Political dynasties have been a distinctive feature of Lebanon’s politics, as the eldest son succeeds his father in leading a movement or a party. In some Lebanese parties, succession of leadership extends across many generations in a given family.
However, the succession of Hezbollah’s leadership is totally different. Taking even a quick look at the history of its leadership makes it clear that choosing the head of the party is not based on the Lebanese tradition. This was evident when Subhi al-Tufayli, the former Secretary General of Hezbollah, was replaced by Abbas al-Musawi. Additionally, when Musawi was killed, his son did not inherit his role but it was Nasrallah who was appointed to the helm of the organization. Nevertheless, this procedure is not fixed and final. Although a certain mechanism involves the party’s political council which has to select the secretary general, the final decision is in the hands of the Iranian leadership.
The following are the main figures who are likely candidates to succeed Nasrallah:
HASHEM SAFI AL-DIN
He was born in Tyre, Southern Lebanon, in 1964. He is Nasrallah’s cousin and apparently looks like him. He is one of the main people suggested for the succession of leadership.
Safi Al-Din heads Hezbollah’s Executive Council, which is similar to a country’s cabinet. In his position, he has full authority over the party’s political, social and economic affairs, which keeps him in contact with second and third-rank leaders. In addition, he enjoys strong ties with the organization’s military wing.
In May 9, 2017, Washington listed Safi Al-Dinas a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, due to “his responsibility for Hezbollah’s operations across the Middle East, and his advisory role in terrorist attacks and support of Assad regime.” In addition, Saudi Arabia added him to its terrorism blacklist.
Safi Al-Din maintains a strong relationship with the Iranian regime. It was reported that he moved in 1994 from Iran’s Qum to Beirut to hold a post in Hezbollah following an Iranian order. Moreover, last June, Iranian media reported that his son Reda married Zeinab Soleimani, the daughter of the late Iranian military commander of the IRGC-affiliated Quds Forces Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in Iraq last year.
TALAL HAMIYAH
Born on November 27, 1952 in Taraya in Beqaa Governorate, Talal Hamiyah is one of the very few people who have direct contact with Nasrallah.
Hamiyah, aka “Ismat Mezarani,” belongs to Hezbollah’s military wing, which is why he keeps a low profile and operates under various nicknames. Being a first-generation member, Hamiyah joined Hezbollah in mid-1980s and was assigned to the development of the party’s members in Bourj el-Barajneh, the Southern Suburbs of Beirut. He was close to Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah’s first military commander, who was killed in a car bomb in Damascus in 2008.
According to the US State Department website “Rewards for Justice” (which offers rewards to any informant about wanted terrorist designated figures), Hamiyah is the head of Hezbollah’s External Security Organization (ESO), which coordinates and organizes the operations of numerous cells all over the world. His group is responsible for the planning and execution of terrorist attacks outside of Lebanon, especially those targeting Israelis and Americans. His name is linked to many attacks, and he was charged due to his involvement in hijacking the TWA flight in June 1985.
His chances of succeeding Nasrallah are high because he holds a senior position in the military wing. Reports indicate that he is the assistant head of the military council which is headed by Nasrallah.
FUAD SHUKR
Born in 1962 in Beqaa Governorate, Fuad Shukr has been in Hezbollah since its establishment in 1980s and rose through its ranks until he became Nasrallah’s senior military advisor.
According to reports, Shukr is a member of the Jihad Council, which is Hezbollah’s highest military body. He also led the group’s forces in Syria, succeeding Mustafa Badreddine who was killed in 2016.
He was designated in the US list of sanctions and the Saudi list of terrorists due to his role in “spreading chaos and carrying out terrorist attacks.” In October 2017, the US State Department posted a reward of 5 million dollars for any information that would help indict or arrest Fuad Shukr.
Although his name is frequently mentioned as a likely successor of Nasrallah, Shukr has a slim chance compared to Hamiyah who holds a superior military position. It is worthwhile to observe that both men were potential candidates to succeed Imad Mughniyeh as the deputy head of the military council, but Hamiyah won the position.
