MP Nezih Mattie says President Aoun's commitment to negotiations is firm and necessary, and argues that Hezbollah's arms outside state control provide Israel with justification for occupation.
MP Nezih Mattie said the presidency is committed to a negotiated settlement because no alternative exists under current circumstances. He criticised Speaker Nabih Berri and what he described as contradictions in resistance rhetoric over sovereignty, arguing that forces now invoking sovereignty previously pushed Lebanon toward regional alignments tied to Syria, Iran and Hezbollah.
Mattie stated that ongoing Israeli incursions are partly linked to weapons remaining outside state control. He called on Hezbollah to hand its arms to Lebanese authorities, which would allow the army to assume full responsibility in the south and eliminate any pretext for Israel's presence, buffer zones or experimental arrangements.
On Israeli non-compliance with withdrawal obligations, Mattie said Israel acts in its own interest, not Lebanon's, and the United States does the same. He urged Lebanese to act according to their country's interests.
Mattie connected Lebanon's crisis to regional developments, particularly US-Iranian negotiations. He said Hezbollah's dependence on Iran means Lebanon is directly affected by any escalation or understanding between Tehran and Washington.
