Hezbollah leader: Main challenge facing Lebanon is Israeli-US aggression
Hezbollah’s secretary general says Israeli-US aggression is the primary challenge facing Lebanon, calling resistance the only viable solution to the lingering crises.
Sheikh Naim Qassem made the remarks in a televised speech on Monday afternoon as he addressed the inauguration ceremony of the Lebanon Medical Center in al-Hadath, which was attended by prominent Lebanese civil and medical figures.
“The primary challenge facing Lebanon is the Israeli-US aggression, and the only solution is to resist and remain steadfast. This aggression is sapping Lebanon’s economic, social, and demographic capabilities,” he said.
The Hezbollah chief noted that the Israeli regime pursues expansionist schemes in Lebanon and across West Asia, and relies on coercion, occupation, crimes and genocide to attain these objectives at the expense of Lebanon and its development and existence.
“We cannot prevent aggression by means of mere words or undue reliance on Americans. We can actually prevent it through force, solidarity and unity. The Israeli military was expelled from southern Lebanon through force, steadfastness and tremendous sacrifices made,” Sheikh Qassem said.
The Hezbollah leader noted that enemies have been humiliated and deterred despite forty-two years of struggles to destabilize Lebanon.
Sheikh Qassem went on to emphasize that Lebanon will not submit to Hezbollah's total disarmament, demanded by Israel and the United States, as it will strip the country of the right to defend itself.
“Over the past 15 months, Americans have resorted to various methods in a bid to put an end to Lebanon’s strength and resilience. The central issue pivots around disarmament, elimination of defense capabilities, and renunciation of resistance. This amounts to neutralization of Lebanon’s capabilities and strength,” he stated.
The Hezbollah leader pointed out that all US-led pressures to disarm Hezbollah have failed because they lack legitimacy and violate the right of self-defense as enshrined in the constitution.
Sheikh Qassem added that Washington tried through diplomatic means to obtain what it could not get through force.
He condemned the US efforts to prevent reconstruction in Lebanon, calling on all walks of Lebanese society to contribute to rebuilding the country.
The Hezbollah chief also hailed a recent visit made by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to southern Lebanon, calling it a positive step.