Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem responded sharply to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm the group, declaring in a public address that "Hezbollah will not disarm as long as Israel's attacks and occupation continue."
Qassem warned that if the government moves against Hezbollah, "there will be no life in Lebanon."
The Secretary-General also accused the government of "acting in Israel's interest and facilitating the killing of fighters and civilians," warning it would bear full responsibility for "any internal conflict or destruction that may occur in Lebanon."
According to Qassem, Hezbollah and the Amal movement, its Shi'ite Muslim ally, had decided to delay any street protests against the disarmament plan as they still see room for dialogue with the government, adding, however, that any future protests could reach the U.S. Embassy in the country.
The Lebanese government approved last week an American proposal to promote an agreement that would eventually disarm Hezbollah, halt all Israeli attacks on the country and lead to an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, according to Information Minister Paul Morcos.
