BEIRUT — Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared Tuesday that “the liberation of southern Lebanon is before our eyes,” vowing that Israel will be unable to remain in Lebanese territory and that the Resistance will persist as long as the enemy exists.

Speaking at the inauguration of the foundation dedicated to preserving and publishing the legacy of the martyred Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Qassem delivered his most explicit remarks to date on the trajectory of the confrontation, striking a tone of defiant confidence while paying tribute to the slain leader whose strategic vision he credited for the Resistance’s endurance.

“Do not ask us what we will do, because we cannot but be a resistance as long as this enemy exists,” Qassem said, in a direct challenge to those pressing for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

He described the Resistance as having “created a legend of steadfastness” throughout years of continuous aggression, particularly over the last two years, attributing its persistence to the guidance of Sayyed Nasrallah and the resilience of the Lebanese people.

Qassem rejected any proposed solutions that overlook ongoing Israeli attacks and the failure to honor agreements.

“The solution begins with the humiliating withdrawal of the Israeli enemy, and with it the American that supports it with all its power to attack our region,” he said.

He emphasized that Hezbollah “sees no other solutions” in this context, signaling a hardening of the group’s position as diplomatic efforts continue.

The Hezbollah chief’s remarks came as he announced the launch of the Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Institute for Preservation and Publication, approved by Hezbollah’s Shura Council.

The institution aims to archive Nasrallah’s speeches, sermons, meetings, interviews, and oral history, making the material accessible to researchers, universities, and future generations while ensuring “the continuity of the Resistance discourse in public and media spheres”.

Qassem devoted much of his address to the intellectual and ideological foundations laid by Nasrallah over his three decades as Secretary-General from 1992 until his martyrdom.

He described the 23-year strengthening of the Resistance front’s infrastructure and the development of “a roadmap for dignity, freedom, and prosperity” as “a strategic and eternal legacy for future generations”.

He identified two foundational pillars of the Resistance school: “adherence to pure Muhammadan Islam” and “education based on the culture of jihad”.

Qassem emphasized that the Karbala jihad school, rooted in Imam Hussein (AS)’s sacrifice and Lady Zainab (SA)’s role in messaging and structure-building, formed the basis for cultivating free human beings and establishing justice in society.

He also underscored the principle of Wilayah (guardianship) as an authentic pillar of faith, inseparable from the thought of Imam Khomeini and martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and pointed to Nasrallah’s strategic vision of Islamic unity — deepening brotherhood between Shia and Sunni — as creating “unparalleled popularity for the Resistance discourse across the Islamic world and among all freedom-seekers”.

Qassem extended greetings to the Iraqi people, their religious authority, and the Popular Mobilization Forces for their “legendary steadfastness” in expelling American occupation forces from Iraq.

He described their resistance as “a model and turning point in the history of anti-arrogance struggles in the region”.

Addressing the Palestinian cause, he wished the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Al-Quds liberation and victory, commending their “enormous sacrifices” in the face of Israeli, American, and Western aggression.

Closing his address, Qassem returned to his central theme of endurance. “War consists of rounds, but the final round will belong to the rightful owners of the land — those who have followed the path of the mujahideen and the martyrs,” he declared.

On internal Lebanese affairs, Qassem reiterated Hezbollah’s readiness to cooperate on issues including arms regulation, the economy, employment, coexistence, and depositors’ funds, “within constitutional and legal frameworks, and free from American or foreign dictates”.

His remarks came as the Lebanese government continues to press for the state’s monopoly on weapons, a demand Hezbollah has resisted pending a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.