Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed Friday to fight government plans to disarm his group, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accusing him of making "unacceptable" threats to unleash civil war.&nbsp;Qassem gave a televised address after meeting with Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, whose country has long backed the Lebanese militant group.&nbsp;Hezbollah emerged badly weakened from last year's war with Israel, and the Lebanese government -- under US pressure -- has ordered the army to draw up a plan to disarm the group by the end of the year.&nbsp;Iran, whose so-called "axis of resistance" includes Hezbollah, has also suffered a series of setbacks, most recently in its own war with Israel, which also saw the United States strike its nuclear facilities.&nbsp;"The government is implementing an American-Israeli order to end the resistance, even if it leads to civil war and internal strife," Qassem said.&nbsp;“The resistance will not surrender its weapons while aggression continues, occupation persists, and we will fight it... If necessary to confront this American-Israeli project, no matter the cost.”&nbsp;He urged the government "not to hand over the country to an insatiable Israeli aggressor or an American tyrant with limitless greed", adding the state would "bear responsibility for any internal explosion and any destruction of Lebanon".&nbsp;Prime Minister Salam later denounced the remarks, saying on X that they "constitute an implicit threat of civil war".&nbsp;He added that "any threat or intimidation related to such a war is totally unacceptable".&nbsp;Salam also hit back at Hezbollah's characterisation of the disarmament push as an American-Israeli effort.&nbsp;"Our decisions are purely Lebanese, made by our cabinet, and no one tells us what to do," he said.&nbsp;“The Lebanese have the right to stability and security... without which the country will not be able to recover, and no reconstruction or investment will take place.”&nbsp;Before the war with Israel, Hezbollah was believed to be better armed than the Lebanese military.&nbsp;It long maintained it had to keep its arsenal to defend Lebanon from attack, but critics accused it of using its weapons for political leverage.&nbsp;Qassem said Friday that Hezbollah and its political ally Amal would not be organising any street protests against disarmament at this time, but threatened to do so in future.&nbsp;Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Larijani was in Beirut this week, and held talks with Qassem as well as with President Joseph Aoun.&nbsp;Iran has expressed its opposition to the government's disarmament plan, and has vowed to continue to provide support, with Lebanese officials recently hardening their tone towards Hezbollah and its patron.&nbsp;Both the president and the prime minister took issue with Iran's recent statements during Larijani's trip, with Salam saying Lebanon rejects "any interference in its internal affairs".

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed Friday to fight government plans to disarm his group, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accusing him of making "unacceptable" threats to unleash civil war.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed Friday to fight government plans to disarm his group, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accusing him of making "unacceptable" threats to unleash civil war. Qassem gave a televised address after meeting with Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, whose country has long backed the Lebanese militant group. Hezbollah emerged badly weakened from last year's war with Israel, and the Lebanese government -- under US pressure -- has ordered the army to draw up a plan to disarm the group by the end of the year. Iran, whose so-called "axis of resistance" includes Hezbollah, has also suffered a series of setbacks, most recently in its own war with Israel, which also saw the United States strike its nuclear facilities. "The government is implementing an American-Israeli order to end the resistance, even if it leads to civil war and internal strife," Qassem said. “The resistance will not surrender its weapons while aggression continues, occupation persists, and we will fight it... If necessary to confront this American-Israeli project, no matter the cost.” He urged the government "not to hand over the country to an insatiable Israeli aggressor or an American tyrant with limitless greed", adding the state would "bear responsibility for any internal explosion and any destruction of Lebanon". Prime Minister Salam later denounced the remarks, saying on X that they "constitute an implicit threat of civil war". He added that "any threat or intimidation related to such a war is totally unacceptable". Salam also hit back at Hezbollah's characterisation of the disarmament push as an American-Israeli effort. "Our decisions are purely Lebanese, made by our cabinet, and no one tells us what to do," he said. “The Lebanese have the right to stability and security... without which the country will not be able to recover, and no reconstruction or investment will take place.” Before the war with Israel, Hezbollah was believed to be better armed than the Lebanese military. It long maintained it had to keep its arsenal to defend Lebanon from attack, but critics accused it of using its weapons for political leverage. Qassem said Friday that Hezbollah and its political ally Amal would not be organising any street protests against disarmament at this time, but threatened to do so in future. Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Larijani was in Beirut this week, and held talks with Qassem as well as with President Joseph Aoun. Iran has expressed its opposition to the government's disarmament plan, and has vowed to continue to provide support, with Lebanese officials recently hardening their tone towards Hezbollah and its patron. Both the president and the prime minister took issue with Iran's recent statements during Larijani's trip, with Salam saying Lebanon rejects "any interference in its internal affairs".

Hezbollah emerged badly weakened from last year's war with Israel.

Hezbollah vows to fight disarmament as Lebanon PM slams civil war 'threats'

An Israeli air strike targeted a neighbourhood in southern Beirut on Friday (March 28), marking the first such attack since a ceasefire in November eased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to Lebanon&rsquo;s state-run National News Agency, &ldquo;Israeli warplanes struck the Hadath neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs.&rdquo;
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The air strike came in response to rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel earlier in the day. No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket attack.
Following the incident, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the military to take swift action to identify and apprehend those responsible for the rocket fire.
Salam spoke with the army commander and &ldquo;asked him to act quickly to undertake the necessary investigations to uncover those behind the irresponsible rocket fire that threatens Lebanon's stability and security,&rdquo; his office said in a statement. 
He also called for &ldquo;intensified efforts&rdquo; to bring the culprits to justice.
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(With inputs from agencies)

World: Following the incident, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the military to take swift action to identify and apprehend those responsible for the rocket fire. Middle East

An Israeli air strike targeted a neighbourhood in southern Beirut on Friday (March 28), marking the first such attack since a ceasefire in November eased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, “Israeli warplanes struck the Hadath neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs.” Also read: Lebanon warns of ‘new war’ after Israel’s retaliatory attacks kill two The air strike came in response to rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel earlier in the day. No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket attack. Following the incident, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the military to take swift action to identify and apprehend those responsible for the rocket fire. Salam spoke with the army commander and “asked him to act quickly to undertake the necessary investigations to uncover those behind the irresponsible rocket fire that threatens Lebanon's stability and security,” his office said in a statement. He also called for “intensified efforts” to bring the culprits to justice. Also read: Netanyahu to start meeting candidates to replace internal intelligence agency chief Ronen Bar (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli strike hits Beirut for first time since Hezbollah ceasefire; Lebanon hunts those behind rocket attack on Israel

After Israel carried out airstrikes on dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command centre in Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned of a "new war" as he threatened to renew military operations on the southern border.&nbsp;
The Lebanese PM issued a stark warning, saying that his country is on the brink of a new conflict after Israel vowed to retaliate against rocket attacks launched from Lebanese territory.
"Salam warned of renewed military operations on the southern border, because of the risks they carry dragging the country into a new war, which will bring woes to Lebanon and the Lebanese people," he said in a statement.
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Two people, including a girl, were killed in the Israeli attack on the southern Lebanese town, according to state media.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Israeli enemy strike on the town of Touline resulted&hellip; in the death of two people, including a girl, and the injury of eight others, including two children,&rdquo; the National News Agency cites the health ministry&rsquo;s emergency unit.&nbsp;
This comes after Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir pledged that the military would respond severely to intercepted rockets.&nbsp;
Zamir stressed that Lebanon bears the responsibility of upholding the agreement.&nbsp;
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The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said that it carried out airstrikes on dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center used by the terror group in Lebanon, in response to this morning&rsquo;s rocket attack on Metula.
The rocket attack is a "blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and a direct threat to Israeli citizens,&rdquo; the military says, adding that &ldquo;the State of Lebanon bears responsibility for upholding the agreement.&rdquo;
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Moreover, Metula Mayor David Azoulai said that eight per cent of the town's residents have returned since the November ceasefire with Lebanon, however, some left after this morning's rocket attack.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The return of residents to Metula under the current conditions is unreasonable. Metula residents won&rsquo;t be held hostage to a security compromise,&rdquo; he said in a statement.&nbsp;
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(With inputs from agencies)
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World: Lebanese PM warned that his country is on the brink of a new conflict after Israel vowed to retaliate against rocket attacks launched from Lebanese territory.

After Israel carried out airstrikes on dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command centre in Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned of a "new war" as he threatened to renew military operations on the southern border. The Lebanese PM issued a stark warning, saying that his country is on the brink of a new conflict after Israel vowed to retaliate against rocket attacks launched from Lebanese territory. "Salam warned of renewed military operations on the southern border, because of the risks they carry dragging the country into a new war, which will bring woes to Lebanon and the Lebanese people," he said in a statement. Also read: Who is Raisha Alawieh? Professor deported from US over deleted ‘sympathetic photos’ of Hezbollah leaders Two people, including a girl, were killed in the Israeli attack on the southern Lebanese town, according to state media. “The Israeli enemy strike on the town of Touline resulted… in the death of two people, including a girl, and the injury of eight others, including two children,” the National News Agency cites the health ministry’s emergency unit. This comes after Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir pledged that the military would respond severely to intercepted rockets. Zamir stressed that Lebanon bears the responsibility of upholding the agreement. Also read: Mossad chief calls pager operation ‘turning point’ in fight against Hezbollah The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said that it carried out airstrikes on dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center used by the terror group in Lebanon, in response to this morning’s rocket attack on Metula. The rocket attack is a "blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and a direct threat to Israeli citizens,” the military says, adding that “the State of Lebanon bears responsibility for upholding the agreement.” Also read: Israel claims to have 'eliminated' Hamas surveillance chief Osama Tabash Moreover, Metula Mayor David Azoulai said that eight per cent of the town's residents have returned since the November ceasefire with Lebanon, however, some left after this morning's rocket attack. “The return of residents to Metula under the current conditions is unreasonable. Metula residents won’t be held hostage to a security compromise,” he said in a statement. Also read: Watch | Israeli fighter jets fly over Hezbollah chief Nasrallah’s funeral as thousands gather in Beirut (With inputs from agencies)

Lebanon warns of ‘new war’ after Israel’s retaliatory attacks kill two

Lebanon's premier named a new government Saturday, the presidency announced, with the weakening of long-dominant Hezbollah following a war with Israel bringing to a close more than two years of caretaker authorities.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement.
His new government faces the daunting task of implementing reforms needed to unlock funding from international donors after years of crisis, overseeing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and rebuilding the country.
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"I hope this will be a government of reform and salvation," Salam said in a televised statement moments after his cabinet was announced.
His government will strive to "restore trust between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surrounding, and between Lebanon and the international community," he said.
President Joseph Aoun signed a decree "to form a government of 24 ministers", the presidency said in a post on X.
Before the new government can exercise its powers, it needs to draft a ministerial statement that must be submitted to a confidence vote in parliament within 30 days.
Lebanon's 128-seat parliament is mostly dominated by traditional, sectarian-based parties.
The government will hold its first session on Tuesday morning, the presidency said in a post on X.
<h2>'Reformist agenda'</h2>
The new government includes five women, among them Tamara Elzein, who has been secretary-general of Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research, and Haneen Sayed, who has worked as a specialist for the World Bank.
It also includes well-known figures like Ghassan Salame, a former United Nations envoy to Libya.
Former lawmaker Yassine Jaber, who has close ties to Hezbollah ally the Amal movement, was named finance minister -- a strategic portfolio long dominated by the two parties.
His naming had been leaked and criticised by some as a boon for powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who heads Amal.
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Long the dominant force in Lebanese politics, Hezbollah suffered staggering losses in a war with Israel that saw its leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in a massive air strike in September.
Hezbollah suffered another seismic blow with the ouster on December 8 of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which it had long used as its weapons lifeline from Iran.
After more than two years of political stalemate, the weakening of Hezbollah allowed former army chief Aoun, widely believed to be Washington's preferred candidate, to be elected president and Salam approved as his premier.
The US embassy in Beirut welcomed the government formation, adding that "the Lebanese people deserve a government that will rebuild Lebanese state institutions, fight corruption, and implement needed reforms".
A day earlier, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus warned against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government &nbsp;after meeting Aoun in Beirut, saying the group was "defeated" in its war with Israel.
European Union ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele welcomed Salam's "commitment that it (the government) will have a reformist agenda," which she said is "necessary for Lebanon's future".
<h2>'Brighter chapter'</h2>
The international community has long demanded reforms to unlock financial aid after Lebanon's economic meltdown began in 2019.
Political deadlock had left Lebanon without a president for more than two years until Aoun's election.
Salam formed a government in less than a month in a country where such endeavours often take months of political horse trading.
The office of UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said "today's government formation heralds a new and brighter chapter for Lebanon".
Salam said he named his ministers after consulting with leaders in a country where power has long been shared according to sectarian quotas.
The new government will have to review agreements including with the International Monetary Fund and prepare for parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement.

Lebanon's premier named a new government Saturday, the presidency announced, with the weakening of long-dominant Hezbollah following a war with Israel bringing to a close more than two years of caretaker authorities. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement. His new government faces the daunting task of implementing reforms needed to unlock funding from international donors after years of crisis, overseeing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and rebuilding the country. Also read: Woman arrested for tearing down US flag, replacing it with Mexican flag at California park "I hope this will be a government of reform and salvation," Salam said in a televised statement moments after his cabinet was announced. His government will strive to "restore trust between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surrounding, and between Lebanon and the international community," he said. President Joseph Aoun signed a decree "to form a government of 24 ministers", the presidency said in a post on X. Before the new government can exercise its powers, it needs to draft a ministerial statement that must be submitted to a confidence vote in parliament within 30 days. Lebanon's 128-seat parliament is mostly dominated by traditional, sectarian-based parties. The government will hold its first session on Tuesday morning, the presidency said in a post on X. 'Reformist agenda' The new government includes five women, among them Tamara Elzein, who has been secretary-general of Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research, and Haneen Sayed, who has worked as a specialist for the World Bank. It also includes well-known figures like Ghassan Salame, a former United Nations envoy to Libya. Former lawmaker Yassine Jaber, who has close ties to Hezbollah ally the Amal movement, was named finance minister -- a strategic portfolio long dominated by the two parties. His naming had been leaked and criticised by some as a boon for powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who heads Amal. Also read: Indian man arrested by US immigration authorities over sexual assault charges Long the dominant force in Lebanese politics, Hezbollah suffered staggering losses in a war with Israel that saw its leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in a massive air strike in September. Hezbollah suffered another seismic blow with the ouster on December 8 of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which it had long used as its weapons lifeline from Iran. After more than two years of political stalemate, the weakening of Hezbollah allowed former army chief Aoun, widely believed to be Washington's preferred candidate, to be elected president and Salam approved as his premier. The US embassy in Beirut welcomed the government formation, adding that "the Lebanese people deserve a government that will rebuild Lebanese state institutions, fight corruption, and implement needed reforms". A day earlier, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus warned against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government after meeting Aoun in Beirut, saying the group was "defeated" in its war with Israel. European Union ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele welcomed Salam's "commitment that it (the government) will have a reformist agenda," which she said is "necessary for Lebanon's future". 'Brighter chapter' The international community has long demanded reforms to unlock financial aid after Lebanon's economic meltdown began in 2019. Political deadlock had left Lebanon without a president for more than two years until Aoun's election. Salam formed a government in less than a month in a country where such endeavours often take months of political horse trading. The office of UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said "today's government formation heralds a new and brighter chapter for Lebanon". Salam said he named his ministers after consulting with leaders in a country where power has long been shared according to sectarian quotas. The new government will have to review agreements including with the International Monetary Fund and prepare for parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lebanon forms new government, PM Nawaf Salam vows ‘reform and salvation’

Lebanon's newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, has summoned prominent diplomat and jurist Nawaf Salam to designate him as the country's Prime Minister. Watch this report for more details!

Who is Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's new prime minister?

Lebanon: Jurist Nawaf Salam named Lebanon Prime Minister

After consulting with lawmakers, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday appointed Nawaf Salam prime minister of the crisis-hit country. Watch this report for more details!

Lebanon President Aoun appoints new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam

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