Joe Rajji: No aid or reconstruction without exclusivity of arms

Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Rajji said Thursday that Lebanon “has been clearly informed that no international aid or reconstruction will take place without exclusive state control of weapons both north and south of the Litani River,” in an interview with Asharq al-Awsat.

Rajji said the message was reiterated to Lebanese authorities by U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus during her visit to Beirut last weekend. While no timetable was set, she emphasized the need to act “as soon as possible.”

The U.S. envoy described a “window of opportunity” for Lebanon, while making clear that American support is contingent on several conditions. “The U.S. administration wants to help Lebanon liberate its occupied territories, rebuild and revive its economy — but in exchange for specific demands,” Rajji said. “These include economic reforms, called for by the international community, Gulf Arab countries, and the Lebanese people themselves, along with exclusive control of weapons by state institutions.”

“The message is clear,” Rajji added. “The international community wants the Lebanese state to exercise sovereignty over all its territory, not just the area south of the Litani. No state in the world accepts the presence of weapons outside its official institutions. This is as much an international demand as it is a Lebanese aspiration.”

On discussions with Israel, Rajji said the Israelis and Americans proposed forming three committees to address five occupied border points, prisoners, and disputed demarcation issues. However, he noted that Lebanon rejected negotiations on the first two items.

“We do not occupy Israeli land, nor do we hold Israeli prisoners,” he said. “Israel must withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the five points and release the detainees.”

Only the issue of border demarcation — which he described as “technical and complex” — is open to negotiation. Rajji added that while the idea of civilian representation in these committees had been floated, it was not pursued, including by the American side.

The foreign minister said Lebanon continues to exert daily diplomatic pressure on Israel to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory. He argued that such a move would remove Hezbollah’s justification for retaining its weapons and strengthen the state’s position, which favors peaceful liberation.

“If we had military and economic strength, our diplomatic efforts would be more effective,” he said. “But for now, we rely on the friendship of countries willing to help us.”

As for ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, Rajji said it remains unclear how far they will go but expects they will focus on the nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and Tehran-backed military organizations, including Hezbollah.

“However, it’s unlikely that any agreement would include an Iranian commitment to disarm Hezbollah,” he said.