Hezbollah Official's Words 'a Direct Threat to Every Free Lebanese,' Says Samir Geagea

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A senior Hezbollah official’s warning that a government plan to disarm the group could lead to “civil war” has triggered sharp condemnation from top Lebanese political figures, who have labeled the remarks a direct threat to the state and its constitutional institutions, according to a report from Al-Arabiya. The verbal escalation has exposed deep political fault lines over the issue of non-state arms and the sovereignty of the Lebanese government.

The head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, stressed that the Friday speech by Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem is "rejected by all standards."

In a statement on Saturday, Geagea explained that Qassem's speech constitutes a direct threat primarily to the Lebanese government, secondly to the parliamentary majority that gave the government its confidence, and to all constitutional institutions in Lebanon, foremost among them the presidency and the prime ministry.

Geagea added that the Hezbollah official's words are also "a direct threat to every free Lebanese." He went on to say that if Qassem "assumes that there are no longer free Lebanese people in Lebanon, he is mistaken, indeed very mistaken."

Geagea described the current moment in the country's history as a "quintessentially foundational phase," Al-Arabiya reported.

He added that "we all, as free Lebanese—and we constitute the vast majority in Lebanon—stand behind our constitutional institutions, represented especially by the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, who are striving with all their patriotism, drive, and strength to return Lebanon to itself."

Geagea concluded by emphasizing that his party and its allies would spare no effort in supporting these institutions to prevent anyone from thwarting the attempt to restore the state's proper functioning.

The government itself pushed back firmly against the remarks. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had condemned Qassem's statements, stressing that any hint of civil war is completely rejected and warning against irresponsible actions that incite sedition.

In statements to the newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" cited by Al-Arabiya, the prime minister affirmed that "no party is authorized to carry weapons outside the framework of the Lebanese state" and rejected any questioning of the army's patriotism.

Responding to Hezbollah's accusation that he is implementing foreign dictates, Salam clarified that no one dictates the government's decisions. According to the report, many other political figures, including ministers and MPs, also condemned the Hezbollah official's statements, considering them intimidation and blackmail.

This political firestorm was ignited by Naim Qassem, who, in a televised speech on Friday, accused the government of "handing over" Lebanon to Israel with its decision to disarm Hezbollah.

He warned that this action could lead to a "civil war" and accused the government of implementing an Israeli and American decision, "even if it leads to civil war and internal strife."

Qassem affirmed that Hezbollah will not give up its weapons before Israeli attacks stop and stressed that the group is on full alert for a confrontation.

Al-Arabiya noted that this verbal escalation came just hours after the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, concluded a visit to Lebanon. It also followed a decision by the Lebanese government in early August to task the army with preparing a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the current year.

This government move was reportedly made amid American pressure and fears that Israel would carry out its threats of a new military campaign after months of confrontation between it and Hezbollah, during which the party has suffered heavy blows.