Hezbollah elects new leader Naim Qassem to replace slain Hassan Nasrallah

Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah has elected Naim Qassem as its new Secretary General, succeeding Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in an Israeli air attack over a month ago.

The group’s Shoura Council chose Qassem, 71, following established procedures.

Qassem has been Hezbollah’s deputy chief since 1991, appointed by then-Secretary General Abbas Al-Musawi. He retained his role under Nasrallah’s leadership and became a key spokesman, engaging with foreign media amidst escalating tensions with Israel.

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Nasrallah’s death on September 27 and Hashem Safieddine’s killing a week later left a power vacuum. Qassem has since delivered three televised addresses, advocating for a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, many perceive him as lacking Nasrallah’s charisma and influence.

The Israeli government has responded,saying that Qassem‘s tenure may be the shortest if he follows his predecessors’ path.

The Israeli government’s official Arabic account on X posted, “His tenure in this position may be the shortest in the history of this terrorist organization if he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine.”

“There is no solution in Lebanon except to dismantle this organization as a military force,” it wrote.