Hezbollah urges Beirut to resist new negotiations with Israel
The pro-Iranian Hezbollah warned on Thursday that the Lebanese government should not be pressured into new negotiations with Israel.
In an open letter addressed to President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the group stated that such talks would serve only the interests of Israel and its ally, the United States.
It said that Lebanon’s primary objective must be to stop the Israeli attacks and enforce the existing ceasefire agreement.
Lebanon must neither succumb to “aggressive blackmail” nor allow itself to be drawn into negotiations that serve Israeli interests, the letter added.
The militia emphasized that it reserves its “legitimate right to resist the occupation and aggression and to defend the country’s sovereignty alongside the army and the people.”
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in place for nearly a year; however, both sides regularly accuse each other of violations.
Israel continues to attack Hezbollah targets in its neighbouring country almost daily, according to its own statements.
These attacks repeatedly result in fatalities, and tensions have recently escalated.
President Aoun earlier this week said Lebanon has “no other choice” than to negotiate with Israel.
US officials and Israel have repeatedly warned of further action against Hezbollah if its weapons are not brought under state control.
Observers consider renewed major Israeli attacks in Lebanon a possibility.
Beirut faces pressure from Israel and the United States to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year – a timetable the group has consistently rejected.
The group has not opposed steps towards disarmament but is calling for the issue to be discussed “within the framework of a national consensus,” according to the letter.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently warned that Hezbollah is attempting to rebuild its military strength and reorganize.
We expect the Lebanese government to fulfil its obligations, namely to disarm Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel reserves the right to self-defence.
