Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji Urges Full Implementation Of UN Resolution 1701: Hizbullah Has Been Trying To Liberate Lebanon For 40 Years Unsuccessfully – They Should Let Us Give It A Try For One Year By Surrendering Their Weapons

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji stated in a February 27, 2025, appearance on MTV (Lebanon) that military pressure has not helped Lebanon liberate itself from Israeli occupation, and the country must turn to the international community for assistance. He stated that in order to achieve this, Lebanon must fully implement UN Resolution 1701, which includes disarming Hizbullah. Rajji added that Hizbullah's 40 years of attempting to liberate Lebanon have been unsuccessful, and he proposed that they give Lebanon one year to try to achieve this goal by surrendering their weapons for a year. He stressed that Resolution 1701 must be implemented throughout the entire country.

Youssef Rajji: "We tried to use military power and we saw the outcome – we did not reach Jerusalem, we did not support Gaza, and we did not liberate Lebanon. We want to liberate Lebanon from the Israeli presence, the Israeli occupation, with the help of the international community. Let's not fool ourselves. This is the reality. They need to exert pressure [on Israeli], and they are ready to do so, but we need..."

Interviewer 1: "But today, the Americans stand by [Israel]."

Rajji: "Let me get there. In order for the international community to help us and exert pressure on Israel, it needs to know that we abide by the part that pertains to us, and this means, first and foremost, UN Resolution 1701."

Interviewer 1: "Yes."

Rajji: "We have not implemented Resolution 1701 in full. The government policy statement says that the Lebanese government pledges to implement Resolution 1701 with all its provisions. I have Resolution 1701 before me.

[...]

"In three places, Resolution 1701 talks about Resolutions 1559 and 1680. In other words, disarming Hizbullah. The disarming of all the armed organizations in Lebanon."

Interviewer 2: "So there will be no Israeli withdrawal without disarming Hizbullah?"

Rajji: "Inshallah, they will withdraw, but on our part, we need to abide by what we have pledged.

[...]

"For 40 years, [Hizbullah] has been trying to liberate Lebanon. They have tried for 40 years, but it does not work. They should give us one year. They should surrender [their weapons] for one year."

Interviewer 3: "But the President said that this was a domestic matter."

Interviewer 1: "No, he's talking about Hizbullah..."

Rajji: "They should give us one year. All the people who follow that path for the liberation of Lebanon, a path that does not work as we’ve seen..."

Interviewer 1: "War and whatever..."

Rajji: "They should give us one year. The term of this government is one year and three months. If during that year, we cannot achieve anything..."

Interviewer 1: "The weapons will go back?"

Rajji: "But they should do what we ask them to do."

Interviewer 1: "Do what?"

Rajji: "Implement the UN resolutions. Then, if Israel does not withdraw, we'll see..."

Interviewer 1: "By implementing Resolution 1701, you mean on both sides of the Litani River, right?"

Rajji: "What does Resolution 1701 say? Throughout Lebanese soil."