Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon Must Remain Strong and Independent Amid US and ’Israeli’ Pressure

Translated by Al-Ahed News

Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem stated that “Netanyahu can claim that he kills everywhere, but he cannot claim that 'Israel' is secure or that the future belongs to the 'Israeli' entity.”

During a speech at the launch ceremony of the book Singing and Music – Studies by His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Sheikh Qassem praised the leadership of Imam Khamenei, saying, “One of the blessings of this era is that Imam Khamenei is among us.”

He described the current stage in the struggle against "Israel" as “marked by both pain and hope,” asserting that "Israel" has not and will not achieve its objectives.

Highlighting US influence in the region, he criticized American intervention, describing it as “deeply harmful,” leading to genocide and massacres in pursuit of an expansionist agenda.

His Eminence further warned that Netanyahu’s vision of a “Greater Israel” aligns with the ambitions of “Greater America,” citing actions by former President Donald Trump worldwide. The Hezbollah top official also called on the US administration and "Israel" to cease threats aimed at weakening Lebanon.

On Lebanon’s national strength, His Eminence stressed that the country’s stability depends on restraining "Israel," and that Hezbollah’s arms are integral to Lebanon’s defense.

Moreover, His Eminence sent the US administration and its envoy Tom Barrack a sounding message: “Enough with the threats against Lebanon meant to destroy its strength and make it part of the so-called ‘Greater Israel.’”

He moved on to say: “We are at a stage in this ongoing struggle filled with both pain and hope, because ‘Israel’ has not achieved its goals and it will not achieve them.”

Stressing that “Lebanon’s stability is achieved by restraining ‘Israel’,” Sheikh Qassem affirmed that “Lebanon cannot give ‘Israel’ or the US what they want, as long as there are proud people and great sacrifices that have been made—and are ready to be made.”

In parallel, His Eminence asserted that “Lebanon must remain sovereign, free, proud, independent, strong, and capable,” explaining that “‘Israel’ does not want to implement the agreement or end the conflict with Lebanon, because it seeks to swallow Lebanon and erase its existence.”

He reiterated that Lebanon must remain free, dignified, independent, and strong, rejecting any notion that disarming Hezbollah would resolve national problems.

Sheikh Qassem added: “Anyone who thinks that disarming Hezbollah will solve the problem is mistaken, because its weapons are part of Lebanon’s strength. The US and the Zionist entity do not want Lebanon to be strong. Their threats do not affect us.”

To the US and “Israel”, Hezbollah Secretary General said: “Implement the agreement. Lebanon has already done so. All your maneuvers and pressures are merely tactics to waste time and drain resources.”

Addressing domestic governance, Sheikh Qassem held the Lebanese government accountable for protecting sovereignty, overseeing reconstruction, and ensuring citizens’ access to their finances.

He criticized officials, including the Central Bank Governor and Minister of Justice, for acting in ways that serve US and "Israeli" interests rather than the Lebanese people. “Lebanon is not a prison for its citizens under US control,” he declared.

“Lebanese officials are not employees of America, nor do we accept them to be,” Sheikh Qassem confirmed, noting that “there is nothing new in practice, except that the US is trying to achieve politically what ‘Israel’ could not achieve militarily.”

Finally, he dismissed international displays of diplomacy, noting that the recent Trump-led showcase in Sharm El-Sheikh “is not a display of peace,” signaling skepticism toward external interventions in the region.