Iran peace deal: "Lebanon is the one to chart its own path forward" • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Sovereignty and State Control: The Lebanese government’s assertion of its exclusive right to hold arms and govern the nation.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The displacement of over one million people (20% of the Lebanese population) due to ongoing conflict.
• Hezbollah Disarmament: The complex political and security challenge of transitioning military power from a non-state actor to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
• International Humanitarian Alliance: A diplomatic initiative to secure funding and awareness for displaced Lebanese citizens.
• Diplomatic Mediation: The role of the US and France in facilitating ceasefire negotiations and supporting state institutions.

---

1. Lebanon’s Diplomatic Stance and Sovereignty

Hanine Sayed, Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Response, emphasizes that Lebanon must maintain a "seat at the table" regarding its future. Despite ongoing US-Iran negotiations, the Lebanese government insists on direct involvement in any agreements affecting its territory. The government views itself as a sovereign entity responsible for charting its own path, currently operating under US auspices to reach a resolution.

2. The Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian emergency:

• Displacement: Over one million people—approximately 20% of the total Lebanese population—have been displaced.
• Infrastructure Damage: More than 60 villages have been reduced to rubble.
• Objective in Paris: Minister Sayed is in Paris to launch an international humanitarian alliance to raise awareness and secure funding for these displaced families. She is also engaging with French authorities and development agencies to coordinate support.

3. The Challenge of Hezbollah Disarmament

The disarmament of Hezbollah remains the central point of contention between Israel and Lebanon.

• Government Policy: In August of the previous year, the Lebanese government and the President issued a historic decision declaring all arms outside of state control—specifically those held by Hezbollah—to be illegal. This stance has been reaffirmed multiple times since the outbreak of the war.
• Implementation Strategy: The Minister acknowledges that while the political stance is clear, the implementation is difficult. The government argues that the only viable path forward is to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and state institutions so they can effectively exert control over the entire territory.
• International Support: The government is actively seeking political, security, and military support from the US and France to empower the LAF to perform its duties. A conference originally planned for March 5th in Paris to support the Lebanese army is viewed as a critical objective for the coming weeks.

4. Path to Resolution and Recovery

Minister Sayed outlines a clear, sequential framework for ending the conflict:

1. Ceasefire: Immediate cessation of hostilities and violations.
2. Withdrawal: The total withdrawal of Israeli forces from every inch of Lebanese land.
3. Return: Facilitating the safe return of the one million displaced citizens to their homes.
4. Recovery and Reconstruction: Initiating a national effort to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure.

5. Notable Quotes

• "Lebanon has a seat at the table... we are a sovereign state and a state that in the end we are carving our future in this." — Hanine Sayed, regarding Lebanon's role in diplomatic negotiations.
• "The Lebanese state, which is the only savior in the end for the Lebanese, a strong Lebanese state and its army and its institutions... is very critical for us." — On the necessity of state-led security.

---

Synthesis and Conclusion

The Lebanese government is currently navigating a dual crisis: a massive humanitarian catastrophe and a precarious security situation defined by the presence of non-state armed actors. Minister Sayed’s position is that the path to stability lies in the restoration of state authority, the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanese soil. By seeking international support from France and the US, the government aims to transition from a state of conflict to a phase of reconstruction, emphasizing that a strong, sovereign Lebanese state is the only viable solution for the country's long-term stability.