Advertisement

Hezbollah picks Naim Qassem to succeed slain leader Hassan Nasrallah

He has been Hezbollah’s deputy chief since 1991 and has long been one of Hezbollah’s leading spokesmen

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
3
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem speaks during an interview in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photo: AP

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had elected deputy head Naim Qassem to succeed slain secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air attack on Beirut’s southern suburb over a month ago.

Advertisement

The group said in a written statement that its Shura Council had elected Qassem, 71, in accordance with its established mechanism for choosing a secretary general.

He was appointed as Hezbollah’s deputy chief in 1991 by the armed group’s then-secretary general Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack the following year.

Qassem remained in his role when Nasrallah became leader, and has long been one of Hezbollah’s leading spokesmen, conducting interviews with foreign media, including as cross-border hostilities with Israel raged over the last year.

Nasrallah was killed on September 27, and senior Hezbollah figure Hashem Safieddine – considered the most likely successor – was killed in Israeli strikes a week later.

Naim Kassem after casting his vote during Lebanon’s 2018 parliamentary elections in Beirut. He was appointed as Hezbollah’s deputy chief in 1991. Photo: AP
Naim Kassem after casting his vote during Lebanon’s 2018 parliamentary elections in Beirut. He was appointed as Hezbollah’s deputy chief in 1991. Photo: AP

Since Nasrallah’s killing, Qassem has given three televised addresses, including one on October 8 in which he said the armed group supported efforts to reach a ceasefire for Lebanon.

Advertisement