Salam says others tying their interests to foreign powers, not his govt.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has commented on the claims that the ruling authority is confused and hesitant in the face of the possibilities facing the region in the wake of the U.S. and Israeli elections by saying that "it is very unfortunate that the Lebanese people are being misled” with such speculation.

In an interview with An-Nahar newspaper, Salam stressed that his government does not rely on “external gambles or illusory calculations.”

“Our government governs by the force of the constitution, the law and the parliamentary vote of confidence granted to us not once, but twice,” Salam added.

“In the face of the possibilities being discussed regarding an unstable situation abroad, we spare no means or method, whether through our own inherent strength or through Lebanon's friendships with friendly nations, to maintain a safety net for Lebanon that wards off dangers,” Salam reassured.

“Enough with the affiliations that repeatedly drag Lebanon into the furnace of futile wars, which will lead to nothing but providing Israel with further pretexts to expand its occupation of the South and persist in destruction, killing and displacement,” the premier added.

“It is others who tie their interests to foreign powers, and it is others who gamble on external actors. Meanwhile, I am keen to emphasize that nothing protects Lebanon except everyone's commitment to keeping the decision of peace and war, and the exclusivity of weapons, strictly in the hands of the State. Whatever the nature of external developments may be, we are proceeding along this path relentlessly," Salam went on to say.