Resistance guaranteed by Constitution and necessary for Lebanon's future, says Qassem

BEIRUT — Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said Tuesday that "no one can prevent the resistance in Lebanon because it is guaranteed by the Constitution" and that "if the Lebanese State wants to build the future, it needs the resistance as support."

His remarks come after Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said at the end of January that the government should "dismantle Hezbollah's military and security wing."

"We are fighting in Lebanon to defend Lebanon and Palestine, because our enemy is one. If the Lebanese State wants to build the future, it needs the resistance as support, because it has the experience, faith and will," Qassem declared.

He insisted that "no one can prevent the resistance in Lebanon because it is guaranteed by the Constitution." According to him, the region is dominated by "American-Israeli hegemony," but Lebanon will not serve as a ground "for the fulfillment of Zionist ambitions." "As long as we resist, they will not succeed," he said.

The Hezbollah leader added that Israel "is weaker than ever."

"Despite all its military capabilities and experience, Israel has not achieved its objectives in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, or Yemen," he said, stressing that "its international position is very bad and its economy is degraded."

According to him, Israel "is run by the American administration and has lost its autonomy." "Our resilience and that of the Palestinians prevent Israel from achieving its goals," he continued, stating: "We have held our heads high thanks to our fighters, our people, our unity and our faith in God."

Hezbollah opened a "support front" in Gaza the day after the Oct. 7 attacks, which turned into open conflict with Israel in the fall of 2024, causing more than 4,000 deaths according to Lebanese authorities. A cease-fire took effect on Nov 27, 2.024, but Israeli strikes have continued, killing more than 350 people in Lebanon since that date, according to the Health Ministry and the U.N.

Qassem also addressed Lebanon's internal situation. "We want to build Lebanon and develop our country," he said. He indicated that Hezbollah has decided to provide housing for three months to anyone whose house has been destroyed or lost and who cannot return to it. "We consider housing a responsibility of the state, but given its inability, we feel responsible to provide it by all possible means," he said.

The cost of postwar reconstruction and recovery (end of 2024/beginning of 2025) is estimated at $11 billion, according to the World Bank.

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber on Tuesday published a new decision dated Feb. 6 that implements the tax relief granted by Law No. 22 of July 11, 2025 to victims of Israeli strikes suffered during the war between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as after the ceasefire reached in November 2024 between the two sides.

Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May, Qassem called for mobilization.

"I invite all citizens to work for the success of the elections, which must be held on time, so that everyone can see whom they choose and who will represent the people," he said. "We also call on the government to focus more on reviving economic activity."

The issue of expatriate voting continues to divide Cabinet, and fears of a postponement of the parliamentary elections have emerged in recent weeks.

Led by the Lebanese Forces, parties in favor of amending the electoral law argue that expatriates should be able to vote for all 128 deputies, as in the previous two elections, and not for six additional seats reserved for the diaspora, as provided for by the 2017 electoral law.

The latter option is favored by the Amal-Hezbollah alliance, pushed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.