Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has accused Lebanon’s government of “handing” the country to Israel by pushing for the group’s disarmament, warning that Hezbollah would fight to keep its weapons. In a televised address, Qassem stated, “The resistance will not surrender its weapons while aggression continues, occupation persists, and we will fight it… if necessary to confront this American-Israeli project no matter the cost.” He also urged the government “not to hand over the country to an insatiable Israeli aggressor or an American tyrant with limitless greed.”
Qassem’s speech was directed at the government, warning them of the dangers of their decision and the potential consequences of internal strife. “This is our nation together. We live in dignity together, and we build its sovereignty together – or Lebanon will have no life if you stand on the other side and try to confront us and eliminate us,” he said. Hezbollah has long maintained that it needs to keep its arsenal to defend Lebanon from attack, but critics have accused the group of using its weapons for political leverage.
The Lebanese government, under pressure from the United States, has ordered the army to devise a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. However, Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, has expressed its opposition to the disarmament plan and has promised to continue providing support to the group. Ali Larijani, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief, met with Qassem and President Joseph Aoun this week, reiterating Iran’s stance on the issue. Aoun told Larijani that he rejected any interference in the country’s internal affairs, branding as “unconstructive” Iran’s statements on plans to disarm Hezbollah.
Hezbollah emerged badly weakened from last year’s war with Israel, but the group remains determined to defend Lebanon and its sovereignty. Qassem warned the government that it would “bear responsibility for any internal explosion and any destruction of Lebanon” if it continues to pursue the disarmament plan. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further conflict and instability in the region.