Nawaf Salam’s Government Strikes First: Preemptive Move Against Larijani’s Visit

In recent developments, Lebanon’s political landscape has become increasingly tense as the anti-Resistance faction has initiated a campaign against the upcoming visit of Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. This visit is scheduled for Wednesday, and observers are cautioning that any efforts to block Larijani could provoke significant public backlash.

Instead of focusing on condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about Israel aiding the Lebanese government in disarming Hezbollah, the government led by Nawaf Salam appears preoccupied with the notion of apologizing for not receiving Larijani. This reaction could indicate either a lack of courage from Salam’s administration or a total capitulation to U.S. and Saudi directives that discourage any form of public opposition to Israel.

Reports indicate that the Saudi envoy, Yazid bin Farhan, is a driving force behind the campaign to prevent Larijani’s visit. This effort is being coordinated with Nawaf Salam and Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces. However, Salam has not succeeded in persuading President Joseph Aoun to decline the meeting with Larijani, as Aoun views this request as contrary to diplomatic norms.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh have voiced their concerns regarding Salam’s apparent alignment with Geagea, particularly in relation to managing issues surrounding the Resistance’s armament.

According to well-informed sources, it has come to light that Larijani has not sought a meeting with Foreign Minister Youssef Rajai, a member of the Lebanese Forces party who has been actively campaigning to cancel the visit and compel Iran to issue an apology for its supportive statements regarding the Resistance.

It is clear that the Saudi envoy is heavily involved in the operations of Salam’s government. Recently, he directed Salam to announce the cabinet’s decisions on the disarmament of the Resistance, a role typically reserved for the Minister of Information.

Furthermore, contacts are reportedly in progress to arrange a meeting between Salam and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This meeting aims to discuss the implementation of the government’s stance on the Resistance’s weapons.

In addition to the influence exerted by the Saudi envoy over Lebanon’s Sunni lawmakers, it has been revealed that Yazid bin Farhan is organizing a significant gathering at Dar al-Fatwa titled “Sunni Support” for Prime Minister Salam.

Moreover, it is noteworthy that U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack is set to visit Beirut, accompanied by Morgan Ortagus, who serves as the senior political advisor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, on the 18th of this month. Ortagus is expected to return to Lebanon on August 24, this time with Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent supporter of Israel who has previously made controversial statements regarding military action in Gaza.

• Close Watch on Political Dynamics: The situation in Lebanon is a closely monitored political dynamic, particularly regarding foreign influence and internal resistance.
• Government Response: The Salam administration’s response to external pressures raises questions about its autonomy and decision-making capabilities.
• Public Reaction: The potential public backlash against attempts to block Larijani’s visit could have significant implications for the stability of the Salam government.

In summary, Lebanon’s political environment is fraught with challenges as external influences, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the United States, shape the government’s actions and responses. The upcoming visit from Ali Larijani may serve as a critical juncture for the Resistance’s standing in Lebanon, as well as the government’s legitimacy amidst growing public sentiment.