Hezbollah Sec.-Gen. Naim Qassem has rejected the framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel under US sponsorship, insisting that Israel must first withdraw from Lebanese territory in accordance with the Iranian-US MoU.
In his first public comments on the agreement signed in Washington following the fifth round of negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, Qassem declared that the framework deal was ‘null and void’ and called for the implementation of the provisions outlined in the Iranian-US memorandum.
He also strongly opposed proposals linking an Israeli withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah and other resistance groups throughout Lebanon, describing such a condition as ‘a very dangerous proposal that crosses all red lines’.
Qassem warned that disarming the resistance before a complete Israeli withdrawal would leave Lebanon vulnerable, saying it would turn the country ‘into a plaything in the hands of the Israeli enemy’.
His remarks come amid an intense political debate in Lebanon over the US-brokered agreement. While some political leaders and media outlets have hailed the framework as a historic breakthrough that could help stabilise the country and resolve disputes with Israel, others have criticised it as a unilateral concession that fails to safeguard Lebanon’s interests.
Lebanon and Israel signed the framework agreement in Washington on June 27, concluding the fifth round of negotiations.