Hezbollah names new leader, Naim Qassem

Hezbollah’s new secretary-general is Naim Qassem, the longtime number two to the late Hassan Nasrallah


1953: Born in Beirut to family from southern Lebanon
  
1970s: His political activism begins with Lebanese Shiite Amal Movement

1979: Leaves group in wake of Iran’s Islamic Revolution

1982: Helps start Hezbollah, established with backing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon
   
1991: Appointed Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general
  
1992: Remains in his role as deputy when Nasrallah becomes leader. Has since been one of Hezbollah’s leading spokesmen
 
2005: Publishes book on history of Hezbollah, seen as rare “insider’s look” into the organisation
 
Sep 2024: Nasrallah killed by Israeli strike on Beirut. Qassem says Hezbollah will choose successor and continue to fight Israel in solidarity with Palestinians
    
Oct: Nasrallah’s presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine, killed in Israeli strike. Qassem named leader on Oct 29
    

Source: France 24 
Picture: Getty Images 
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