Lebanese Forces say Hezbollah should thank those seeking to protect Lebanon from war

The Lebanese Forces (LF) asserted Monday that Lebanon's stability can only be achieved through the "total respect of international resolutions," stating that Hezbollah should "thank" officials who want to protect Lebanon from another war. This statement come amid a backdrop of mutual accusations between the two political factions. While Samir Geagea's LF fiercely criticize Hezbollah's stance regarding its arsenal, as well as its justification for opening a so-called "support front" to Gaza, Hezbollah for its part believes that LF officials and Foreign Minister Joe Raggi are playing into Israel's hands with their criticism.

"Those calling for the implementation of international resolutions and a cease-fire, notably Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the foreign minister" — appointed by the LF party — are acting, according to the party's statement, "in the interest of Lebanon and its people, to protect them from the dangers of a new military escalation." "These voices are however confronted with vilification campaigns, in an attempt to silence those who advocate for strengthening the country's sovereignty," the statement adds. Therefore, Hezbollah should "thank these 'patriotic' voices who seek to protect Lebanon from the dangers of war."

Monopoly on arms, Resolution 1701

The LF also once again pleaded for "the respect of international resolutions, the strengthening of the Lebanese state's role in extending its sovereignty over the entire territory, and the monopoly on arms, so that the state is the only entity responsible for the decision of war, while taking charge of the security and the future of the Lebanese people."

Concerning the U.N. Security Council's Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, Samir Geagea's party stated that "had it been fully implemented, the so-called support war would not have taken place," while adding that should it not be respected "tensions and instability on the southern border will turn Lebanon into a battlefield." This resolution was concluded between Israel and Lebanon after the war in July 2006, granting explicit authority to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel.

This new LF stance came two days after the firing of three rockets from south Lebanon towards the Israeli town of Metula, immediately intercepted by the Israeli defense system. In retaliation, Israel bombed several dozen targets in South Lebanon and the Bekaa, killing eight people and injuring several others. Although Israeli violations occur daily, Saturday's episode is among the most violent and deadly since the November 2024 cease-fire, which ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel.