PM Nawaf Salam warns Iran over ‘use of Lebanon as bargaining chip

BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has warned Iran to stop using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in its negotiations and urged the international community to prevent Israel from targeting civilians and destroying southern Lebanon, according to international media reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Beirut while appealing to the United Nations for urgent humanitarian assistance, Nawaf Salam said Lebanon should not be treated as leverage in regional negotiations.

“If I have one message for Iran, it is this: have mercy on our southern regions and stop using this area and its people as a bargaining chip to improve your negotiation terms,” he said.

He stressed that Lebanon is not part of anyone’s political or military “game” and that the south of the country should not be treated as a “safe front” for conflict.

The Lebanese prime minister’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, although a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed in Washington earlier this week between Lebanon and Israel.

Salam also called for urgent international humanitarian support, noting the scale of displacement and destruction in southern Lebanon. He said the government’s relief plan includes financial assistance for around one million displaced people and approximately 50,000 residents in southern areas.

He reaffirmed that ensuring the safe return of displaced citizens remains the government’s top priority and said Lebanon has chosen a difficult path by prioritizing negotiations to secure Israeli withdrawal and restore stability in affected regions.