Hezbollah’s Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc criticized the Lebanese authorities of pursuing “political theater” and making successive concessions that undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty, arguing that recent government actions are a failed attempt to create the illusion of progress while the country remains under external pressure.
Following its weekly meeting on Thursday, after MP Mohammad Raad chaired it, the parliamentary bloc issued a statement that sharply criticized the government’s domestic and foreign policies.
The bloc said the authorities have continued a pattern of concessions that have deepened Lebanon’s political and economic crisis while eroding national sovereignty and dignity. It argued that the recent presidential visit to Washington failed to secure any meaningful national gains, including a US commitment to compel an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, halt ongoing Israeli attacks and destruction, ensure the safe return of displaced residents, or launch reconstruction efforts.
‘Political Theater’
The bloc said the authorities’ recent “showcase measures” would not deceive the Lebanese public, describing them as a transparent attempt to capitalize on false impressions. It stressed that the Lebanese Army had expanded its deployment only in areas the Israeli occupation had failed to occupy because of the sacrifices of the resistance.
It added that Israeli occupation forces had not withdrawn from any occupied territory and instead opened fire on Lebanese Army units in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya after they advanced about 100 meters toward the occupied areas. The bloc said the incident exposed another embarrassment for the authorities, accusing them of misrepresenting the events as the beginning of an Israeli withdrawal despite public anger on the ground.
Rejection of Direct Talks
The bloc reiterated its rejection of direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy and of the framework agreement resulting from them, while insisting that the priority remains the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory.
It also called for the implementation of the November 27, 2024, ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701 exclusively in the area south of the Litani River. Any discussion of Hezbollah’s weapons outside that area, it said, should take place only after an Israeli withdrawal and through national consensus within a broader national security strategy, as outlined in the presidential inaugural address and the government’s ministerial statement.
Accusations Over Destruction in Southern Lebanon
The bloc affirmed that the Israeli enemy is systematically destroying occupied Lebanese villages as part of what it called an expansionist project aimed at rendering the region uninhabitable, describing the campaign as a crime against humanity.
It also criticized the Lebanese government for what it called its “suspicious silence,” accusing it of failing to take any meaningful political or diplomatic action to stop the destruction or make the issue a priority in its domestic and international engagements while continuing the fruitless negotiations without securing even an end to Israeli attacks.
Electricity Crisis
Addressing Lebanon’s worsening economic conditions, the bloc highlighted the country’s near-continuous electricity outages, saying they have imposed severe hardship and financial losses on citizens.
It accused the government of failing to fulfill commitments made in its ministerial statement and said the Energy Ministry’s handling of the electricity sector reflected its inability to deliver solutions after a year and a half in office. Rather than engaging in political disputes, the ministry should assume full responsibility for the sector’s continued deterioration, the statement said.
Condemnation of US Strikes on Iran
The bloc also condemned renewed US attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing them as further evidence of what it called Washington’s policy of arrogance and an attempt to compensate for the failure of its objectives in the recent war after Iran’s leadership and people resisted the offensive.
It expressed confidence that Iran would ultimately prevail against US aggression and compel Washington to honor the terms of the memorandum of understanding in a way that benefits the region, adding that Lebanon would stand to gain because of Iran’s insistence on placing Lebanon’s interests at the top of its priorities.
Source: Al-Manar Website