Universal Syriac Union Party: The time has come for the Lebanese state to choose and act boldly and decisively once and for all

ACHRAFIEH, BEIRUT – In the aftermath of the overnight Israeli airstrikes on strategic targets in Iran, the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) held its regular party meeting today. In the statement delivered by the party’s Vice-President Leila Latte afterwards, the party is clear about the five concrete steps the Lebanese state must take.  

The heavy blow dealt to the “Iranian Republic of Terror” is an historic opportunity that must not be missed, USUP states. It calls on the Lebanese state to tackle the issue of Iranian influence in the country once and for all and to fully implement UN Resolution 1559, which calls for the assertion of state authority and the complete disarmament of militias operating outside the bounds of state legitimacy.  In the case of Lebanon, this concerns especially weapons in the hands of the Iran-backed Shiite militia of Hezbollah and Palestinian factions.  

Secondly, the nightly strike against the Iranian regime represents a major regional turning point that must be accompanied by bold decisions within Lebanon. According to the USUP, it is time for the Lebanese state to choose, and choose decisively; “We warn against any disregard or tacit acceptance by the Lebanese state of Hezbollah’s actions or involvement in defense of the Iranian regime. This would be tantamount to indirect complicity and implicate Lebanon.” 

For USUP, the threats and attacks by Hezbollah on UNIFIL are another, third, red line. USUP calls for the expansion of the UN mandate and for the strengthening of cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces. The south of the country, which is predominantly Shiite, should not be a free playground for Hezbollah threats and attacks on UNIFIL forces or to settle international accounts. This could push the country into international isolation.

As Iran’s illegal occupation of Lebanon through its ally Hezbollah continues, the Universal Syriac Union Party make an urgent call on the international community to take bold and practical action immediately. Words are no longer enough, it says. The international community must make every effort to return decision-making and the monopoly on violence to the Lebanese state.

In conclusion, USUP states that the concept of neutrality must be renounced. There is no room for ambiguity or compromise now that Lebanon is at a crucial crossroads. There is no more leverage for discussion with Hezbollah as a non-state actor. It is one of two things: “Either a free, sovereign state that stands by its people and history, or a geographic area that is used as fuel for the struggle of a fallen and isolated regime.” For the Universal Syriac Union Party, the choice is clear.