Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has warned that there will be “no life” for Lebanon if authorities confront the Iran-backed movement, as tension over Beirut's plan to disarm the group escalates.
The Hezbollah secretary general accused the government of effectively handing Lebanon over to Israel by pushing for disarmament.
The Lebanese government last week adopted the objectives of a US proposal that includes the disarmament of Hezbollah, despite all Shiite ministers storming out of the cabinet meeting where the plan was being discussed.
The cabinet decision drew praise from the US, but sparked street protests in areas where Hezbollah has support.
“Are you satisfied that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu congratulated you?” Mr Qassem said, accusing the government of following US and Israeli demands. “The government is implementing an American-Israeli order to end the resistance, even if it leads to civil war and internal strife,” Mr Qassem said.
In response, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam posted an excerpt of an interview he gave to the Asharq Al Awsat newspaper on X, in which he said Mr Qassem's comments "carry an implicit threat of civil war".
"No one in Lebanon today wants a civil war, and threatening or hinting at it is completely unacceptable," he said. "The talk that the Lebanese government is implementing an American-Israeli project is baseless," he said, insisting that decisions taken were "purely Lebanese".
"No party in Lebanon is authorised to bear arms outside the scope of the Lebanese state," he said. "No one has demanded that Hezbollah's weapons be handed over to the Israeli enemy, as some promote, but rather to the Lebanese army."
While Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the government's plan to disarm it, Mr Qassem's speech is the strongest statement yet by the group. He called on authorities to build the country together, respecting all sects and religions. He spoke at an event to mark Arbaeen, which comes 40 days after the commemoration of Ashura.
“This is our land together, this is our homeland together, we live with pride together, and we build its sovereignty together,” he said. “Or there is no life for Lebanon if you try to confront us and eliminate us.”
He criticised the government, holding it responsible for failing to stop Israel's daily bombings of Lebanon and for not pursuing Israel over the five points of Lebanese territory it occupies.
“The resistance will not surrender its weapons while aggression continues, occupation persists, and we will fight it … if necessary to confront this American-Israeli project no matter the cost,” he said.
Hezbollah has repeatedly said it will not discuss a national defence strategy until Israel withdraws from Lebanon and ceases its bombing.
“There is still room for discussion, for adjustments, and for a political resolution before the situation escalates to a confrontation no one wants,” Mr Qassem said.
“But if it is imposed on us, we are ready.”
Mr Qassem said Hezbollah and the Amal movement, its Shiite ally, had decided to delay street protests against a US-backed disarmament plan because they still believe there is room for dialogue with the Lebanese government. But he threatened that protests could reach the US embassy in Lebanon.
The Hezbollah leader's speech was also criticised by some of the group's opponents.
“Naim Qassem's party brought occupation, humanitarian catastrophe and economic collapse to Lebanon,” said Ashraf Rifi, an MP and former interior minister. “Today, after its defeat, it threatens the Lebanese state and people, presents itself as a victim and accuses the majority of treason.”
Mr Qassem's speech follows a meeting this week with Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. He was visiting Beirut and held a number of tense meetings with Lebanese officials.
In a powerful rebuke of the group's main backer, Lebanon's President and Prime Minister told Mr Larijani of their deep dissatisfaction over Iran's criticism of plans to disarm Hezbollah.
Last week the government gave the army until the end of the month to prepare a plan to bring all weapons under state control by the end of 2025.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
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World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
