On Tuesday, Hezbollah announced the appointment of Naim Qassem as its new head, replacing its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated a few months ago.
In a statement, Hezbollah announced Mr Qassem, 71, former deputy leader of the group, was promoted to take over Mr Nasrallah’s office as secretary-general of the Lebanon-based armed group.
Hezbollah said Mr Qassem was elected to replace Mr Nasrallah due to his “adherence to the principles and goals of Hezbollah.”
The group “prays to God Almighty to guide him in this noble mission in leading Hezbollah and its Islamic resistance.”
Mr Qassem took over Hezbollah’s leadership barely a month after Israeli forces assassinated Mr Nasrallah in Beirut in late September.
Hashem Safieddine, Mr Nasrallah’s cousin and potential successor, was also assassinated as Israeli forces go after the group’s top members.
Mr Qassem, an Islamic scholar and Shia activist, was a founding member of the Hezbollah in the 80s.
