Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his government does not seek confrontation with Hezbollah but will not allow the group to embarrass or intimidate the state.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, Salam emphasized that Lebanon wants to avoid conflict but insists on maintaining sovereignty.
“We do not want a confrontation with Hezbollah, but we will not allow it to embarrass or intimidate us,” Salam stated. He added that a sovereign state cannot have weapons in the hands of both the military and armed groups operating outside the law.
Salam noted that negotiations with Israel will be demanding and require strong support from international partners, confirming that Beirut will continue pursuing diplomacy through direct talks with Israel.
He likewise said he plans to travel to Washington with the clear goal of securing the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
Macron, for his part, urged Israel to abandon its regional ambitions in Lebanon and stressed the need for Hezbollah to cease firing toward Israeli territory and disarm under Lebanese authority.
The French president described the current ceasefire as fragile and in need of extension to allow for genuine stability, calling for a political agreement between Israel and Lebanon that ensures mutual security, protects Lebanese territory, and lays the foundation for normalized relations.
Macron affirmed France’s readiness to assist Lebanese preparations for negotiations with Israel, including coordination with other partners to revive support for the Lebanese army and security forces.
He also pledged that France would maintain its on-the-ground commitment even after the conclusion of the UNIFIL mission’s mandate at the end of the year.
