Hezbollah chief says it is Beirut’s ‘responsibility’ to ensure Israel withdraws from Lebanon

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem says Lebanon’s government is responsible for making sure Israel honors a withdrawal deadline under a fragile ceasefire agreement, while also blaming Israel for a stoppage on flights from Iran.

“It is the responsibility of the Lebanese state… to make Israel withdraw on February 18,” Qassem says in a televised address.

Israel troops are slated to withdraw from south Lebanon this week, following an already extended deadline, though they are expected to remain at five key strategic points in the area.

He adds, without evidence, that Beirut’s decision to halt flights from Iran was “implementing an Israeli order.”

Qassem also calls for broad participation in the February 23 funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as a show of the party’s strength.