In a speech full of repeated slogans, hollow bravado, and foolish denial of defeat and irrelevance, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, proudly defended the group’s terrorist, Iranian-backed, and militant weapons. He falsely claimed these weapons are “protecting Lebanon” and accused anyone demanding their removal of being traitors or agents of Israel. But the truth is that Hezbollah’s insistence on keeping its weapons is a blatant violation of the will of the majority of Lebanese people. It also defies national agreements, especially the Taif Agreement, which clearly demands the disarmament of all militias—without exception—and the extension of state authority over all Lebanese territory through official state forces.
Refusing to Disarm: A Betrayal of the Constitution and All Agreements
Qassem claims that Hezbollah’s weapons are an “internal matter,” and that calls for disarmament help Israel dominate Lebanon. In reality, Hezbollah’s weapons are the main obstacle to establishing a sovereign state that holds the exclusive power to declare war and maintain national security. Hezbollah even begged for a ceasefire after realizing its military collapse. That ceasefire agreement, signed by the Mikati government and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, clearly demanded Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the south, the dismantling of its military infrastructure, and the handover of all its weapons to the state. It explicitly named who could bear arms—from the army to municipal police—but mentioned nothing about “resistance” or “opposition.”So how does Qassem now deny the terms of a deal his party approved and once called a “political victory”? This contradiction between words and actions exposes his hypocrisy.
Empty Victories: No Triumph, Just Total Defeat
Qassem’s talk of “resistance strength” is nothing more than desperate cover-up attempts for Hezbollah’s and Iran’s massive failures. Lebanese people and the world have seen southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, and Dahiyeh reduced to rubble. Top Hezbollah leaders have been killed, and tens of thousands of Shiite civilians were displaced—not by Israel—but by Hezbollah’s reckless decisions and its use of civilians as human shields. Iran, the group’s regional backer, is also losing everywhere: in Syria, Assad’s regime is collapsing; in Yemen, the Houthis are being crushed; and inside Iran, the currency is collapsing while public uprisings rise. Hamas is also under heavy attack. The whole “axis of resistance” is falling apart.
Hiding Behind the Government: Deep State Rules, Presidents Are Puppets
Qassem claimed Hezbollah handed everything to the state and that it’s now the state’s responsibility to act. But who’s really blocking the state? Isn’t it the so-called Shiite Duo—Hezbollah and Amal—that forms Lebanon’s deep state and dominates power and decision-making? Presidents Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam have shown nothing but weakness and submission. They surrendered their sovereign responsibilities to Hezbollah’s agenda, instead of defending the constitution and fulfilling the mission assigned to them by international sponsors—both Arab and Western.
The “Defense Strategy”: A Trick to Justify the Militia
Hezbollah’s so-called “national defense strategy” is nothing but a political trick to keep its weapons under a fake legal cover. There is no country in the world that shares its military authority with a group outside its state institutions. A nation cannot be built on a system that splits weapons between the army and a militia.
Qassem Welcomes the Criminal George Abdallah: Birds of a Feather
In one of the clearest signs of Hezbollah’s alliance with terrorism, Qassem warmly welcomed convicted terrorist George Abdallah, calling him an “international struggler.” Abdallah was convicted of assassinating diplomats and still refuses to recognize the law or the state.This wasn’t just a political gesture—it was proof of the shared identity between Hezbollah and every outlaw, whether they carry bombs or so-called “resistance” rifles. Qassem’s praise for Abdallah reveals Hezbollah’s true mentality: full alignment with violence, total contempt for legal institutions, and complete rejection of justice. Once again, the saying fits perfectly: “Birds of a feather flock together.” A terrorist praises another terrorist. Both are a disgrace to Lebanon, enemies of its sovereignty, and a threat to the state.
Conclusion: No Reconstruction, No Peace, No State While Hezbollah Exists
Lebanon will never see peace, recovery, or rebirth as long as Hezbollah controls the weapons, dominates institutions, and imposes its ideology, security apparatus, and false narratives.
What’s needed isn’t coexistence with Hezbollah—but a complete dismantling of its military, institutional, cultural, and intelligence infrastructure. Its fake “sacred” image must be stripped away to reveal the destructive Iranian expansionist project behind it. All party leaders and officials who accepted Hezbollah’s terrorism must face justice. Presidents Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam have proven themselves mere tools in Hezbollah’s hands. To the judges, MPs, and officials too afraid to confront Hezbollah: your political courage—not your silence—will protect Lebanon.
Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah Operates in Both Lebanon’s Politics, Military Resistance against Israeli Enemy Al-Manar English Website/July 30, 2025
Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed on Wednesday that the Resistance has proven to be a pillar of the state by facilitating the election of a president and government.
“We are committed to the path of resistance to liberate the land using specific means directed solely at ‘Israel’, alongside the political path to build the state—we do not prioritize one over the other,” Sheikh Qassem said while addressing Hezbollah ceremony held in Beirut Dahiyeh to mark the first martyrdom anniversary of the Resistance commander Sayyed Fuad Shokr.
“We will not accept being forced to choose between resistance and state-building. Resistance is against ‘Israel’, while state-building is for the citizen. The Resistance emerged as a reaction to the Israeli occupation and does not usurp anyone’s responsibility. The army and the people are responsible as well—and we salute them for their efforts.”
The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon included gains for both us and the Israeli side—and that is normal in any agreement, His Eminence added.
“We assisted the state in implementing the agreement, which applies exclusively to the area south of the Litani River. As for those linking the ceasefire to disarmament—tell them this matter is an internal Lebanese affair. They assumed Hezbollah had grown weak, but they were surprised by the party’s strong political and popular presence at the funerals of both Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine, and in the municipal elections.”
Sheikh Qassem maintained that this Resistance still exists in all its political and social dimensions, adding that this is a testament to the strength of the Resistance, and this is why the enemy violated the ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah leader indicated that a guarantee was given during the ceasefire negotiations to ensure the enemy’s compliance, but that the new envoy backed out and said there would be no such guarantee.
“Barrack came in with threats, speaking of dragging Lebanon into Syria and escalating the aggression, but he was surprised by a unified national stance from the three Lebanese presidents, demanding an end to the aggression before any other discussion.”
The presidents are seeking the reconstruction of the country, and thus cannot accept surrendering Lebanon’s source of strength, Sheikh Qassem said.
“The enemy is not stopping at the five occupied points—it is awaiting the disarmament of the Resistance in order to expand and build settlements. The agreement has secured safety for the northern settlements—but has security been achieved in Lebanon?”
Today, Syria stands as a clear example: the enemy is killing, bombing, drawing geographic and political borders, and shaping Syria’s future, Sheikh Qassem warned.
In Lebanon today, we face an existential threat to our people as a whole—from ‘Israel’, ISIL, and America under the banner of the “New Middle East”, His Eminence added.
“All the attacks, assassinations, and building demolitions taking place are part of the expansionist Israeli project. Lebanon will never be an extension of ‘Israel’ as long as we still breathe and as long as we say ‘There is no god but Allah’.”
Do not ask us for peace or recognition of Israel’, Sheikh Qassem firmly said.
“Barrack wants the disarmament of the Resistance to serve ‘Israel’, not to maintain Lebanon’s internal security. The state is carrying out its duties, and no one is competing with it over the exclusive right to arms—whether domestically or in confronting ‘Israel’.”
“We are a people who have sold our skulls to Allah Almighty—we live and die in our homeland, and we will never yield in humiliation. We are the disciples of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him),” Sheikh Qassem emphasized.
“We are in a state of defense over our land. Even if many of us are martyred, what matters is that deviation and occupation do not remain—and we will defend with all the strength we have. Some of us depart, and others take their place—but the occupation does not last. We endure.”We have faith, the right to live on our land, determination, and steadfastness. This is our choice. We will remain because we are the rightful owners, His Eminence underlined, adding that the imminent danger is the ‘Israeli’ aggression that must be stopped—and political discourse must be directed at halting it, not at submission.
“Every call to surrender arms is a call to relinquish Lebanon’s strength. Arms are not more important than reconstruction and halting the aggression.”
The state must fulfill its duties in stopping the aggression by any means, according to Sheikh Qassem who added that it cannot tell citizens, “I cannot protect you”.
“The state must take responsibility for reconstruction, even if America blocks us and pressures Arab countries. The state must find a way, even from its own budget—because reconstruction is a profitable venture that revives economic activity. Anyone today—internally, externally, or from the Arab world—who demands the disarmament of the Resistance is serving the ‘Israeli’ project.”
Stop the aggression, end the attacks, free the captives—then come to us, and you’ll have the best discussions, Sheikh Qassem said.
On the occasion, Sheikh Qassem said that Sayyed Fuad Shokr led a group of ten brethren who called themselves the “Covenant Group” before 1982. They pledged to confront “Israel” and to be on the frontlines.
“For 35 years, after the ninth fighter of the group was martyred, Sayyed Shokr continued to await martyrdom. Sayyed Shokr was deeply devoted to Imam Khomeini, and after his passing, he was fully committed and faithful to the leadership of Imam Khamenei. Sayyed Shokr was among the founding first generation and was the first military commander of the Resistance.” “Sayyed Shokr led the confrontations in Kafra and Yater following the assassination of Sayyed Abbas Al-Moussawi and led a group of fighters after the party decided to send a group to Bosnia. Sayyed Fouad Shukr is the founder of the naval unit in Hezbollah and was involved in the operations of the martyrs, including the martyr Sheikh Asaad Berro,” His Eminence added.
“Sayyed Mohsen acted as the chief of staff during the Battle of Support and was in constant contact with Sayyed Nasrallah until his martyrdom. Sayyed Mohsen was known for delivering various lectures at different locations inside the party and beyond; he was also present among the people in the courtyard of Ashura, where he would lament, weep, and frequently visit the mosque.”
“He was generous in spirit, with a special connection to Lady Fatimah Al-Zahraa [PBUH] and Imam Hussein [PBUH]. He was steadfast, strong, resilient, and possessed a strategic and rich mindset,” Sheikh Qassem said.
“I say to Sayyed Fouad: May Allah have mercy on you, raise your rank among the martyrs and saints, the Master of the Martyrs of the Ummah. I extend my condolences and congratulations to his family, loved ones, Hezbollah, and all who believe in this path.”
Sheikh Qassem also greeted the soul of the former Hamas Chief Martyr Ismail Haniyeh, adding that he succeeded in elevating the Palestinian cause to become the foremost issue in the world.
‘Israel’ and the United States are carrying out systematic crimes daily in Gaza, His Eminence added
“The world must unite and take a firm stand against ‘Israel’ to put an end to this tyranny that affects all of humanity. There is a criminal campaign of starvation, child killing, bombing tents, and murdering pregnant women, all carried out by the Israeli enemy with full support from America to force surrender—but this people will not surrender.”“Where are the Arabs? Where is the world? Where are human rights? We need concrete actions… [We are] Enough with statements and condemnations. The world must oppose ‘Israel’ by all means—even militarily.”
Sheikh Qassem had also saluted the freed fighter and detainee Georges Abdallah, maintaining that he stood tall for 41 years and is an integral part of the diverse Resistance journey that unites forces, parties, and sects under the banner of resistance.
