Hezbollah chief says group to remain in field, rejects Lebanon-Israel deal

BEIRUT, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said Wednesday the group will remain "in the field" to confront Israel, while rejecting the U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

In televised remarks on Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV channel, Qassem said Hezbollah had thwarted efforts to eliminate what the group calls the "resistance" and that Israel "will not have stability until liberation."

Describing the framework agreement as "illegitimate" and "unconstitutional," Qassem said the negotiations violated Lebanon's constitutional and legal principles.

He said the agreement "will not pass" and the Lebanese authorities would not be able to implement any of its provisions.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a U.S.-brokered framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending hostilities along the border.