BEIRUT, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday that any Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory is unacceptable, stressing that the Lebanese army is the "only party authorized to protect national sovereignty."
"There is no place for security zones or Israeli military positions inside Lebanon," Qassem said in a televised speech on al-Manar local TV channel.
He accused Israel of attempting to redefine the Nov. 27, 2024 ceasefire by maintaining freedom of military action inside Lebanon while demanding full compliance from Hezbollah.
He said any future understanding must be based on a complete halt to Israeli attacks, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.
Hezbollah remains committed to any comprehensive ceasefire but will not accept continued "Israeli violations," he said.
Qassem also said the United States can compel Israel to stop its attacks if it chooses to do so, adding that U.S. support has enabled Israel to continue its military operations.
Earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli army will not withdraw from the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel that took effect on Friday.
The agreement followed the signing of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon.
