Hashem Safieddine in Khiam, South Lebanon, in August 2017, during the 11th commemoration of the 2006 war with Israel. (Credit: Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP)
Who will (one day) succeed Hassan Nasrallah? While rumors about the deteriorating health of Hezbollah’s leader have been making the rounds in the Middle East in recent days, it is difficult to fathom what the Iran-backed party would look like without its charismatic leader.During a speech on Tuesday, Nasrallah, who has headed the party since 1992 and who turned 62 in August, reassured his partisans of his physical wellbeing. There is no indication that the question of his succession will arise in the near future.But given the paramount importance of Nasrallah’s persona, and the void his departure could create, Hezbollah has no doubt been preparing for this scenario for years.For many experts and figures close to the party, Hashem Safieddine is Nasrallah’s designated but undeclared successor.Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin, serves as the...
Who will (one day) succeed Hassan Nasrallah? While rumors about the deteriorating health of Hezbollah’s leader have been making the rounds in the Middle East in recent days, it is difficult to fathom what the Iran-backed party would look like without its charismatic leader.During a speech on Tuesday, Nasrallah, who has headed the party since 1992 and who turned 62 in August, reassured his partisans of his physical wellbeing. There is no indication that the question of his succession will arise in the near future.But given the paramount importance of Nasrallah’s persona, and the void his departure could create, Hezbollah has no doubt been preparing for this scenario for years.For many experts and figures close to the party, Hashem Safieddine is Nasrallah’s designated but undeclared successor.Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin, serves...
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil