1 May 2013

Hizbollah stands by Syrian govt

1:07 pm on 1 May 2013

Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has declared that Syria has real friends that will not allow the country to fall to America, Israel or Islamic extremists.

Mr Nasrallah, a staunch ally of Bashar al-Assad, said the Syrian opposition is too weak and does not have the military ability to bring down the government.

He said that if a key Shia shrine south of Damascus were to be destroyed, it would spark revenge that could get out of control.

A BBC correspondent said Nasrallah's comments make it clear that Hizbollah forces are fighting with Syrian government forces.