We will not allow enemy to conquer an inch of Lebanese soil

The Hezbollah chief made the remarks in a Monday televised speech on the occasion of the first martyrdom anniversary of Hezbollah’s head of media relations, Mohammad Afif Nabulsi, who was assassinated in an Israeli strike that targeted a building in central Beirut on November 17, 2024.

“Lebanon attained its independence only through tremendous sacrifices, resilience, firm stances, and imprisonment,” he said. "We will not allow an inch of the Lebanese soil to be separated or occupied. Lebanon must be dignified, free, independent, and wary of any demands or dictates.”

Sheikh Qassem said the resistance front is tasked with the expulsion of occupiers, and its operations are aimed at confronting the usurping Israeli enemy.

The Hezbollah leader noted that the movement enjoys the support of a large section of the Lebanese society as well as various political factions. “No one in Lebanon would like Israel to tamper with the country as it wishes.”

“Today, there is a great deal of pressure, but enemies will not succeed in the face of our resilience. We will withstand the pressure in this period, and we do not accept becoming slaves to anyone,” Sheikh Qassem stated.

“The strength of our people and society is unprecedented, and this strength cannot be defeated. We want our land, captives, stability, economy, politics and rights," he said.

 “What is happening in Lebanon nowadays is an overt and naked aggression aimed at seizing control of the country and stripping it of all forms of strength it possesses," he said.

Sheikh Qassem added that an Israeli attack yesterday on UNIFIL (the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) confirmed that no one is spared from the aggression.

He called upon the Lebanese government to utilize all state institutions and devise a program to confront the ongoing Israeli assaults. Sheikh Qassem emphasized that “the aggression is the problem, not the resistance.”

Addressing the Lebanese government, Sheikh Qassem said, “I advise you to say ‘No’ based on Lebanon’s rights. Let’s be together and we will succeed if we stand together, and together we will liberate our land and regain the independence steps.”

“It is very much mistaken to work as servants and advance Israeli schemes. We will not allow Lebanon to be surrendered to Israel.”

The Hezbollah leader said that the US guardianship over Lebanon is a serious threat because Washington is a sponsor of aggression, not a mediator. "The US lies behind the thorny problems that Lebanon is currently facing.”

Sheikh Qassem urged the Beirut government not to make a grave mistake by offering Israel concessions to deter its aggression, stressing that such unilateral measures have never yielded favorable results.

Americans have been ravaging Lebanon since 2019 up until now, he said, and they are responsible for Lebanon’s worst economic crisis in decades and the decline in its currency value to hit historic lows against the dollar.

“I advise the government, the central bank governor and the relevant officials to halt the measures that are putting pressure on all Lebanese,” the Hezbollah leader added, in response to the new restrictions announced by the central bank.

Addressing political rivals, Sheikh Qassem said, “Stop paralyzing parliament, because this obstruction is unjustified, and the attack on Speaker Nabih Berri is a sinful assault.”