Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he welcomed renewed US-Iran talks set for this Friday, as well as efforts to promote stability and avoid “all-out” war in the Middle East.
Amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, Euronews' EU editor Maria Tadeo talked to Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam on the sidelines of the World Government Summit in Dubai. When asked about a possible military confrontation between the United States and the Islamic Republic, Salam said any effort to promote regional stability and avoid “all-out war” in the Middle East was welcome. His comments came as Iran and US delegations have agreed to meet on February 7, most probably in Oman.
War and Peace: The State’s Sole Prerogative
In a veiled reference to the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, Salam said: “I want to emphasise that the question of war and peace is in the hands of the government and solely of the government.” The armed and political organisation is widely seen as Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, notably by Israel. Late last month, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that the party would not remain neutral if Iran was attacked.
Salam also noted that the challenges his country still faces in the implementation of a 2024 ceasefire with Israel. "Unfortunately, we must address the issue of Israel's occupation of parts of the south (of Lebanon), the daily violations of its sovereignty, and the detention of a number of our citizens.” He added that Israel was undermining his government’s authority and fuelling instability. Israel has said that its military actions in South Lebanon are defensive measures necessary to enforce the agreement, which it claims Hezbollah and Lebanon are failing to uphold.
Lebanon seeks help from EU and Arab partners
Under the UN-backed 2024 agreement, Israel is due to carry out a phased withdrawal of its troops from south Lebanese, though it retains the right to strike if Hezbollah violates the deal. In turn, Hezbollah is supposed to disarm and the state to regain a monopoly on arms with the national army becoming the only military entity in Lebanon.
When asked what message he wished to address to European leaders, the Lebanese premier said “we need the help of all our partners in Europe and the Arab world.” Lebanon has been struggling with internal instability and a prolonged economic crisis for decades. He mentioned an upcoming March international conference in Paris aimed at providing financial and logistical support to the country’s army, the Lebanese Armed Forces**. “**We will need their help, because the army is our main tool to enforce our goal to have the monopoly over arms (...) and to restore state authority over all the Lebanese territory.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa visited Lebanon on January 9, where they met with President Joseph Aoun and discussed several issues, including judicial and economic reforms. Financial support for Lebanon worth one billion euro was announced. Von der Leyen also welcomed Beirut's efforts to engage in dialogue with Israel and the completion of the first phase of the disarmament plan.