Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have suspended Foreign Minister Youssef Raji from participating in negotiations with Israel due to his tough stance against Hezbollah. This was reported by Kan-11 TV channel with reference to a Lebanese political source.
A new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is due to begin on Tuesday in Rome. Raji, considered one of the most consistent opponents of Hezbollah in the Lebanese government, will not participate in the negotiations.
The Lebanese Forces party, which is represented by the head of the Foreign Ministry, expressed dissatisfaction with this decision. Previously, Raji was also not included in the delegation of the Lebanese President during his visit to the United States.
According to Kan’s source, the Lebanese leadership seeks not to aggravate relations with Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal movement. The source called Raja’s removal an alarming signal indicating that the Lebanese authorities are not yet ready to “go all the way” in the confrontation with Hezbollah.