Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem announced that Syria refused to form a 'pincer' against Lebanon by undertaking a military intervention alongside Israel.
In a televised address, Qassem said, "The US and Israel attempted to force Syria to intervene from the east in order to create a pincer with Israel from the north. But thanks to God, the Syrian regime did not respond, and we are determined to protect our country."
Lebanon in 'most dangerous phase'
Naim Qassem stated that Lebanon is currently passing through "the most dangerous phase, the most dangerous American-Israeli plan, and the most dangerous conspiracy project that the future of their homeland could encounter."
The Hezbollah leader emphasized that his party's weapons are "solely aimed at the Israeli enemy," adding, "The aim of the enemies' plan is to end the resistance project."
Response to Israeli violations
Regarding Israel's violations of the ceasefire agreement, Qassem declared, "Hezbollah endured Israel's violations for 15 months, but starting from last March 2, it began responding to them and will not retreat from this."
"When the enemy responds to us with weapons, we respond to it with weapons. Heavy losses are better than surrender and defeat. We are on the field, accepting all difficulties and sanctions, and if we are in a position to achieve victory, why should we surrender?" he said.
Prior statement from Syria
About a week before Qassem's remarks, Syrian President Ahmed Sher, in a speech published via the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), denied "rumors" regarding his country's intervention in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, speaking to journalists after the G7 summit held in France, said, "I suggested to Israel that Syria should take on the issue of Hezbollah because, frankly, I think they will do a better job."
Trump stated, "If Israel cannot accomplish the task against Hezbollah without killing everyone, then Syria will take it on."
Lebanese minister's statement
Regarding Lebanon's official stance, the American CNN channel reported that Justice Minister Adel Nasr, in an interview on the "Connect the World" program, said the disarmament of Hezbollah "is within the responsibility of the Lebanese state and is not the business of foreign powers."
