Salam and Bassil back negotiations with Israel, with conditions

Salam said Lebanon is not a bargaining chip in the hands of others in negotiations from which it is absent, and that the decision on war and peace must rest solely with the state. He added that the success or failure of negotiations should be judged by their final outcomes. He also said it is understandable that some may disagree with the content of the framework agreement, but claiming that it entails new commitments for Lebanon is surprising. Salam said direct negotiations with Israel are not easy, while Lebanon remains committed to its sovereignty over all its territory, Israel's withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, the extension of state authority through its own forces, and ensuring that weapons are held solely by the state. He added that negotiation is not a concession of rights but a means of reclaiming them through diplomatic channels.