Hezbollah Secretary General, His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, affirmed that the Resistance is the product and fruit of the movement of all honorable national resistance fighters, and that liberation is the fruit of their combined efforts, noting the major role of the leader Imam Sayyed Musa al-Sadr.
Sheikh Qassem recalled the role of the then-President Emil Lahoud, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Late Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss in the liberation in 2000, adding that they formed a genuine capacity for the sake of liberation and its preservation.
His Eminence added that the Resistance and Liberation Day is the true holiday in which, for the first time in the history of the conflict, a humiliating withdrawal of the enemy was achieved, considering it a victory for all Arabs and Muslims, and especially for the oppressed Palestinians.
Hezbollah Secretary General stressed that the people and the army are true partners in liberation and victory, and that the convergence of sacrifices and positions among the three parties solidified the army-people-resistance equation, noting that the state at that time played a prominent national role.
Sheikh Naim Qassem pointed out that the state and the authority, led at the time by Presidents Emile Lahoud, Nabih Berri, and Salim al-Hoss in 2000, supported the path of liberation and protected and fortified this achievement. He said that today’s authority “criminalizes the resistance and offers concession after concession for nothing, indeed to achieve the enemy’s ambitions and demands.”
He affirmed that the authority has no right to act as it pleases, but is an authority responsible before the people and the state because it represents them.
He said: “We will confront with all strength, honor, and sacrifice Israel and everyone who confronts us with it, just as we confront Israel without hesitation.”
He added: “If this government is incapable of securing sovereignty, then let it go,” asking: “Tell me what have you done in a year and a half, and if you are incapable, then go.”
He stressed that direct negotiations are completely rejected, describing them as “pure gain for Israel,” and called on the Lebanese authority to abandon this path and move toward national understanding and return to indirect negotiations.
He affirmed: “We will not kneel even if the world closes in on us, and those near and far will come to know that we are the heroes of the field and the people of honor and patriotism.”
Sheikh Naim Qassem said that U.S. sanctions will not weaken the resistance, warning that “if America becomes more savage, it will leave nothing for itself in Lebanon because it will destroy it over the heads of its people and over itself.”
He noted that “the attack on Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association is an attack on hundreds of thousands of the poor and low-income,” considering the project to shut it down an “Israeli-American project” that will be confronted.
He added that “disarming the resistance is disarming Lebanon’s defensive capability and its strength in negotiations and in protecting its wealth and existence,” warning that the demand for this disarmament is a prelude to “extermination,” and affirming that Israel is “an expansionist enemy in a state of continuous aggression.”
He said that “what is happening is not others’ wars, but a war targeting our existence,” adding: “O valiant resistance fighters, through your jihad and courage you are the glowing light of liberation.”
He added: “We recognize the weakness of the authority, and it should tell the Americans that it is incapable of implementing their demands, and should rely on Lebanon’s unique and qualitative strength.”
Sheikh Naim Qassem called on the Lebanese government to reverse the decision to restrict arms to the state, stressing the need for it to stand with its people.
Sheikh Qassem said: “We call for a cessation of aggression, a full Israeli withdrawal, the release of prisoners, and the return of residents. After that, we can discuss the defense strategy,” adding that “the weapons will remain in our hands until the Lebanese state is able to fulfill its duty to protect and preserve Lebanon, its people, and its wealth.”
He considered what is happening today “the entrenchment of a strong, liberated Lebanon,” noting that it is “the beginning of the demise of the usurping entity Israel.”
He added that “the Israeli enemy is incurring real and heavy losses in South Lebanon,” noting that “because it is incapable of responding militarily on the ground, it responds by killing civilians and destroying their homes and orchards.” Sheikh Qassem also considered that “documentation via resistance drones has exposed these losses.”
In this context, Sheikh Qassem advised the Lebanese authority to “abandon direct negotiations with the Americans,” calling for reliance on indirect negotiation, saying: “Tell them that we are not able to offer more than this, and you will find that they will come to you.”
He added that “sovereignty is not only about security, but also economic, political, and social,” affirming that the state must “preserve sovereignty and work to protect it in all fields.”
Sheikh Qassem also sent greetings to Palestine, offering condolences for the “Commander-in-Chief of the Al-Qassam Brigades,” affirming that Palestine will remain the compass.
On regional affairs, His Eminence said that Iran “will emerge from this war with its head held high and will be an exceptional force with international standing.”
Finally, Hezbollah Secretary General called on the Bahraini authorities to abstain from taking repressive measures against segments of the people over cultural difference, warning that tyranny can never last.
Source: Al-Manar English Website