Naim Qassem criticizes disarmament government decision, warns of Israeli expansion

Two days after Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, visited Lebanon, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a speech during Arbaeen commemorations in Baalbeck. The event, which marks 40 days after Ashura — the anniversary of Imam Hussein’s death — became the stage for Qassem to issue fresh warnings to President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam following the government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah by year’s end.

“The government bears responsibility for abandoning its duty to defend Lebanon and its lands. You are not excusable if you make such decisions regarding the arming of the resistance,” Qassem said. “Defend Lebanon! Let us be together to build the country, because it is not built with a single component (...) Lebanon will have no life if you choose to put yourselves on the other side. Either Lebanon remains and we remain together, or it can say goodbye to the world.”

The remarks contrasted sharply with Larijani’s more diplomatic tone on Wednesday in meetings with Aoun and Salam, both of whom criticized Iranian interference in efforts to restore the state’s monopoly on arms. Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi quickly shot back at Qassem, warning Hezbollah against “threats of resorting to civil war.”

A decision that “serves the Israeli project”

Iran has criticized the government’s move, which aligns with a U.S. proposal that also calls for Israel’s withdrawal from remaining occupied sites in southern Lebanon.

“We reject any interference in our internal affairs, regardless of its origin, and we want the Lebanese scene to remain safe and stable, in the interest of all Lebanese, without discrimination,” Aoun told Larijani at Baabda Presidential Palace. Salam, speaking at the Grand Serail, said: “The decisions of the Lebanese government should not be discussed in another country. The decision-making center is the Cabinet, and the decision of Lebanon is made solely by the Lebanese, who accept neither tutelage nor diktat.”

Before Larijani’s trip, Beirut had already protested comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and a senior Quds Force commander, all of whom condemned the Cabinet’s disarmament plan.

In response, Larijani insisted Iran “does not interfere in Lebanese internal affairs” and pledged to always “defend Lebanon’s supreme interests.” He later met with Qassem, who thanked him for “support for Lebanon and the resistance.”

Qassem, in his Friday speech, intensified his criticism of the government’s decision. “It deprives Lebanon, the resistance, and its people of defensive weapons in the midst of aggression. It amounts to facilitating the murder of resistance fighters and their families and driving them from their homes ... This government is carrying out an American decision and serving the Israeli project, whether it realizes it or not,” he said, adding: “Are you satisfied that Netanyahu congratulated you?”

The comment referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent press conference, in which he said that thanks to Israel’s actions in weakening Hezbollah, the Lebanese government was now “talking” about disarming the group.

Banned from training the Lebanese Army

Qassem urged the government to “plan the response to aggression and build the country, not submit to American-Israeli arrogance.” He also accused Netanyahu of promoting the idea of “Greater Israel,” which refers to biblical-era borders extending into neighboring countries — a vision embraced by some Israeli ultranationalists.

“We hope that some Arab countries will remain silent instead of supporting the enemy in its strikes against the resistance,” Qassem added, as several Gulf states condemned Netanyahu’s remarks.

“The government has taken an extremely serious decision, in violation of the cohabitation pact ... The ministerial statement referred to a defensive strategy; where is it? You want to remove the legitimacy of arming the resistance? You cannot, because the resistance drew its legitimacy from the Taif Agreement, the Constitution, and the bloodshed, not from you,” he said. He also warned against dragging the Lebanese Army into “internal discord,” calling its record “impeccable” and noting its leadership does not wish to be involved.

“We hold the Lebanese government entirely responsible for any discord that might arise. We don’t want it, but some are working on it,” Qassem stated. He said Hezbollah and its ally Amal would pause demonstrations to leave room for further discussions, after supporters had mobilized for several days under army supervision. But he warned protests could still “move to the streets or the U.S. Embassy.”

Despite heavy losses during the more than year-long war with Israel — which began after Hezbollah opened a Gaza front on Oct. 8, 2023 — Qassem spoke of eventual victory, likening the group’s fight to the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, when Imam Hussein and his followers were killed. This rhetoric also dominated Ashura commemorations in July.

“We will fight this Battle of Karbala against the American-Israeli project, and we are confident of victory,” he said.

Qassem closed his speech by thanking Iran for its financial, military, and political support.