The National Bloc: The State Has the Final Word

The National Bloc welcomes the Presidency’s announcement of a ten-day ceasefire, hoping it will serve as a prelude to a permanent cessation of hostilities, and ultimately to a definitive end to the state of war that has persisted between Lebanon and Israel for nearly eighty years.

The Bloc stresses that this announcement should mark the beginning of the Lebanese state’s full assertion of sovereignty over its entire territory, including the recovery of lands occupied by Israel in the south. This would pave the way for reconstruction and the return of citizens to their villages, as a fundamental condition for achieving lasting peace.

The National Bloc also commends the efforts of Presidents Aoun and Salam in reaching this ceasefire, and in restoring the state’s authority over decisions of war and peace from militias, for the first time since the Cairo Agreement of 1969.

On this basis, and with the aim of consolidating, extending, and building upon the truce, the National Bloc calls on the President of the Republic and the government not to squander further opportunities. It urges them to make use of these ten days with the necessary boldness and seriousness by initiating the disarmament of militias, beginning with Hezbollah, through all legitimate means, and by putting an end to policies of delay and procrastination, in order to restore both domestic and international confidence and move forward with negotiations.