Hezbollah chief refuses disarmament; says ready to defend against “Israeli enemy”
On the one-year anniversary of his predecessor's death, Hezbollah's new Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, delivered his first major speech, issuing a defiant message to both the Lebanese government and the international community.
Read more: Last photo of Hassan Nasrallah released by Lebanese media
Qassem vowed that the group would "face a Karbala-like confrontation" to prevent disarmament.
The term "Karbala-like confrontation" refers to the Battle of Karbala (680 AD), which is the foundational narrative of sacrifice and resistance in Shiite Islam.
Qassem accused Washington of continuing to apply pressure "to achieve politically what the Israeli occupation could not achieve by force."
“Karbala-like Confrontation” Against Disarmament
In a direct response to pressure to disarm, Qassem used the term "Karbala-like confrontation” to present willingness to fight to the end.
He affirmed that the group is "present for any defense in the face of the Israeli enemy."
On national unity, Qassem said, "We are keen on national unity, but we must be in one trench against the Israeli enemy”.
He urged the Lebanese government to focus on "national sovereignty" and reconstruction instead of "trifling with worthless side issues."
He called for the full implementation of the Taif Agreement, which he said advocates for "liberating all Lebanese territories and extending the army's sovereignty."
Context of Unprecedented Pressure
Qassem's speech comes as Hezbollah faces what the article calls the "most severe pressure in decades," following the deaths of Hassan Nasrallah and his presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine. It also follows calls by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to confine weapons to the state.
Qassem also rejected "submitting to the threat of being deprived of aid" and said Hezbollah has fulfilled its obligations under UN Resolution 1701 and called on ‘Israel’ to do the same.
