In a lengthy speech in Baalbek on Friday, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem declared that the group “will not hand over its weapons as long as the occupation exists and aggression continues.” He pledged that Hezbollah would wage a “Karbala-like battle” — invoking the historic 7th-century confrontation central to Shiite history — against what he labeled the American-Israeli agenda. He expressed certainty that the movement would prevail and said he placed “full responsibility on the Lebanese government for any strife that may occur.”
Qassem accused the government of shirking its responsibility to safeguard the nation, urging, “Defend Lebanon, and let us build the country together, because it cannot be built by one component alone. This is our country, and we build its sovereignty together; otherwise, there will be no life for Lebanon if you stand on the other side. Either Lebanon remains and we remain together, or to the world, farewell.”
He fiercely denounced the initiative to disarm Hezbollah, warning that it “strips Lebanon, the resistance, and its people of defensive arms during aggression,” leaving both fighters and civilians vulnerable to “killing and displacement.” He alleged the plan was rooted in “an American decision and serves the Israeli project, whether you know it or not,” and taunted, “Were you pleased that Netanyahu praised you? Notice the joy and Israeli statements!”
Qassem dismissed official assertions that the move was driven by foreign coercion, likening it to willingly killing one’s own children for monetary gain. He told his audience, “Do not be afraid, and do not live under intimidation. You are protecting yourselves, not the country.” He argued that if the government is unable to stand up to Israel, it should “step aside” and allow Hezbollah to take on that role.
He cautioned against pushing the Lebanese army into domestic conflict, commending its commanders for avoiding such entanglement. He noted that Hezbollah and its ally Amal had refrained from public demonstrations to give dialogue a chance, but warned that if they are compelled to act, “we are ready. Then protests may head to the streets, to the American embassy, or elsewhere.”
Qassem maintained that Hezbollah’s legitimacy stems from the Taif Agreement, the Lebanese constitution, and the sacrifices of its fighters — not from the approval of the government. He highlighted the group’s achievements, pointing to the end of Israeli occupation in 2000 and the defeat of ISIS in eastern Lebanon in 2017, both carried out with the army’s cooperation.
He characterized the July 2006 war as “a great victory” shared by the Lebanese army, the people, and the resistance, claiming it secured 17 years of deterrence against Israel. He attributed this outcome to the wartime leadership of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and voiced gratitude to Iran for its financial, military, and political backing, singling out the late Qassem Soleimani for special mention.
Qassem tied Hezbollah’s mission directly to the Palestinian cause, vowing: “Palestine will remain the compass. All that Israel does, and all that America supports, will not deter the Palestinian people from resistance.”
{Matzav.com}
