Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that Lebanon is facing a "dangerous and trying moment," stressing that the country has been drawn into a devastating war it neither sought nor chose. His remarks came during a meeting with Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited to Lebanon, held in the presence of Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and Social Affairs Minister Haneen El Sayed to brief them on the latest developments and mobilize diplomatic and humanitarian support.
In his address, Salam said the Lebanese government’s top priority is to stop the war and protect the country and its people, warning that Lebanon is being dragged deeper into violence and chaos.
He reiterated that decisions on war and peace must rest exclusively with the state’s legitimate institutions, noting that this principle guided the government’s decision to ban the security and military activities of Hezbollah and all non-state actors, Lebanese and foreign.
Salam also highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis, pointing to the large-scale displacement of residents from southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli evacuation warnings and ongoing attacks.
"The situation is grave, and our responsibility is high," Salam said, cautioning that the consequences of the displacement could be unprecedented and warning that a humanitarian disaster may be looming.
He stressed that the government has been working relentlessly to mitigate the impact of displacement but acknowledged that Lebanon’s limited resources require stronger international solidarity.
Salam called on Lebanon’s international partners to intensify diplomatic efforts to stop Israeli attacks, prevent further displacement and spare the country’s infrastructure.
"Lebanon did not choose this war, but we will stand firm in defending the integrity of our country and the unity of its people," he said.
The prime minister also appealed for humanitarian assistance to support displaced populations, before inviting Social Affairs Minister Haneen El Sayed to brief ambassadors on the humanitarian situation.
In his address, Salam said the Lebanese government’s top priority is to stop the war and protect the country and its people, warning that Lebanon is being dragged deeper into violence and chaos.
He reiterated that decisions on war and peace must rest exclusively with the state’s legitimate institutions, noting that this principle guided the government’s decision to ban the security and military activities of Hezbollah and all non-state actors, Lebanese and foreign.
Salam also highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis, pointing to the large-scale displacement of residents from southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli evacuation warnings and ongoing attacks.
"The situation is grave, and our responsibility is high," Salam said, cautioning that the consequences of the displacement could be unprecedented and warning that a humanitarian disaster may be looming.
He stressed that the government has been working relentlessly to mitigate the impact of displacement but acknowledged that Lebanon’s limited resources require stronger international solidarity.
Salam called on Lebanon’s international partners to intensify diplomatic efforts to stop Israeli attacks, prevent further displacement and spare the country’s infrastructure.
"Lebanon did not choose this war, but we will stand firm in defending the integrity of our country and the unity of its people," he said.
The prime minister also appealed for humanitarian assistance to support displaced populations, before inviting Social Affairs Minister Haneen El Sayed to brief ambassadors on the humanitarian situation.
