Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed that no one would be allowed to share the state's sovereign authority, warning that Lebanon must not again pay the price for past mistakes.
His remarks came as five countries calling themselves the "Friends of Lebanon" renewed their support for Lebanese sovereignty and urged lawmakers and political parties to publicly affirm that the state alone has the right to decide on war and peace.
Lebanese authorities have pledged to bring all weapons under state control and reserve decisions on war and peace exclusively for the state. Hezbollah, however, rejects those decisions and insists on keeping its arms.
"Lebanon is an independent and sovereign state," Aoun said on Thursday. "We will not allow anyone to share our sovereignty, so that we do not once again pay the price for the mistakes of the past."
He urged those who seek foreign support against their fellow citizens to instead stand with their own people against outside powers.
Aoun called "positive neutrality" essential to shielding Lebanon from regional conflicts, saying the country had endured enough and could no longer bear the weight of rival blocs, foreign ambitions and attempts at domination.
He urged Lebanon's younger generation to recognize their country's value through education rooted in citizenship and openness to other cultures and civilizations, rather than isolation and dependence.
Protecting Lebanon from foreign ambitions and strengthening national unity were vital to safeguarding the country as rapid military and political developments plunged the region into uncertainty, he said.
International allies back Lebanon's decisions
Lebanon's pledges drew renewed international backing from the "Friends of Lebanon", who reaffirmed their support for the country's sovereignty and the state's exclusive control over weapons.
In a statement circulated by the US Embassy in Beirut, the embassies of Britain, the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan voiced strong support for the Lebanese government's efforts to ensure that only the state holds weapons and decides on war and peace.
"As friends of Lebanon, we reaffirm our strong support for the government of Lebanon in ensuring that weapons are held exclusively by the state and that the state alone has the authority to decide on matters of war and peace," the embassies said.
The five embassies also acknowledged steps taken by Lebanese authorities in the Dahr al-Baidar case, urging a swift, independent judicial process free from political interference to ensure full accountability.
They called on all members of parliament and political parties to make a clear, public commitment endorsing statements by the president and prime minister that the Lebanese state alone has the right to decide on war and peace.
The embassies reiterated their determination to see Lebanon fully restore effective sovereign authority across its entire territory.
Hezbollah defends seized explosives, attacks Israel talks
Hezbollah, meanwhile, defended a shipment of explosives seized by security forces last month in the Dahr al-Baidar area of eastern Lebanon.
The group's parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance, called for an end to political accusations and media disputes, urging space for what it described as prudent national efforts to address the issue.
In a statement, the bloc condemned political positions it said denied the Lebanese people's "sacred right" to defend their country and resist the enemy, accusing those behind them of disregarding the constitution and established national legal principles.
The bloc also renewed its attack on the Lebanese government's approach to negotiations with Israel, demanding that authorities reverse course.
It accused Israel of continuing to destroy, burn and demolish villages and property in southern Lebanon while threatening to expand its attacks and occupy more Lebanese territory.
The bloc also pointed to mounting threats of an escalation in the war, including strikes and assassinations targeting Hezbollah and its leaders.
Yet Lebanese authorities remained indifferent, it said, accusing them of pursuing a "disastrous" policy of direct negotiations over the provisions of what it called an "ill-fated framework".
The bloc said the framework had brought Lebanon nothing but further calamities, devastation and destruction.
