Lebanese armed group Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that it has elected Naim Qassem, the group’s deputy head, to succeed the slain secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb over a month ago.
In a written statement, Hezbollah’s Shura Council confirmed that Qassem, 71, was chosen in accordance with its established procedures for selecting a new secretary general. Qassem has been a prominent figure within Hezbollah, serving as deputy chief since 1991 when he was appointed by then-leader Abbas al-Musawi, who was also killed by an Israeli attack in 1992.
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Following Nasrallah’s leadership, Qassem remained in his role as deputy, becoming one of the group’s key spokesmen. He has been a vocal figure in recent cross-border hostilities with Israel, frequently engaging with foreign media.
Nasrallah was killed on September 27, and shortly after, senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, considered a top candidate to succeed him, was also killed in Israeli strikes.
Since Nasrallah’s death, Qassem has made three televised addresses, including one on October 8, where he expressed Hezbollah’s support for efforts to reach a ceasefire for Lebanon amid ongoing tensions.
