The Lebanese government must first ensure that Israel respects the ceasefire agreement. Then negotiations on a national defense strategy can take place, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said.

He confirmed the refusal of the Iran-backed group to disarm, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.

Qassem indicated that the paramilitary group he leads"will not give up the weapons that protect us from Israeli aggression."

He added that if the current government continues to act in the same way,"it cannot be trusted to protect Lebanon's sovereignty."

Israel may occupy [Lebanon], but"we will resist to prevent it from establishing itself here and achieving its goals, and this resistance will continue," the Hezbollah leader said.