Salam: No One Can Impose an Unchosen Fate on the Lebanese
President Joseph Aoun met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as the agenda for Thursday’s Cabinet session at the Grand Serail.
Following the meeting, Salam warned against the risk of Lebanon being dragged into another war as tensions in the region threaten to escalate.
“With the risk of war erupting again in the region, I reiterate my warning against dragging Lebanon into another futile adventure in the service of external interests and involving it in confrontations whose consequences the country cannot afford,” Salam said.
“The Lebanese people, particularly our fellow citizens in the south, have already paid a heavy price in lives, livelihoods and homes. They have the right to live in security and build their future away from the cycle of war, displacement and destruction.
“Protecting Lebanon is a national responsibility that requires putting the country’s supreme interests above all other considerations and ensuring that the decision of war and peace rests exclusively with the state and its constitutional institutions.
“We will not accept having a fate imposed on the Lebanese people against their will, or seeing their country once again turned into an arena for other people’s conflicts. It is our duty to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty, protect its people and make every effort to spare it another war.”
Salam also strongly condemned the involvement of any Lebanese individuals or groups in the internal affairs of Arab countries, particularly through military activities that threaten their security and stability.
“I strongly condemn any involvement by Lebanese individuals or groups in the internal affairs of our Arab brothers, particularly any military activities that threaten the security and safety of their countries, most recently the actions announced by the government of brotherly Yemen,” he said.
“Such actions can only harm Lebanon and the interests of its people. We are fully committed to respecting the sovereignty and security of our Arab brothers and ensuring that no harm comes to them. We also seek to strengthen and develop our relations with them on the firm foundations of mutual trust.”
