Withdrawal of Israeli forces prerequisite for resolving conflict: Lebanese Hezbollah leader

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that his group will continue its "resistance" as long as Israeli troops remain on Lebanese soil, stressing that the withdrawal of Israeli military from Lebanon is a prerequisite for resolving the conflict.

According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Qassem stated that Hezbollah stands ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government on issues including weapons, economy and employment.

However, such cooperation must take place within the framework of Lebanon's constitution and laws, and Hezbollah does not accept instructions from the United States or any other external force, he said.

Lebanon, Israel and the United States completed negotiations and announced a framework agreement in late June.

Under the proposed deal, Israeli forces are to withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army taking over security responsibilities in those areas.

Yet since the agreement was reached, Israeli forces have continued to carry out military strikes on targets inside Lebanon.

Withdrawal of Israeli forces prerequisite for resolving conflict: Lebanese Hezbollah leader

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday warned of surging fossil fuel prices, saying measures would be taken to tackle rising energy costs as winter approaches.

Addressing the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen said natural gas prices in Europe had jumped 140 percent and diesel prices had doubled since late February, with an extra 100 billion euros spent on imported fossil fuels.

With winter approaching, high energy costs were likely to put more strain on households and businesses, she said, adding the European Union would roll out measures including a strategic dialogue for European refineries and joint energy purchases to curb rising energy prices and cut reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Von der Leyen warns of rising EU energy costs, vows action