Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem congratulated on Wednesday the Islamic Republic of Iran on the victory achieved by the end of the US-Israeli war aimed at toppling the Islamic Regime and eradicating life there.
“The arrogance of American tyranny was shattered, and Washington’s colonial project against Iran failed,” Sheikh Qassem said, “Do not underestimate the magnitude of the war that was being waged against Iran. The objective of overthrowing the Iranian regime and extinguishing the noble and dignified life of revolutionary Iran has failed, and the course of events has changed.”
Sheikh Qassem reiterated thanks and gratitude to the Islamic Republic on the inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire stipulations of the Memorandum of Understanding.
His Eminence affirmed that the Resistance has been defending Lebanon and challenging all the hardships in order to obtain the military equipment to fight the enemy.
Addressing Hezbollah’s Central Ashura council which convenes at the Shrine of Master of Umma Martyrs Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah in Beirut, Sheikh Qassem affirmed that Sayyed Nasrallah is the inspirer, builder, and founder.
Sheikh Qassem indicated that, this year, “Al-Hussain [PBUH] is Our Path” has been adopted as the slogan of Ashura events.
“Karbala is the greatest event in history in which a leader, his family members, and his companions were martyred. The event of Karbala is an expression of sacrifice, selflessness, and the offering of blood for the sake of Allah Almighty and for the elevation of the Ummah.”
Resistance in Lebanon
Hezbollah Secretary General underlined that the Resistance in Lebanon is confronting the Israeli aggression, and all indications show that ‘Israel’ wants a weakened Lebanon so that it can occupy and swallow it.
“Quite frankly, the enemy’s Prime Minister has declared the project of ‘Greater Israel’.”
Sheikh Naim Qassem pointed out that Israel’s project in Lebanon is to eliminate Hezbollah socially, militarily, and culturally—that is, to eradicate a broad segment of the Lebanese people through killing, displacement, and relocation to other areas, thereby facilitating the process of swallowing Lebanon.
“The danger is existential, and we are defending our lives, our future, our children, and our path. We have the right to defend ourselves. We are not speaking about a criminal objective; we are speaking about an existing criminal reality. We are not speaking about someone who may wish to kill children and women in the future; we are speaking about a butcher who acts with brutality and without humanity, under international cover. What more do we need to understand and realize that “Israel” harbors such intentions?”
Sheikh Qassem forcefully underscored, “We have broken the project of ‘Greater Israel’.”
“How great is this Resistance and its people, who have paid a tremendous price in confronting the most dangerous project against Lebanon?”
“Had we not stood firm, Lebanon would not have remained after a few years. Had the Resistance and its people not remained steadfast, Lebanon could not have been saved,” Hezbollah leader said.
“You see this Resistance as legendary, so pay no attention to the defeated.”
Sheikh Qassem called for making use of this pivotal moment we are in following the agreement through four pillars for expelling ‘Israel’, adding : “We are strong through the triad of strength: faith, willpower, and capability.”
His Eminence highlighted the importance of the spiritual power in keeping steadfast in face of the Zionist enemy, mentioning that some of the Resistance fighters rejected to quit the frontline despite suffeirng several injuries.
“We were unable to prevent some of the fighters from returning to the frontlines despite being wounded several times. The will of the resistance fighters cannot be broken; they compete with one another to join the frontlines and return to them.”
“The Resistance possesses capabilities in knowledge and innovation, transforming limited resources into advanced capabilities. We have courage, ingenuity, and tactical expertise. This Resistance has proven its presence,” Sheikh Qassem emphasized.
“The Resistance carried out 3185 operations during the Battle of the Devoured Straw, averaging 30 operations per day. The number of enemy vehicles targeted reached 518, while 85 aircraft were targeted. We shot down 12 drones and 12 gliders [FPV], and struck a 1 helicopter. Israeli enemy casualties reached 1347. For them, a wounded soldier is equivalent to a killed one.”
We are strong, and this is a very important factor upon which we must build, Sheikh Qassem affirmed.
“We are the land, the soil, the trees, the air, and the crimson blood. We are the decisive weapon and the might on the battlefield. We are the people whose bodies have been shaped by the land of the South, whose souls are connected to the Creator of the earth and the heavens, whose sons are the martyrs, and who are promised a decisive victory. We uproot and are not uprooted, and our life and our position shall never come to an end except at our appointed time. We are confident of victory in securing Lebanon’s sovereignty over its land and rights and in expelling Israel.”
Sheikh Qassem affirmed that talks with enemy must be restricted to security issues exclusively, adding that disarming the Resistance can never be discussed.”
“Shall we engage in the negotiations only to give the Israeli what it wants?” Sheikh Qassem asked.
“What the enemy failed to obtain through war, it seeks to obtain through politics,” Sheikh Qassem added.
“I call for making use of the November 27 agreement to halt the aggression by air, land, and sea, secure Israel’s withdrawal, ensure the return of the captives, and enable the people to return to their homes after the reconstruction. Within the framework of the five points, the Lebanese Army shall deploy exclusively south of the Litani River in accordance with the agreement and any further understandings that may be reached.”
Sheikh Qassem underlined rejection of pilot zones, saying: “No safe zones for ‘Israel’, and no yellow, red, or green zones.”
‘Israel’ must leave, and it will leave, Sheikh Qassem confidently said.
Sheikh Qassem called on the authorities and all concerned parties to firmly uphold the narrative of Lebanon’s demands from the enemy without linking those demands to any internal issue.
“Everything related to arranging our internal affairs must remain completely outside the negotiations; this is something we discuss among ourselves internally. In any negotiations, the primary demand must be the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
“We call on the President of the Republic and the political authorities to assume responsibility for uniting positions, engaging in dialogue, holding calm discussions, and reaching mutual understanding among ourselves. We are ready to cooperate, and we have already demonstrated this by facilitating the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the South.”
Sheikh Qassem recalled, “We were the most disciplined party for 15 months, and we remain ready to cooperate. Indeed, we must be one hand at this pivotal stage.”
“We advise against direct negotiations, which have proven to be humiliating dictates imposed under fire and have yielded nothing. Direct negotiations consist entirely of concessions, with the Americans and the Israelis colluding against Lebanon, suppressing it, silencing it, and issuing statements on its behalf,” Sheikh Qassem concluded.
Source: Al-Manar English Website