Ministers representing Hezbollah at the Lebanese Government on Friday dismissed reports suggesting the Cabinet had discussed granting a mandate to negotiate the Israeli enemy, stressing their firm rejection of any direct talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar and Health Minister Rakan Nasserdine voiced their stance in a joint statement, issued shortly after the so-called framework agreement between Lebanon and the Zionist entity in direct talks brokered by the United States in Washington.
The ministers said the issue was neither on the agenda nor raised during the latest Cabinet session, clarifying that discussions were limited to affirming that any potential agreement would be referred back to the Cabinet for approval under constitutional procedures.
“Therefore, any interpretation of what transpired as an agreement to assign or authorize negotiations is incorrect and bears no relation to the actual events of the session,” the statement read.
Haidar and Nasserdine underscored that their stance is aligned with the National Duo (Hezbollah and Amal Movement) and the framework announced by Speaker Nabih Berri.
The ministers warned that claims of an agreed negotiating mandate are “incorrect and unrelated to what actually took place,” reiterating that their position remains “clear, unwavering, and not subject to compromise.”
“Our position on this matter is clear, unwavering, and not open to ambiguity or compromise. It stems from the national principle of rejecting direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy. This position has not changed and will not change, and it reflects the political and national conviction to which we have committed ourselves and continue to commit ourselves unequivocally.”
Source: Al-Manar English Website