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Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has called on Saudi Arabia to open a new chapter of dialogue with the group, emphasizing cooperation based on shared security concerns and mutual understanding.
Qassem made the remarks during a televised speech marking the first anniversary of senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Akil’s death in an Israeli attack on Sept. 20, 2024. He outlined three key principles for dialogue: addressing issues while securing mutual interests, recognizing Israel as the adversary rather than resistance groups, and freezing past disagreements.
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Following Israel’s attack on Qatar, Qassem warned that the Middle East is at a dangerous crossroads. He claimed Israel’s ambitions target multiple countries, including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran.
He stressed that Hezbollah’s weapons are aimed only at Israel, arguing that suppressing resistance benefits Israel and endangers other nations.
Qassem urged the Lebanese government to prioritize expelling Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and initiating national reconstruction.
He said Hezbollah is ready to cooperate with the Lebanese army and called for timely parliamentary elections, accelerated economic and financial reforms, anti-corruption measures, and constructive national security dialogue.
The Lebanese Cabinet approved a plan on Aug. 5 to centralize all weapons under state control, including Hezbollah’s, with implementation by the army by the end of 2025. Qassem has repeatedly stated that Hezbollah will not surrender its arms until Israel fully withdraws, ceases attacks, releases captives, and reconstruction begins.
On Sept. 12, the government approved the army’s plan and kept its contents confidential.
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