Lebanese Authorities Prepare for Hassan Nasrallah

The Lebanese authorities are carrying out intensive preparations to secure the funeral ceremonies of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and the party's Deputy Chairman, Hashem Safi al-Din, scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday. Security authorities are committed to preventing any riots or internal strife.

Lebanon is also tightening surveillance on incoming travelers arriving to participate in the funeral, as well as on those leaving refugee camps to attend, following calls from several Palestinian factions for a mass turnout.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's leadership has formed a supreme committee to oversee the funeral arrangements for Nasrallah and Safi al-Din, which is divided into ten subcommittees.

Ali Daher, the coordinator of the supreme committee for the funeral ceremonies, stated that the team responsible for invitations has recorded participation from approximately 79 countries worldwide, including both public and official delegations. 

He emphasized that the organizing subcommittees are making every effort to reflect the full significance of the event, highlighting the international, regional, and global dimensions of Hassan Nasrallah’s influence and presence.

Daher affirmed that tomorrow, February 23, will mark a historic day, saying, "Everyone is invited to this occasion, just as they were during the life of the martyred leader."

He added that the invitations and protocol committee has begun distributing invitations, and some delegations have been formed to visit political, religious, national, and party figures to extend invitations to the funeral.

He explained that the funeral proceedings will last approximately an hour, beginning with a Quranic recitation, followed by the Lebanese national anthem and Hezbollah's anthem, after which the two coffins will be brought in.

The ceremony will also include a speech by Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, followed by the funeral prayer, and then the commencement of the funeral procession to the burial site. The main gathering point for attendees will be within President Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, deemed the most suitable venue to accommodate the large crowds.

Daher further stated that "organizing these unprecedented crowds in Lebanon's history is one of the greatest and most significant responsibilities, requiring extraordinary efforts from the organizers to ensure smooth proceedings and facilitate access from all regions." He also noted that special guidelines will be in place to direct attendees and mourners from various areas.