by WorldTribune Staff, August 4, 2016

Hizbullah will stand by Syrian President Bashar Assad “until the end,” Hizbullah’s deputy leader said, adding that he expects Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) will increase the number of attacks in Europe and beyond.

Sheikh Naim Qassem, who is the deputy of Hassan Nasrallah, said on Aug. 3 that Hizbullah will continue to back Assad to prevent ISIL from expanding into Lebanon, Reuters reported.

Qassem told Reuters that ISIL will launch more mass casualty attacks in Europe, adding that the terror group has an expansionist strategy and “will use any means to achieve its goals.”

“European pains are big and will increase more and more,” Qassem predicted, adding that ISIL “will not leave an opportunity in all the countries of the world without exception to attack when it can and when is able to.”

Qassem said the United States is distracted by the November presidential elections and is not ready to commit to any action until a new president takes over in January 2017.

“The U.S. administration is convinced that the period ahead of the presidential elections is a wasted time, and that it can wait until the new president assumes power. Then, the prospects of a solution or of a prolongation of the crisis will be clear,” he told Reuters.

Qassem also warned of the possibility that both Syria and Iraq, where ISIL has also seized territory, could split.

“So far the forces that want the unity of Iraq and Syria are able to prevent the idea of partition but we should remain worried about … the possibility that some countries might push these two countries or one of them into partition,” said Qassem, claiming that Assad was the best protection “for putting things back in order and reviving authority in Syria.”

  Hizbullah leader backs Syria campaign, Sheikh Naim Qassem, warns ISIL will increase attacks in Europe, WorldTribune.com