As Lebanon and Israel strive for agreement in US-mediated negotiations, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem insists he accepts ‘no normalisation’ and ‘no gains for Israel’.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has demanded that Israel must pull its troops completely out of Lebanon “unconditionally”.
Qassem delivered the remarks in a televised address on Friday, on the Muslim holy day of Ashura, and as the latest round of United States-mediated ceasefire talks between Lebanon and Israel was extended in a bid to reach an agreement.
The demand comes as Israeli troops remain positioned deep inside southern Lebanon. Israeli officials insist they will stay in Lebanon, despite Iran saying Israel is obliged to withdraw under the terms of the interim US-Iran ceasefire agreement that also covers Lebanon.
Qassem described the US-Iran agreement as an “official declaration of defeat” for the US and Israel.
“Israel has no option but to withdraw completely from every inch of our Lebanese land,” he said. “Israel must leave unconditionally.”
