Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
...the very aged actual dictator of Iran, successor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini...>
has named Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
... the Grand Vizier of the Hezbullies...
as his "representative" in Leb
...The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozen flavors of Christians, plus Armenians, Georgians, and who knows what else?..., Iranian media reported Wednesday.
"The leader of the revolution in a decree introduced Sheikh Naim Qassem, secretary general of Hezbollah, as his representative in Lebanon," Tasnim news agency said.
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 recalled that Qassem’s predecessor His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
...The late, lamented satrap of the Medes and the Persians in Leb...>
— who was killed in an Israeli
...
KABOOM!...
on south Beirut in September 27 — had held the same title.
Hezbollah is part of the "axis of resistance," an alliance of Iran-backed gangs opposed to Israel and its US ally.
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.
Qassem was named Hezbollah leader in October after heir apparent Hashem Safieddine was killed in an Israeli strike shortly after Nasrallah’s death.
Hezbollah is to hold a public funeral for both Nasrallah and Safieddine on February 23. It had put off public commemorations for safety reasons until after a fragile ceasefire with Israel took hold on November 27.
Related:
Naim Qassem 02/03/2025 Hezbollah says Nasrallah to be buried outside Beirut in February 23 ‘grand’ funeral
Naim Qassem 02/03/2025 Visiting southern Lebanon, Katz warns Hezbollah against drone attacks on Israel
Naim Qassem 01/29/2025 'Won't accept any justifications to extend Israeli troops withdrawal', says Qassem
Naim Qassem 02/03/2025 Hezbollah says Nasrallah to be buried outside Beirut in February 23 ‘grand’ funeral
Naim Qassem 02/03/2025 Visiting southern Lebanon, Katz warns Hezbollah against drone attacks on Israel
Naim Qassem 01/29/2025 'Won't accept any justifications to extend Israeli troops withdrawal', says Qassem