AiBotIn a strongly-worded speech delivered on [Date], His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, addressed the ongoing US sanctions imposed on Lebanon and the region, labeling them as ineffective and warning of the devastating consequences of further escalation. Speaking to reporters, Sheikh Qassem reiterated his party’s unwavering stance against disarmament and the country’s sovereignty.
Sheikh Qassem began by stating that the US sanctions have failed to weaken Hezbollah, and if Washington continues its aggressive approach, it will only serve to harm the people of Lebanon and ultimately the US itself. “US sanctions will not weaken us; and if America becomes even more aggressive, it will gain nothing in Lebanon, for it will destroy the country on the heads of its people and upon itself,” the Secretary-General said.
Hezbollah’s stance on disarmament has long been a contentious issue, with many in the international community and some Lebanese parties advocating for the party to disarm as a prerequisite for normalizing relations and addressing the country’s pressing economic and security challenges. However, Sheikh Qassem rejected this notion outright, describing disarmament as a threat to Lebanon’s very existence. “Disarmament means stripping Lebanon of its defensive capabilities as a prelude to annihilation, and we cannot accept that,” he stated firmly.
Addressing the volatile Middle East situation, Sheikh Qassem emphasized the aggressive nature of ‘Israel’, a perennial foe of Hezbollah, which he characterized as an expansionist enemy seeking to expand its influence in the region through military aggression and proxy wars. The Secretary-General warned of ‘Israel’s’ increasing meddling in regional affairs and its efforts to undermine stability in Lebanese politics.
Sheikh Qassem’s speech is the latest in a series of fiery statements issued by Hezbollah, underscoring the party’s resolve to resist US pressure and maintain its military capabilities. With regional tensions continuing to simmer and the US sanctions biting further into the Lebanese economy, the situation remains complex and uncertain.
In response to the US sanctions, Hezbollah has repeatedly called on the Lebanese government to challenge the economic penalties and work towards countering the negative impact on the country. In recent months, Lebanon has seen a sharp decline in economic activity, exacerbated by the ongoing portside blast, a crippling financial crisis, and the ongoing US-led sanctions. With international support lacking, Lebanon remains trapped in an economic crisis, heightening the urgency and complexity of the situation.