Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general following the assassination of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel on September 27. The announcement was made Tuesday on Hezbollah’s Telegram channel.
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Background on Naim Qassem
Qassem, a veteran in Shia political activism, has served as Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general since 1991, when Abbas al-Musawi led the organization. Musawi was also assassinated by Israel in 1992. According to Nicholas Blanford, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Qassem was seen as a potential successor to Musawi but was passed over in favor of Nasrallah, Musawi’s protégé.
Born in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila in Nabatieh governorate—a region that has endured repeated Israeli attacks—Qassem studied under Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, a highly respected Shia cleric. Over the years, he has also taught religious classes in Beirut.
Early Years and Role in Hezbollah
Qassem initially joined Imam Musa al-Sadr’s Movement of the Dispossessed in the 1970s, which evolved into the Amal Movement. In 1982, he left Amal to help establish Hezbollah, becoming one of its founding clerics. His specific duties within the group remain largely secretive, though he has overseen Hezbollah’s educational initiatives and parliamentary affairs and is a member of its Shura Council. Qassem also authored Hizbullah, the Story from Within in 2005, a book available in multiple languages.
A New but Familiar Leader
Qassem’s appointment comes amid continued conflict between Israel and Lebanon. After Nasrallah’s assassination, some expected Hezbollah to delay naming a new leader until hostilities ceased, but Qassem’s selection suggests continuity within the organization. Known for his public presence and frequent media interviews, Qassem addressed Hezbollah’s followers following Nasrallah’s death.
Although Hashem Safieddine, head of the executive council, was also considered for the role, his assassination by Israeli forces left Qassem as the clear successor. According to Blanford, “This decision reflects continuity; Qassem represents stability within Hezbollah’s political and religious leadership.”
