As part of its special coverage titled "Sayyed of the Ummah," or "Leader of the Islamic World" Al Mayadeen hosted Wafiq Safa, head of Hezbollah's Liaison and Coordination Unit, in an interview reflecting on the life and legacy of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Safa began the conversation on Monday by stating, "I never imagined that one day we would sit and talk about Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as the most sacred, noble, and honorable martyr of the Ummah."

Speaking about the martyred Hezbollah leader, Safa described him as possessing "many unique qualities, including kindness and humility. He was compassionate and loving toward all people," adding that Sayyed Nasrallah was "clear, frank, and highly transparent with the public."

Expanding on his description, Safa said, "The Sayyed had secrets—his first secret was that God's love for him was evident. We felt that Sayyed [Nasrallah] was crafted by God for [Hezbollah] and this Ummah."

He continued, "Sayyed [Nasrallah] always urged officials and everyone to prioritize the people, because this party [Hezbollah] is, as he called it, the party of the people."

In an expression of his deep connection with the public, Sayyed Nasrallah kept a large photograph of them, taken on September 22, 2006, following the July War, Safa revealed.

Safa also disclosed that his last personal call with Sayyed Nasrallah was ten days before his martyrdom, specifically on the day of the pager attack carried out by the Israeli occupation. "He was the one who initiated the call, because, at the time, I did not dare to contact him—I knew the psychological state he was in," Safa said.

He further emphasized, "Sayyed [Nasrallah] was a courageous and fearless leader, but when it came to the resistance fighters, they meant everything to him." He recalled that "late at night, Sayyed Nasrallah called to check on my son after his eyes and hands were wounded."

Safa noted that the last work-related call with Sayyed Nasrallah took place two days before his martyrdom. "It was to relay a message regarding the situation, and I am still waiting for his response," he said.

Lebanon, a number-one priority

Approximately two months before his martyrdom, Safa met with Sayyed Nasrallah to discuss domestic Lebanese affairs. "Even during the war, he never lost sight of Lebanon," Safa told Al Mayadeen. During that meeting, he explained, "We discussed the presidential issue, Hezbollah's relations with the Free Patriotic Movement, and some matters concerning our allies."

Regarding the presidential file, Safa stated, "Sayyed Nasrallah had no veto or issue with Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. The latter was informed of this before Sayyed’s martyrdom." He added, "We extended General Aoun’s term twice, and our relationship with him was sound. However, we had a natural candidate, who was Sleiman Frangieh."

Safa further revealed, "Sayyed [Nasrallah] had made a promise to Sleiman Frangieh, but after his martyrdom, Frangieh withdrew from the scene." He added, "When Frangieh pulled out of the presidential race, Hezbollah supported the nomination of Joseph Aoun and considered him one of the most serious and likely candidates."

The top Hezbollah official recalled the tenure of former Lebanese President Michel Aoun, stating, "Sayyed Nasrallah remained committed to Michel Aoun for two and a half years, despite numerous offers made to him. Aoun refused them all and remained steadfast." 

Discussing the behind-the-scenes details of the 2006 Mar Mikhael Agreement between Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement, Safa revealed that "two committees were tasked with drafting the agreement’s key points. While many issues were resolved, three points remained unsettled."

To address these unresolved matters, Safa said, "Sayyed Nasrallah requested a private meeting with General Michel Aoun before the official announcement of the agreement. It was after this meeting that a final consensus was reached."

'Civilians are a red line'

"Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah established the first equation of its kind during the April 1996 war, which focused on the protection of civilians. This was the first principle formally adopted by the Resistance in the course of war."

The Hezbollah official further noted that the Lebanese people were "the backbone of the liberation achieved in 2000." He added, "What we see today is a reflection of the past—the people remain the foundation of the battle."

Regarding the war on Lebanon, Safa stated that "Israel intensified its objectives after managing to assassinate Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, using his martyrdom as a pretext to escalate their aggression."

However, he stressed that "Hezbollah’s survival and continued presence on the ground was itself a major victory for the Resistance," explaining that "Sayyed Nasrallah made Hezbollah a part of the Ummah, and the Ummah a part of Hezbollah."

Safa highlighted that "Hezbollah’s strength lies in its deep connection with the people," pointing out that "Sayyed Nasrallah always insisted on calling it ‘the party of the people’ to emphasize that the resistance is not merely a political party but a collective popular effort."

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'Hezbollah not dependent on any one individual'

"He brought together people from all walks of life, instilled in them Hezbollah’s doctrine—one built on dignity, pride, honor, and the refusal to submit—and integrated them into Hezbollah’s environment," Safa said.

Regarding the succession of Hezbollah’s leadership after Sayyed Nasrallah’s martyrdom, Safa revealed, "The transition of the secretary-general’s position was remarkably smooth following Sayyed Nasrallah’s departure."

He explained, "Sayyed left behind capable leaders. He nurtured them, and a prime example was martyr Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, who progressed within the party under his guidance."

"After Sayyed Nasrallah’s departure, Sayyed Safieddine was prepared to assume his role, but he quickly followed him in martyrdom. He became secretary-general only briefly before Sheikh Naim Qassem naturally took over the leadership," Safa noted.

Safa followed up by recalling Sayyed Nasrallah’s words; "Hezbollah is not dependent on any one individual. Hezbollah is a path, a project, an organization, and an Ummah."

'Hezbollah is first and foremost Lebanese'

Moreover, the senior Hezbollah official highlighted Sayyed Nasrallah’s commitment to affirming the party’s Lebanese identity through various stances and messages. "He was always keen to place the Lebanese flag alongside Hezbollah’s flag and salute it," Safa said, emphasizing that this was most evident during the "Fajr al-Juroud" operation against Takfiris attempting to invade Lebanon from Syria, which was conducted in coordination with the Lebanese Army.

"Sayyed Nasrallah wanted to send a strong message that Hezbollah is a Lebanese party, despite his firm belief in the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih and his allegiance to Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei," he explained.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Safa noted that Sayyed Nasrallah always made a point to honor the leaders, officers, and soldiers of the Lebanese Army, considering them his own. "He was also deeply committed to Lebanon’s civil peace, constantly working to maintain national balance and internal stability," Safa added.

Hezbollah’s head of Liaison and Coordination emphasized that "Sayyed Nasrallah developed the party’s organizational structure on all levels, from military and security to administrative frameworks, shaping it into what we see today."

"Hezbollah’s strength will return even greater than before, with the party now focusing more on internal Lebanese affairs," he stressed.

Safa then reflected on Sayyed Nasrallah’s political approach, describing it as one based on "loyalty, honesty, and integrity," which earned him the respect of allies and adversaries alike. "Even the Israeli public trusted Sayyed more than their own leaders," he added.

He further pointed out, "It was the Resistance that forced the Israeli enemy to negotiate and delineate the maritime border with Lebanon." He added that "the US administration worked day and night through multiple intermediaries in an attempt to secure a meeting with any Hezbollah official."

Hezbollah committed to Palestinian cause

Regarding Sayyed Nasrallah’s pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian cause, Safa revealed that he "helped the Palestinian [Resistance] leadership to develop political programs and strategies that strengthened the Resistance."

He noted that after the liberation of South Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah took the lead in engaging with Palestinian factions. "This relationship was further developed by the martyred commanders Imad Mughniyeh and Qassem Soleimani, who worked to enhance cooperation," he added.

"In the early days, Hezbollah provided training, technical assistance, and transferred resistance expertise and weapons to Palestinian factions during the onset of the Intifada," Safa explained. "This contributed to forging strong ties with Palestinian factions on security, military, and political levels."

Concluding his remarks, Safa reaffirmed Hezbollah’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, stating, "Hezbollah’s leaders firmly believe that the day will come when we will pray in al-Quds."

Prisoners to never be abandoned

On the issue of prisoner exchange deals, Safa revealed that "after the liberation in 2000, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah met with Kofi Annan and told him that he would not abandon the prisoners in Israeli jails. This is why Operation ‘True Promise’ was carried out."

Wafiq Safa revealed new details about past prisoner exchanges, stating that in 2004, "Israel agreed to the Resistance’s conditions for the release of prisoners of all nationalities, as well as the remains of martyrs—except for prisoner Samir Kuntar."

Safa recalled that Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah personally attended the prisoner release event despite the high-security risks at the time. "Sayyed Nasrallah promised that Kuntar would be freed in another operation, and that deal was truly a national celebration," he said.

Regarding Hezbollah prisoners from the 2024 war, Safa confirmed that "this matter will be addressed by Sheikh Naim Qassem, who is following up on the issue."

Leadership is in the hands of Sheikh Qassem

Safa also noted that the Lebanese president had promised the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory by February 18 and the release of prisoners.

Commenting on Sayyed Nasrallah’s relationship with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Safa stated that "despite infrequent meetings, there was always mutual respect, and their perspectives remained aligned."

As for Israeli violations and the continued occupation of Lebanese land, Safa emphasized that "this issue is in the hands of the Lebanese state, but Hezbollah will take a clear stance on it."

He further stressed that "any targeting of Hezbollah members or leaders will elicit a decisive response, which will be communicated to the public."

Reflecting on Sayyed Nasrallah’s martyrdom, Safa declared that "his sacrifice will be a guiding light for Hezbollah, marking a turning point for the party, its supporters, and its leadership."

He concluded by affirming Hezbollah’s unwavering commitment to its principles; "Saying ‘We are steadfast in our pledge’ means that Sayyed Nasrallah’s mission and vision will continue under the leadership of Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem."