Qassem clings to arms, slams Rajji and says state responsible for protection
The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has warned that U.S. President Donald Trump "wants to intervene in all regions of the world to prevent democratic life, aiming to confiscate the world's resources."
He added that Trump and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, "mobilized American and Israeli agents in Iran in an attempt to topple the regime and change the equation of 'Resistance Iran' into another form under their management."
Qassem emphasized that Trump and Netanyahu "were unable to achieve their latest plan in Iran, as the great Iranian people turned out in their millions."
Qassem added that sovereignty and liberation in Lebanon are the primary foundations for state-building.
He explained that the demand to restrict arms is an "Israeli-American demand" aimed at "besieging the Resistance, rather than a Lebanese problem."
Qassem warned that "if Lebanese do not have weapons to defend themselves, no one can guarantee that the Israeli entity won't violate every inch of Lebanese territory."
In a message to political rivals, he stated: "It is a far-fetched dream that we would strip ourselves of weapons so they can kill us and our people while you become agents. We will remain a Resistance, and Lebanon will not remain without one."
Noting that the Lebanese state is now responsible for protecting Lebanon and its people after "decades of abandonment," Qassem said that Lebanon has implemented all its obligations regarding the ceasefire while Israel "has committed to nothing."
Qassem also launched a sharp critique of Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji stating: "There is effectively no Foreign Minister in the country, and his absence has paralyzed the diplomacy that defends Lebanon."
He accused Rajji of acting against government policy and "aligning with the Israeli position" by suggesting Israel has a "right" to attack Lebanon. He warned that Rajji is "tampering with civil peace" by allegedly inciting the army against the people, suggesting that the government must sack him or ask him to change his rhetoric.
Source: Naharnet
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