Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah at a ceremony in Doueir, southern Lebanon, Dec. 16, 2024. (Credit: Photo courtesy of our regional correspondent, Mountasser Abdallah)
On Monday, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah criticized the Lebanese authorities' management of the cease-fire with Israel, stating, "Only our Resistance and our weapons can protect us," during a tribute to the victims of the war between the party and Israel in the village of Doueir in the Nabatieh district. "We are facing the state today, and all those who say Lebanon can be protected without Resistance, try your luck," he quipped.
Fadlallah also said his party is monitoring Israeli cease-fire violations alongside the Lebanese government, "which is playing its part through the institutions, the army, UNIFIL, and the monitoring committee overseeing the truce." He added, "All parties concerned must assume their responsibilities. They are making efforts, but the results are not satisfactory."
Regarding the presidential election, Fadlallah reiterated that Hezbollah wants the process to proceed as scheduled, with a president elected by Jan. 9, the date set by the Lebanese Parliament. "We are cooperating fully with the Parliament speaker and our brothers in the Amal movement on this issue," he said, asserting that his party "has never adopted a language of defiance" regarding the candidacy for the presidency.
On Sunday, Fadlallah made similar remarks, suggesting the state had an "opportunity" to prove itself in protecting Lebanon, though he expressed doubt given the ongoing daily Israeli airstrikes. These attacks, primarily carried out by drones, have resulted in at least 34 deaths, according to our count.