
Hezbollah's Head: No compromise with Israel
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Sunday reaffirmed the group's refusal to compromise with Israel, dismissing growing international pressure for disarmament.
Speaking during Ashura commemorations in Beirut, Qassem described the large public turnout as a 'strong message' to those predicting a decline in Hezbollah's support amid regional and domestic challenges. 'We defend Lebanon, and this defense will continue even if the entire world stands against us,' he said.
Qassem condemned recent US efforts to dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure and rejected what he called 'threats of surrender,' referring to a US proposal submitted last month that seeks full disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for Israeli withdrawal, economic support, and border demarcation.
He also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the United States and France to end weeks of intense cross-border fighting. 'Thousands of violations have occurred,' he said, referencing Israeli airstrikes, surveillance flights, and troop incursions that have left nearly 200 people dead and hundreds more injured since the ceasefire took effect.
'There is no place for surrender among us,' Qassem declared. 'Normalization is humiliation and disgrace. Our stance is firm: no negotiations until Israel fully commits to the agreement's first phase—withdrawal, an end to aggression, the release of prisoners, and reconstruction in the South.'
The ceasefire, signed on November 27, 2024, followed Israel's October incursion into southern Lebanon and included commitments to halt hostilities, enforce UN Resolution 1701, and restrict armed presence south of the Litani River. While the Lebanese Army has deployed thousands of troops to the area, Israeli forces have maintained several outposts and continue to conduct operations across land, sea, and air.
The US roadmap—delivered by Special Envoy Thomas Barrack in June—calls for Hezbollah's complete disarmament by the end of 2025. In return, it promises Israeli withdrawal from disputed areas, billions in reconstruction aid, and broader diplomatic and economic incentives. However, Hezbollah's leadership has rejected the plan, framing it as a strategic attempt to dismantle the group's deterrence capabilities under the guise of peace.
'Once these steps are completed, we are ready for discussions,' Qassem said, signaling a conditional openness to talks but warning that any deal that bypasses Lebanon's sovereignty or resistance will be met with defiance.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Khor Abdullah off parliament agenda: MP cites "misconception"
Shafaq News – Baghdad Parliament is unlikely to vote this Saturday on the 2012 Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait due to legal hurdles and insufficient quorum, Mohammed al-Sayhoud, the Secretary-General of the 'Ajyal' political group, told Shafaq News on Wednesday. Al-Sayhoud explained that the 2012 agreement, which aimed to regulate navigation in the disputed waterway, was wrongly perceived as a border deal, clarifying that it was intended to shift operational control back to Iraq, unlike the earlier 1991 arrangement that gave Kuwait significant authority. Although the agreement passed in Parliament at the time, it was later annulled by the Federal Supreme Court for failing to meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority. The lawmaker warned that Iraq now faces two options, 'return to the unfavorable 1991 terms or negotiate a new deal.' He noted that the 2012 agreement has been sent back to Parliament but requires at least 207 votes to pass. Al-Sayhoud expressed doubt that Saturday's session would have enough MPs present but said a vote could take place in subsequent meetings, urging lawmakers to support the agreement in the interest of Iraq's sovereignty and economic control over the waterway. 'If lawmakers are truly committed to the country's interests, they must vote in favor of the 2012 agreement,' he added. Earlier, Iraq's three presidencies agreed that the Parliament must take the necessary legislative action following a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court requiring the re-legislation of the law ratifying the Khor Abdullah agreement.


Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's oil reserves top 145 billion barrels, minister confirms
Shafaq News – Vienna/Baghdad Iraq's proven reserves have surpassed 145 billion barrels of crude oil and 132 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad announced on Wednesday. During a panel discussion at the Ninth International OPEC Workshop in Vienna, Al-Sawad emphasized the need for strong and consistent government commitments to finance energy projects across all sectors to ensure long-term energy security. He underscored the continued importance of fossil fuels in meeting global energy demands, describing them as a key driver not only for infrastructure growth but also for advancing clean energy efforts, especially in developing countries that require economic support to improve vital sectors such as healthcare, education, and essential services. Al-Sawad highlighted that 'sustained investment in oil and gas remains critical for both global energy stability and inclusive economic development.' However, he warned that current investment levels are insufficient to meet future demand, particularly as the global population and industrial activity continue to grow. Adequate financing, he stressed, is necessary to balance traditional energy supply with progress in clean energy technologies. The minister also outlined Iraq's role in the global energy transition, pointing to major initiatives aimed at capturing associated and natural gas that would otherwise be flared. 'These efforts align with Iraq's climate commitments and aim to strike a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility,' he affirmed. Iraq is currently advancing large-scale projects to convert flared gas into electricity, helping to cut carbon emissions, improve domestic energy security, and reduce dependence on imported fuels. He also noted Iraq's ongoing efforts to develop independent natural gas fields in partnership with leading international companies, a move intended to position the country as a future player in the global gas market.


Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Trade and investment boost: Financial adviser cites US message to Iraq
Shafaq News – Baghdad The recent message from US President Donald Trump to the Iraqi government, on Wednesday, signals a potential expansion of trade and investment ties, according to Mudhhir Mohammed Saleh, Iraq's financial adviser to the Prime Minister. Saleh responded to the US administration's announcement, imposing a 30% tariff on imports from Iraq, Algeria, and Libya. While details on implementation remain unclear, he indicated the practical impact on Iraq would likely be limited. Speaking to Shafaq News, Saleh emphasized that the message underlined the long-term strategic relationship between the two countries, particularly within the framework of the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement, which governs cooperation across sectors such as trade, defense, and education. 'Iraq's exports to the United States consist almost entirely of crude oil — around 200,000 barrels per day, generating approximately $4.5 billion annually,' he explained, highlighting that these oil shipments are already exempt from tariffs. Iraq has no significant non-oil exports to the US that would justify or be affected by such measures. In contrast, Iraq imports roughly $1.5 billion worth of American goods and services annually, including engineering and electrical equipment, spare parts, civil aircraft, digital technology, advanced logistics, vehicles, and agricultural products. Though modest in volume, Saleh stressed the strategic importance of these imports, framing the White House message 'not as a punitive move but as an invitation to deepen economic engagement.' The message, he interpreted, proposes boosting trade by encouraging high-quality imports, particularly in renewable energy, information technology, and advanced goods. 'This aligns with Iraq's broader strategy to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues,' he clarified. Saleh also pointed to Iraq's investment of nearly half its foreign reserves in US Treasury bonds, underscoring the strength of bilateral financial ties.