Hezbollah criticizes Lebanese president’s Washington visit as submission to US
Orgnization says US trip failed to secure Israeli withdrawal as Beirut continues implementing border security agreement
BEIRUT, Lebanon (MNTV) — Hezbollah has sharply criticized Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s recent visit to Washington, describing it as unsuccessful and accusing the Lebanese government of yielding to foreign influence while failing to secure commitments on key national issues.
In a statement, lawmakers from the Iran-backed group said the visit did not produce a U.S. commitment to press for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
They also said it failed to halt Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon or facilitate the return of displaced residents and the start of reconstruction efforts.
President Donald Trump hosted Aoun at the White House on Tuesday, where the Lebanese leader said he emphasized the need for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Asked whether Washington would increase pressure on Israel, Trump replied that the issue would be considered.
Hezbollah also reaffirmed its opposition to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which began in April, as well as a U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed by the two sides last month.
The organization reiterated its demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese army has begun deploying under the terms of the agreement.
The arrangement requires the Lebanese military to deploy in designated areas and work toward disarming Hezbollah, while Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from agreed “pilot zones.”
Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal visited Zawtar Al-Gharbiya on Thursday to review security measures aimed at facilitating the safe return of residents.
His visit came one day after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam raised the Lebanese flag in the town as part of the government’s efforts to restore state authority in the area.
Although cross-border violence has declined following last month’s U.S.-Iran memorandum and the Lebanon-Israel framework agreement, Israeli military operations have continued in parts of southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli forces carried out a large explosion near the border village of Al-Tiri on Thursday, while a Syrian worker was reportedly wounded by Israeli gunfire elsewhere in the south.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
