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Hezbollah Shuffles its Cards, Adheres to Weapons Control

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem. (Reuters)
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem. (Reuters)
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Hezbollah Shuffles its Cards, Adheres to Weapons Control

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem. (Reuters)
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem. (Reuters)

The rhetoric of Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief on Saturday reaffirmed the party's commitment to its weapons and contradicted the positive atmospheres prevailing in the country after the election of General Jospeh Aoun as President, and the designation of international judge Nawaf Salam to form the new government.

On Saturday, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, stated that "the resistance in Lebanon will remain resilient against the American-Israeli project, continuing to be strong, ready, and loyal to the blood of the martyrs in its mission to liberate the land and Palestine".

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in a conflict parallel to the Gaza war in November. That ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States and France, requires Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, and for Hezbollah to remove all its fighters and weapons from the south.

Both sides have since accused each other of breaching the ceasefire.

"Don't test our patience and I call on the Lebanese state to deal firmly with these (Israeli) violations that have exceeded 100," Qassem said in a speech delivered during the 13th International Conference titled "Gaza, Symbol of Resistance".

He added saying that the party emerged from the war “with our heads held high”, and that plans to utilize the resistance and its weapons should be discussed within the defense strategy and through dialogue.

He emphasized that "no one will be able to exploit the results of the (Israeli) aggression for internal political gains, as the political process is separate from the status of the resistance".

Qassem's stance comes just days before Israel is set to withdraw from the south, a move that, according to Ghayas Yazbek, a member of the Lebanese Forces bloc, is "dangerous" and will lead to negative consequences for Lebanon. He “is provoking a new Israeli war on Lebanon", he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Qassem’s remarks about insisting on holding on to weapons and to the separation of Resolution 1701 between the southern and northern parts of the Litani River contradict the ceasefire agreement, mainly that these statements come just days before Israel’s planned withdrawal from the areas it occupied in southern Lebanon on January 27, and on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President. This could trigger a dangerous escalation from Israel”, Yazbek said.

Qassem’s statement is also an attempt to undermine the credibility of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who had conveyed positive vibes regarding the formation of the new government. The President and the Prime Minister-designate had affirmed that no party in Lebanon will be excluded from the upcoming government.

“Qassem’s rhetoric is a severe blow to the new presidency and premiership”, Yazbek stated, describing it as "an act of blackmail” akin to the tactics Hezbollah employed before the war.

The Secretary-General's remarks coincided with the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Beirut and came just hours after the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Lebanon.

"Naim Qassem's speech raises concerns among friendly and sisterly countries that have pledged to provide full support to the Lebanese state, and it represents a negative message toward President Macron, who spoke on behalf of the international community”, said Yazbek.

The MP added that the rhetoric “reflects narrow, sectarian agenda of the Shiite community, which has once again entangled the country in crises from which it is desperately trying to extricate itself”.

Sami Nader, Director of the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, downplayed the impact of Qassem’s rhetoric on the positive atmospheres prevailing in Lebanon.

Qassem’s remarks are "an attempt to absorb the setback the party faced, a preemptive move regarding the ministerial statement and its potential participation in the new government, as well as a way to gauge the contents of the ministerial statement and interpret the issue of restricting weapons to the state”, Nader told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The nomination of Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam had angered Hezbollah, which accused opponents of seeking to exclude it.
Salam was nominated by a majority of lawmakers last week to form a government but did not win the backing of the Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.
Salam said the formation of a new government would not be delayed, indicating a positive atmosphere in discussions over its composition.
 

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Iraqi FM: We Informed Tehran that Factions Issue is for Iraq to Decide

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Iraqi FM: We Informed Tehran that Factions Issue is for Iraq to Decide

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)

“How do we protect Baghdad from fire?" Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein repeated this question as he reflected on the challenges his country faced in 2024. Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with him in London, just an hour after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas on January 15, 2025.

Hussein said Iraq had avoided war but warned that the danger remains.

Hussein described Iraq as having narrowly avoided war but warned that the threat of conflict still looms.

“The world views us differently now,” he said, acknowledging Iraq’s shifting global image. However, he stressed that Iraqis must address their own issues with armed factions.

“No one will solve these problems for us,” he added, whether Iran disagrees with them or a US president less friendly toward Baghdad and Tehran takes office.

As news of the Gaza ceasefire terms emerged, Hussein asked: “How did we get here? It came far too late, with a heavy human cost.”

Still, he expressed cautious optimism, referring to what he called the “Iraqi prophecy” from October 2023: “Every war leads to another—and there will be more.”

With Lebanon entering a new chapter and Syria transitioning after Bashar al-Assad, Baghdad is asserting its role in London with a broad agreement. Many interpreted the deal as carrying political weight far beyond the official statements. But Hussein candidly remarked: “Yes, it’s a historic agreement, but not in anticipation of Trump’s return.”

British Framework in Iraq

On January 15, Baghdad announced a £12.3 billion investment package from Britain—a landmark deal that Hussein says reflects "the deep ties between the two countries."

The agreement also includes a defense component.

“Instead of collective agreements with the anti-ISIS coalition, we’re working on individual security understandings with countries like France, Germany, and now Britain, to shape cooperation in security,” Hussein explained.

“In Iraq, we have two types of British forces: one as part of the coalition and another under NATO. We need discussions on how to manage this presence from security and military perspectives,” he added.

Asked if these moves were a preemptive response to potential sanctions or regional tensions, Hussein dismissed such claims.

“This isn’t about preparing for Trump’s return to the White House. These talks are purely about Iraq’s policies, its situation, and its bilateral ties with major powers,” he said.

Hussein’s visit to London followed a trip to New York, where Iraq assumed the presidency of the G77+China group, the largest bloc representing developing nations at the UN.

“This leadership strengthens Iraq’s diplomatic ties with the Global North and promotes peace and security globally,” Hussein said.

“It also boosts Iraq’s regional and international standing, including its relations with the US.”

He believes Iraq’s leadership of the group, which he referred to as the “Global South,” is a significant step for the country in the “post-war” era, reflecting “how the world now sees Baghdad.”

Trump’s Return

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has become the hottest topic in Iraq, reviving political tensions and memories of his first term. The renewed strain between Iraq and Iran highlights the impact of US policies on the region.

For Iraq’s top diplomat, it’s a moment to focus on pragmatism and Iraq’s delicate position.

“Trump was elected by the American people, and we respect that,” Hussein said.

“But US tensions with Iran affect the entire region, with Iraq caught in the middle. We share deep ties with both countries—historical, cultural, and economic—and the US has helped us fight terrorism under clear agreements.”

Hussein hopes for dialogue between Washington and Tehran but worries the tensions may persist. He takes comfort in Iraq’s growing awareness of the need to strike a balance.

“Iraqis are now discussing how to navigate between both sides, something that wasn’t easy before,” he said.

To raise awareness, Iraq launched a media campaign to highlight the risks.

“We worked hard to show people that Iraq is at risk. If you can’t convince your own people, you can’t convince the world. It wasn’t easy, but we succeeded in making it clear: Iraq must stay out of war.”

Iraq’s Tough Balancing Act

How has Iraq tackled its complex challenges? Hussein said the country is now openly addressing sensitive issues, including dealing with armed groups outside state control.

“Iraqis are having this discussion publicly,” he said, crediting Najaf’s religious authority for pushing to limit weapons to the state.

“Do we build a state or continue fighting endless battles?” Hussein asked.

“A state cannot exist alongside elements that undermine it. We need internal agreements to ensure no group can impose violence or war. This has been under discussion for some time,” he explained.

These debates began before the October 2023 escalation in Gaza, and the international community is closely watching for a clear resolution to Iraq’s internal debate.

“There are serious discussions happening within Iraqi society and among political leaders,” Hussein affirmed.

“It will take time, but proposals are on the table. Some suggest integrating armed factions into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which are legally part of the military,” he revealed.

“Others propose having these groups hand over their weapons to the PMF and shift to political roles. Whatever the approach, we must avoid any scenario leading to internal conflict,” said Hussein.

The focus includes three groups—al-Nujaba Movement, Kataib Hezbollah, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada—that have carried out hundreds of attacks since October 2023 under the banner of “supporting resistance in Gaza.”

Iraq’s internal discussions may take more time, but the growing threats could complicate the country’s efforts. In November 2024, Hussein mentioned that Iraq had received “clear threats, some from Israel.” So what’s the situation now?

“The threat still exists,” Hussein said. “The level of threat doesn’t matter as much as the fact that the discussions are focused on Iraq’s own need to find solutions, not external pressure.”

On Iran’s recent comments, where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Iraqi factions to confront US forces, Hussein emphasized Iraq’s autonomy: “During my visit to Tehran on January 8 with the Prime Minister, we made it clear that Iraq’s internal issues are for Iraqis to decide. There are differences in Iran's public stance, but in the end, Iraq must make its own decisions.”

Hussein pointed to the challenges Iraq has faced, both domestically and internationally.

“The government has been through difficult times, but we’ve managed to get through it,” he said. Despite the ceasefire in Gaza, he remains cautious. “The tension still exists.”

“2024 was a very tough year for us, dealing with countries we don’t have strong relations with,” Hussein added.

"Iraq is in a region where tensions are still high. The question remains: How do we protect ourselves? The efforts from last year will need to be intensified in the coming period to keep Iraq stable and avoid war.”