Lebanese Leaders Advocate for Neutrality Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Tensions
President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam emphasize the importance of Lebanon's stability in light of ongoing regional conflicts.
BEIRUT: In a significant development regarding Lebanon's geopolitical stance, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have reiterated the necessity for Lebanon to remain uninvolved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
During a Cabinet meeting on June 16, 2025, they expressed concerns that participation in the conflict could exacerbate the nation's existing economic crisis and hinder recovery efforts from recent hostilities involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Their comments are perceived as a direct appeal to Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese militant group aligned with Iran and the Palestinian faction Hamas, to refrain from further engagement in the conflict.
This follows a history of heightened tensions after the group launched strikes against Israel on October 8, 2023, in response to Hamas' initial attack on Israel, which left significant casualties and destruction on both sides.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which escalated following Israeli strikes in retaliation, resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 individuals in Lebanon and a staggering $11 billion in damages.
Reports indicate that Hezbollah suffered considerable losses, including the deaths of several key military and political leaders, primarily due to Israeli airstrikes.
Israel itself reported a death toll of 127, comprising both civilians and military personnel.
In light of these developments, Information Minister Paul Morkos relayed that President Aoun has called for all Lebanese factions to uphold peace and stability within the country.
Prime Minister Salam emphasized that Lebanon should avoid any involvement in the ongoing hostilities.
The recent spike in tensions follows a series of Israeli military operations targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities and prominent military figures, prompting retaliatory missile fire from Iran aimed at Israel.
This escalation has heightened fears of broader regional instability amid an already tense backdrop stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
During a Cabinet meeting on June 16, 2025, they expressed concerns that participation in the conflict could exacerbate the nation's existing economic crisis and hinder recovery efforts from recent hostilities involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Their comments are perceived as a direct appeal to Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese militant group aligned with Iran and the Palestinian faction Hamas, to refrain from further engagement in the conflict.
This follows a history of heightened tensions after the group launched strikes against Israel on October 8, 2023, in response to Hamas' initial attack on Israel, which left significant casualties and destruction on both sides.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which escalated following Israeli strikes in retaliation, resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 individuals in Lebanon and a staggering $11 billion in damages.
Reports indicate that Hezbollah suffered considerable losses, including the deaths of several key military and political leaders, primarily due to Israeli airstrikes.
Israel itself reported a death toll of 127, comprising both civilians and military personnel.
In light of these developments, Information Minister Paul Morkos relayed that President Aoun has called for all Lebanese factions to uphold peace and stability within the country.
Prime Minister Salam emphasized that Lebanon should avoid any involvement in the ongoing hostilities.
The recent spike in tensions follows a series of Israeli military operations targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities and prominent military figures, prompting retaliatory missile fire from Iran aimed at Israel.
This escalation has heightened fears of broader regional instability amid an already tense backdrop stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
