Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has named its new leader. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's deputy chief, will replace Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed more than a month ago, the group said on Tuesday (October 29). British news agency Reuters reported this news.
In a written statement, Hezbollah said the Shura Council nominated 71-year-old Qassem as party chief.
In 1991, the then leader of the armed group, Abbas al-Mousavi, appointed Qassem as deputy head of Hezbollah. Al-Mousavi was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack the following year.
When Nasrallah took over Hezbollah, Qasem was still in his position. As one of the main spokespersons of the party, he has been giving interviews to foreign media for a long time.
Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for three decades, was killed in an Israeli strike on September 27. A week later, Israel killed Nasrallah's potential successor and a senior Hezbollah leader, Hashem Safaidin.
Since the death of Nasrallah, Qassem has given three speeches on television so far. He said Hezbollah is supporting efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Many in Lebanon feel that Kassem lacks the charisma and tenacity of Nasrallah.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government posted a somewhat threatening post on the X account after Kassem was elected leader. They said, if Nasrallah and Safaidin go the way, Naim Qassem is going to be the shortest-lived leader in Hezbollah's history. If Lebanon wants peace, there is only one path open to them. That is to destroy Hezbollah's military capabilities.
