Lebanon’s Hezbollah vowed on Monday to quickly choose a successor to killed leader Hassan Nasrallah and continue the Islamist militia’s decades-long fight against Israel.

Deputy head Naim Qassem, in a televised speech, said the group would choose a successor for Mr Nasrallah to assume the secretary general position as soon as possible.

He said the group’s structure allowed it to find replacements for all senior members, as they already have deputies and qualified members.

“We know the battle could be long, and we are ready for any possibility. If Israel decides to launch a ground invasion, we are ready for a ground engagement,” said Mr Qassem.

Mr Qassem said this in the speech broadcast by the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV channel.

“Israel will not be able to affect our military capabilities,’’ he said, vowing to also continue their support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

Mr Qassem’s appearance on television, wearing black while sitting in a closed room, refutes rumours that he was killed in the same strike that killed Mr Nasrallah.

(dpa/NAN)