Lebanon: Between defending Iran and choosing neutrality

BEIRUT — Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and growing global concern over the consequences of the conflict, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, issued a statement affirming Hezbollah’s unwavering support for Iran, its leadership, and its people. “We are not neutral in the ongoing confrontation between Iran and Israel,” Qassem declared. “We will act in the way we see fit,” he added, in response to recent threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a swift rebuttal, Kataeb Party leader and Member of Parliament Samy Gemayel strongly rejected Qassem’s remarks. “The war between Iran and Israel is not Lebanon’s war,” he said. “We urge Hezbollah not to drag Lebanon into another reckless adventure.” Gemayel called on Lebanon’s government, military, and presidency to act decisively. “The state must use every means available to prevent any military action launched from Lebanese territory—not just through statements and condemnations, but by proving it is a sovereign state that forbids any such escalation,” he stated.

Gemayel emphasized the importance of internal unity and national focus: “Lebanon is a wounded country, its economy has collapsed, and its people are struggling to rebuild. Now is the time to turn inward, protect our nation, and keep it out of conflicts that do not concern us. Neutrality does not mean abandoning our right to self-defense—it means refusing to participate in foreign wars.”

Dr. Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces party, also weighed in, addressing Sheikh Qassem directly: “Sheikh Naim, you do not have the authority to act as you see fit. Only the Lebanese government, which represents the majority of the Lebanese people, can make such decisions,” Geagea said.

“Lebanon is a state, especially in this new presidential era, and it is unacceptable for individuals or factions to act independently. Otherwise, the country descends into chaos, where there is no rule of law,” he warned.

“If you have any proposals regarding the Iran-Israel conflict, you can present them through your party’s representatives in government during the next cabinet session—that is the only proper channel for discussion and decision-making.”

Echoing Gemayel and Geagea, Ibrahim Mrad, President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), categorically rejected Qassem’s statements. “This is a blatant declaration of Hezbollah’s intention to involve Lebanon in Iran’s war, at the expense of its own people,” Mrad said. “Such rhetoric poses a direct threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.”

Mrad stressed that Hezbollah does not represent the Lebanese people and has no mandate to entangle the country in regional conflicts to serve Tehran’s agenda. “Once again, this statement proves that Hezbollah remains an armed militia serving a foreign axis, one that refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the Lebanese state and its institutions,” he noted.

“What Qassem said is further proof of the urgent need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1559,” Mrad concluded, “which calls for the disarmament of all militias. This is the only way to preserve what remains of Lebanon’s internal stability and prevent the country from sliding into a devastating war that no region or sect will survive.”