🔶 Nawaf Salam: We will not allow Lebanon to become the scene of others’ clashes again

The Lebanese prime minister on Wednesday, November 4 (13 Aban), warned that if fighting in the Middle East is resumed, the country should not be drawn into another fresh war. The remarks are said to be directed at Hezbollah, the group supported by the Islamic Republic.

Nawaf Salam said: “In the face of the threats arising from the renewed outbreak of war in the region, I once again warn of the dangers of Lebanon being dragged into yet another pointless and meaningless adventure in service of external interests.”

Over the past two years, Hezbollah has pushed Lebanon into war with Israel twice; the latest was in March, when the group attacked its southern neighbor in support of Tehran.

Salam continued: “We do not accept that the country be turned once again into a battlefield and a stage for the disputes of others.” He emphasized that Lebanon has already paid a “heavy price” in the past.

On Tuesday, the Kan television network, citing a security official in Israel, reported that Tel Aviv told the Lebanese government to prevent Hezbollah from entering the fighting, should war with Iran be resumed.

According to this report, Israel conveyed the message to Beirut through American intermediaries and asked the Lebanese government to deploy its army forces to establish checkpoints in areas where Hezbollah forces operate, with the aim of preventing the forces of this militia group backed by Tehran from joining the clashes if war with Iran is renewed.

According to the security official, Israel also warned that if Hezbollah forces resume activity in a possible war with Iran, fighting in Lebanon would be restarted as well.