Lebanese President: 'Hezbollah' is a pawn in Iran's hands; its mission ended in 2000

Beirut – “Al-Siyasa” – From Omar Al-Bardan

President Aoun added, “My meeting with President Donald Trump is important, and when we meet face-to-face, I can explain the Lebanese position, the background of the conflict, and what we concretely need to move forward in reclaiming sovereignty.” He noted that “US interest in Lebanon is unprecedented. One phone call with President Trump lasted about half an hour, and other communications followed repeatedly with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.” He questioned, “What is the alternative and better option?” He continued, “Yes, we have separated our path from all other paths in the region, but that does not mean there is no interconnection, especially regarding Iran. The Qataris are making efforts on this issue. We understand the importance of Iran, but no one negotiates on our behalf. Frankly, we sent Minister Michel Mousa to Iran as a Christian figure to offer condolences on the death of the Supreme Leader, to tell them that our relationship with you is state-to-state. What option do you want us to follow after this devastating war?”

He stressed that “matters are very different from the May 17 phase. The players have changed, and only Iran remains. I know that most of the Lebanese people want relief, especially the Shia. I am a son of the South, and I know the suffering since 1969. Southerners have the right to rest, and these loopholes must be closed.” He added, “I did not come to watch, but to make decisions that bring an end to suffering. I return to ask: Are Hezbollah’s options decided in Lebanon? The problem is that Netanyahu’s options, one way or another, align with Iran’s. This weapon’s mission ended in 2000.” He stated, “Addressing Hezbollah’s weapons is an internal matter, and every weapon has a specific field effectiveness and temporal validity. More important than the terms of disarmament or handover is reaching a strategy in this regard. If Hezbollah does not cooperate, it must bear the consequences of rejecting solutions vis-à-vis its environment and all Lebanese. At that point, each incident will have its own discussion.”

While President Aoun believes that “disarmament is a arduous process, especially since the weapons are not kept in specific barracks but hidden everywhere, and I know that reaching solutions with groups outside state control requires time,” he pointed out that “the designation of experimental zones is not yet finalized. As for what is said about the security annex, the United States classified it as secret. In any case, Lebanese interests are not negotiable. For the record, we have revised the framework version more than once.” He said, “A problem that has lasted more than forty years cannot be solved in four hours and four rounds. Nevertheless, after the announcement of the framework formula, there has been a positive economic reversal, and the movement of arrivals is the most authentic proof. We still adhere to Resolution 1701, especially since we are facing the issue of UNIFIL and the fate of these forces or parallel forces.”

He noted that “my communications with President Nabih Berri are ongoing, and the relationship is good. When I informed him about the committee with the Americans and the Iranians, he said, ‘Excellent.’ The relationship with President Saad Hariri is also very good.” He continued, “I am always ready for dialogue and discussion, but the question is: Why does Hezbollah not want to sit with me? I tried for more than a year with them, and we asked them a hundred times without result, because the card is in Iran’s hand.”