Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday responded to Hezbollah’s recent open letter, stressing that decisions over war and peace are the sole responsibility of the Lebanese State.

Speaking at the opening of the “AI in Lebanon” Conference, Salam reaffirmed that the government alone controls the country’s military authority. He said this reflects the restoration of the State’s decision-making power on war and peace, which was the basis for parliamentary blocs granting confidence to his government.

On Thursday, Hezbollah issued an open letter to Lebanese leaders and the public, reaffirming its right to resist Israeli occupation and aggression while rejecting any political “negotiation trap” with Israel. The group also rejected external pressure to disarm, insisting that decisions on military authority must remain solely within Lebanon.

“The escalation by Israel is extremely serious,” Salam said, emphasizing that his administration is working to halt the violence, secure Israeli withdrawal, prevent further hostilities, and facilitate the release of Lebanese prisoners.

Acknowledging public impatience, Salam noted that government actions may not always move as quickly as citizens expect, but he described them as “a new approach, patriotic, and led by a government of experts.”