Following the massive pro-Syrian, Hezbollah-sponsored rally last week, many in the Western press began to take a second look at the terror organization and its impish leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah. Robert Novak, appearing on CNN’s “Capital Gang” on Saturday night, quipped, “I’m glad we’re dealing with them.”

In Lebanon, the mainstream English daily, the Daily Star, ran an editorial on March 7 that stated, “Hezbollah is not a problem – it is part of Lebanon’s solution.” An editorial in Iran’s Tehran Times declared, “extra-regional powers could no longer leave Hezbollah out of international political calculations … which is growing every day … and is able to influence all … international political developments.”

Not everyone has fallen in love with Hezbollah. Last week the European Parliament labeled it a “terrorist” organization and called on E.U. members to restrict the group’s activities in a non-binding resolution. Also last week, the House Committee on International Relations marked up Resolution 101, noting Hezbollah’s capabilities are “equal to … if not far more capable of “Al Qaeda. The resolution also noted,” Whereas leaders of Hezbollah have made statements denouncing any distinction between its ‘political and military’ operations, such as Hezbollah’s representative in the Lebanese Parliament, Mohammad Raad, who stated in 2001 that ‘Hezbollah is a military resistance party. … There is no separation between politics and resistance.'”

Indeed, many pro-Syrian Lebanese politicians have discussed both support of Hezbollah and how the terror organization is an integral part of the government, as its members make up over 10% of the Parliament. For example, the international affairs adviser for President Lahoud, George Dib, appeared on Al-Manar TV on January 9, and explained Hezbollah is “the only card Lebanon can play” and that the government needs to “keep the resistance safe.”

Lebanon’s defense minister, Abdul-Rahim Murad, gave an interview to Egypt’s Dream TV on November 28 in which he discussed Hezbollah’s freedom to attack Israel, and how the terror organization receives its weapons from “Iranian … Syrian and Lebanese aid.”

The anti-Syrian rallies in Lebanon over the past few weeks included demonstrators considered anti-Hezbollah now and in the past. This is particularly true amongst Lebanese Christians as its main newspaper, Al-Nahar, has been vocal on this issue. As far back as August 14, 2003, its editor wrote, “Our controversy with Hezbollah centers on the fact that it has no right to exist as an armed movement within the state … to carry out its own policies as if there were no government institutions.” Another editorial on May 30, 2003, called on “disarming” Hezbollah and singled out Sheik Nasrallah, “Nasrallah is urging an Iraqi intifada against the American presence in Iraq, to continue the Palestinian intifada, and to continue the armed resistance in southern Lebanon … Who authorized Nasrallah to represent all the Lebanese, [and] to make decisions for them … Did Nasrallah appoint himself secretary general of all the Lebanese and the whole Arab world?”

Mr. Nasarallah is known for his fiery speeches to crowds screaming “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” At last week’s pro-Syrian rally, he declared, “To Syria we say long live Assad’s Syria.” He also made a direct threat to America: “I address the following to America … I say to President Bush … And to Ms. Condoleezza Rice … You are wrong about Lebanon.” He asked the crowd, “Are you Lebanese afraid of the American naval fleets? These naval fleets have come in the past, and were defeated, and if they come again, they will be defeated again.”

Calling America “the Great Satan” last month during another rally, Mr. Nasrallah stated, “We consider the current administration an enemy of our nation … because it is the greatest plunderer of our treasures, our oil, and our resources … this American administration is an enemy. Our motto, which we are not afraid to repeat year after year, is: ‘Death to America.'”

During the events of the past few weeks, many pundits have predicted the emergence of Hezbollah as the main power in Lebanon. This theory could turn out to be premature as the massive Hezbollah-sponsored rally was followed by an even larger anti-Syrian rally. The real message sent by those in attendance, including many Muslims, was directed not only to Syria, but to Hezbollah.

The tipping point for which faction emerges to control Lebanon will likely be dependent upon the amount of pressure the West places on Syria.

Mr. Stalinsky is the executive director of the Middle East Media Research Institute.