Lebanese Political Leaders Convene in Baalbek to Oppose Direct Talks with Israel

A major political assembly took place in Baalbek as Lebanese national parties, political forces, and civic leaders united around opposition to normalization efforts and direct engagement with Israel. The gathering brought together representatives from across the political spectrum, including parliamentary figures, municipal officials, religious leaders, and representatives from various political movements.

MP Hussein al-Haj Hassan, who heads the Baalbek parliamentary bloc, opened remarks by firmly rejecting the path of direct negotiations with Israel. He characterized such talks as having produced only "empty promises" while Israeli military operations and escalations have continued. Al-Haj Hassan urged the government to abandon this negotiating track and instead focus on consolidating national cohesion and reinforcing domestic stability among Lebanese citizens.

The MP further emphasized rejection of all normalization initiatives and American security proposals, while reaffirming commitment to the ceasefire arrangement, full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese lands, the safe return of displaced residents to their communities, reconstruction efforts, and the release of prisoners. He underscored the importance of maintaining civil peace, national unity, and full implementation of the Taif Agreement.

MP Qabalan Qablan voiced skepticism about the direct negotiation process, questioning what gains the political establishment has secured through these channels. He argued that protecting national unity and tackling internal difficulties should take precedence, and he reiterated adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the October Agreement, both of which establish a ceasefire framework, call for an end to violations, mandate Israeli withdrawal, and provide for reconstruction and the return of residents.

Ali Hijazi, Secretary-General of the National Banner Party, reaffirmed his party's commitment to the resistance option until all Lebanese territories are liberated. He characterized resistance weapons as a matter of internal Lebanese concern, to be addressed through national dialogue mechanisms in ways that safeguard national security and protect Lebanon from external threats.

George Jreij, Secretary of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, emphasized his party's foundational principles centered on armed resistance to Israel while maintaining internal national unity. He identified national dialogue as the appropriate mechanism for resolving contentious issues and strengthening domestic stability.

The assembly concluded with an official statement expressing support for the resistance movement and affirming the Lebanese people's right to defend their homeland. The statement rejected both direct negotiations and normalization with Israel, demanded complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, called for the return of displaced populations to their villages, advocated for launching reconstruction initiatives, sought the recovery of Lebanese prisoners, and demanded an end to Israeli attacks and border violations.

The statement further committed participants to civil peace, national unity, and the Taif Agreement. It expressed backing for the Lebanese military as the unifying national institution and called for the development of a national defense strategy through internal dialogue. The statement emphasized that the question of resistance weapons remains an internal Lebanese matter, to be determined free from external pressure or interference.