Lebanon PM condemns Hezbollah chief’s " veiled threat of civil war"

BEIRUT - Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday condemned the "veiled threat of civil war" made by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem over the government's decision to disarm the group.

In a video posted on his account on the social media platform X, Salam said Qassem's speech "contained a veiled threat of civil war," stressing that "threats and intimidation of civil war are completely unacceptable."

He also rejected claims that the Lebanese government is carrying out "an American-Israeli project" as unfounded.

"Our decisions are purely Lebanese, made within our Council of Ministers, and no one imposes them on us," said Salam.

Qassem warned earlier that Hezbollah would not disarm and was prepared to go to war if necessary, in response to what it describes as ongoing Israeli aggression and occupation.

"We will not hand over our weapons while the aggression continues and the occupation remains," Qassem said.

The remarks came amid escalating political tensions following a government decision earlier this month to bring all weapons under state control.

"This is our nation together. We live in dignity together, and we build its sovereignty together - or Lebanon will have no life if you stand on the other side and try to confront us and eliminate us," Qassem said in a televised speech.

The Hezbollah leader warned that the government’s move "facilitates the killing of resistance fighters and their families" and accused the government of serving Israeli and American objectives.