Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah on Tuesday announced that its deputy secretary, Sheikh Naim Qassem, had been elected as the chief of the anti-Israel armed group.
Lebanon's Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during a rally supporting Palestinians in Gaza. (Reuters file photo)
"Hezbollah's (governing) Shura Council agreed to elect... Sheikh Naim Qassem as secretary general of Hezbollah," the Iran-backed group said in a statement, more than a month after its chief Hassan Nasrallah's killing.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
He was the most senior Hezbollah official to continue making public appearances after Nasrallah largely went into hiding following the group's 2006 war with Israel.
Since Nasrallah died in a huge Israeli air strike on September 27, Qassem has made three televised addresses.
Qassem had been part of the group for over 30 years. On October 8, Qassem said the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel was a war about who cries first, and Hezbollah would not cry first.
His appointment comes weeks after Israel killed Hezbollah's Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Israel also killed his proposed successor, Safieddine.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Israel also killed his proposed successor, Safieddine.
{{/usCountry}}
Qassem was appointed deputy chief in 1991 by the armed group's then-secretary general Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack the following year.
He remained the deputy even when Nasrallah became leader.
He is also the group's spokesperson. He would often appear in interviews with foreign media during conflicts with Israel.
He was the first member of Hezbollah's top leadership to make televised remarks after Nasrallah's killing.
Naim Qassem was born in 1953 in Beirut to a family from Lebanon's south.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Hezbollah was formed in 1982 after Israel invaded Lebanon. Qassem was one of the founding members.
He has been the general coordinator of Hezbollah's parliamentary election campaigns since the group first contested them in 1992.
Qassem is known for wearing a white turban. His predecessors, Nasrallah and Safieddine, would wear black turbans denoted their status as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Home/World News/Who is Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's new chief?
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
