"Have mercy on Lebanon".. Parliamentarians criticize Qassem's speech and warn of a civil war.

A number of Lebanese parliamentarians criticized the speech of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Naeem Qassem, in which he reiterated his refusal to hand over weapons, warning of the dangers of a civil war erupting in the country. This came at a time when political and security tensions are escalating in Lebanon, where some accuse Hezbollah of threatening internal stability.

In his speech delivered on the occasion of commemorating the fortieth day of Imam Hussein in Baalbek, Qassem affirmed that "the resistance will not hand over its weapons as long as the occupation exists," pointing out that the Lebanese government bears full responsibility for any internal strife. These statements provoked strong reactions from several MPs who considered such speeches a threat to national security.

The Lebanese Minister of Justice, Adel Nassar, strongly criticized Qassem's threats, noting that "the threat by some to destroy Lebanon in defense of their weapons puts an end to the notion that the weapon is for the defense of Lebanon." He emphasized that civil peace is not a subject for blackmail or sectarian tension, and that the lives of Lebanese people are not in the hands of any party, faction, or sect.

MP Ashraf Rifi, for his part, warned Hezbollah against repeating the threat of civil war, pointing out that the party "has bequeathed Lebanon occupation and humanitarian and economic disaster." He affirmed that Lebanon needs political and security stability away from threats.

MP Ghayath Yzbek also called for "have mercy on Lebanon," indicating that Qassem's speech threatens the lives of the Lebanese people. He stressed that Hezbollah must take responsibility instead of making threats.

In a related context, Qassem warned that protests against handing over weapons could reach the American embassy in Beirut, noting that Hezbollah and the Amal Movement agreed to postpone any protest movements to allow for discussion before reaching confrontation.

On August 5, the Lebanese Cabinet approved the restriction of weapons to the state, which sparked varied reactions from different political parties. Some MPs considered this decision an important step towards restoring the state's sovereignty.

These developments come amid escalating regional and international tensions, as American envoy Thomas Barak visited Lebanon last July, raising questions about the future of Lebanese-American relations and their impact on the internal situation.

It is worth noting that Lebanon witnessed an Israeli aggression on October 8, 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 4,000 people and injuring about 17,000 others. This aggression complicated the security and political situation in the country, necessitating dialogue and understanding among all parties.