(MENAFN) Hezbollah’s deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem on Monday firmly rejected demands for the group to give up its weapons, arguing that its arsenal remains vital for Lebanon’s defense and independence.

"The weapons that protect us, honor us, and preserve our land and dignity -- we will not abandon them," Qassem declared in a televised address. "Those who want to strip us of these weapons want to strip us of our very soul. That will never happen."

He dismissed the Lebanese government’s recent call for Hezbollah’s disarmament as "an illegitimate decision made under American and Israeli dictates." Qassem warned that weakening the group would only serve Israel’s interests and dishonor the sacrifices made by thousands of fighters and civilians in past wars.

According to him, Lebanon’s core struggles are rooted in "Israeli aggression and occupation, backed by the United States." He added that the path toward resolving these issues begins with "restoring national sovereignty through a complete end to Israeli aggression, its withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, the release of prisoners, and reconstruction."

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