Lebanon PM warns Hezbollah against entering new regional conflict

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a stark appeal to Hezbollah on Wednesday, urging the group to refrain from dragging the country into further conflict as regional tensions mount. Salam emphasized that Lebanon has already endured considerable economic and humanitarian costs from past confrontations and cannot afford another round of warfare.

The warning reflects growing concerns across the Lebanese government about potential spillover effects from heightened US-Israeli military posturing toward Iran. Regional analysts have flagged the risk of escalating proxy conflicts that could engulf Lebanon, given Hezbollah's close ties to Tehran and its significant military capabilities.

Lebanon remains economically fragile following years of political dysfunction, a devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the recent conflict with Israel. The country's infrastructure and institutions continue to struggle with reconstruction efforts, leaving little capacity to absorb the costs of renewed warfare.

Salam's comments signal the Lebanese government's anxiety about maintaining stability amid broader Middle Eastern tensions. Officials fear that regional powers could draw Lebanon into conflicts not of its own making, further destabilizing an already precarious situation.