Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has reaffirmed the group’s refusal to disarm while Israel continues its airstrikes and occupies parts of southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem affirmed the group's refusal to disarm while Israeli forces occupy southern Lebanon and continue airstrikes. His statement comes during the Ashoura commemoration in Beirut,

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated Sunday the group’s refusal to lay down its weapons before Israel withdraws from all of southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes. Qassem spoke in a video address as thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashoura.

A U.S. envoy met Lebanese officials in Beirut on Monday to discuss a proposed plan to disarm Hezbollah, hours after Israel launched new air strikes and a cross-border ground assault. The Israeli escalation was seen by Lebanese officials and diplomats as an attempt to ratchet up pressure on Hezbollah,

A U.S. envoy said on Monday he was "unbelievably satisfied" with Lebanon's reply to a U.S. proposal on disarming Hezbollah, following meetings in Beirut held hours after Israel launched new air strikes and a cross-border incursion.

The Hezbollah chief says the Lebanese group remains open to peace, but it will not disarm or back down from confronting Israel until it ends its air raids and withdraws from southern Lebanon. “We cannot be asked to soften our stance or lay down arms while [Israeli] aggression continues,

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday his group would not surrender or lay down its weapons in response to Israeli threats, despite pressure on the Lebanese militants to disarm.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will be responsible for reaching an agreement with Hezbollah, given his strong ties with the organization. Lebanon is expected to deliver on Monday a response to a recent United States document of demands,