BEIRUT, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem announced Friday that Hezbollah will not relinquish its weapons and is prepared to engage in war if necessary, in response to what it describes as ongoing Israeli aggression and occupation.
"We will not hand over our weapons while the aggression continues and the occupation remains," said Qassem, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.
The remarks came amid escalating political tensions in Lebanon following a government decision earlier this month to bring weapons under state control.
Qassem warned that such a move "facilitates the killing of resistance fighters and their families" and accused the government of serving Israeli and American objectives.
He criticized Lebanese leaders for prioritizing political survival over national defense, saying they should "remove Israel first" before debating the group's arms.
Citing a recent opinion poll, Qassem said a majority of Lebanese believe the army alone cannot repel aggression and oppose disarming the resistance without a comprehensive defense strategy. He framed Hezbollah's arsenal as essential to Lebanon's sovereignty.
The Hezbollah leader also accused Israel of seeking territorial expansion beyond Palestine and warned that Lebanon faces an existential threat if it abandons its deterrent capabilities.
"The resistance will fight if it must," he said. ■
