Issa Al-Khoury: "Hezbollah" is in Crisis... No Solution Except Through Diplomacy

Industry Minister Joe Issa El Khoury affirmed that "the continued existence of Hezbollah's weapons outside the state framework represents a fundamental obstacle for the Lebanese state," stressing that "establishing state sovereignty over all Lebanese territories constitutes a key entry point for achieving security stability."

In an interview, El Khoury described Hezbollah as being "in political and military crisis," considering that it "places Iran's interest first at the expense of Lebanon's interest," and confirming that "no one can speak on behalf of Lebanon except the Lebanese state, and the solution in Lebanon comes only through diplomacy."

The Industry Minister discussed during the interview the repercussions of Hezbollah's continued adherence to its weapons, and their impact on investor confidence, noting that "the investor needs reassurance about the security situation and the absence of fears of war breaking out from time to time."

El Khoury also touched upon Hezbollah's stance regarding direct and indirect negotiations with Israel, considering that the party is "in military crisis," and said: "It can no longer claim any victory, given what he described as field changes in southern Lebanon."

The Industry Minister spoke about the disagreement between the Lebanese state's position and Iran's position regarding Hezbollah's weapons, considering that "Tehran wants to preserve the party's weapons to use them against Israel," and said: "The party follows Iran's orders and works for its benefit, placing Lebanon and its interest in second or third place, while placing Tehran's interest first."

He also addressed Lebanese diplomatic moves on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meetings, and the results of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's meetings with several leaders and officials of countries, confirming that "security stability and restoring sovereignty in Lebanon cannot be achieved except through diplomacy."

Hezbollah's Weapons

Regarding the risks of Hezbollah's continued adherence to its weapons and not restricting them to the hands of the Lebanese state, the Industry Minister said: "The existence of militia weapons outside the state framework, i.e., outside legitimacy, represents a fundamental obstacle for investors, whether on the level of friendly governments that can help Lebanon, or private sector investors."

He added: "And I, as Minister of Industry, am in constant contact with many Lebanese abroad, and their question is always: When will there be restriction of weapons within the Lebanese Army?"

He clarified that "this is a fundamental issue, because ultimately, state sovereignty does not stop only at borders, nor does it stop only at foreign relations, but is also linked to establishing its authority internally."

He confirmed that "the government seeks to exert pressure on Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state, while trying as much as possible to avoid a confrontation between the Lebanese Army and the party."

He said: "For this reason, we request aid from friendly countries to strengthen the Lebanese Army's equipment, so that it can establish its authority as quickly as possible over all Lebanese territories, which would be an entry point for the return of investments."

He pointed out that "an investor who wants to invest in a certain country and create job opportunities for economic development must be reassured about the security situation, and must not have any fears of the possibility of war breaking out from time to time."

He added: "Therefore, we seek to implement this security matter as quickly as possible."

El Khoury spoke about Hezbollah's stance on direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, asking: "Was there acceptance by the party of indirect negotiations? I doubt it."

He said that "Hezbollah used to claim and constantly repeat a narrative stating: 'We will see tomorrow, let the field speak,' in other words, if the Israelis try to enter Lebanon, look how we will repel them."

He added: "Unfortunately, the second support war, meaning supporting Iran, into which Hezbollah dragged Lebanon, was preceded by Israeli occupation of five points, whereas today approximately 19 towns have been destroyed, they control more than 90 towns, and Hezbollah can no longer claim any victory."

He also considered that Hezbollah is "in constitutional and political crisis," pointing out that "from 2009 until the formation of this government, Hezbollah, through the composition of successive governments, controlled the governments, meaning it controlled the political decision or political power."

He said that "this is the first government since 2009 in which Hezbollah has no control, therefore it is against any negotiations in which it does not have a hand or a word."

He added: "Today we have a presidency negotiating under American sponsorship with the Israelis."

El Khoury confirmed that "Lebanon has no solution except through diplomacy," pointing out that diplomacy "spared Lebanon some tragedies that many do not notice."

He clarified: "There was a risk of bombing Lebanon's airport, and a risk of bombing the port and Lebanese facilities, and all this we managed to avoid through diplomacy."

Regarding Hezbollah's rejection of direct negotiations, he said: "The party is against any negotiations in which it is not a party, whether direct or indirect."

He stressed that "no one can speak on behalf of Lebanon except the Lebanese state," considering that this is "what creates tension in Hezbollah."

Regarding previous statements by Hezbollah leaders that the solution is linked to efforts made by Iran in any future negotiations, El Khoury pointed out that "the official Israeli position says: We respect Lebanon's geography and borders, and we will withdraw from Lebanon when Hezbollah hands over its weapons to the Lebanese state."

He added: "And the state says it no longer wants there to be illegal weapons, or militia weapons outside the state framework, while Tehran talks about its desire to preserve Hezbollah's weapons, because it wants to wage war against Israel through Hezbollah."

He said: "So the paradox here is the disagreement of the Lebanese state with a country that is supposed to be friendly, which is Iran."

He pointed out that "there are cards used by Iran, namely: the Strait of Hormuz, and unfortunately bombing Arab countries, and activating the role of its proxies, whether Hezbollah, or the Houthis who are currently moving against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

He added: "These are the cards used by Iran, not for Lebanon, but to achieve its interests."

He continued: "Therefore, Hezbollah, unfortunately, follows Iran's orders and works for its benefit, placing Lebanon and its interest in second or third place, while placing Tehran's interest first, and this is the unfortunate matter we face today inside Lebanon.
and the Industry Minister addressed the diplomatic moves conducted by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly events, and the meetings held with world leaders.

El Khoury said: "Security cannot stabilize in Lebanon and we cannot return to sovereignty except through diplomacy."

He clarified that the meetings held by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam "were aimed at explaining the Lebanese state's viewpoint on the issue of Hezbollah's weapons and the Israeli occupation, and the obstacles limiting the ability to activate financial and administrative reform at the required speed."

He added that these meetings "were held with countries friendly to Lebanon," pointing out that the most prominent was "the meeting held with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, during which he announced that assistance would be provided to one million Lebanese experts in the field of artificial intelligence."

He confirmed that "this is the goal of the meetings held by the Lebanese Prime Minister," clarifying that "there is an aspect related to the economy and investments, and another aspect related to politics and security, and how to help Lebanon or the Lebanese state establish its sovereignty over all Lebanese territories."