Pierre Bou Assi, a member of the Strong Republic bloc, says Israel and Hezbollah have not cooperated with state decisions and demands complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Deputy Pierre Bou Assi of the Strong Republic bloc said that Israel and Hezbollah have failed to cooperate with decisions taken by the Lebanese state, and called for the United States to play its role in mediating and for the army to deploy as quickly as possible. He argued that delaying the assignment of a third-party monitor is harming the situation on the ground in the south.
Speaking on the Sunday programme of Voice of All Lebanon radio, Bou Assi reiterated that the fundamental demand is complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and an end to the conflict entirely. He said disarmament must begin north of the Litani River and then extend across all Lebanese territory, describing continued Israeli escalation as damaging to the negotiation process.
Bou Assi said that Hezbollah had attempted to overthrow the state in the past but cannot do so today, and instead resorts to threats and accusations of treason. He rejected both the proposed defensive strategy with Hezbollah and the ceasefire agreement that some have called for, stating that neither has produced results.
He described relations with the President as excellent, citing a visit to Baabda by the bloc under Samir Geagea's leadership. Bou Assi said the President plays a major role and noted that the state does not wish to enter internal disputes, which is why decisions concerning Hezbollah have not been implemented.
Bou Assi attributed Lebanon's destruction to successive regional entanglements beginning with Palestinian factions, continuing through the former Syrian regime, and reaching the Iranian system. He called for strengthening the Framework Agreement to pursue decoupling from the Iranian sphere, saying this effort had been partially successful.
On a proposed general amnesty law, Bou Assi stressed the importance of protecting military personnel, clarifying that any amnesty would not cover those who have attacked soldiers. He said all parties are committed to the army, its role, and its martyrs and wounded.
Regarding a recent exchange between the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister, Bou Assi characterised it as circumstantial and unrelated to the amnesty question. He said the Lebanese Forces had given the executive branch space to address the matter as it saw fit.
Bou Assi criticised the performance of parliament, pointing to poor management of proceedings, disorder in sessions, and voting irregularities. He said the government must present a unified position to parliament and the people, and clarified that the Defence Minister does not speak officially for the army but represents the political dimension of defence policy.
Responding to questions about the Lebanese Forces' criticism of how Foreign Minister Youssef Raji has been handled, Bou Assi said the President has the right to form his own team but that including the Foreign Minister in negotiations adds value to the process.
