“Have mercy on our southern region. Stop treating this area and its people as bargaining chips. We are citizens of a sovereign nation and will not accept becoming a battleground for the wars of others,” stated Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at a press conference on June 5, sending a message to Iranian leaders.
In an interview released by CNN on the same day, President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of using Lebanon as a “bargaining tool” in negotiations with the U.S. He stated that Iran’s interests do not align with those of the Lebanese residents, who are “paying the price” for the Middle Eastern conflict.
“Lebanon is not your country; it is ours. You have no business interfering in our nation,” he said.
The funeral of victims killed in the Israeli attack on southern Lebanon on June 3. Photo: AFP
The funeral of victims killed in the Israeli attack on southern Lebanon on June 3. Photo: AFP
However, the Lebanese president also criticized Israel’s military strategy, which focuses on eliminating the armed group Hezbollah. He asserted that the conflict will only end through negotiations, and handling Hezbollah is the responsibility of the Lebanese government, which should occur after Israel completely withdraws its forces.
“They may invade and flatten all of Lebanon, but they will never achieve their goal. Hezbollah is not a tangible target; it is an ideology. They tried that in Gaza, and Hamas still exists,” Aoun said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the accusations made by the Lebanese president. “If Lebanon were Iran’s bargaining chip, we would have had an agreement long ago. Mr. President, please save Lebanon from the real enemy,” he said, seemingly referring to Israel.
The message was delivered amid escalating conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army in the southern part of the Litani River. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on over 40 locations in Lebanon on June 5, while Hezbollah declared it would carry out further attacks against Israeli soldiers engaged in the area.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam speaks in Paris on April 21. Photo: AFP
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam speaks in Paris on April 21. Photo: AFP
Last week, Lebanon and Israel’s envoys in the U.S. agreed on a ceasefire, provided Hezbollah completely halts its offensive activities, but the document did not include a clause for Israel to stop its military operations.
Hezbollah rejected the proposal on June 5, demanding a comprehensive ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, stated that the armed group is willing to withdraw from the area south of the Litani River if these conditions are met.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called the Lebanon-Israel negotiations a “farce” and completely dismissed the new ceasefire agreement, asserting that any ceasefire must be comprehensive and not allow Israel to continue its attacks.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun holds a press conference in Beirut on February 16. Photo: AFP
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun holds a press conference in Beirut on February 16. Photo: AFP
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that Israeli attacks since March 2 have resulted in at least 3,558 deaths.
Foreign ministers from 11 countries along with the European Union (EU) issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern” as the conflict continues to escalate. The parties emphasized that the Lebanese people have endured too much hardship and called for an end to the violence.
Thanh Danh (According to AFP, CNN)
