Speaking at an Arbaeen ceremony in the city of Baalbek, Hojjatoleslam Sheikh Naim Qassem described the Lebanese government’s August 5 decision as “dangerous”, warning that it weakens the country’s defensive capacity and paves the way for targeting Resistance fighters and their families.
He cautioned against implementing what he called “an American–Zionist plan to weaken the Resistance”, telling Lebanese officials: “If you are incapable, let us confront the enemy ourselves. We do not need your participation, but it is not your duty to hand over the country to the enemy or submit to unrestrained U.S. domination”.
The Hezbollah deputy leader pointed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expansionist scheme for a so-called “Greater Israel” encompassing parts of Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, calling it a blatant assault on Arab sovereignty and a flagrant violation of international law.
Sheikh Qassem reaffirmed that the Resistance derives its legitimacy from the blood of martyrs and will never abandon its arms so long as aggression continues. He also warned the Lebanese government against fueling internal divisions, urging national unity: “Either Lebanon stands together, or we lose everything”.
Recalling the victory of the Resistance in the 2006 33-day war, he described it as “a defeat for Israel and a halt to its occupation”, expressing gratitude for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support in financial, military, and political arenas.
The deputy secretary-general further described Palestine as “the compass of the Resistance”, reiterating unwavering support for the Palestinian people and concluding: “Palestine will triumph, because its people are the rightful owners of the land and the cause”.
Reaffirming Hezbollah’s 2006 victory, he said, “Our victory in July 2006 represented a triumph of will and resistance, marking a defeat for Israel and halting its occupation and settlement ambitions”.
