Why it matters:
The U.S. has placed economic and diplomatic pressure on the Lebanese government to force Hezbollah to abandon resistance, but Sheikh Qassem's remarks suggest the movement continues to resist all pressure to disarm.
What he is saying:
Sheikh Naim Qassem, Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon, said in a speech during the commemoration of the Arbaeen ceremony in Baalbek: Today, we are building our lives, futures, and generations based on the principle that all land and time are for victory, sacrifice, and achieving great goals.
"We are with the resistance, with Palestine, and against the Yazid of the times, namely America and Israel. We will always stand firm despite all sacrifices to prove the truth."
Sheikh Naim Qassem emphasised: The resistance is the result of the school of Karbala and life and death for the nation. Our victory in July 2006 was the victory of will and resistance, and the defeat of Israel and its prevention of occupation and settlement. Our victory in 2006 was a deterrent and obstacle for Israel for 17 years.
The Hezbollah Secretary General said: We appreciate the Islamic Republic of Iran, which supported us with money, weapons and political positions and provided martyrs.
Sheikh Qassem said: Palestine will remain a compass and the massacre will not stop the Palestinian people from continuing the resistance. Palestine will win with all sacrifices because they are the owners of the land, the issue, the will and the blood.
He emphasised: We offer our condolences to the martyrs of the Lebanese army, who are martyrs of duty and right and martyrs of the resistance, the army and the homeland. We cannot talk about the sovereignty of Lebanon unless it is supported by the resistance that liberated this land.
Sheikh Qassem emphasised: The resistance prevented the displacement of Palestinians and formed the pillar of Lebanon's power, and this is Lebanon's strength in facing challenges. We must ask those who did not resist: Where were you against the occupation of the land, against aggression and against sovereignty?
He continued: As long as the aggression continues, the resistance will never surrender its weapons.
The Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon said: The decision of the Lebanese government on August 5 to disarm the resistance and the people of the resistance and Lebanon from defensive weapons was made during the Israeli aggression. The government will implement the American and Israeli orders to end the resistance, even if this leads to civil war and internal sedition. Whether the government knows it or not, it serves the Israeli plan.
Addressing the Lebanese government, he added: We have repeatedly said to stop the aggression and expel Israel from Lebanon, and we will provide you with all the means in the matter of national and strategic security. How can you accept facilitating the killing of your partners in the homeland in the government? You are not trying to protect Lebanon, but to protect your own lives at the expense of the lives of your partners in the homeland. Will the homeland become stable if one group attacks another group? If you feel powerless, leave the enemy to face us, just as Israel failed in its repeated wars, this time it will also fail.
Sheikh Qassem said: The government's duty is to build the country, not to hand it over to the Israeli and American enemies. O owners of sovereignty and monopoly on weapons, have you not seen the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army congratulating his soldiers on this occupation in our land and promising them to occupy more areas? Have you not heard the statements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about "Greater Israel"?
He said: The government made a dangerous decision and opposed coexistence and exposed the country to a very big crisis. The resistance took legitimacy from the blood of the martyrs and does not need to take it from you. We tell you not to involve the Lebanese army in internal sedition.
The Secretary-General of Lebanese Hezbollah emphasised: As long as the aggression continues, the resistance will never hand over its weapons, and if necessary, we will enter a Karbala-like battle, and we are confident that we will win.
He added: The Lebanese government bears full responsibility for any internal sedition and abandoning its duty to defend the Lebanese land. We have postponed the protests against the arms transfer on the grounds that negotiations may be delayed. The public protests will probably reach the US embassy in Lebanon. Let us be together in building the country. The country cannot be built with one component without the other. This is our homeland together. We live together with dignity and build together. If you stand on the other side, Lebanon will no longer be alive.
Go deeper:
Hezbollah, Amal Movement Condemn Government’s Decision to Disarm Resistance
Hezbollah: No One Can Strip Lebanon of Its Strength
M.Majdi - Mojtaba Darabi
