Lebanon's Minister for Displaced Persons, Kamal Shehadi, said the country will not participate in conflicts driven by external interests [1].
The statement arrives as southern Lebanon faces ongoing Israeli air strikes. The position reflects a tension between the Lebanese state's desire for sovereignty and the presence of armed factions operating within its borders.
Shehadi said that Lebanon's primary objectives are the full liberation of its territory, and the disarmament of Hezbollah [1, 2]. By calling for the disarmament of the powerful political and military group, the minister highlighted the government's goal to reclaim a monopoly on the use of force within the state.
"We’re not going to fight other people’s wars," Shehadi said [1].
This stance suggests a desire to avoid being drawn into a broader regional conflict that could destabilize the country further. The minister's comments emphasize a strategy of protecting national sovereignty while managing the volatile security situation on the southern border [2].
The call for disarmament remains a contentious point in Lebanese politics, as Hezbollah maintains a significant military infrastructure. Shehadi's remarks signal a formal state preference for a military structure that is unified under the national government rather than independent actors [1, 2].
“"We’re not going to fight other people’s wars."”
The minister's comments underscore the precarious balance the Lebanese government must maintain. By publicly advocating for Hezbollah's disarmament, the state is asserting its legal sovereignty, yet the reality of the group's power means such goals are difficult to achieve without risking internal instability or external escalation.
