- Former Lebanese PM: Lebanon abandoned by international community amid crisis
- Siniora expressed frustration over the lack of effort to restore peace
- He warns that Lebanon is on the brink of a catastrophe
Former Lebanese PM: Lebanon abandoned by international community amid crisis
Lebanon’s former Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, has criticized the international community for abandoning his country during its current crisis. Speaking to the BBC, Siniora expressed frustration over the lack of effort to restore peace, warning that Lebanon is on the brink of a catastrophe. He said Lebanon’s inability to elect a president, due to Hezbollah’s influence, has left the country in a political deadlock.
Siniora, who led Lebanon during its 2006 war with Israel, argued that the current government has failed to distance itself from Hezbollah, unlike his administration. He emphasised that Lebanon has lost its sovereignty, with Hezbollah, backed by Iran, dominating the state and using its military power to interfere in regional conflicts like Syria and Iraq.
He also reflected on the failure of UN resolution 1701, which aimed to create a Hezbollah-free buffer zone in southern Lebanon. Despite the presence of peacekeeping forces, Hezbollah remains entrenched in the area, further complicating Lebanon’s situation.
Siniora also warned against linking Lebanon’s conflict to the ongoing war in Gaza, arguing that Lebanon cannot afford to be drawn into the wider regional conflict. Lebanon’s leadership vacuum, caused by a caretaker government and the inability to elect a president, has left the country in a fragile state, with many Lebanese feeling abandoned.
