NNA - In a wide-ranging interview on LBCI’s Hiwar al-Marhala, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi affirmed that Lebanon’s foreign policy remains fully aligned with the constitution, the Taif Agreement, international resolutions, the ceasefire agreement, the presidential oath, and the ministerial statement. “My patriotism doesn’t need validation,” he said.

He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and ruled out direct negotiations with Israel, while remaining open to indirect talks on unresolved border issues. 

Raggi stressed that sovereignty must be restored through reforms and exclusive state control over arms, noting, “Security can’t be imposed by mutual consent, policy needs vision, wisdom, and courage.”

On regional dialogue, he voiced trust in President Joseph Aoun but questioned Hezbollah’s intentions. He defended his ministry’s record on condemning Israeli aggression and explained the legal framework around filing complaints with the UN.

Raggi also addressed Syria, diplomatic reshuffling, and reaffirmed that ambassadors must uphold state policy, not partisan agendas.

===========R.H.