Headline: President Aoun Rejects Foreign Interference in Yemen Affairs; PM Salam Warns Against Dragging Lebanon Into New Conflicts
Lead: President Joseph Aoun telephoned Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi today, conveying Lebanon's commitment to Yemeni sovereignty and rejection of any interference in Yemen's internal matters. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Aoun at Baabda Palace, emphasizing that decisions on war and peace remain exclusively with the Lebanese state and constitutional institutions, and that citizens will not accept an imposed destiny they did not choose.
Details: According to Al-Akhbar and An-Nahar, President Aoun stressed in his call to Al-Alimi that Lebanon opposes any individual or group intervention in Yemen's domestic affairs or activities threatening Yemeni security, stability, and civilian safety. Aoun affirmed Lebanese support for the Yemeni Republic and its people, expressing hope for the return of stability, security, prosperity, and strengthened national unity while reducing suffering. Al-Alimi responded by thanking Aoun for Lebanon's solidarity, wishing Lebanon continued security, stability, and progress.
Prime Minister Salam's statement, reported by Al-Akhbar, addressed Lebanon's domestic situation directly. Salam warned against "dragging Lebanon into a new reckless adventure serving external interests" and recalled that southern Lebanese citizens have paid "steep prices in lives, livelihoods, and homes." He insisted that national defense requires prioritizing Lebanon's supreme interest above all other considerations. Salam stressed that the Lebanese people, particularly in the south, have the right to live safely and build their future away from wars, displacement, and destruction.
According to An-Nahar, Salam underscored that decisions on war and peace must remain the exclusive domain of the state and its constitutional institutions, and that Lebanese citizens will not accept an imposed fate they did not choose. Both statements reflect heightened concern within the Lebanese government about external pressures and potential entanglement in regional conflicts.
Watch For: France has signaled expectations for clearer Lebanese positions on UN Security Council Resolution 1701 implementation, particularly regarding Hezbollah disarmament and Lebanese army deployment in the south, as UNIFIL's mandate approaches expiration on December 31. Hezbollah denied allegations from Yemen's Aden government that it has advisors assisting Ansarullah forces, according to Al-Akhbar, indicating potential disagreements between the Lebanese state and non-state actors on regional engagement. The government's capacity to enforce exclusive state control over decisions on armed conflict will face testing as regional tensions persist.
SEO_TITLE: Lebanon President Aoun Rejects Interference in Yemen, PM Salam Warns Against New War
SEO_DESC: President Aoun told Yemen's leadership Lebanon opposes foreign interference in Yemeni affairs, while PM Salam stressed that only the Lebanese state decides on war and peace, rejecting imposed outcomes for Lebanese citizens.