Hezbollah chief declares 'historic' win over Israel

BEIRUT: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared on Friday a divine, historic and strategic victory over Israel, saying he braved possible assassination to make his first public appearance since the month-long war.

"We are celebrating a great divine, historical and strategic victory," Nasrallah told a large rally at Beirut's Shiite southern suburbs.

Nasrallah said he had only decided to make his first appearance since the start of the month-long war on July 12 about half an hour before the start of the rally on Friday.

"Standing here before you ... incurs dangers on you and me," he said, adding that his "heart and mind" could not allow him to appear on a television screen.