Qassem slams govt. over weapons, urges end to arms monopoly steps

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Monday criticized the Lebanese government for offering “continuous concessions” to Israel, suggesting that the Lebanese state should halt all steps related to the so-called arms monopolization plan.

“If you want to surrender, amend the constitution, because the constitution's essence is confrontation and defense for the sake of liberation,” said Qassem in a televised speech commemorating Hezbollah’s slain leaders Ragheb Harb, Abbas al-Moussawi and Imad Mughniyeh.

“The government's performance is somehow responsible for this enemy's greed due to the continuous concessions,” Qassem charged.

“What the Lebanese government is doing by focusing on disarmament is a grave mistake because this issue serves the goals of the Israeli enemy,” the Hezbollah leader said.

He delivered his speech as the Lebanese cabinet convened to discuss the second phase of a plan to disarm all armed groups in the country, in the area between the Litani and al-Awwali rivers, after the Lebanese Army said it cleared the area south of Litani of weapons.

“The responsibility for resistance falls on the shoulders of the state, the army and the people,” Qassem said.

“Israel is carrying out aggression, and since it was the Lebanese state that endorsed the 2024 agreement, the responsibility for confronting attacks falls on it,” he added.

“We in Hezbollah do not want war and are not seeking it, but we won't surrender and we're ready to defend,” Qassem went on to say, adding: “They may inflict pain on us, but we too can inflict pain on them. Do not underestimate defense when the time comes.”

“We are not in favor of gratuitous concessions, nor are we in favor of implementing the orders of the American, international, and Arab tutelage, nor are we in favor of fulfilling Israel's aggressive demands,” Qassem added.

Warning that “this situation” in which Israel is attacking Lebanon on daily basis “cannot continue,” Qassem added: “As for when, how, and what developments will change this reality, we will let the facts tell the story.”

As for why Hezbollah is not responding to Israel’s attacks, Qassem said: “We are patient for two reasons: firstly, because the state is responsible and must fulfill its duties, and secondly, out of concern for our society and our nation at this stage.”

“We stand with Lebanese national unity, with full sovereignty and liberation, and against all forms of sedition. We support empowering the Lebanese Army to protect and achieve sovereignty, along with a national security strategy and leveraging the strength of the resistance,” he said.