Lebanese Prime Minister Calls for Arab, International Support in Negotiations with Israel
Nawaf Salam emphasizes need to end 'reckless' wars for foreign interests.
BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated on Friday that his country has reached a saturation point with 'reckless' wars driven by foreign interests.
He called for Arab and international support during Beirut's negotiations with Israel.
At an NGO dinner, Salam expressed hopes to 'mobilize all Arab and international support to bolster our position in the negotiations' with Israel, shortly after the last round of talks concluded, extending the ongoing truce for 45 days.
In a subtle rebuke directed towards Hezbollah, which engaged in the Middle East conflict in alignment with Iran on March 2, Salam conveyed that Lebanon has 'enough of these reckless adventures serving foreign projects or interests,' referring to the war that was not chosen by the country but imposed upon it.
This situation led to Israel occupying 68 towns and villages.
Since the onset of the war, Israeli attacks have resulted in over 2,900 fatalities in Lebanon, including more than 400 since a truce took effect on April 17, as per Lebanese authorities.
The conflict has also displaced over one million individuals, with Israeli soldiers operating within a 'yellow line'—approximately 10 kilometers north of the Israel-Lebanon border—conducting demolition operations.
Addressing the extensive violence, displacement, and tragedies incurred by the war, Salam criticized attempts to diminish Lebanon's intelligence by labeling it a victory.
He also hinted at Hezbollah, decrying 'enough with the incitement and accusations of treason' aimed at undermining the government.
Furthermore, Salam emphasized that the Lebanese military should be the sole armed entity in the country.
This statement comes after Beirut committed to disarming Hezbollah following its weakened position post-2024 war with Israel.
After Hezbollah initiated the latest conflict in March, the Lebanese government banned its military activities.
Hezbollah vehemently rejected these moves by the government and opposes direct negotiations with Israel, accusing the administration of committing a 'sin' and urging it to withdraw from such engagements.
He called for Arab and international support during Beirut's negotiations with Israel.
At an NGO dinner, Salam expressed hopes to 'mobilize all Arab and international support to bolster our position in the negotiations' with Israel, shortly after the last round of talks concluded, extending the ongoing truce for 45 days.
In a subtle rebuke directed towards Hezbollah, which engaged in the Middle East conflict in alignment with Iran on March 2, Salam conveyed that Lebanon has 'enough of these reckless adventures serving foreign projects or interests,' referring to the war that was not chosen by the country but imposed upon it.
This situation led to Israel occupying 68 towns and villages.
Since the onset of the war, Israeli attacks have resulted in over 2,900 fatalities in Lebanon, including more than 400 since a truce took effect on April 17, as per Lebanese authorities.
The conflict has also displaced over one million individuals, with Israeli soldiers operating within a 'yellow line'—approximately 10 kilometers north of the Israel-Lebanon border—conducting demolition operations.
Addressing the extensive violence, displacement, and tragedies incurred by the war, Salam criticized attempts to diminish Lebanon's intelligence by labeling it a victory.
He also hinted at Hezbollah, decrying 'enough with the incitement and accusations of treason' aimed at undermining the government.
Furthermore, Salam emphasized that the Lebanese military should be the sole armed entity in the country.
This statement comes after Beirut committed to disarming Hezbollah following its weakened position post-2024 war with Israel.
After Hezbollah initiated the latest conflict in March, the Lebanese government banned its military activities.
Hezbollah vehemently rejected these moves by the government and opposes direct negotiations with Israel, accusing the administration of committing a 'sin' and urging it to withdraw from such engagements.
