Parliamentarian and founder of the National Dialogue Party Fouad Makhzoumi on Saturday stressed the primacy of state sovereignty and endorsed direct negotiations with Israel as key to ending the country’s current crisis, saying “the exclusive right of the state to decide on war and peace” must be upheld.
Speaking at a meeting with fellow MPs, Makhzoumi called for backing the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and fully implementing recent decisions aimed at “strengthening the sovereignty of the state and extending its authority,” including “restricting weapons to the state, including the weapons of Hezbollah and other armed militias.”
The meeting brought together Sunni Members of Parliament from across Lebanon, signaling a broader realignment within the Sunni political landscape in favor of state institutions and the endorsement of diplomacy and negotiations as a path to ending the conflict.
The MP voiced support for the state’s negotiating track with Israel to secure a ceasefire, “neutralize Lebanon from its repercussions,” and achieve core demands such as the restoration of all Lebanese territory, the return of detainees, and final border demarcation.
He also urged strengthening the Lebanese Army and security forces to extend state authority across all territory, including a proposal to declare Beirut a weapons-free city “as a practical step to restore the state’s prestige.”
Emphasizing the economic dimension, he said Lebanon has a “serious opportunity” to benefit from international support for reconstruction, provided the state assumes its full role, and stressed that improving living conditions is essential for lasting stability.
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