National Unity: Lebanon Forms Unified Delegation for Border Talks with Israel
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has publicly rebuked Hezbollah, stating the nation will no longer be intimidated by the group’s "support war" which is costing thousands of lives.
In a rare and defiant stand against the armed group that has long dominated Lebanese politics, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared that Lebanon will not succumb to Hezbollah’s blackmail. Speaking with the Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath, Salam highlighted the devastating toll the current war has taken on the country, noting that the "support war" initiated by the group has placed an unbearable burden on the Lebanese people. He emphasized that every missile fired by the group has effectively cost Lebanon the lives of thousands and stressed that the time has come for the state to regain its sovereignty and centralize all weaponry under national control.
Defying the Iranian Influence
Prime Minister Salam made it clear that he will not yield to internal or external pressures, stating, "We refuse to surrender to Hezbollah's blackmail." He also took the significant step of identifying members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and certain Hezbollah operatives as being present in the country illegally. The government is now actively working against any weapons systems that remain outside of state authority. This move toward nationalizing security is seen as a direct challenge to the Iranian influence that has used Lebanon as a forward operating base for decades. Salam also noted that the activities of Hezbollah cells in other Arab countries would no longer go ignored, signaling a shift in how Beirut views the group's regional entanglements.
Regarding the ongoing war with Israel, the Prime Minister clarified that the ultimate goal for Lebanon is a total ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its territory. He insisted that "Hezbollah's threats will not scare Lebanon" and announced that the government is working to establish a unified national delegation to manage negotiations with Israel. This effort aims to ensure that the Lebanese state, rather than a terrorist organization, is the sole representative of the people on the international stage. As the war continues, Salam’s administration is attempting to navigate a path toward peace that involves both military de-escalation and the removal of unauthorized foreign and domestic armed actors.