Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed that Hezbollah’s activities are “outside the law,” stressing the need to extend the authority of the Lebanese state over its entire territory in accordance with the Taif Agreement, and affirming that the state alone has the right to negotiate in Lebanon’s name and represent its interests.
In an exclusive interview with Al-Arabiya channel, Salam described the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume Lebanese exports to it as a “historic decision,” thanking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for this step, considering that it enhances the opportunities for growth and stability in Lebanon.
He pointed out that the Saudi decision came at a very important time for Lebanon, which faces major economic and financial challenges, explaining that the resumption of Lebanese exports to the Kingdom constitutes a message of confidence in the measures and reforms that the Lebanese state is working to implement.
He added that Lebanon sought during the last stage to restore its relations with its Arab surroundings, stressing that the country needs the support of its Arab brothers to face the current economic and financial challenges.
Regarding the political aspect, Salam stressed that Iran “has never supported Lebanon,” considering that the best it can offer Lebanon is not to involve it in the war, and pointing out that the Iranian attacks on Israel constitute, in his opinion, an additional implication of Lebanon in the conflict and not support for it.
He stressed that the Lebanese state alone has the right to negotiate in Lebanon’s name, stressing the need to extend its authority over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the Taif Agreement, while describing Hezbollah’s activities as “outside the law.”
He said that negotiations remain the least expensive option for Lebanon in the current circumstances, stressing that any negotiating path must take place exclusively through the legitimate state institutions as they are the body authorized to represent the Lebanese and defend their interests.
He added that Lebanon was too late in extending its full authority over all its territories, considering that the current stage requires strengthening the presence of the state and its security and administrative institutions in various regions.
He also stressed that the state’s monopoly on political and security decisions constitutes a basic condition for restoring stability, stressing that any negotiation related to the country’s future or security must take place through the Lebanese state alone.
Speaking about security developments, Salam considered that the current war is in essence “a war between Iran and Israel on the land of Lebanon,” noting that the Lebanese are paying the cost of regional conflicts that go beyond their country’s borders.
He concluded by stressing that the Lebanese interest requires neutralizing the country from regional conflicts and giving priority to the logic of the state and institutions, in a way that ensures the protection of internal stability and the preservation of Lebanon’s Arab and international relations.
