Khamenei names Hezbollah leader Qassem as Iran’s ‘representative’ in Lebanon

A handout picture released by the Iranian presidency shows the deputy chief of Lebanon's Hezbollah group, Naim Qassem, during a meeting with Iran's new president in Tehran on July 29, 2024 (Iranian Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture released by the Iranian presidency shows the deputy chief of Lebanon's Hezbollah group, Naim Qassem, during a meeting with Iran's new president in Tehran on July 29, 2024 (Iranian Presidency / AFP)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has named Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem as his “representative” in Lebanon, Iranian media reports.

“The leader of the revolution in a decree introduced Sheikh Naim Qassem, secretary general of Hezbollah, as his representative in Lebanon,” Tasnim news agency says.

Tasnim carried a copy of the official decree which said Qassem will represent Khamenei in handling “non-litigious matters” and “managing religious affairs” in Lebanon.

The news agency notes that Qassem’s predecessor Hassan Nasrallah — who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on south Beirut in September 27 — had held the same title.

Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state in Iran, has representatives in all of Iran’s provinces with a mandate to collect religious funds and perform other duties.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrives to vote for the parliamentary runoff elections, in Tehran, Iran on May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

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