Sheik claims 20,000 rockets

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BEIRUT -- Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah told hundreds of thousands of supporters at a "victory" rally yesterday that his guerrillas have 20,000 rockets left after the war with Israel and will not surrender their arsenal unless a stronger Lebanese government is in place.

The gathering that sprawled over a swath of bombed-out south Beirut was a defiant show of Hezbollah strength and a challenge to the government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

It also aimed to demonstrate that Hezbollah was not weakened by U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanese troops deploying across southern Lebanon with a mandate to rein in the Shi'ite guerrillas.

Police estimated 800,000 people -- mostly Shi'ites but including some Christians -- filled the 37-acre lot to hear Sheik Nasrallah, forming a sea of waving yellow Hezbollah banners, mixed with a smaller number of Lebanese flags.

In his first public appearance since Israel launched its offensive against Hezbollah on July 12, Sheik Nasrallah called for the formation of a new government. He repeatedly attacked Mr. Siniora's administration, saying it was weak and unable to protect Lebanon from Israel.

"Tears don't protect anyone," the black-turbaned cleric said in a jab at Mr. Siniora, who wept several times in speeches during the Israeli assault as he pleaded for international support.

Sheik Nasrallah said his group would keep its arms until Lebanon has a stronger government. Giving up weapons now "under this government ... means leaving Lebanon exposed before Israel to kill and detain and bomb whomever they want, and clearly we will not accept that," he said.

Hezbollah's push for a larger presence in government could deepen tensions in a country already sharply divided over the war that killed hundreds of Lebanese.

A stronger Hezbollah political role would also blunt efforts by the United States and Israel to weaken the group and decrease the influence of its ally, Syria.

Former President Amin Gemayel said parts of Sheik Nasrallah's speech were "dangerous."