Hezbollah leader says US Republican setbacks boost Lebanon’s sovereignty

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem told Al Jazeera that the recent setbacks for U.S. Republicans in the midterm elections and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s poor showing in Israel’s vote are a “boon” for Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Why does Qassem view the U.S. midterm results as beneficial for Lebanon?

He called the U.S. elections an “earthquake” and said they signal that Lebanon should resist the Trump administration’s push to disarm Hezbollah, urging the country to rebuild and protect its sovereignty (Al Jazeera).

What did Qassem say about Israel’s election outcome?

Describing the Israeli vote as a “defeat,” Qassem noted that Netanyahu’s bloc fell short of the 61 seats needed to stay in power after the October 27 election, a loss he framed as advantageous for Lebanon (Al Jazeera).

How does Hezbollah’s stance on its weapons relate to the current political tension?

Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah will not hand over its arms, warning that any disarmament would amount to a surrender to Israel amid the ongoing occupation of southern Lebanon and a standoff with U.S.-backed President Joseph Aoun (Al Jazeera).