Hezbollah’s new leader is Hashem Safieddine, reports claim
Safieddine at the funeral of a senior Hezbollah field commander in Beirut in June. (Reuters)
According to multiple media reports, Hezbollah’s council has elected Hashem Safieddine as the new secretary general of the group, according to sources cited by Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath.
Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah official with deep ties to the party’s leadership, was chosen to lead the organization following recent developments within the group.
Who is Hashem Safieddine?
Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin and head of Hezbollah’s executive council, is widely regarded as his heir. Born in southern Lebanon in 1964, Safieddine has been part of Hezbollah since its founding in 1982.
He studied in Qom, Iran, alongside Nasrallah and has been groomed for leadership since 1994.
Known for his fiery speeches and commitment to Hezbollah’s resistance against Israel, Safieddine shares Nasrallah’s hardline stance.
He has emphasized the group’s readiness to fight Israeli “aggression” and support Gaza, reiterating that Hezbollah’s mission is ongoing until Israel halts its offensive.
Leadership change after Nasrallah’s death
Safiuddin’s election comes in the wake of significant shifts in Hezbollah’s leadership structure. The council’s decision follows the death of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike, which dealt a major blow to the militant group’s command.
Hezbollah has not officially commented on the election or provided further details regarding Safiuddin’s responsibilities as the new leader of the Iran-backed party. Safiuddin, a key figure within Hezbollah, has held various high-level positions over the years, including heading the group’s Executive Council.
Close ties with Tehran
With close ties to Iran, including familial connections to the late Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, Safieddine’s leadership could further solidify Hezbollah’s alliance with Tehran.
Meanwhile, his inclusion in the U.S. Treasury’s counter-terrorism blacklist in 2017 underscores his prominence within the group.
Safieddine’s potential rise as Hezbollah’s leader marks a critical juncture for the organization as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
