination. Since then, he usually communicates with his followers and gives news conference via satellite link.

But on Tuesday, the black-turbaned Nasrallah was seen walking through a throng of people in a southern Shia stronghold in Beirut and then greeted crowds from the podium.

"I wanted to be with you for a few minutes ... to renew our pledge and for the world to hear us," Nasrallah said. His public appearance, he said, was a message to those who believed they could "threaten us."

Nasrallah also said Hezbollah was "here to stay" and would never give up its weapons.

"We are increasing in numbers and in weapons ... and for those who are betting that our weapons are rusting, we say that our weapons are being renewed," he said.

A smiling Nasrallah then left the podium, telling tens of thousands of supporters he would reappear in few minutes on a giant screen for a longer speech.

"See you in few minutes," he joked to his followers before he left.

His appearance is meant to portray confidence at a time of upheaval in the Middle East, and particularly in Syria, which along with Iran is Hezbollah's backer.
Syrians and Arabs around the region have in recent years elevated Nasrallah to the status of a nationalist hero after the success of Hezbollah fighters in the 2006 war with Israel.
Since the Syrian uprising, however, Syrians have unleashed their anger at Hezbollah over its blunt support for the regime of President Bashar Assad.
Some protesters in Syria have set fire to the yellow flag of Hezbollah and pictures of Nasrallah.
Ashoura, a Muslim holy day, is also when Shias commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.