LEBANON DEMANDS RESPECT FOR SOVEREIGNTY AND CONDEMNS USE OF COUNTRY'S SOUTH AS "BARGAINING CHIP" BY EXTERNAL ACTORS

LEBANON DEMANDS RESPECT FOR SOVEREIGNTY AND CONDEMNS USE OF COUNTRY'S SOUTH AS "BARGAINING CHIP" BY EXTERNAL ACTORS

In one of the most forceful statements in the country's recent diplomatic history, Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, escalated his rhetoric against foreign interference and openly criticized the Tehran regime's stance regarding Lebanese territory. The remarks were made during an international conference in Beirut, convened for the launch of an emergency humanitarian appeal coordinated by the United Nations (UN).

Speaking before officials and diplomats, Salam accused Iran of instrumentalizing the suffering of the civilian population in southern Lebanon to gain geopolitical leverage and improve its bargaining terms in bilateral negotiations with the United States.

"Have mercy on our south and stop treating it and its people as a mere lever," the Prime Minister stated in a direct appeal to Tehran. "The civilian population is paying the highest price for a war that is not theirs and for decisions they did not make."

Defense of Sovereignty and the Impact on the Ceasefire

The Lebanese civil government's position comes at a critical moment in the consolidation of the truce agreement mediated in Washington. Salam emphasized that Lebanon strictly refuses to serve as a "mailbox" for third-party messages or as an "open battlefield" for foreign conflicts. The premier criticized the fact that Tehran was the first actor to publicly reject the terms of the new security arrangement, even before local resistance was mounted by Hezbollah.

Parallel to the diplomatic standoff, the Lebanese government confirmed the implementation setup of "pilot zones" in the southern part of the country. The plan outlines the strategic and immediate deployment of Lebanese army troops to assume exclusive control of these areas as Israeli forces withdraw.

According to a government spokesperson, this military movement represents a "concrete and tangible first step" toward restoring state authority. The Prime Minister's office reinforced, however, that the establishment of these zones does not nullify or prejudice Lebanon's sovereign right to demand the total and unrestricted evacuation of every inch of its territory.

Political Challenges and Humanitarian Crisis

Nawaf Salam's firm stance signals an unprecedented effort by the Lebanese Executive to reclaim national sovereignty and limit foreign political-military influence in the region. However, the execution of the security plan faces strong internal resistance, as the model of exclusive territorial control by the official army has been rejected by Hezbollah leadership.

The Government of Lebanon reiterates the urgency of international community support for the UN humanitarian plan, emphasizing that lasting stability in the region depends on strengthening official state institutions and absolute respect for Lebanese borders.