Hajj Hassan in first Hezbollah comment on Aoun-Trump talks

by Naharnet Newsdesk 22 July 2026, 12:57

MP Hussein al-Hajj Hassan of Hezbollah on Wednesday noted that "what happened in Washington in the summit between President Joseph Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump amounted to nothing more than a general American rhetoric and promises without guarantees, without specifying any timeframe for redeployment, and without achieving any progress or accomplishments."

In an interview with Sputnik Radio, Hajj Hassan added that "the U.S. president's call for the Syrian side to intervene in Lebanon constitutes a violation of Lebanese sovereignty, without any comment from the Lebanese president or from those who claim to uphold sovereignty in Lebanon."

He also pointed out that "the Israeli withdrawal being discussed is from liberated areas, seeing as the enemy army was present on the outskirts of Zawtar, not in the heart of Zawtar."

Regarding the U.S. president's remarks about the possibility of communication with Hezbollah, he said, "We were having coffee; we don't have time for this talk," adding that "there can be no dialogue with those who attack us, destroy our land and homes, and kill our people."

Rejecting the "condescending American approach," Hajj Hassan noted the "absence of any timetable for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory within the framework agreement" recently signed by Lebanon and Israel with U.S. backing.

"Is the issue of arming the Lebanese Army being raised to confront Hezbollah or Israel?" the MP wondered, while emphasizing the "ongoing cooperation and trust between Hezbollah and the military establishment."

He pointed out that "Hezbollah does not agree to preventing it (the group) from receiving funds from Iran for reconstruction, while allowing funds from other sources." He also affirmed "Hezbollah's continued cooperation with the Lebanese Army and maintaining a strong and close relationship with the national army, which does not succumb to pressure and knows how to fulfill its duty."

He stated: "It is incorrect to say that the framework agreement does not require the approval of the cabinet and the parliament."

Hajj Hassan also lamented that "Lebanese authorities are widening the gap between themselves and the Lebanese people and are not maintaining any common ground with them," while stressing that "it is difficult to ‘remove’ Hezbollah's popular base."

Source: Naharnet

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