Hezbollah Secretary-General: American Guardianship is a Great Danger to Lebanon, and Washington is the Source of the Country’s Crises

The Secretary-General of Lebanese Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, warned Monday, of the danger of foreign guardianship (mandate/custodianship) over Lebanon, asserting that this guardianship is not aimed at the country’s stability but works to deepen its crises and fuel internal discord and tension.

Sheikh Qassem, speaking during the first annual commemoration of the martyr and media commander Mohammed Afif, clarified that the United States of America is not a mediator between Lebanese parties. Instead, it is a key and principal aggressor party and a direct partner in the aggression launched by the Israeli entity against Lebanon. He stressed that Washington guides the Israeli entity in defining the limits of the aggression to align with political moves and international pressure.

He referred to official “Israeli” statements confirming that all acts of aggression, bombing, and criminality against Lebanon are carried out in direct coordination with the United States, indicating that the Israeli entity utilizes these attacks to implement the American role through assistance and support.

He asserted that the United States has corrupted the Lebanese situation since 2019, a period when the country witnessed a series of popular movements that indeed carried genuine suffering and complex problems. However, the intertwining of American and foreign intervention added a state of internal discord to the popular movement, aiming to change the balance of power and disrupt the national scene.

He explained that the main goal of igniting internal discord was to deliberately complicate the situation and drive everyone into a continuous crisis, allowing the United States to intervene and impose its desires on the Lebanese reality. Sheikh Qassem stated that the collapse of the Lebanese currency, the bankruptcy of banks, and the damage to the economy are all direct results of American policies and interventions.

He added, “If you want to know the biggest misfortunes that have befallen Lebanon, look for America, for it is the source of all these crises and the one leading this destructive approach.”

He also confirmed that the pillars of financial and political corruption in Lebanon, whether those who worked in the previous stage or those who continue today, are merely pawns in the hands of the United States. He pointed to Washington’s support for these parties, who are now known to everyone, and affirmed that American policy continues to wreck the lives of the Lebanese people.

The Hezbollah Secretary-General noted that a delegation from the U.S. Treasury Department recently visited Lebanon with the aim of imposing financial restrictions on Hezbollah, an action that consequently affects the Lebanese population as a whole.

He clarified that among the institutions targeted by the U.S. delegation is Al-Qard Al-Hasan (Good Loan) Association, stressing that it is a social institution serving all citizens and is considered a social breathing lung amid difficult economic conditions, working to ease the lives of people, the poor, and the needy from all sects.

He pointed out that no one has the authority to prevent goodwill, aid, and social solidarity, and no party should become a tool for a new aggression. He called upon the government, the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, and all relevant parties to cease procedures that increase the hardship, not only on Hezbollah and its constituency but on all Lebanese.

Sheikh Qassem mentioned that the donations received through various means are social donations allocated for reconstruction, renovation, and assisting the needy and unemployed in Lebanon from all sects.

He reported that the Lebanese President and a number of political leaders from various sects spoke about the “poison being spread” and the incitement among the Lebanese, pointing to the existence of false narratives and attempts to incite discord and push Lebanon toward American guardianship, both internally and externally.

He stressed that the ruin of the country affects everyone without exception, saying: “While you think you are only ruining things for us, you are primarily ruining things for yourselves, your environments, and your children.”

He warned against the continued actions of the inciting parties, confirming that those who cook up poison and stir up discord are exposed and that the occupation rejoices in their names and statements, but in the end, “only the truth will remain, and the people of the land are the ones who will reclaim it.”

The Hezbollah Secretary-General emphasized the importance of fortifying the media landscape by monitoring the messages and content being broadcast, stressing the role of media in defending the truth and exposing the aggressions committed by the Israeli entity against Lebanon and Palestine.

He questioned: “What image is clearer than the resistance’s right to defense against the Israeli aggression on Lebanon? And what image is clearer than the scenes of massacres committed by the aggression, whether in Lebanon or Palestine? The most horrific scene is when the aggression mercilessly kills civilians or journalists.”

He stressed that Lebanese unity is the way to deter Israeli aggression and restore rights, affirming that the Israeli entity must withdraw from Lebanese territories, halt the attacks, and release the prisoners. He noted the Lebanese people’s ability to reach understandings among themselves away from foreign interference.

He also warned against the danger of some parties working to serve the Israeli project, asserting that what is happening in Lebanon today is not merely a failure to implement a ceasefire agreement, but a qualified aggression aimed at controlling Lebanon, stripping it of all elements of strength—whether military, economic, or political—and imposing complete dominance over the country.

In the context of recent events, Sheikh Qassem referred to the UNIFIL incident, where a statement was issued confirming that the Israeli entity built a wall that crossed the Blue Line, resulting in the loss of more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory to the entity. UNIFIL also confirmed that its soldiers were directly fired upon by “Israeli” forces and could have been injured just a few meters away.

He clarified that all Lebanese components are now in direct confrontation with this aggression, which spares no one: “This aggression accepts neither UNIFIL, nor the Lebanese Army, nor civilians, and fundamentally does not want stability, neither in South Lebanon nor in the rest of Lebanon.”

He considered the attacks on UNIFIL forces, the Lebanese Army, and civilians to reflect the seriousness of the phase and the expansion of the aggression, stressing the need to confront this danger by all diplomatic and political means, and to seriously consider all ways to put an end to these attacks.

The Secretary-General of the Party stressed that the Lebanese government, with its institutions and pillars, bears the responsibility for serious consideration and developing clear programs to confront the repeated attacks, deeming the state obligated to prepare comprehensive plans enabling it to face the continuous Israeli aggression.

He indicated that international envoys, during their meetings with Lebanese officials, acknowledge Lebanon’s rightful position and confirm that the Israeli entity is escalating its aggression while enjoying absolute American support. He added that they usually demand that Lebanon “comply” (or “be responsive”) in the context of pressure on the resistance, which he described as unacceptable surrender.

He denounced the logic of the international community, which recognizes Lebanon’s right to face aggression but offers no practical options other than surrendering to the Israeli entity’s demands.

He stated: “What does it mean to comply? It means to surrender. Why? Is the right with Israel? They reply, ‘No, the right is with you, and they are the aggressors, but we have no other option.’ No, we do have another option. The aggression is the problem, not the resistance. The aggression is the problem, not the state pillars or the Lebanese Army; the performance of the Lebanese Army has nothing to do with it.”

He stressed that the starting point for addressing the issue must be holding the enemy responsible for the escalation and aggression, rather than directing blame at the resistance or national state institutions. He considered that whoever describes the resistance as the problem merely because it refuses to surrender is content with enabling the Israeli entity to tamper with Lebanon’s fate.

The Hezbollah Secretary-General directed a direct message to the Lebanese government, emphasizing that Hezbollah is part of this government and aspires for its success in building and liberating Lebanon, stressing that the concessions made by the government with the aim of ending the aggression have not achieved any tangible results.

He explained that the government made a mistake when it pursued the path of concessions in the hope of ending the aggression, pointing out that repeated experiences of unilateral concessions and pre-emptive offers have yielded no benefit, as they were not met with any reciprocal response from the other side.

He added that Lebanon implemented the agreements diligently for more than a year, while the Israeli entity failed to implement any of its commitments.

He touched upon the “weapon exclusivity” plan which the government adopted and then amended after its danger and grave mistake became apparent following the rejection of this approach by the resistance and the Lebanese people. Despite these initiatives, they received no response from the other side.

He deemed all decisions related to deployment south of the Litani River, readiness for negotiations, and even the acceptance of the “disgraceful” Brakk document principles, all constituted concessions from Lebanon that were not reciprocated by any steps from the Israeli entity. Lebanon received no American guarantee, while requests for further concessions continued.

Sheikh Qassem advised the government to halt this approach and declare a firm stance, saying: “Say NO in defense of Lebanon’s rights, and let us all stand together in this position, even if there are those who continue to seek control or are beholden to foreign powers.”

He affirmed that success is possible if the people and the government stand united, and that achieving independence, liberating the land, and completing the steps of sovereignty requires the unity of Muslims, Christians, and various regions in confronting the Israeli enemy and those who stand behind it, in defense of Lebanese rights.

The Hezbollah Secretary-General considered the attack on Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri a sinful and unjustified attack, whose sole purpose is to facilitate control over the country by invoking foreign guardianship. He affirmed that President Berri represents a fundamental pillar in achieving Lebanon’s stability, preventing discord, and contributing to the building of an independent and liberated state.

He stressed the necessity of continuing to implement the adopted electoral law without disruption or manipulation, in order to maintain the integrity and stability of Lebanese political life.