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<p>Iran-aligned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Tuesday (Oct 29) announced its next chief, weeks after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah.</p>

<p>According to a report by the news agency AFP,&nbsp;Naim Qassem will be the new leader of Hezbollah.&nbsp;Until now, Qassem had been serving as the deputy head of the Lebanese militant group.</p>

<p>"Hezbollah's (governing) Shura Council agreed to elect... Sheikh Naim Qassem as secretary general of Hezbollah," the Iran-backed group said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-what-is-hezbollah-linked-al-qard-al-hassan-group-that-israel-is-targeting-769730">West Asia crisis: What is Hezbollah-linked Al-Qard Al-Hassan group that Israel is targeting?</a></strong></p>

<p>Qassem&nbsp;had been tapped to make the first Hezbollah address since Nasrallah was killed.</p>

<h2><strong>Nasrallah's killing</strong></h2>

<p>Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli military airstrike on September 27. Nasrallah's death was a major blow to both Hezbollah and Iran,&nbsp;removing an influential ally who helped build Hezbollah into the linchpin of Tehran's network of allied groups in the Arab world.</p>

<p>The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah&nbsp;resumed a year ago when the militant group began firing rockets at Israel in support of Palestinian militants Hamas at the start of the Gaza war.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is&nbsp;Naim Qassem?</strong></h2>

<p>Naim Qassem is a veteran figure in Hezbollah, having served as deputy secretary-general since 1991. He had been&nbsp;one of the leading spokesmen for the group, conducting many interviews with foreign media.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | WION Dispatch:&nbsp;Israel-Hezbollah clashes intensify along Lebanon border</strong></p>

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<p>As cross-border hostilities raged with Israel during the Gaza war, he told Al Jazeera in June that Hezbollah's decision was not to widen the war but that it would fight one if it was imposed on it.</p>

<p>Even though it was clear that Qassem would be Nasrallah's successor, many experts pointed out that&nbsp;Hashem Safieddine could have been the next leader.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Iran-aligned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Tuesday (Oct 29) announced its next chief, weeks after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Naim Qassem will be the new leader of Hezbollah.

Iran-aligned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Tuesday (Oct 29) announced its next chief, weeks after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Naim Qassem will be the new leader of Hezbollah. Until now, Qassem had been serving as the deputy head of the Lebanese militant group. "Hezbollah's (governing) Shura Council agreed to elect... Sheikh Naim Qassem as secretary general of Hezbollah," the Iran-backed group said in a statement. Also read | West Asia crisis: What is Hezbollah-linked Al-Qard Al-Hassan group that Israel is targeting? Qassem had been tapped to make the first Hezbollah address since Nasrallah was killed. Nasrallah's killing Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli military airstrike on September 27. Nasrallah's death was a major blow to both Hezbollah and Iran, removing an influential ally who helped build Hezbollah into the linchpin of Tehran's network of allied groups in the Arab world. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah resumed a year ago when the militant group began firing rockets at Israel in support of Palestinian militants Hamas at the start of the Gaza war. Who is Naim Qassem? Naim Qassem is a veteran figure in Hezbollah, having served as deputy secretary-general since 1991. He had been one of the leading spokesmen for the group, conducting many interviews with foreign media. Also watch | WION Dispatch: Israel-Hezbollah clashes intensify along Lebanon border × As cross-border hostilities raged with Israel during the Gaza war, he told Al Jazeera in June that Hezbollah's decision was not to widen the war but that it would fight one if it was imposed on it. Even though it was clear that Qassem would be Nasrallah's successor, many experts pointed out that Hashem Safieddine could have been the next leader. (With inputs from agencies)

West Asia crisis: Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah

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West Asia crisis: Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah