AiBotBeirut, Lebanon – A senior Hezbollah official has reiterated his party’s stance on the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel, emphasizing the need for Israeli occupation forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon as a precursor to calm in the volatile region.
Ali Fayyad, a prominent Hezbollah MP and a key figure in the party’s leadership, made his views known in an interview with Al-Manar TV, a Lebanese-based television station affiliated with Hezbollah.
Fayyad’s comments come as Lebanon witnesses rising tensions between rival parties, with the Lebanese government struggling to assert its authority in the face of Israeli military provocations and internal divisions. The country’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, has appealed to Hezbollah to exercise restraint, fearing that a wider conflict could destabilize the already fragile Lebanese economy.
In his interview, Fayyad emphasized that Hezbollah’s objective in the current conflict remains firmly grounded in Lebanese interests, with the party fighting to protect the rights and sovereignty of Lebanon and its people. He dismissed allegations of receiving Iranian support, stating that Hezbollah has consistently demonstrated its ability to act independently in pursuit of Lebanese objectives.
The Iranian-backed Hezbollah has long been at odds with Israel over the disputed Shebaa Farms and Kfarshouba heights regions in southern Lebanon. The party views these territories as key to Lebanon’s security and its own legitimacy, and has vowed to use military force to defend them.
While Hezbollah has not publicly opposed the idea of diplomatic engagement with Israel, Fayyad emphasized that any negotiations must be grounded in a policy of resistance and steadfastness. He rejected the concept of concessions, which he believes would undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and embolden Israeli aggression.
In a broader critique of international mediation efforts in the region, Fayyad expressed skepticism about the value of diplomatic initiatives aimed at quelling the conflict. He maintained that past diplomatic overtures had only served to strengthen Israel and legitimize its occupation of Lebanese territory.
The comments from Fayyad reinforce Hezbollah’s position as a major player in the complex and contentious politics of Lebanon. As tensions in the region continue to rise, the outcome of the conflict remains uncertain, with the possibility of wider conflict or further escalation of military hostilities hanging in the balance.