Lebanon Has No National State

TEHRAN (Iran News) With this transfer of responsibility, the Lebanese government has been unable to respond to more than seven thousand violations committed by the Zionist regime against Lebanese territory after the ceasefire was declared.

Senior Hezbollah officials, including Naeem Qassem, have repeatedly emphasized that their role now is to “assist the government,” and that the Lebanese government “is responsible for implementing the ceasefire agreement and ensuring adherence to it.” Lebanese and international media believe that this transfer of responsibility is a strategy to avoid the heavy political and financial burdens of the post-war period and to place these burdens on the government. By transferring responsibility, Hezbollah puts the government in the position of being held accountable. As time goes by, the Zionist regime becomes increasingly aggressive in its attacks on Lebanon, to the extent that it is now reportedly planning to occupy southern Lebanon up to the area of the Litani River.

The Logic of Preserving Arms

By demonstrating the government’s inability to stop Israel’s attacks, Hezbollah argues that preserving its weapons is a “national necessity for Lebanon.” Since the ceasefire, despite more than 7,000 violations and deadly Israeli attacks, Hezbollah has refrained from any direct retaliation.

In contrast, the response of the Lebanese government has mostly been limited to issuing condemnation statements and asking mediators to pressure Israel, which, from Hezbollah’s perspective, has not been and is not an effective response.

At the same time, Hezbollah—independently and through its affiliated institutions—has begun reconstructing damaged areas (such as Beirut’s southern suburb, Dahiyeh) using private funding. This action has also been interpreted as a sign of government incapability or negligence in this regard.

Among Lebanese public opinion, a serious belief has emerged that the current Lebanese government, especially with this prime minister, is not a “national government” and, instead of serving the will of the Lebanese people, is pursuing agendas dictated by Lebanon’s enemies..