War in Lebanon 'Was Imposed upon Us', PM Nawaf Salam Says • FRANCE 24 English
Why It Matters
The interview highlights Lebanon’s struggle to reassert state sovereignty over Hezbollah, a dynamic that shapes regional security and could influence future diplomatic negotiations with Israel.
Key Takeaways
- •Lebanon’s war seen as imposed by external powers, not Lebanese.
- •PM demands Hezbollah disarmament to restore state’s weapon monopoly.
- •Five‑stage plan to extend state authority stalled by conflict.
- •Government rejects civil war, calls Hezbollah’s threats intimidation tactics.
- •Israel’s buffer zone deemed violation; negotiations remain tentative.
Summary
In a France 24 interview, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Salam framed the current hostilities as a war thrust upon Lebanon by Iran, the United States and Israel, not a conflict of Lebanese origin. He reiterated that Hezbollah’s rocket attacks and alignment with external powers have dragged the country into a crisis that could have been avoided had the militia refrained from acting as a proxy. Salam outlined the government’s historic demand for Hezbollah’s disarmament, citing the 1989 Taif Agreement that reserves the monopoly of force to the state alone. He described a five‑stage plan, launched in August 2023, to extend the Lebanese armed forces’ control over the entire territory; the first stage was completed in December, but the second was interrupted by the outbreak of fighting. The prime minister dismissed fears of a civil war, labeling Hezbollah’s intimidation as a bullying tactic, and warned that the militia’s weapons have failed to protect Lebanon, citing the destruction of dozens of villages. He condemned Israel’s expansion of a 30‑kilometre buffer zone as a violation of sovereignty while keeping diplomatic channels open, noting that formal negotiations require agreement on agenda and venue. Salam’s remarks underscore the fragile balance between state authority and militia power, the humanitarian toll of over a million displaced persons, and the geopolitical tug‑of‑war that threatens Lebanon’s stability. The interview signals a continued push for state monopoly over arms, even as external pressures and internal divisions complicate implementation.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...