Key facts
- Former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora stated that both Israel and Hezbollah are stalling negotiations.
- Siniora criticized the Lebanon-Israel framework agreement for lacking provisions for Israeli withdrawal.
- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam blamed Hezbollah for the war and supported disarming the group.
- Salam expressed Lebanon's openness to direct negotiations with Israel.
- Salam linked Hezbollah's actions to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps activity.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has criticized both Israel and Hezbollah, stating that both sides are deliberately delaying negotiations. Siniora argued that a "convergence of interests" exists between the two parties, with each using the other as a pretext for inaction. He specifically condemned the Lebanon-Israel framework agreement for its lack of provisions requiring an Israeli withdrawal and stressed the need for an experienced negotiating team to represent Lebanon.
In parallel, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has blamed Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into a wider regional conflict, stating the war was imposed and not Lebanon's choice. Salam expressed support for his government's decision to disarm Hezbollah, a mandate adopted in August 2025 based on the Taif Agreement. He also called for the expulsion of Iranian operatives from Lebanon and linked Hezbollah's actions to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Salam affirmed that Lebanon has dropped the concept of banning negotiations with Israel and is working to form a unified national delegation to achieve a ceasefire and secure Israel's withdrawal. He emphasized that the government will not back down from its decisions to limit weapons despite Hezbollah's threats.