Lebanese Foreign Minister: Hezbollah Defeated Militarily, Shiite Community Held Hostage

Lebanese Foreign Minister, Youssef Raji, emphasized that Lebanon can resolve the Hezbollah arms issue even without the fall of the Iranian regime, though it requires decisive actions supported by the international community. In an exclusive interview with the French daily "Le Figaro", Minister Raji noted that the Lebanese government has made bold decisions but needs to proceed cautiously to avoid internal clashes.

When asked if he was alluding to potential civil war, Raji dismissed such claims, clarifying that civil war implies conflict between Christians and Muslims or between Lebanese parties. However, internal confrontations cannot be classified as a civil war when the state aims to reclaim its authority by enforcing constitutional and legal principles against an armed organization like Hezbollah, which has rebelled against the state and dragged it into unwarranted conflicts.

Raji described the Iranian regime, established in 1979, as absolute and based on divine rights. He stated that Iran has created and funded factions within Shiite communities to destabilize the region. Tehran’s priorities, according to him, include destroying Israel and maintaining control over Lebanon. He criticized the international community’s leniency towards Iran despite proxy wars, hostage-taking, assassinations, attacks on embassies, peacekeepers, and the deaths of around fifty French paratroopers in the "Drakkar" attack, in addition to other terrorist activities.

Addressing Hezbollah's situation, Raji mentioned that the group is strategically and militarily defeated but still maintains significant control over the so-called "deep state," retaining its arms and influence within government administrations. He stressed that the call to disarm Hezbollah is not to appease Israel, America, or the international community, but because most Lebanese simply want to live in a normal country. "For the first time in a long time, Lebanon has a president, prime minister, and government on the same wavelength, committed to restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty," Raji added, highlighting how Hezbollah’s military operations hinder the economy, tourism, and investment, and lead the country into irrelevant wars.

Regarding the inclusion of a ceasefire in Lebanon within US-Iran negotiations, Raji firmly rejected the idea, arguing for the separation of the Lebanese file from the Iranian issue. "We refuse any negotiations on our behalf or agreements signed in our name as they would certainly be at Lebanon’s expense," he asserted. Raji noted that the President's decision to engage in direct US-mediated talks with Israel demonstrates Lebanon's capacity to pursue an independent sovereign path, with strong political resolve from both the President and the government to advance despite all risks.

Raji expressed optimism in American mediation for achieving a lasting ceasefire, leading to Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah's dismantling, characterizing US actions so far as "somewhat positive." He called on France, a long-time ally of Lebanon, to support the Lebanese army and collaborate with the state to find an alternative framework for UNIFIL whose mandate expires at year’s end.

The Foreign Minister painted an optimistic future for Lebanon, hopeful that the state could regain sovereignty over its territory, free of Israeli occupation, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and Hezbollah’s weapons. He clarified that the problem is not with the Shiite community, describing it as "an integral part of the Lebanese state," but with Hezbollah, which has "captured, dominated, and taken it hostage." "Like all Lebanese, this community suffers from Hezbollah's hegemonic presence," he said.

Raji criticized the international community’s tolerance towards Iran despite its proxy wars, kidnappings, assassinations, attacks on embassies and peacekeepers, and terrorist acts, considering the distinction between Hezbollah’s military and political wings unrealistic. "Hezbollah is a unified entity serving Iran’s goal to destabilize the Middle East," he added.

On the potential collapse of the Iranian regime, Raji described the Iranian people as great and creative, but like Lebanon's Shiite community, they are hostage to the regime. He insisted that regime change must come from within, noting that no external party can substitute the Iranian people in this endeavor.