Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that Lebanon’s top priority is ending the Israeli aggression, withdrawing from southern Lebanon, and releasing prisoners.
In a speech Monday evening, Sheikh Qassem emphasized the priorities of Lebanon’s renaissance and municipal elections, stating, “Lebanon cannot rise while the occupation continues to bomb various areas of our country.”
He explained that there is a ceasefire agreement to which we have adhered as an Islamic resistance and as a resistance from other parties to empower the state. Lebanon has not committed any violations or transgressions, but Israel has violated and attacked more than 3,000 times.
Qassem added, “We consider the state responsible for pressuring the United States, France, the United Nations, and the Security Council to halt the attacks.
The pressure exerted by the state so far has been soft and simple, and this is unacceptable.
The state must take effective action, summon the five countries, file complaints with the Security Council, summon the US ambassador, who is biased toward Israel, and take broader diplomatic action.”
He continued: “Yesterday, the southern suburbs were subjected to an unjustified Israeli aggression. The goal was political pressure. However, the advantage of this attack is that it was approved by the United States, according to the enemy. The enemy continues to attack and target citizens, bombing agricultural lands and prefabricated homes. The state must raise its voice and implement its actions more effectively.”
He emphasized that the state’s duty is to stand up and pressure America and make it understand that Lebanon can only be built on stability. He explained that the state has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.
He explained that “the state has the right to extend its authority, but it is its duty to protect citizens. The state cannot take everything and do nothing. I say to them, ‘Empower yourselves by intensifying your communications.’ The state and all political forces are responsible for confronting Israel. There are some parties whose voices we have not heard against the enemy. Rather, their voices have been raised against the resistance, and they are a ‘group of sedition.'”
He noted that Israel wants to control Lebanon, build settlements there, and weaken it. Anyone who doesn’t believe this should explain to us why Israel has remained in Lebanon for 18 years and only emerged through resistance.
Qassem also said, “The position of the president and prime minister yesterday was good, but we demand that government officials speak up and exert greater effort.”
Sheikh Qassem pointed out, “We have stopped all our brigades on our country’s borders, and we are being asked to make concessions. Don’t ask us for concessions yet, because we will not abandon Lebanon’s strength, and even America will stand its ground if we take the right stance. Lebanon was strong and will remain strong with its resistance, its army, and its people. We will not return to a time when America and Israel control us.”
He addressed the Lebanese state, saying, “Let it stand on its own two feet as it should and not make concessions to the enemy so that we can revive the country.”
Regarding reconstruction, Qassem stated, “The state has been very late in its reconstruction, and this is something it committed itself to in the ministerial statement. Thus far, we have seen nothing. The state must begin developing a reconstruction agenda, and there is no agreement without reconstruction. Failure to do so means impoverishing the people and discrimination in citizenship.”
