Qassem Says U.S. Pressure on Hizbullah Futile

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed Friday that U.S. sanctions on his party are futile.

“America has failed in its wars on Hizbullah and it will not take through pressure what it has failed to take through aggression,” Qassem said during a ceremony to launch Hizbullah's electoral campaign in the Baalbek-Hermel and Zahle districts.

“We are the ones who are attached to the state the same as we are attached to the resistance and we have been part of state institutions since 1992,” Qassem added.

“All foreign ambassadors meet with us and tell us that we are part of the country's choices and that they cannot overlook us,” Hizbullah number two went on to say.

Media reports published Friday said two U.S. Republican lawmakers have proposed a new sanctions bill against Hizbullah.

Hizbullah is branded a "terrorist" organization by the United States and is already targeted with a host of economic sanctions.

U.S. efforts to pressure Hizbullah have increased under President Donald Trump's leadership.