Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group, announced on Tuesday the election of Naim Qassem as their new secretary general. Qassem, 71, will succeed the late Hassan Nasrallah, who was tragically killed in an Israeli air attack on Beirut’s southern suburb over a month ago.
In a written statement, the group revealed that Qassem was elected by their Shura Council following the established procedure for selecting a new leader.
Qassem has been serving as Hezbollah’s deputy chief since 1991, appointed by former secretary general Abbas al-Musawi. He continued in this role when Nasrallah assumed leadership and has been a prominent spokesperson for the group, frequently giving interviews to international media outlets, especially during periods of conflict with Israel.
After Nasrallah’s untimely death on September 27, Hashem Safieddine, another senior Hezbollah figure and a potential successor, was also killed in Israeli airstrikes a week later.
Since taking on the role of secretary general, Qassem has made three televised addresses, including one on October 8 expressing Hezbollah’s support for efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.
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