Hezbollah Refuses to Disarm Amid Lebanese Government's Push

Beirut, Aug 15 (AP) - The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, a prominent militant group, firmly declared on Friday that the organization will not disarm. This statement comes after the Lebanese government's recent decision to strip the Iran-backed faction of its armaments by year-end, a move Hezbollah claims aligns with Israel's interests.

Naim Kassem criticized the government's decision, arguing that dismantling “the defensive weapons of the resistance, its people, and Lebanon during aggression” aids in the targeting and displacement of “resistance fighters and their families from their homes and lands.” Instead, he advocates for the government to “reclaim its authority and remove Israeli presence from Lebanon.” Speaking during a televised address marking a Shiite religious observance, Kassem accused the government of advancing “the Israeli agenda.”

Kassem further warned that should the current crisis escalate into internal strife, accountability would rest on government decisions. While acknowledging that neither Hezbollah nor its Shiite ally, the Amal Movement, has directed their followers to take to the streets, he emphasized that they are allowing room for continued dialogue. The Amal Movement, with roots as a key player in Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, remains a significant political force under the leadership of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

However, Kassem hinted at potential mass protests, stating that if necessary, demonstrators “will spread throughout Lebanon and advance towards the US embassy,” though he offered no further details.

Hezbollah's armaments have long sparked division in Lebanon, with some factions insisting that only the state should possess military capabilities.

Recently, the Lebanese government approved a US-backed initiative aimed at disarming Hezbollah by the year's end and instituting a truce with Israel.

The small Mediterranean nation has faced global pressure to disarm Hezbollah following a 14-month conflict with Israel, which culminated in a US-facilitated ceasefire ending in November.

Nonetheless, Hezbollah's leader insists that talks about a national defense strategy involving the group’s weapons can only commence once Israel withdraws from Lebanon and ceases its frequent airstrikes, which have claimed numerous Hezbollah lives post-war.

“The resistance will not relinquish its arms as long as aggression persists and occupation continues,” Kassem declared, asserting the group's willingness to engage in a prolonged struggle if necessary.

The conflict with Israel had weakened Hezbollah, taking a toll on its military might and leadership. The war led to over 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon, forced over a million people to flee, and resulted in damages that the World Bank estimates to require USD 11 billion for reconstruction.

Post-war, Israeli forces continued to occupy five strategic locations within Lebanon.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of efforts to regain its military strength. Israeli military officials claim the five occupied sites in Lebanon provide tactical advantages and are positioned opposite northern Israeli communities, which displaced around 60,000 Israelis during the hostilities. (AP) NPK NPK

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