In Beirut, Lebanon’s leadership signaled it is moving forward with its decision to keep negotiations in official hands, alongside efforts to place all weapons under state control.
The government took a further step by ordering the army and security forces to immediately reinforce full state authority over Beirut province and limit weapons there to legitimate state forces only.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is set to begin a foreign tour starting in the US, where he will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He will also visit the United Nations for talks with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Contacts with Washington remain limited, conducted through US Ambassador Michel Issa. Lebanese authorities are seeking to separate the domestic handling of the crisis from US-Iran negotiations.
Officials have expressed frustration at attempts by Iranian counterparts to link Lebanon to what they call the “axis of resistance.”
President Joseph Aoun underscored that position, saying, “We do not accept that anyone negotiate on our behalf,” echoing Salam.
Salam told Asharq Al-Awsat that his tour aims to strengthen Lebanon’s position, rally support to stop the war, and restore state authority over its territory and decisions of war and peace.
He said the path forward is clear: a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, followed by direct negotiations, alongside continued efforts to place weapons under state control. The government has taken an additional step toward that goal in Beirut, he added, stressing the need to strengthen security for residents and displaced people.
Salam said his call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was positive. “The only way to stop the Israeli attacks begins with a ceasefire,” he said, stressing it “must include Lebanon.”
Sharif reaffirmed his country’s support for stability and condemned the attacks.
Aoun says there is international support for negotiations
Aoun said “the only solution” to the current situation is a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, followed by direct negotiations.
His office said he is conducting intensive international contacts, adding that the proposal has gained broad international support and is beginning to gain traction in diplomatic circles.
Aoun received calls from Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, both of whom offered condolences for the victims of ongoing Israeli attacks and expressed solidarity with Lebanon.
Both leaders said their countries are ready to help end the escalation and support Lebanon’s position, particularly in ensuring it is included in any ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides also condemned the continuing Israeli attacks, which he said have struck areas across the capital, its suburbs, the mountains, the Bekaa Valley, and the south.
Cabinet discusses weapons, international complaint
The cabinet, meeting under Aoun, stressed the urgency of including Lebanon in any ceasefire.
“We are tired of statements of condemnation,” Aoun said. “We had hoped Lebanon would be included in the ceasefire.”
He said Lebanon is pressing international partners to secure a ceasefire and ensure it is included in any agreement so negotiations can begin.
“The state is the one that negotiates,” he added. “We do not accept that anyone negotiate on our behalf.”
After the session, Salam said Lebanon would file an urgent complaint to the UN Security Council over escalating Israeli attacks, particularly in Beirut, which have caused a high number of civilian casualties.
He said the escalation defies international and regional efforts to stop the war and violates international law and international humanitarian law.
Salam also announced measures to enforce state control over weapons in Beirut, citing the Taif Agreement and cabinet decisions. The army and security forces were instructed to immediately strengthen state authority, strictly enforce the law, and take action against violators.
Hezbollah ministers object to ‘a demilitarized Beirut’
Information Minister Paul Marcos said Hezbollah ministers Rakan Nasreddine and Mohammad Haidar objected to the proposal of a “demilitarized Beirut.”
Justice Minister Adel Nassar said it is no longer acceptable to turn Lebanon into a military base for defending Iran, adding that he is preparing a legal and political file on the issue and stressing the need to protect Lebanese security.
Haidar said Hezbollah supports maintaining security and the presence of security forces, as well as tighter control over illegal or unlicensed weapons, but rejected language suggesting a fundamentally different security reality in Beirut.
Asked about resigning, he said the ministers would continue their duties and express their political stance within the cabinet.
Masnaa crossing reopens
Before the session, Telecommunications Minister Charles El Hajj said Lebanon had succeeded in preventing Israeli strikes on the Masnaa crossing, calling it a step to build on.
“Lebanon must not be an arena or a bargaining chip,” he said.
The prime minister’s office later announced the reopening of the Masnaa border crossing with Syria after several days of closure due to Israeli threats to target it.
