Oct 29, 2024 – Hezbollah has elected Naim Qassem, its long-serving deputy leader, as the new leader following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, who died on September 27. The 71-year-old Qassem was chosen by the group’s Shura Council in a decision made public on Tuesday.
Qassem has been a prominent figure within Hezbollah since being appointed deputy leader in 1991. He remained in this role even after Nasrallah took over leadership and has been a key spokesperson for the group, often engaging with international media, including during last year’s hostilities with Israel.
Following Nasrallah’s death and the recent killing of senior leader Hassem Safieddine, seen as a potential successor, Qassem has made three television appearances, advocating for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
In response to Qassem’s election, the Israeli government’s Arabic-language account on X warned that if he mirrors the paths of his predecessors, his leadership might be short-lived. The statement emphasized, “There is no other solution in Lebanon than to dismantle this organisation as a military force.”
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