Qassem on Resistance and Liberation Day: The people have the right to take to the streets and bring down the government in confronting the Israeli-American project targeting our institutions

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem delivered a speech on the occasion of Resistance and Liberation Day, addressing political developments in Lebanon and the region, in addition to regional issues involving Iran, Palestine and Bahrain.

Qassem opened his speech by congratulating Muslims on Eid al-Adha, pointing to its meanings of sacrifice and faith, before turning to “Resistance and Liberation Day” as a national milestone expressing the partnership of all those who contributed to confronting the occupation.

He stressed that the resistance was the result of a long path of leadership and sacrifices, recalling a number of figures who played roles in this context, and emphasizing that the 2000 liberation was the fruit of integration between the army, the people and the resistance, in addition to what he described as a balanced relationship with the state at that stage.

On the political front, Qassem said that the period after the 2024 agreement had not witnessed full commitment to halting attacks, holding Israel responsible for the continued escalation and asserting that the Lebanese state “was unable to enforce implementation of the agreement.”

He also criticized recent domestic policies, saying that some decisions undermine what he described as “the role of the resistance,” and called on the government to reverse them, warning of attempts that, in his words, target Lebanon’s defensive capabilities.

He stressed his rejection of any path leading to the disarmament of the resistance, saying it would undermine Lebanon’s defensive capacity, and affirmed that the weapons would remain in place “as long as the state is unable to carry out its sovereign duties.”

In the regional context, Qassem sent messages of support to Palestine and Iran, saying the latter represents a steadfast force in the face of international pressure. He also called for the release of detainees in Bahrain held on political and religious grounds.

He concluded by stressing that the confrontation is ongoing and that the resistance will remain in the field, while calling for an end to the aggression, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the opening of a discussion on a defense strategy after those conditions are met, according to his remarks.