Lebanon’s sovereignty challenged as Hezbollah defies UN resolution

On Saturday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf visited the site in Beirut where an Israeli airstrike targeted Hezbollah’s security chief, Wafic Safa, on Thursday.

The fate of Safa remains unknown. Ghalibaf’s visit to Lebanon comes at a time of heightened tensions, and he began his official trip by meeting with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.

During their meeting, Mikati emphasized that "the government's priority during this period is to achieve a ceasefire and an end to Israeli attacks." He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern part of the country. Mikati added, "We are conducting the necessary contacts with decision-making countries and the United Nations to put pressure on Israel for the full implementation of this resolution," according to the state-run National News Agency (ANI).

However, critics argue that rather than pressuring Israel, Mikati should focus on urging Hezbollah to comply with Resolution 1701.

Although Lebanon is a theoretically sovereign state, it is Hezbollah that exerts significant influence over the country’s political and military landscape. Despite the resolution adopted in 2006, which requires Hezbollah’s withdrawal to at least 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, the militant group continues to maintain a strong presence in southern Lebanon.

The current situation highlights the deep-rooted complexities of Lebanon’s internal power dynamics, with Hezbollah having de facto control over key aspects of the country’s governance.

For many, achieving true sovereignty and peace will require more than just external diplomacy—it will necessitate reasserting the Lebanese state's authority over armed factions like Hezbollah. At this stage, it appears unlikely that Hezbollah will voluntarily comply with the UN resolution's stipulation to retreat from the Israeli border.