Beirut: Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Ghassan Hasbani recently addressed an open letter to US Special Presidential Envoy for Syria, Mr. Tom Barrack, regarding the latter's suggestion to negotiate directly with Hezbollah. Hasbani's letter emphasizes the importance of Lebanon's legitimate, elected authorities in any decision-making process concerning the country's future.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, Hasbani expressed his appreciation for Barrack's interest in Lebanon but stressed that the Lebanese state, with its legitimate and democratically elected institutions, holds the exclusive right to make decisions on behalf of its people. He highlighted that Lebanon is not a state without authority or institutions, citing the election of Joseph Aoun as President and the confidence granted to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government.

Hasbani's letter argues that any solution for Lebanon must proceed through its legitimate state institutions, rather than granting parallel legitimacy to Hezbollah. He criticized Hezbollah for rejecting state decisions and defying the Constitution, while possessing weapons supplied by Iran. Hasbani noted that Hezbollah keeps Lebanon as an arena for Iranian influence, which contradicts the official U.S. position that designates Hezbollah as a terrorist organization linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Addressing Barrack's assessment of Hezbollah's strength compared to the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hasbani argued that the Lebanese military, supported by judicial, security, and administrative apparatus, remains stronger. He highlighted the international support and backing from a broad segment of the Lebanese people, emphasizing the army's commitment, discipline, and military professionalism.

Hasbani also pointed out the challenges facing Hezbollah, including isolation, judicial and financial pressures, and sanctions imposed by the United States. He questioned the feasibility of negotiating with an organization that maintains weapons outside state institutions and is internationally recognized as a terrorist organization.

Concluding the letter, Hasbani urged for the precedence of state authority and the rule of law over pragmatism. He called for the empowerment of Lebanese institutions and the Armed Forces to extend state sovereignty across the nation. Hasbani stressed that confidence and investment would return to Lebanon only when the state is genuinely present, effective, and unchallenged by competing authorities.