Mohammad Raad, appointed as the Deputy to the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem
Detailed Information:
Mohammad Raad:
– Role: Mohammad Raad has been appointed as the Head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, which is the political wing of Hezbollah in the Lebanese Parliament. He also serves as the deputy to Sheikh Naim Qassem, the current Secretary-General of Hezbollah.
– Background: Born in 1955 in Beirut, Lebanon, Raad comes from Jbaa in the Nabatieh Governorate. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Lebanese University.
– Career: A founding member of Hezbollah, Raad has been involved in the organization since its early days. He has served as a Member of Parliament for the Nabatieh District and was previously the editor-in-chief of Al-Ahed, Hezbollah’s official newspaper.
– Sanctions: In 2019, he was sanctioned by the United States for his role in Hezbollah.
– Political Influence: His leadership in the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc makes him a key figure in Hezbollah’s political strategy within Lebanon.
Sheikh Naim Qassem:
– Role: Sheikh Naim Qassem is the current Secretary-General of Hezbollah, having taken over from Hassan Nasrallah in October 2024. Mohammad Raad serves as his deputy.
– Background: Born in February 1953 in Kfar Kila, Lebanon, Qassem holds a degree in chemistry from the Lebanese University and worked as a teacher before engaging in political activities.
– Career: He has been part of Hezbollah since its formation in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. Qassem has been Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general for over three decades, playing a significant role in shaping the group’s ideological stance and electoral strategies.
– Literature: He authored “Hizbullah: The Story from Within,” offering an insider’s perspective on Hezbollah’s structure and goals.
– Influence: Known for his strategic guidance and for maintaining Hezbollah’s political and social influence in Lebanon.
Together, Raad and Qassem represent key leadership in Hezbollah, managing both its political and resistance aspects in Lebanon’s complex socio-political landscape.
