Hawzah News Agency- Ali Fayyad, a member of parliament from Hezbollah’s “Loyalty to the Resistance” faction, made the remarks during a ceremony in the southern town of Tayyaba held to commemorate the martyr Ali al-Hadi Ghassan Hijazi, known as Abu Ali. The event was attended by political figures, resistance supporters, and local residents.
In his address, Fayyad expressed deep concern over what he described as Lebanon’s “slide toward negotiations with the Israeli enemy,” noting in particular that the talks are being led by a civilian figure. “This path has become exposed to dangers and serious warnings that cannot be ignored,” he said, stressing that the current framework raises fundamental questions about Lebanon’s national interests.
Fayyad pointed to recent statements by the United States and Israel following the latest meeting in Naqoura, saying they suggest discussions went beyond security arrangements to include economic and military cooperation, as well as the promotion of joint economic projects. According to Fayyad, this approach effectively links the security track with the political and economic tracks, treating progress in all these areas as a single, integrated package.
Warning of a Dangerous Deviation
The Resistance MP warned that transforming the Mechanism Committee into a forum for examining such political and economic issues represents a dangerous deviation from UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and from the ceasefire agreement reached on November 27, 2024. “This course pushes Lebanon toward a dangerous precipice, the catastrophic consequences of which may be impossible to avoid,” he said.
Fayyad cautioned that such a framework risk placing Lebanon’s negotiating position squarely within the confines of Israeli conditions and demands, making it extremely difficult to withdraw or recalibrate at a later stage. He emphasized that ignoring core Lebanese demands—such as Israel’s withdrawal from occupied positions, an end to hostile actions, and the release of Lebanese prisoners—while shifting focus to economic or political affairs is a serious and destabilizing mistake.
Lebanon’s Non-Negotiable Principles
Outlining what he described as the “constants” of Lebanon’s position, Fayyad stressed that any talks must be grounded in clear, non-negotiable principles. These include the unconditional return of residents to border villages, the full exercise of government sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese army across the country—particularly along the southern border—and Lebanon’s inherent right to defend itself, including possession of the means necessary to exercise that right.
“These principles form the foundation of Lebanon’s national stance,” he said, adding that retreating from them would amount to a strategic concession with long-term repercussions.
Negotiations Under Fire
Fayyad concluded by warning that engaging in negotiations while Israel continues daily acts of intimidation, airstrikes, and actions that devastate Lebanese livelihoods creates a position of fatal weakness. “Negotiating under fire does not strengthen Lebanon’s hand,” he said. “On the contrary, it exposes the free concessions being offered to the enemy and undermines the country’s ability to protect its rights.”
He reiterated that any political process must prioritize Lebanese sovereignty and security, cautioning that normalization-by-stealth or pressure-driven compromises would only deepen Lebanon’s vulnerabilities rather than resolve them.
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