Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem speaking at the funeral of his predecessors Hassan Nasrallah and Hachem Safieddine on Feb. 23, 2025. (al-Manar screenshot)
An emboldened Naim Qassem spoke at the funerals of the two former secretaries-general of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah and Hachem Safieddine. In a highly anticipated speech, the new party leader balanced contradictions: while rallying crowds by announcing the continuation of the “resistance” (in a different form), he promised to contribute to building the state based on Taif... which involves eliminating arms outside government control.In practice, while some observers expected a foundational speech filled with provocations — “before Feb. 23 will not be like after,” as some voices within the party repeated — the Hezbollah leader extended a hand to the current authorities, not hesitating to send strong messages directed internally within Lebanon.“We will not accept the United States controlling the country. (...) Lebanese leaders are under...
An emboldened Naim Qassem spoke at the funerals of the two former secretaries-general of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah and Hachem Safieddine. In a highly anticipated speech, the new party leader balanced contradictions: while rallying crowds by announcing the continuation of the “resistance” (in a different form), he promised to contribute to building the state based on Taif... which involves eliminating arms outside government control.In practice, while some observers expected a foundational speech filled with provocations — “before Feb. 23 will not be like after,” as some voices within the party repeated — the Hezbollah leader extended a hand to the current authorities, not hesitating to send strong messages directed internally within Lebanon.“We will not accept the United States controlling the country. (...) Lebanese...
