Former President Emile Lahoud called for a reconsideration of the path of negotiation with Israel, warning that the continuation of internal division in light of the escalation may lead to “a national schism that is difficult to emerge from,” and stressing the necessity of dealing with the resistance, as he put it, as a negotiating card instead of negotiating at its expense.
In a statement, Lahoud extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs who fell in Deir Al-Zahrani and Ansar, criticizing what he described as the silence of the international community, especially the United States of America, regarding what happened.
He expressed his regret for what he considered “a Lebanese state of normalization with such crimes,” citing what he described as the minimum official reaction, and considering that this requires practical steps that begin by reconsidering negotiations with Israel, especially in light of what he described as the absence of any Lebanese response.
Lahoud added that internal political differences do not negate the need for unity in the face of these developments, warning that the continued division may lead to a national schism that will be difficult to overcome.
He stressed that the need, from his point of view, lies in dealing with the resistance “at least as a strong negotiating card, instead of negotiating at its head.”
Lahoud concluded by saying that betting that the escalation will break the resistance and its supporters is a wrong bet, expressing his hope that the Lebanese will unite behind it instead of some of them betting on Israel to settle internal scores.
