Head of Amal Movement's Executive Council, Mustafa al-Fouani, speaking on June 12, 2026. (Credit: Amal Movement's media)
The head of the Amal Movement's Executive Council, Mustafa al-Fouani, said Friday that his party is not considering withdrawing from the government despite opposing the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
Al-Fouani cited the Amal Movement's "national responsibility and its keenness to safeguard state institutions and prevent any political vacuum or instability during this sensitive period Lebanon and the region are going through," according to a statement released by the movement's media office and provided by our correspondent in the South.
He stressed the "need to forge a unified Lebanese position regarding ongoing pressures and pending issues, particularly those related to current negotiations," reiterating the movement's "firm rejection of any form of direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy."
Amid the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanon and Israel have been holding direct negotiations in Washington, drawing sharp criticism from Hezbollah and its Shiite ally, the Amal Movement. Amal leader and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the talks.
Al-Fouani also rejected the "pilot zones" included in the latest Lebanese-Israeli "cease-fire," reached on June 3 but never implemented, particularly in South Lebanon. The proposal calls for both the Israeli army and Hezbollah to withdraw from the designated zones in parallel with the deployment of the Lebanese Army.
He said the zones "could undermine Lebanese sovereignty or establish new realities serving Israeli interests at the expense of Lebanon’s national rights."
He added that the "Amal Movement views the resistance as part of Lebanon’s system of strength that cannot be relinquished as long as parts of Lebanese territory remain under occupation and Israeli violations and attacks continue."
He concluded by stressing that the "true path to lasting stability begins with a complete cease-fire, as well as Israel’s compliance with its international obligations and its withdrawal from occupied Lebanese land."
Despite several truces reached since the war resumed on March 2, the Israeli army has continued to carry out attacks, particularly in South Lebanon, while Hezbollah has continued its operations, mainly targeting Israeli forces occupying and expanding their presence in the South. Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,700 people and wounded more than 11,480 in Lebanon.
