Lebanese Foreign Minister Rajji: Negotiations with Israel Key, Hezbollah Political-Military Divide Unrealistic

What happened

Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Rajji told French channel LCI during a visit to France that direct negotiations between the Lebanese government and Israel are the only effective means to restore peace in Lebanon. He criticized the continued distinction made between Hezbollah's political and military wings, describing it as unrealistic and obstructive to peace efforts.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Rajji, affiliated with the Lebanese Forces party and a noted opponent of Hezbollah, described Hezbollah as a unified entity acting as an armed wing of Iran, with aims to control Lebanon and destabilize the Middle East. He stated that the military option against Hezbollah has proven ineffective and praised the efforts of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam for opening diplomatic channels with Tel Aviv.

The minister said it is premature to consider symbolic gestures such as a handshake between President Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Israeli forces remain occupying over 600 km² of Lebanese territory in the south. Rajji stressed that Israel must first withdraw and halt its attacks, which have inflicted civilian casualties alongside Hezbollah fighters and positions.

Known from the source

• Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Rajji spoke to French channel LCI during a visit to France.
• Rajji stated that direct negotiations between the Lebanese government and Israel are necessary for peace.
• He criticized the distinction between Hezbollah’s political and military wings as unrealistic.
• Rajji said Hezbollah is an illegal organization in Lebanon and an armed wing of Iran.
• Israeli forces reportedly occupy over 600 km² of Lebanese territory in south Lebanon.

What remains unclear

Rajji acknowledged the current war continues despite recent ceasefire agreements involving Israeli, Lebanese, and U.S. negotiators. He said Hezbollah has dragged Lebanon into a war from which it cannot escape, citing ongoing rocket fire and Israeli military operations since March 2, and emphasized the priority of ceasefire negotiations to allow displaced people to return home. He described the cycle of attacks and retaliations as a 'vicious circle' that perpetuates the conflict.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Accuracy and current status of ceasefire arrangements after the June 3 negotiations. Verification of casualty figures cited by the Lebanese health ministry. Clarification on Hezbollah’s operational role as a unified entity versus political-military division.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: L Orient Today. Open the source.