Lebanese MPs denounce Hezbollah's control over war decision-making

A coalition of Lebanese lawmakers, stemming from the protest movement as well as parliamentary blocs including the Renewal, Kataeb, and Lebanese Forces, have voiced strong criticism on Tuesday over what they perceive as the "seizure of the decision on war and peace by Hezbollah." 

The Shiite party has maintained a continuous confrontation with Israel since October 8, 2023, the day following Hamas' attack on the Israeli state, which triggered the devastating war in Gaza and an unprecedented Israeli retaliation.

In a statement released on Tuesday, these MPs denounced Hezbollah's ongoing control over the war and peace decisions and its authority to determine the fate and security of the Lebanese people, criticizing its negotiations on behalf of Lebanon in the absence of the state and its institutions. Furthermore, they lambasted what they see as Hezbollah's responsibility for the "persistent vacancy in the presidency of the Republic, and even the submission of the government to its will." 

They argued that the Lebanese government "has entrusted its decision and sovereignty to Iran" through its affiliated Shiite party.

The statement also highlighted the immense losses suffered by Lebanon over the past four months due to the war, which they claim was initiated in the interest of the regional project of the "moumanaa" (the Resistance Axis against Israel), severely harming the interests of Lebanon, Lebanese citizens in general, and residents of the South in particular.

In a lengthy televised speech on Tuesday, Hassan Nasrallah asserted that his party "ensures the protection" of the inhabitants of South Lebanon and warned Israel: "To those who threaten us with expanding the war, we say: if you expand, we will expand."

The text also targeted the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, stating that he "has no constitutional authority to negotiate on behalf of the Lebanese state, as this prerogative is reserved exclusively for the President of the Republic."