He made the remarks on Friday at the opening ceremony of the “Aldi” (My Land) exhibition, which features traditional Lebanese cuisine, in Dahieh, Beirut.
Southerners, he emphasized, were the true sovereigns who defended their land and made great sacrifices.
The Hezbollah emir emphasized the importance of agriculture in terms of land conservation, adding that only 0.45% of Lebanon’s national budget is dedicated to the agricultural sector.
He criticized the United States for not even condemning Israel’s violations and attacks against the Lebanese people and military.
Naim Qasem went on to say that “all Israeli crimes will not be able to eradicate our will to resist.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s ordering of the Lebanese army to confront Israel’s enemies demonstrated his national responsibility, he continued.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mr. Naim Qassem pointed to recent developments in Lebanon, noting that while the United States falsely claims to be working to resolve the country’s problems, it should be noted that the United States is not an impartial mediator, but rather supports the aggressors and seeks to spread aggression in Lebanon.
“Threats will not change our stance on resistance and stability, and we do not support and cannot accept surrender and defeat,” he said, adding that Israel may be able to occupy but cannot continue to occupy Lebanese land.
“We will not take orders from anyone, nor will we accept that Lebanon will be shaped according to the enemy’s wishes,” the Hezbollah secretary-general added.
MNA