Nawaf Salaam: ‘To maintain the security and unity of the people’: Lebanese PM postpones US trip amid Israeli attacks
“In view of the current internal circumstances… I have decided to postpone my visit to the United Nations and the United States,” Salam said in a post on Twitter. He said he would remain in Beirut to oversee government work and protect “the security of the Lebanese people and their unity.”
The trip was expected to include meetings with senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in what would be a major diplomatic engagement.
Iran’s warning, Hezbollah Tension
Salam’s decision comes amid rising tensions, with Iran warning Beirut to sideline Hezbollah in upcoming talks with Israel. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned that ignoring the group’s role would expose Lebanon to “irreparable security risks”, the New York Post reports.Pro-Hezbollah protests were also reported in Beirut, where demonstrators burned pictures of Salaam and accused him of being aligned with Israel.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Tehran is in constant contact with Lebanon to ensure ceasefire commitments are upheld, while also flagging violations on the ground.
Attacks continue despite ceasefire
The postponement comes as Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon, with at least 14 people killed in recent attacks and the overall death toll nearing 1,950, according to Lebanese officials.Israel has said its operations against Hezbollah are separate from broader ceasefire efforts involving Iran, complicating diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
Delicate diplomacy and widespread conflict
Recent US-Iran talks in Islamabad failed, with Vice President JD Vance confirming no deal after 21 hours of talks.The conflict, which began following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, has widened to include Hezbollah in Lebanon and has disrupted global energy markets, particularly due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
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Despite Salam’s decision, talks in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli representatives are still expected to take place, although their outcome remains uncertain amid ongoing hostility and deep mistrust between the parties.