Hezbollah chief, Lebanese PM trade barbs over talks with Israel
• Qassem says talks will bring Lebanon ‘nothing but shame, humiliation’ • Salam accuses group of ‘helping Israel’ • Talks between both sides continue in Rome BEIRUT: Hezbollah’s chief said on Tuesday that direct talks between Lebanon and Israel would bring only “humiliation” for Lebanon and accused authorities of helping Israel, prompting Lebanon’s prime minister to hit back. The statement came…
Beirut, Lebanon: Hezbollah's chief Naim Qassem stated on Tuesday that direct talks between Lebanon and Israel would result in Lebanon's "shame, humiliation, disappointment and successive concessions." He accused Lebanese authorities of "helping Israel instead of helping Lebanon's sovereignty" by continuing negotiations, which he said have handed Israel "political gains."
In response, Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, accused Hezbollah of "unilaterally drawing Lebanon into the adventures of futile wars" and attempting to "continue to seize the state’s decision-making." Both sides continued their talks in Rome under US sponsorship, with Lebanon seeking Israel's phased withdrawal from the south.
The seventh round of talks since the US-Iran war began on February 28, comes amid ongoing Israeli strikes and heavy demolitions in southern Lebanese villages and towns. Qassem vowed to provide shelter, repairs, and reconstruction assistance, but warned it would require patience.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
