Qassem: The Resistance Will Return at the Right Time and in the Right Manner – This Is Our Policy for the Next Phase
The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, provided a comprehensive analysis of the situation in Lebanon and the party’s stance during the recent war, which ended with a ceasefire agreement. He also addressed the periods following the assassinations of Hezbollah’s former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safi al-Din, which ultimately led to his own selection as the party’s leader, along with subsequent developments.
In his first televised interview since assuming Hezbollah’s leadership, Qassem revealed that he met with Nasrallah on September 18, eight days before the assassination, and spoke with him by phone on September 21, just days before the attack. He explained that his first televised appearance on September 30 was as the deputy to the newly appointed Secretary-General, Safi al-Din, who was later assassinated before his official appointment, leading to Qassem taking over the party’s leadership.
Qassem stated that he immediately began communicating with Hezbollah’s military leadership, working to manage the situation and fill vacancies with experienced cadres who had overseen the battle. He emphasized that Hezbollah is a large organization with extensive capabilities and that during the war, the party successfully addressed security vulnerabilities and regained control of the situation.
He asserted that Israeli strikes, including the targeting of Tel Aviv and Netanyahu’s residence, pressured Israel into requesting a ceasefire. He emphasized that Hezbollah was capable of continuing the war and did not enter negotiations from a position of weakness. He also denied the existence of any secret clauses in the ceasefire agreement, stating that it is confined to southern Lebanon under UN Resolution 1701. He added that the Lebanese state is responsible for addressing Israeli violations of the agreement. Regarding the entry of rabbis into the Abboud site, Qassem viewed it as part of Israel’s expansionist agenda.
Qassem reaffirmed Hezbollah’s stance that as long as the occupation persists, resistance is inevitable and will resume at the right time and in the right manner. He criticized statements made by Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, arguing that they provide Israel with a pretext for further aggression. He insisted that such statements should not come from any Lebanese government official, especially since Hezbollah has adhered to the ceasefire while Israel continues to violate it.
On the Lebanese political front, Qassem stated that it is too early to assess relations with the new Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, but described the party’s relationship with President Joseph Aoun as maintaining a “positive warmth.” He downplayed concerns about Aoun’s comments on the exclusivity of state-held weapons, asserting that Hezbollah does not interpret them as directed at the party, since the legitimacy of the resistance stems from Israel’s continued presence.
He confirmed Hezbollah’s intention to participate in government appointments and municipal elections in coordination with the Amal Movement. He also praised the Socialist Party’s stance on Israel’s war against Lebanon and revealed that Hezbollah’s ties with the Free Patriotic Movement have not been severed. Additionally, he described relations with the Marada Movement as good and mentioned ongoing communication with Sunni and Druze MPs as part of Hezbollah’s commitment to internal consensus. He acknowledged areas of agreement with the Future Movement and wished them success.
Regarding Syria, Qassem stated that it is still too early to predict how the situation will unfold. However, he expressed hope for stability in the country and the establishment of a strong state capable of countering Israeli expansion. He emphasized that Hezbollah has no involvement in Syria’s internal affairs.
