Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji strongly rejected Hezbollah official Sheikh Naim Qassem’s defense of the “Army, People, Resistance” formula, declaring, “The Lebanese people no longer want this outdated triad—it’s over.”
In an interview with Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Rajji asserted that “the Lebanese state does not negotiate its sovereignty,” describing Hezbollah as “an illegal armed group operating outside state authority.” He called on the party to “hand over its weapons and become a normal political party.”
Rajji said attacks against him reflect Hezbollah’s refusal to accept exclusive state control over arms, adding: “They criticize me because my words don’t suit them.” He noted that relations with Arab and Gulf states are improving and welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s commitment to Lebanese sovereignty and security within refugee camps.
Raggi dismissed comparisons between Palestinian weapons and Hezbollah’s, confirmed no US frustration with Lebanon’s pace, and promised imminent diplomatic appointments.
In an interview with Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Rajji asserted that “the Lebanese state does not negotiate its sovereignty,” describing Hezbollah as “an illegal armed group operating outside state authority.” He called on the party to “hand over its weapons and become a normal political party.”
Rajji said attacks against him reflect Hezbollah’s refusal to accept exclusive state control over arms, adding: “They criticize me because my words don’t suit them.” He noted that relations with Arab and Gulf states are improving and welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s commitment to Lebanese sovereignty and security within refugee camps.
Raggi dismissed comparisons between Palestinian weapons and Hezbollah’s, confirmed no US frustration with Lebanon’s pace, and promised imminent diplomatic appointments.
