Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam rejected any military actions launched from Lebanese territory “outside the framework of its legitimate institutions” and affirmed that decisions of war and peace rest exclusively with the state
Lebanon’s government on Monday banned all military activities by Hezbollah in response to the group’s drone and rocket attack on Israel, describing its actions as “outside the law” and reaffirming that decisions of war and peace lie solely with the state.
The move is expected to escalate tensions between the Lebanese state and the Tehran-backed group amid a fresh Israeli offensive.
Israel responded with heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut suburbs and other parts of Lebanon, killing 31 people, according to a Reuters report, citing the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The escalation follows Saturday’s coordinated attacks by the US and Israel on Iranian targets, which prompted retaliatory strikes from Tehran across the region.
Hezbollah, founded in 1982 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said its strike was to avenge “the pure blood” of Khamenei.
In response, Israel blamed Hezbollah for the escalation and designated the group’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, a “target for elimination.”
Following a cabinet meeting, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a statement rejecting any military actions launched from Lebanese territory “outside the framework of its legitimate institutions” and affirmed that decisions of war and peace rest exclusively with the state.
“This necessitates the immediate prohibition of all Hezbollah’s security and military activities as being outside the law, and obliging it to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state,” Reuters quoted him as saying.
With inputs from agencies
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