lebanon hezbollah — lebanon hezbollah — Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has urged Cypriots “not to confuse” the Lebanese state with the militant group Hezbollah following a drone strike from Lebanon that hit Cyprus six days ago.
The drone attack, attributed to Hezbollah, prompted Raggi to clarify that such actions do not reflect the values or authority of the Lebanese government. He stated, “These acts do not represent Lebanon, its state, its people, or its values,” emphasising the need to separate the actions of Hezbollah from the Lebanese state.
Raggi firmly rejected any notion of Lebanon being a platform for foreign agendas, asserting, “I called on our Cypriot friends not to confuse the Lebanese state with those acting outside its authority and legal framework.” He highlighted that the Lebanese government has explicitly declared all military and security activities conducted by Hezbollah as unlawful.
In expressing his deep regret over the drone strike, Raggi described the attack as being executed outside the Lebanese government’s control and in direct contradiction to its sovereign decisions. He reiterated Lebanon’s unequivocal rejection of such condemnable acts.
Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist paramilitary group, has close ties to Iran and holds significant political power in Lebanon, with its political wing, the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, occupying 15 seats in parliament.
The diplomatic relationship between Lebanon and Cyprus has been on a positive trajectory, especially following the election of President Joseph Aoun in January last year. Just a day after Aoun’s election, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides made a historic visit to Lebanon, marking the first official engagement with Aoun.
During Aoun’s visit to Cyprus in July last year, he acknowledged the long-standing support from Cyprus, stating, “Cyprus has always been by Lebanon’s side.” He noted the geographical proximity and shared interests between the two nations.
Christodoulides celebrated Aoun’s visit as both substantial and symbolic, asserting that it illustrated the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He likened their historical ties to that of twins, underscoring that the Mediterranean Sea serves to unite rather than divide them.
The two leaders also met again during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year, where Christodoulides reaffirmed his commitment to a stable and secure Lebanon. Following that meeting, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis conveyed Cyprus’ intention to enhance relations with Lebanon, particularly in the context of the European Union.
