Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad said Monday he hopes that Tuesday's massive demonstration in protest against U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 will not be provocative to any party, stressing that the Party of God is keen on showing the national and unification character of the move, An Nahar reported Tuesday morning. Raad made the comment after a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir in suburban Bkirki. "We came here to assure that it is the right of the Lebanese regardless of their affiliations to express themselves... The important thing is that the others hear those views and discuss them in an objective manner in order to reach a mechanism to confront challenges through dialogue," said Raad who headed a Hizbullah delegation to Bkirki.

Asked if the demonstrations and counter protests will serve national unity, Raad said: "I believe national unity is a concern for all the reasonable and wise people in this country. We all have to protect it and ensure it and look for means to boost it in order not to slip into the dangers of impulsive reactions." He said the demand raised by Tuesday's demonstration "is a national request because I believe there is no single Lebanese who does not want to confront the interference of the foreign powers in its affairs and resolution 1559 is an example of such interference."

He brushed aside the provocative character of the march saying: "Provocations and counter-provocations do not build a nation... We have no intention of provoking or alienating anyone or any Lebanese factions, we are simply carrying a great national worry and concern and we believe that all the Lebanese share with us that concern... The demonstration and our participation in it are not meant to be a challenge to anyone. We hope the demonstration will not carry any provocative slogans and we are keen on showing its general national character and unifying objective," he added.