Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah threatened to hurt the regime in Beirut if an international tribunal accuses members of his organization of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the Al-Akhbar daily reported Tuesday.

Speaking at a closed gathering of Hezbollah operatives, Nasrallah said in case the Shiite group is charged with killing Hariri, "Our options are anywhere between doing nothing and causing a major political change."

Obama Administration Clinton warns Syria of dangers of smuggling arms to Hezbollah Roee Nahmias Day after Nasrallah threatens to 'cut hands' of those who will try to arrest Shiite group operatives over Hariri assassination, Secretary of state says Washington committed to preserving stability in Lebanon Clinton warns Syria of dangers of smuggling arms to Hezbollah

Israel's army chief warned that the Shiite group could stage a coup in Lebanon if an international court targets its members over the murder of Hariri.

"There is a real possibility that Hezbollah will take over Lebanon," Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi said during a visit Monday to Canada.

Ashkenazi's comments came after Nasrallah warned last week that the Shiite group would "cut off the hand" of anyone who tried to arrest its members over Hariri's 2005 assassination.

The Hezbollah chief claimed Israel was behind attempts to charge his group for assassinating Hariri.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), a UN-backed investigation into the Hariri murder, is reportedly set to issue an indictment soon that will implicate high-ranking members of the Iranian-and Syrian-backed group.

AFP contributed to the report