Justice Minister Adel Nassar at the Beirut Bar Association, on Feb. 17, 2026. (Credit: His X account)
BEIRUT — Justice Minister Adel Nassa, and the Kataeb party rejected on Wednesday U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for Syria to "deal with Hezbollah."
Trump said on Wednesday he had spoken to Syria's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa about combatting Hezbollah in Lebanon, a day after criticizing Israel for killing too many civilians and not getting the job done.
In an interview with CNN, Nassar, said that disarming the Iran-backed group is the "responsibility of the Lebanese state, not foreign forces."
He added: "This is not about sending foreign forces to carry out the task. Lebanon has suffered for years from external interference. And if Hezbollah today acts as a proxy for Iran, it is because of Iran’s interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs."
"Lebanon’s position is clear: we are calling for a clear, direct, and final cease-fire, a direct and clear Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, and an end to Iranian interference in the country," he said.
Echoing Nassar's comments, the Kataeb party released a statement on Thursday, stressing that the process of exclusive control of weapons by the Lebanese state must take place "within a clear framework that respects Lebanese sovereignty and strengthens the role of the legitimate institutions."
The party also emphasized that "Lebanon is currently working to open a new chapter in its relations with Syria, based on mutual respect for the sovereignty of both countries, non-interference in internal affairs, and constructive cooperation on issues of shared interest."
"From this perspective, the Lebanese-Syrian relationship it seeks should be based on partnership between two independent states, not on military or political intervention by either side in the other’s affairs," it added.
The party also commended the position expressed by Sharaa, who rejected calls for military intervention in Lebanon, reflecting "respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence and laying the groundwork for healthy relations between the two countries."
Trump's remarks come as the U.S. administration grows increasingly concerned that Israeli operations in Lebanon could undermine the agreement with Tehran, which was reached on Monday.
