Nadim Gemayel, a Lebanese Christian parliamentarian from the Kataeb party, criticized Iranian Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf's assertion that the US and Iran will guarantee Lebanon's unity and territorial integrity, asking who granted Iran the right to speak for Lebanon, according to Abu Ali Express.
Nadim Gemayel, a Lebanese Christian parliamentarian and member of the Kataeb party (and son of assassinated President Bashir Gemayel), issued a sharp rejoinder to recent remarks by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. Ghalibaf had stated that the US and Iran would guarantee Lebanon's unity and territorial integrity — part of a broader Iranian push to frame Lebanon as a topic of US-Iran negotiations.
Gemayel questioned the legitimacy of Iran speaking on Lebanon's behalf, asserting that Lebanon's unity is not guaranteed by Tehran, its territorial integrity is not decided in Switzerland, and its sovereignty is not a bargaining chip between two foreign states. He warned that if Lebanese officials respect themselves, they must make clear that Lebanon is neither an Iranian file nor a bargaining arena.
As The Zioneer has reported, Ghalibaf's claims this week follow a pattern of Iranian officials asserting post-victory rhetoric and describing Lebanon as part of the 'axis of resistance.' Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and other Lebanese Christian leaders, including Samir Geagea, have also pushed back against any arrangement that bypasses Lebanese sovereignty. The exchange underscores the ongoing tension between Tehran's regional ambitions and the Lebanese government's effort to assert independent decision-making amid US-Iran talks that include discussion of Lebanon's future.
- DevelopingTop Lebanese Christian lawmaker urges US not to let Iran make Lebanon part of its deal
- StrongIranian Speaker Ghalibaf says Zionist regime opposes negotiations, warns of 'annihilation' if no ceasefire
- DevelopingIranian Speaker Ghalibaf: 'We defeated the US and Israel, Lebanon is part of the resistance'
- DevelopingNaim Qassem: Direct talks with Israel absurd, shameful for Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake