Key facts
- Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said direct negotiations with Israel would bring shame and humiliation to Lebanon.
- Qassem stated that such talks would lead to "successive compromises" for Lebanon.
- He criticized Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, accusing him of bias and divisiveness.
- Qassem's remarks were made during a televised address.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem declared on Tuesday that any direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel would be detrimental to Lebanon, resulting in "shame, humiliation, and successive compromises." In a televised address, Qassem also voiced criticism of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, stating that Aoun had not acted as a unifying figure but had instead become "biased and divisive," which Qassem deemed incompatible with his presidential role and Lebanon's strength.