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Lebanese State Not Seeking Confrontation With Hezbollah but Won't Be Intimidated, PM Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 21, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 21, 2026
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Lebanon’s PM Nawaf Salam emphasized that his government does not seek confrontation with Hezbollah yet will not be intimidated, even as it engages in direct talks with Israel in Washington. He called on all partners to support diplomacy as a path to restoring sovereignty and protecting the nation.
Lebanese PM Says No Confrontation With Hezbollah, Vows Not to Be Intimidated
Lebanese Government's Stance Amid Ongoing Conflict
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's Position on Hezbollah
PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday his government was not seeking confrontation with Iran-backed Hezbollah, but it would not allow itself to be intimidated as it continues direct talks with Israel to end the conflict.
Diplomatic Efforts and International Support
Talks With Israel and Role of International Partners
Speaking at a news conference alongside France's President Emmanuel Macron, Salam said he would need all Lebanon's partners to help as direct talks at ambassador level continue later this week in Washington.
Commitment to Diplomacy
Restoring Sovereignty and Protecting Citizens
"We are continuing along this path, convinced that diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, but a responsible act to leave no avenue unexplored in restoring my country's sovereignty and protecting its people," Salam said.
(Reporting by John Irish; editing by Maya Gebeily)
Key Takeaways
- •Salam balances diplomatic engagement with Israel while asserting state authority over Hezbollah’s military role amid reform efforts (axios.com)
- •He frames diplomacy not as weakness but as responsible strategy to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty and avoid escalation (apnews.com)
- •The government is pushing to assert state control over security and disarm armed non-state actors, including banning Hezbollah’s military activities and IRGC presence (en.wikipedia.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Lebanese state not seeking confrontation with Hezbollah but won't be intimidated, PM says
1What is the Lebanese government's position regarding confrontation with Hezbollah?
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that the government is not seeking confrontation with Hezbollah but will not be intimidated.
2Is Lebanon holding direct talks with Israel?
Yes, Lebanon is continuing direct talks with Israel at the ambassador level in Washington.
3What support does Lebanon seek from international partners?
Lebanon's Prime Minister called for all of Lebanon's partners to assist as diplomatic talks progress.
4How does the Lebanese government view diplomacy in the current conflict?
The government sees diplomacy as a responsible act and not a sign of weakness, aiming to restore sovereignty and protect its people.
5Where did Prime Minister Nawaf Salam make these comments?
Salam made these remarks during a news conference in Paris alongside France's President Emmanuel Macron.
