Beirut: Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has taken a firm stance against Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon, rejecting the 'Army, People, Resistance' formula advocated by Hezbollah official Sheikh Naim Qassem. Raggi emphasized that the Lebanese populace no longer supports this triad, declaring it obsolete.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Raggi, in an interview with Al-Quds Al-Arabi, highlighted that the Lebanese state maintains its sovereignty without negotiation, and he characterized Hezbollah as an illegal armed group acting beyond state authority. He urged the group to disarm and transition into a standard political entity.
Raggi addressed the criticism leveled at him by Hezbollah, attributing it to their resistance to the idea of exclusive state control over weaponry. He remarked on the positive development of Lebanon's relations with Arab and Gulf nations and acknowledged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's dedication to upholding Lebanese sovereignty and security in refugee camps.
He further dismissed parallels drawn between Palestinian armaments and those of Hezbollah. Raggi assured that there is no U.S. dissatisfaction with Lebanon's progress and hinted at forthcoming diplomatic appointments.