°®Âþµº

Hezbollah's new leader said "resistance" was not over as hundreds of thousands mourned late slain chief Hassan Nasrallah and his chosen successor Hashem Safieddine - both killed in Israeli strikes - demonstrating continued support for the group after a devastating war with Israel.

The massive Israeli strike in September that killed Nasrallah, a charismatic leader who led Hezbollah for more than three decades, dealt a heavy blow to Hezbollah. As the funeral began at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Israeli warplanes flew at a low altitude over Beirut in what Defence Minister Israel Katz said was a "clear message" to anyone who threatens Israel.

In a televised address at the ceremony, Nasrallah's successor Naim Qassem said Hezbollah would keep following his "path", and rejected any control by the "tyrant America" over Lebanon.

Nasrallah speeches were blasted as the mourners raised their fists in the air and chanted: "We are at your service, Nasrallah."

The estimated number of participants is around 800,000 people. The funeral comes days after the deadline for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon's south, with Israeli troops pulling out from all but five locations. Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delegated officials to attend the ceremony on their behalf.