Hezbollah Leader Calls for Lebanon Government Overthrow

Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, has urged the Lebanese people to take to the streets and overthrow the government, which he described as an "American-Israeli project" undermining the nation's institutions. Qassem stated that if the current government fails to restore sovereignty, particularly in the face of conflict with Israel, it must step down.

Speaking on television, Qassem vehemently rejected calls for Hezbollah's disarmament. He asserted that the group would maintain its armed status as long as the Lebanese state is incapable of fulfilling its duty to defend the nation, its people, and its resources. He warned that the government cannot act with impunity against the Shiite organization.

The remarks come as Lebanon and Israel are engaged in direct political dialogue for the first time in decades, mediated by the United States. Disarmament of Hezbollah is a key point of discussion in these talks, though Hezbollah itself is not participating. The potential for forceful disarmament raises fears of another severe crisis, recalling the clashes in May 2008 when government attempts to dismantle Hezbollah's communication network led to days of street fighting in Beirut, resulting in dozens of deaths.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken strongly criticized Qassem's statements, accusing Hezbollah of attempting to drag Lebanon back into "chaos and destruction." Blinken vowed that such threats of violence would not be tolerated, adding, "The era when one terrorist group held an entire nation hostage is coming to an end."