Lebanon's justice minister told Al Jazeera that Lebanon is conducting its own negotiations, that Hezbollah's arsenal serves as a pretext for all-out war, and that Iran will not defend his country. He urged Hezbollah to prioritize the national interest and hand over its weapons, stating that only Lebanese can protect the national interest.
Lebanon's Justice Minister gave an extensive interview to Al Jazeera on Wednesday evening, delivering some of the most direct criticism of Hezbollah by a senior Lebanese official in the current post-ceasefire period. He stressed that Lebanon is conducting its own negotiations and that no other party is doing so on its behalf — an implicit rebuttal of Iran's claim of a single negotiating front (Araghchi said Tuesday that ending the war in Lebanon is inseparable from ending the war in Iran). The minister stated bluntly that Hezbollah's weapons do not stop Israeli strikes but rather provide a pretext for all-out war, and accused the organization of sacrificing Lebanon in 2006 and 2008 and in its support for the collapsed Syrian dictatorship. "Iran will not defend Lebanon," he said, "only the Lebanese themselves can protect the national interest." He called on Hezbollah to prioritize the national interest and hand over its weapons.
The remarks follow a pattern of unusually public criticism of Hezbollah by Lebanese state officials. The foreign minister recently labeled Hezbollah an "unlawful military organization and Iranian arm," and the prime minister said the war with Israel is not Lebanon's and accused Iran of using southern Lebanon as a bargaining chip. Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem has publicly opposed disarmament, saying it would destroy Lebanon.
The justice minister's interview adds to the growing pressure on Hezbollah from within the Lebanese state, though the group retains significant military and political power inside the country.
- DevelopingLebanese PM says war with Hezbollah not Lebanon's, accuses Iran of using south as bargaining chip
- DevelopingLebanese foreign minister labels Hezbollah an 'unlawful military organization' and 'Iranian arm'
- DevelopingPompeo warns: Iran conditions deal on Israel stopping Lebanon operation
- DevelopingMacron calls on both Hezbollah and Israel to disarm in Lebanon
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