Hizbullah Chief Hassan Nasrallah Reported Hospitalized With Stroke

The head of Hizbullah, Hassan Nasrallah, has been hospitalized in Beirut after suffering a stroke, reportedly his second, according to Lebanese and Saudi news reports, as well as statements coming out of Iran, which is a major supporter of Hizbulah.  But Hizbullah said that Nasrallah, 62, is in intensive care in Great Prophet Hospital in Beirut because he fell ill with the flu, and it affected his voice and his ability to speak well. It is not clear whether Nasrallah, who is secretary-general of Hizbullah, is conscious or not. The news and rumors about Nasrallah’s health began circulating on Friday, after Nasrallah canceled a speech he was supposed to give in Beirut. Now Nasrallah is scheduled to speak on Tuesday to mark the third anniversary of the assassination of IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack at Iraq’s Baghdad airport. Nasrallah has served as Hizbullah leader since 1992. He lives in south Beirut. Hizbullah is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and several Western countries as well as the European Union.