Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem discussed the Lebanese government’s demand that Hizbullah surrender its weapons in a video address aired on Al-Araby TV (Qatar) on August 15, 2025. He said that nobody wants confrontation with the government, but Hizbullah and the Amal movement are ready for it. He added that Hizbullah will have no other choice and that there will be demonstrations all over Lebanon, including at the U.S. embassy, saying that “this will happen when the time comes […] but now is not the time.” Qassem emphasized that Hizbullah will not surrender its weapons and will wage war, like the war in Karbala if needed, regardless of the cost, and that they are certain they will win. He further stated that the Lebanese government bears responsibility for any sectarian strife that might occur.