Peace: Lebanon Will Not Be a Battleground or a Bargaining Chip for Others

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Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed that the restoration of national and sovereign decision-making in Lebanon is "irreversible," emphasizing that no authority in the country is above the authority of the armed forces, and that there is no weapon or decision for war outside the state's institutions.

In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly today, Friday, Salam also called for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories, affirming the state's responsibility to assert its authority over all its lands and to restore citizens' trust in its sovereign decision, alongside stressing the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states and international law.

Additionally, he emphasized that "the sovereignty of states cannot be a subject of discussion," confirming that the restoration of national decision-making is "irreversible," after external interventions have weakened the Lebanese state for decades. He stated that Lebanon "will not be a battleground or a bargaining chip for others."

The Lebanese Prime Minister also clarified that the people cannot trust the state if it does not restore its sovereign decision, affirming that the government's responsibility lies in asserting the state's authority over all Lebanese territories, which would restore the state's role and enhance citizens' trust in its institutions. He added that "no one speaks on behalf of Lebanon or negotiates for it," confirming the exclusivity of the Lebanese decision, at a time when the government seeks to restore citizens' trust in the state and its institutions.

Regarding weapons, Salam reiterated that "there is no authority in Lebanon above the authority of the armed forces," and that "there is no weapon or decision for war outside the state's institutions," as part of his commitment to confine sovereign decisions within state institutions.

He also linked the restoration of national decision-making to the state's responsibility to assert its authority over all Lebanese territories, emphasizing that sovereignty is not up for discussion and that the restoration of national decision-making is an irreversible path.

Additionally, he pointed to Lebanon's solidarity with the Gulf countries and Jordan in facing Iranian aggressions, considering that these attacks represent a violation of the sovereignty of the targeted countries and a threat to their security and the stability of the region. He also affirmed Lebanon's support for its sister countries and their security and sovereignty.

This position is consistent with Salam's assertion that respect for the sovereignty of states should be a fixed principle, while he stressed that the world's problem lies not in the rules but in the "selective application of them."

In parallel with his discussion on restoring sovereignty, Salam called on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territories, emphasizing the necessity of providing a dignified return for the people of southern Lebanon.

In this context, he also called for the release of Lebanese prisoners, so that Lebanon's demands include the restoration of its territories and the return of the residents of the south alongside the release of its prisoners.

On the international level, the Lebanese Prime Minister stated that "the world's problem is not with the rules but with the selectivity of their application," considering that restoring trust begins with respecting international law, linking this to the necessity of dealing with the sovereignty of states as something that cannot be up for discussion.

In addition, he spoke about the need for developing countries to have real opportunities for advancement, within the framework of his call for an international system that respects rules and sovereignty and provides developing countries with genuine opportunities for progress.

Ultimately, Salam confirmed that the government seeks to restore citizens' trust in the state, considering that this is linked to restoring sovereign decision-making and asserting the state's authority over all Lebanese territories.

He also placed the exclusivity of negotiation, representation, weapons, and the decision of war within state institutions, alongside the demand for Israeli withdrawal, the return of the residents of the south, and the release of prisoners, emphasizing that restoring national decision-making is a path "that cannot be reversed."