Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem that all signs indicate that the Lebanese parliamentary elections will be held on time and nothing shows otherwise.

He added that Hezbollah considers the elections as Lebanon’s way out of the deadlock it has reached, as people will choose their own representatives in Parliament, adding that any change, even if it is minimal, is an important step in the course of tackling all complications.

Sheikh Qassem added, "We are committed and ready for the elections… our electoral slogan is ready, and so is our electoral program, which we will announce soon."

He stressed, “Our slogan is to protect and build, and we will continue to work on the basis of these two things, that is, protection through the resistance and building a strong state by the people’s choice, always for the benefit of the people.”

He explained that work is underway to complete a recovery plan through the Lebanese government, which can act as a starting point for restoring the financial, economic, and social balance to Lebanon.

Sheikh Qassem stressed that “the Resistance is a dire necessity and one of the basic components for the existence of a free, independent Lebanon."

He continued to say that "the Resistance is now protecting Lebanon and its independence under the triad of ‘the Army, the People, and the Resistance,’ and it stands back to back with the Lebanese army for the liberation and independence of the country."

Sheikh Qassem said that those who are rejecting and attacking the Resistance actually want "Lebanon to surrender and step aside all for the sake of ‘Israel’.”

Responding to comments made by a Lebanese Forces official who said that their project is to face Hezbollah, he said, “We say to the Lebanese Forces that our project is to confront 'Israel' and its subordinates, and we will not be lured into an internal conflict that will cause sedition, as some want."

He continued to say, “We were the one who nipped sedition in the bud in the Tayouneh massacre perpetrated by the Lebanese Forces to lure us into an internal war. Indeed, we do fight ‘Israel’, but at the same maintaining internal unity is a top priority of ours.”

The Lebanese parliamentary elections are set to be held on May 15, according to a decree signed by the Lebanese Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi.