What Hezbollah asked Saudi Arabia to do with Lebanese Group, amidst international pressure to disarm
The statement comes amid growing international and regional pressure on Hezbollah to disarm.
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Friday issued a public call for Saudi Arabia to “turn a new page” and initiate dialogue with the Lebanese Shiite group.
According to Jerusalem Post, the comments were made during a televised address from an undisclosed location, broadcast by Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV.
The statement comes amid growing international and regional pressure on Hezbollah to disarm.
The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Hezbollah’s domestic political opponents in Lebanon have all called for the armed faction to relinquish its military capabilities and integrate into the national defense structure under the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Qassem’s remarks are being interpreted as an unexpected overture toward Saudi Arabia, which has long regarded Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy and a destabilizing force in the region.
Riyadh has accused the group of undermining Lebanese sovereignty and fueling regional conflict, particularly through its military involvement in Syria and support for Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
“We invite Saudi Arabia to engage in dialogue and cooperation for the benefit of the region,” said Qassem.
“It is time to move past previous misunderstandings and open a new chapter.”
The plea for engagement comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon, which is grappling with a severe economic crisis, political paralysis, and worsening social conditions.
Many observers believe Hezbollah’s military dominance and close ties to Iran have played a central role in Lebanon’s diplomatic and financial isolation from much of the Arab world.
The group’s call for Saudi dialogue is seen as a potential softening of tone in Hezbollah’s regional rhetoric, though it remains unclear whether Riyadh will respond.
There has been no immediate comment from Saudi officials, according to a media report.
