Resistance Bloc: US proposal threatens Taif, aids Israeli agenda
Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc condemned the Lebanese government's support for a US proposal to disarm the resistance, warning it undermines the Taif Accord and serves Israeli interests.
-
The head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Mohammed Raad, center, speaks to journalists after his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc warned Thursday that Lebanon and the wider region are undergoing one of the most dangerous phases in recent history, facing existential threats to their sovereignty, geography, and economy. In a statement following its regular meeting, the bloc denounced the escalating Israeli aggression, backed by the United States and certain Western and Arab powers, as part of a broader campaign aimed at redrawing regional balances at Lebanon's expense.
At the heart of the bloc's condemnation is the Lebanese government's recent endorsement of a proposal put forward by US envoy Tom Barrack. The bloc described the move as "a clear reversal" of the government's ministerial commitments and a breach of the presidential oath. It stressed that the paper contradicts the foundational principles of the Taif Accord, which guarantees Lebanon's right to self-defense and the preservation of national sovereignty.
The bloc described the government's endorsement of the US paper as "suspiciously hasty and unjustifiable," warning that such a position constitutes a "clear violation of the National Pact" and threatens to strip Lebanon of one of its greatest sources of strength: the resistance.
Resistance Under Target
The bloc warned that attempts to undermine or target the arms of the resistance constitute "a free gift to the Israeli enemy," particularly at a time when Israeli forces continue to violate Lebanese sovereignty and carry out near-daily assassinations of civilians and resistance fighters alike. The bloc affirmed that Hezbollah's military capability remains a central pillar of national defense, especially in the face of increasing threats and the absence of any credible international guarantees.
According to the statement, a broad national front, including parties from across sectarian lines, independent figures, and civil society, has expressed firm rejection of the US proposal, which many see as part of a wider project to neutralize Lebanon's ability to resist foreign aggression.
The bloc stressed the dangerous timing of the push to disarm the resistance, coinciding with an escalation in Israeli military operations and the complete absence of alternative mechanisms capable of defending the Lebanese people. The group added that so-called guarantees offered by Arab or international actors have consistently failed to materialize, leaving Lebanon vulnerable to external pressure.
Read more: Lebanon disarmament plan sparks tensions as ministers threaten boycott
Call to Rectify Course
The bloc called on the Lebanese government to "rectify the error" of aligning with American demands that serve Israeli interests and compromise Lebanese sovereignty. It urged a return to prioritizing national interests over foreign agendas and called on the state to activate its diplomatic channels, particularly Lebanon's underperforming foreign service, to pressure "Israel" into fully implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which Lebanon has observed in full.
The statement further stressed the need to develop a comprehensive national security strategy to ensure Lebanon's defense capabilities remain intact and its sovereignty preserved.
Genocide in Gaza, Destruction of Syria
Regionally, the bloc condemned the ongoing massacres in Gaza, describing the Israeli campaign as "a deliberate and historic genocide" against the Palestinian people. It praised the resilience of Gaza's population and the exceptional courage of the resistance fighters, noting that international silence amounts to complicity in the crime.
Turning to Syria, the bloc warned of an aggressive campaign aimed at dismantling the country's social fabric and historical identity. It condemned Israeli efforts to destroy Syrian capabilities and impose new territorial realities, warning that these acts threaten the unity and long-term stability of Syria.