BEIRUT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah Leader Naim Qassem warned Tuesday that any new Israeli war on Lebanon would be met with rocket fire, asserting the group's readiness to retaliate and defend the country.
Speaking at a memorial in Beirut's southern suburb, Qassem declared, "If Israel wages a new war on Lebanon, rockets will fall upon it. We can confront and defeat Israel."
He accused Israel of backtracking on past agreements, especially after developments in Syria, and criticized U.S. efforts to weaken Lebanon in favor of Israeli interests.
Qassem called for national unity based on cooperation, prioritizing domestic needs over foreign demands, and resisting external interference. He rejected calls to disarm Hezbollah.
He urged the Lebanese government to strengthen sovereignty by incorporating resistance into national defense plans, warning that any Israeli escalation would face widespread retaliation.
Qassem also condemned what he called systematic Israeli and U.S.-led crimes against Palestinians, vowing continued resistance. "Lebanon's strength cannot be stripped away," he said. ■
