Episode Details

Press TV Rumble link Bitchute link

Press TV: Hello and welcome to Spotlight. The Secretary General of Hezbollah says the Lebanese resistance will not lay down its weapons as long as the Israeli aggression and occupation continues. Sheikh Naim Qassem denounced the Lebanese government for its decision to disarm Hezbollah, saying no one can take away the legitimacy of the resistance. He believes the Lebanese government is implementing a U.S. order and is doing a favor to Israel, adding that the government will be responsible for any possible internal crisis, sedition and havoc. The movement argues that disarming the resistance strips Lebanon of its deterrence power against Israel, leaving the country vulnerable to further attacks.

Joining us on tonight's edition of Spotlight to discuss these issues are... Military and strategic analyst Ali Hamie joining us from the Lebanese capital, Beirut. And also we have Editor of Veterans today, Kevin Barrett, joining us from Saidia, Morocco. Gentlemen, welcome to the program.

Let's start off with Mr. Ali Hamie in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The Hezbollah Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has issued a defiant rejection of the Lebanese government's plan to confine all weapons to state hands. Sheikh Qassem says Hezbollah will not give up its arms until Israel's occupation ends. How do you view this response at this sensitive time?

Ali Hamie: Thanks for having me with you tonight. And greetings to you, to your guests, and to all the audience. Let's start with: This speech is the most powerful speech I ever heard from Sheikh Naim Qassem. And it's like putting poems on lines and borders about the outer end strategy. And they are talking about inside Lebanon and the outsiders also, the conditions and orders by the American and by the Israelis.

The (Lebanese) government is trying to implement UN Resolution 1701 according to Israeli wishes, not taking in consideration the Lebanese people and the protection of Lebanon and the sovereignty of Lebanon. So Sheikh Naim Qassem today put the points over the letters, as we say in Arabic. He reminded the Lebanese government of its best victory in 2006, that we deterred the Israeli enemy for 17 years not to attack Lebanon. This is one thing.

The other thing is that the Resistance is not only to protect the resistors. The Resistance is to protect Lebanon from Israeli aggression against Lebanon. The Resistance is the sovereignty of Lebanon and martyrdom. You cannot talk about the sovereignty of Lebanon without mentioning the Resistance.

He mentioned also that we fought in 2006, and we won against the Israelis. We fought against ISIS in 2017, backing up the Lebanese army and fighting together against ISIS, and we also won. He mentioned also that Lebanon implemented the UN Resolution 1701, but the enemy did not. Since November 27 2024, more than 4,000 violations were committed by the Israelis, and we're still patient.

The other thing he said is that we are at the line of relief. In case you want us to fight inside and outside, we are ready, but we will not be drugged into sedation inside Lebanon. In case such a thing happens, we will turn our weapon against the enemy.

He also addressed the Lebanese army, offering condolences for the martyrdom of the soldiers killed by the Israeli attack about a week ago. He trying to put everything in order and to say that Lebanon consists of the people’s resistance and army together.

Let's bring in Kevin Barrett on the discussion. Mr. Barrett, referring to the latest decision made by the Lebanese cabinet, Sheikh Qassem sa