The embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan have reaffirmed their support for Lebanon's sovereignty and the Lebanese government's efforts to establish a state monopoly on arms, stressing that decisions on war and peace must rest exclusively with the Lebanese state.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday under the banner of the Friends of Lebanon, the five countries said they strongly supported the Lebanese government in ensuring that the state alone exercises authority over weapons and holds the exclusive right to make decisions concerning war and peace.

The statement also addressed the Dah r al-Baydar case, noting the steps taken by the Lebanese authorities and calling for a swift and independent judicial process, free from political interference, to ensure full accountability.

The five countries further stressed the importance of securing a clear public commitment from all members of parliament and political parties in the current circumstances. Such a commitment, they said, should affirm support for the declarations made by Lebanon's president and prime minister that only the Lebanese state has the authority to decide on matters of war and peace.

Reiterating their position on Lebanon's sovereignty, the five diplomatic missions said their ultimate objective was to see the full restoration of effective Lebanese sovereign authority across all Lebanese territory.

The statement underscores the five countries' support for strengthening state institutions and ensuring that decisions of national security and armed conflict remain under the exclusive authority of Lebanon's constitutional institutions.