Lebanon does not seek confrontation with Hezbollah, but will not be intimidated, says prime minister

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam Hassan Ammar/ AP Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday (21) that he does not seek a confrontation with Iran-backed Hezbollah, but will not be intimidated as he seeks direct negotiation with Israel to end the conflict. 📱Download the g1 app to see news in real time and for free Salam and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Paris in search of ways to strengthen Lebanon in possible direct negotiations with Israel. The United States will host talks between ambassadors from Lebanon and Israel on Thursday (23). It remains unclear whether the aim of the dialogue is to extend a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah or to pave the way for deeper negotiations. “We are continuing on this path, convinced that diplomacy is not a sign of weakness but a responsible act to leave no avenue unexplored to restore my country’s sovereignty and protect its people,” Salam said. See the videos that are trending on g1 Israeli troops occupy territory in southern Lebanon, with the aim of protecting northern Israel from attacks, while Hezbollah claims it maintains the “right to resist” the Israeli occupation. In 2025, Lebanon said it would disarm Hezbollah, but the Lebanese army was cautious, fearful of provoking internal tensions. The United States and Israel have criticized Lebanon for not acting quickly enough. “We are not seeking a confrontation with Hezbollah. On the contrary, I wanted to avoid confrontation with Hezbollah, but believe me, we will not be intimidated by Hezbollah,” Salam said when asked about the ability to disarm the group. Salam said the country would need 500 million euros ($587 million) over the next six months to deal with the humanitarian crisis that has seen 1.2 million people displaced from the south, east and southern suburbs of Beirut.

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