The Member of Parliament for Akkar, Walid Baarini. (Credit: Michel Hallak.)
BEIRUT — Akkar Deputy Walid Baarini, affiliated with the National Moderation parliamentary group, called on Sunday for "the Lebanese state to apply for integration into NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] as soon as possible."
"This request stems from my concern to protect Lebanon and not from any desire to join a particular axis, after the years of lies of an axis that collapsed much faster than expected," he explained, referring to "the axis of resistance" of Hezbollah and Iran.
Hezbollah has emerged very weakened since its last war with Israel in 2023-2024, while Iran has been under Israeli fire since Friday. NATO, on the other hand, is the hardcore of the Western bloc, of which Lebanon is obviously not part.
According to Baarini, integration into NATO would effectively protect Lebanon against Israeli attacks and any other threats, as other countries would be obliged to protect it, not to mention that it would allow the arming of the security forces. The Akkar deputy also asked the Lebanese authorities to ensure that Lebanon is not involved in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.
Fears that Hezbollah may join the ongoing conflict between its ally Iran and Israel have already prompted the government to send a firm message to this party, reminding them that the decision of war and peace is solely within the prerogatives of the state.
