Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed on Monday the steadfast commitment of the Islamic Resistance to defend Lebanon and preserve its sovereignty, rejecting illegitimate government decisions aimed at disarming the Resistance under American pressure.

Speaking at a memorial service in tribute to Sayyed Abbas Ali Al-Moussawi, Sheikh Qassem declared that stripping the Resistance and its people of their weapons while Israel continues its aggression and expansionist project would be a national betrayal carried out under “sinful American supervision.”

“The Lebanese government must stay true to the ceasefire agreement that obliges the Zionist enemy to withdraw from occupied Lebanese land, halt its attacks, and release our prisoners,” Sheikh Qassem stressed. “We tell officials: it is better to admit you cannot implement the American dictates than to plunge the country into strife and fail later.”

He made clear that Hezbollah rejects the so-called step-for-step proposal, stressing that the Resistance does not trust Washington’s promises. “The Resistance has abided by the ceasefire agreement and paid with heavy sacrifices, including the martyrdom of our leaders Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi,” he said.

Sheikh Qassem outlined the conditions for any future dialogue on a defense strategy: the full withdrawal of the Israeli enemy from southern Lebanon, a halt to its aggression, the release of Lebanese detainees, and the government’s implementation of the national reconstruction plan. “Only then can we discuss the defense strategy,” he said.

Reiterating Hezbollah’s unwavering stance, Sheikh Qassem declared: “We will never surrender the weaponry that has honored and protected Lebanon. Half of the Lebanese people are ready to defend these weapons.” He warned against Netanyahu’s scheme of “Greater Israel,” calling on all Lebanese to recognize the ongoing threat and the critical role of the Resistance in stopping it.

The Hezbollah leader also condemned the destructive American role in Lebanon, recalling Washington’s sanctions, its obstruction of gas and reconstruction projects, and its sponsorship of divisions within the country. “Without the Resistance, Israel would have reached Beirut just as it reached Damascus and occupied vast territories of Lebanon as it did in Syria,” he emphasized.

“The Resistance is not humiliation or submission; it is honor, sacrifice, and steadfastness. It is not a substitute for the national army, but its supporter. Together with the Lebanese Army, as we did in the Fajr al-Joroud battle, we achieved liberation and protection,” Sheikh Qassem affirmed.

He praised the Resistance’s ability to deter Israel since 2006, stating: “Israel may destroy and kill, but we will confront it with defense and sacrifice—and we shall continue.”

On regional issues, Sheikh Qassem condemned Israeli aerial aggression on Yemen, noting that it deliberately targeted civilian facilities as punishment for Yemen’s support of Gaza. He called upon Arabs, Muslims, and the free world to stand alongside the Palestinian people in their struggle.

Marking the anniversary of Imam Sayyed Moussa al-Sadr’s disappearance, Sheikh Qassem hailed the Imam as the “leader of resistors” who transformed Lebanon through unity and national dignity. He also remembered Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi as a unifying figure who served both Lebanon and the Resistance.

Concluding his address, Sheikh Qassem urged the Lebanese government to dedicate the coming week to serious dialogue aimed at restoring sovereignty. “We demand that the Lebanese government restore national sovereignty. There can be no stability without sovereignty and no revival without sovereignty,” he declared.

Deputy Head of Lebanon’s Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, also addressed the ceremony, urging the Lebanese government to resist U.S. dictates and to abandon dangerous decisions that could drag the nation into strife desired by the enemy. (ILKHA)