Afghanistan, Aug. 16 -- Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem warned disarming the Iran-backed group would leave "no life" in Lebanon, prompting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to condemn the remarks as unacceptable.

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has warned that any attempt by the Lebanese government to disarm the group would leave "no life" in Lebanon. His comments were seen as a direct threat to national stability.

Qassem said on Thursday, August 14, that the government was working on a U.S.-backed plan to restrict weapons to official state forces. He declared Hezbollah would not surrender its arms until Israeli attacks and occupation in southern Lebanon end.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the remarks, calling them an implicit t...