Qabalan Denounces Israel Negotiations as Capitulation, Warns of Internal Destabilization

Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan, the Jaafari Mufti of Lebanon, has delivered a forceful critique of the nation's current negotiations with Israel, framing the talks as a form of capitulation that threatens Lebanon's sovereignty and internal stability.

In his Friday Message, Qabalan asserted that the negotiations aim to position the Lebanese military against its own population and people. He characterized the diplomatic efforts as part of a broader American-Israeli agenda designed to create internal division within Lebanon.

The religious leader expressed concern that Lebanon's government operates under what he termed a "deadly dependency on Washington," arguing that direct talks with Israel place the nation's sovereignty at risk. He described the concessions being made as unprecedented surrenders of Lebanon's independent authority.

Qabalan identified what he views as the most critical threat: an American-Zionist strategic initiative intended to turn the Lebanese army against resistance movements and the general population. He further contended that proposals for gradual military withdrawal represent arrangements being imposed on Lebanon to serve the interests of Washington and Tel Aviv.

"Negotiating under fire is surrender," Qabalan stated, emphasizing that the government's current commitments endanger civil harmony within the country. He stressed that Lebanon's true strength derives from internal cohesion and the capacity to defend its borders, not from political concessions.

The Mufti also accused the Lebanese authorities of shirking their sovereign responsibilities, particularly by preventing the military from executing its defensive mission. He underscored that resistance constitutes both a sovereign obligation and a vital safeguard for Lebanon's security.

Qabalan called upon national leadership to mobilize collectively in response to these developments, signaling that the situation demands urgent unified action from the country's political figures.