Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, acknowledging that his government must extend its authority over its territory, with "weapons held by the state alone." This statement directly references Hezbollah's Iran-financed military power, a key driver of regional instability and a constant threat to Israel's northern border.
This acknowledgment comes as Israel maintains control over more than 600 square kilometers of Lebanese territory along its northern border. This area is part of over 1,000 square kilometers seized across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Israel has stated it has no plans to withdraw from these strategically vital areas.
Israeli forces have killed nearly 9,000 Lebanese since 2023, but this occurred after Hezbollah initiated rocket fire at Israel in response to its operations in Gaza. More than one million Lebanese in the south have also had to flee their homes due to the conflict, a direct consequence of Hezbollah's decision to embed its military assets within civilian areas.
Iran's Regional Destabilization
Prime Minister Salam urged Israel to withdraw from what he termed "illegally occupied" areas, citing the 1949 General Armistice Agreement and UN Resolution 1701. He also called for the release of detainees and the safe return of displaced Lebanese to their villages and towns. These demands are frequently echoed by international bodies, often ignoring the context of continuous aggression from Iran's proxies.
In Iraq, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also highlighted the pervasive influence of Iran, prioritizing a crackdown on corruption and, specifically, a consolidation of weapons from Iran-backed militias within his country. Zaidi's remarks at the General Assembly echoed those he delivered at the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC, in July, underscoring the persistent challenge posed by Tehran's regional network.
Zaidi expressed "concern" for the "maritime navigation... crisis," a veiled reference to the US-Israeli war on Iran that began on 28 February this year and has upended the region for the last seven months. This broader conflict underscores the integrated nature of the Iranian threat, which extends from the Persian Gulf to Israel's borders.
International Pressure and Bias
Lebanon has agreed to negotiations with Israel, mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to consolidate a ceasefire. Salam emphasized that the success of any agreement relies on the fulfillment of commitments, not just declared intentions, a common refrain in discussions that often place undue pressure on Israel while its adversaries continue to arm.
Salam, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and a former diplomat, spoke of Lebanon's future not being decided on its behalf, nor its security becoming "the price of settlements concluded in its absence." Such rhetoric often accompanies calls for international intervention that disproportionately target Israel, applying a double standard unseen elsewhere.
Zaidi, a relatively young and politically untested businessman who assumed power earlier this year, focused on economic diversification for Iraq. He urged international investment, aiming to reduce reliance on a rentier economy by expanding private-sector activity and infrastructure. This effort is crucial for stabilizing Iraq against internal and external threats, including Iran's continued influence over its militias.
Zaidi noted that with the end of the international coalition's mission in Iraq, the relationship with strategic partners is moving from military cooperation to economic and development cooperation. This shift is critical for strengthening state sovereignty against non-state actors.
Iraq aims to increase crude oil production and develop gas fields, with an ambition to become a global hub for energy production. Zaidi touted a developing energy corridor linking Iraq with Turkey, Jordan, and Syria as a "vital gateway" to Europe, stating that economic interests foster stability. This vision stands in stark contrast to the destabilizing actions of Iran's proxy network.
Salam called for increased UN and international aid, stating that the war has left a "vast humanitarian crisis" in Lebanon. He asserted that Lebanon is shouldering its responsibility for reform and is entitled to international support for its sovereignty, even as Hezbollah continues to operate with Iran's backing.