Hezbollah has elected Naim Qassem as its new Secretary General following the death of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on September 27, Reuters reports.
Qassem, who has served as Hezbollah’s deputy head since 1991, was chosen by the group’s Shura Council as part of its standard leadership selection process. His appointment comes after the death of senior Hezbollah figure Hashem Safieddine, who was also seen as a potential successor. Despite his leadership experience, Qassem is viewed by many in Lebanon as lacking Nasrallah’s charisma.
Qassem has served as a key spokesperson for Hezbollah and has made several public addresses since Nasrallah’s death, including supporting ceasefire efforts for Lebanon. The Israeli government reacted to Qassem’s appointment with skepticism, suggesting his tenure may be short if he follows the same path as his predecessors.
