Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem sticks to his guns

BEIRUT — Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem has again rejected any disarmament of his party. In a speech broadcast today, he stressed that Hezbollah will not agree to any proposed timetable under the shadow of Israeli aggression, rejecting any new agreement other than the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Israel. 

Disarmament is one of several demands made by the US. The American demand for a timetable for the disarmament of Hezbollah, which the US considers a terrorist organization, only works in favor of Israel, Secretary-general Qassem said. He further held one of his endless tirades about Israel’s evil military presence and actions inside Lebanon. He also fiercely criticized the Lebanese cabinet—which convened today to discuss US demands on the financially struggling country—for failing to confront the “aggressor” Israel, for not demanding full compliance with the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, and for not being able to defend the country’s borders. “If the state is not capable, let us preserve and develop our [military] capabilities.” 

Qassem explained that Hezbollah from its side has held to the ceasefire and cooperated—indirectly—with the Lebanese state. He reiterated Hezbollah’s commitment to resistance against Israel and called for the development of a national strategy to protect Lebanon rather than imposing [American] dictates.