Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem rejected demands to surrender weapons during a massive rally Saturday in Beirut. The Iran-backed group commemorated the first anniversary of former leader Hassan Nasrallah's death in an Israeli airstrike. Tens of thousands gathered at Nasrallah's tomb near the airport as supporters chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Yellow banners mixed with Lebanese, Palestinian, and Iranian flags across the venue.
Lebanese officials have ordered the army to develop plans for disarming the militant organization. President Joseph Aoun repeated calls for unified national forces under government control. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded concrete action beyond verbal commitments from Lebanon. Iranian security chief Ali Larijani attended the ceremony, demonstrating Tehran's continued backing despite international pressure on the armed faction.
Lebanese officials have ordered the army to develop plans for disarming the militant organization. President Joseph Aoun repeated calls for unified national forces under government control. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded concrete action beyond verbal commitments from Lebanon. Iranian security chief Ali Larijani attended the ceremony, demonstrating Tehran's continued backing despite international pressure on the armed faction.
