Lebanese Foreign Minister Declares Hezbollah's Arms Justification Lost

Lebanese Foreign Minister and Expatriates Yusuf Raji responded to an invitation from the French Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, attending a hearing alongside Lebanon's ambassador to France, Rabie Al-Shaer. During the session, he detailed the current situation in Lebanon and the economic and social repercussions of the ongoing war.

The session began with a welcoming speech by the committee chairman, Deputy Bruno Fuchs, who described Raji's presence as a valuable opportunity to understand Lebanon's reality, which he characterized as being hostage to a complex regional crisis.

Fuchs emphasized the deep historical ties between France and Lebanon, noting that Lebanon found itself confronting a war it did not choose, amid mutual violations of the ceasefire by both Israel and Hezbollah.

Minister Raji expressed gratitude for the invitation and stressed that Lebanon is enduring extremely difficult conditions due to a war imposed on it in service of external agendas unrelated to its interests.

He conveyed satisfaction with the current political leadership, highlighting that for the first time in many years, both the president and prime minister demonstrate courage and decisiveness, heading a government that may be the most competent in a long time and prioritizes a ceasefire.

Raji pointed out that ongoing negotiations are exclusively managed by the Lebanese state and serve Lebanon's interests alone, considering diplomacy the only effective path after military approaches failed to produce sustainable solutions.

In response to deputies' questions, Raji affirmed that Hezbollah's weapons have lost their justification and stressed the state's need to assert full sovereignty over its territory.

He called for active French political support for Lebanon within United Nations forums and European Union institutions, urging continued backing of the Lebanese army and ensuring humanitarian aid for displaced persons from southern villages, enabling them to live with dignity until they can return home, alongside support for those remaining in their villages.

Regarding the post-UNIFIL phase, Raji emphasized the necessity of establishing an internationally backed monitoring mission, noting that the final format remains under consultation and discussion.

French deputies, in their interventions, affirmed France's commitment to Lebanon and stated that a genuine solution requires support for the Lebanese army, disarmament of Hezbollah, and an end to Israeli occupation. They also warned against the risks of Israeli military expansion deeper into Lebanese territory.