Khaberni - Mahmoud Qamati, Vice President of the Political Council in Hezbollah, stated that the movement will not surrender its weapons, considering them to be "a strength for the homeland and sovereignty for Lebanon."
Qamati added that "the enemy attacks us daily, and that all American and European pressures will not influence us."
The official also touched on Resolution 1701, noting that "Hezbollah has complied with the resolution, while Israel has not, despite the American-French sponsorship of the agreement, which has failed to enforce a cessation of hostilities on the enemy."
Earlier, a report by the French newspaper "Le Figaro" revealed that Hezbollah is now operating almost entirely underground.
It indicated that the party is rebuilding its leadership structure and military power secretly, explaining that one year after the Israeli Begir operation, the work is proceeding with total secrecy to restore Hezbollah's ranks.
The newspaper stated that while "Hezbollah" ostensibly agrees to disarm, it is actually proceeding otherwise in its other strongholds.
The Lebanese government decided in August last year to strip Hezbollah of its weapons.
The Lebanese army has laid out a five-phase plan to withdraw the weapons, a step that the Tehran-backed party quickly rejected, describing the decision as a "sin."
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed on Thursday that "Lebanon is committed to completing the weapon restriction process south of the Litani River before the end of the year", demanding in return that Israel "fulfill its duties and commitments regarding the withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories and stopping its continuous aggressions."
