Lebanon Won’t Bow to Normalization, Salam’s Government Won’t Last – Islamic Group Leader

“The Lebanese people expect their new president, Joseph Aoun, to liberate Lebanon from Israeli occupation and prevent its continued presence on Lebanese soil.” This is what Ali Abu Yassin, the head of the Islamic Group’s political office in Lebanon, told us during an in-depth interview with Al-Estiklal.

“Lebanon will never be dragged into normalization with Israel, as doing so would mark the end of the Lebanese state—a small country with diverse sects and communities, making it an easy target for Israeli ambitions over its land and resources.”

On February 18, 2025, the Israeli Occupation army withdrew from the villages and towns it had occupied in southern Lebanon, except for five strategic points along the border. Beirut announced it would turn to the UN Security Council to push for a full withdrawal.

Abu Yassin also criticized Hezbollah and Amal for monopolizing the Finance Ministry, arguing that this violates the constitution and the Taif Agreement while deepening Lebanon’s economic collapse.

He suggested that former Prime Minister Najib Mikati may have sacrificed poet Yusuf al-Qaradawi as a political pawn to secure his reappointment, only to be deceived, lose the premiership, and tarnish his government's reputation.

On a regional scale, Abu Yassin argued that the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime not only oppressed Syria but also imposed its injustice on Lebanon. However, a free and independent Syria would benefit Lebanon, allowing it to fully capitalize on its oil and gas resources.

Abu Yassin, 50, is a Lebanese educator with a master's degree in nuclear physics from Beirut Arab University. He was elected as the Islamic Group's political representative in the Beqaa and joined its political office in 2009. After Lebanon’s 2022 parliamentary elections, he was appointed head of the political office.

The Islamic Group was officially founded in Lebanon in 1964 with the goal of promoting Islam in its purest form, addressing contemporary challenges, and fostering a society where Islam shapes both individual and collective actions.

Lebanon’s Political Landscape

What do the Lebanese people expect from their new president, Joseph Aoun, and his government led by Nawaf Salam?

Lebanese citizens have high expectations for their long-awaited president, who has assumed office after an extended vacancy. With a six-year term ahead, Aoun and his government must act swiftly to liberate Lebanese territory from Israeli occupation and prevent any continued Israeli presence on Lebanese soil.

Beyond sovereignty, the Lebanese people also seek the release of frozen bank deposits, a shift towards a productive economy instead of a rentier model, and serious efforts to combat corruption through administrative reforms.

Many also hope the president will free hundreds of unjustly imprisoned detainees, particularly the Islamists who suffered under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and abolish Lebanon’s special courts targeting civilians.

However, this government’s lifespan is expected to be short, as its mandate ends with the parliamentary elections in May 2026—just one year and two months from now unless unexpected developments extend its tenure. Meanwhile, Aoun’s presidency will last six years, with the possibility of one renewal.

What is the blueprint of the new government, and what is the real weight of the Shiite component within it?

The formation of the new government was a long-awaited national demand, but as I see it, the current structure is highly imbalanced, which has led to several issues.

The first of these is the Shiite duo's monopoly over the Ministry of Finance, which violates the constitution and the Taif Agreement that rejects exclusivity and monopoly.

This monopoly was directly responsible for the catastrophic economic collapse, making economic reform extremely difficult now, as those who caused the damage will find it hard to rebuild.

The system of political patronage was also evident, with the designated prime minister following a selective approach to distributing ministries among certain political forces, most of which have been involved in previous governments and are complicit in the country’s economic and political decline.

The third issue with the government formation is the Sunni representation, where the prime minister bypassed all Sunni forces and authorities to appoint Sunni ministers himself.

At the same time, he allowed others to name ministers for other sects. It is well-known that Sunni representation in Lebanon cannot be overlooked or monopolized by anyone.

What is Hezbollah's level of influence in Lebanon after the signing of the ceasefire agreement with the party?

The agreement, brokered by the Speaker of Parliament and endorsed by the government, clearly marks a deal between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, the Shiite duo, dominate Shiite representation in Parliament, even extending their influence to deputies from other sects.

Their parliamentary bloc consists of 30 deputies in the Lebanese Parliament, and they maintain control over the Shiite ministerial representation, which has not changed since the war.

However, Hezbollah has suffered significant losses during the war, and there is massive destruction that needs to be rebuilt. This will be one of the party's top priorities in the upcoming phases.

Can the Lebanese army fill the void left by Hezbollah on the border with the Israeli Occupation?

It is well-known that the Lebanese army plays a crucial role in protecting the nation from external threats, particularly Israeli aggression. However, it faces the consequences of Lebanon's crisis, including the severe decline in soldiers' salaries due to the economic downturn. The army is burdened with maintaining internal security, a task meant for the police and internal security forces, not the army tasked with safeguarding the country’s borders.

Lebanon’s financial incapacity limits its ability to equip the army with the necessary advanced weaponry to defend the nation effectively.

Therefore, a comprehensive defense policy is essential to protect Lebanon’s borders from any external threats. The Islamic Group has a fully developed vision for such a defense strategy.

What is the current presence of the Islamic Group in Lebanon, both politically and publicly, and what are its key activities?

The Group remains deeply rooted across Lebanese society. It has representation in the Lebanese parliament and numerous unions. It operates a network of institutions throughout Lebanon and has played a pioneering role in defending the country, as well as offering assistance to displaced people from the southern villages and the Beqaa Valley. The Group is fully prepared to actively participate in any forthcoming national events.

What is the current status and future of French influence in Lebanon with the new government?

France will attempt to establish a role in Lebanon, but it will operate under the umbrella of U.S. intervention. Both are forms of blatant interference and violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, as these nations are allies of Israel and will never prioritize Lebanese interests over Israeli ones, often doing the exact opposite.

Economic Situation

Can Lebanon secure its maritime rights to oil and gas?

After signing the maritime border demarcation agreement with Israel, Lebanon granted exploration rights to three major companies: France’s Total, Italy’s Eni, and QatarEnergy. By the end of 2023, the first phase of exploration was expected to conclude, providing a detailed report on oil and gas reserves—raising high hopes.

However, just two weeks after the start of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, Total halted its exploration, claiming no gas was found in the Qana field despite drilling 3,900 meters deep. Meanwhile, Israel continues extracting gas from the Karish field, just hundreds of meters away.

This raises serious doubts that Total’s report was politically motivated—likely dictated from Tel Aviv. Yet, the Lebanese government remained silent. Addressing this issue should be a priority for the new administration.

What are the features and causes of Lebanon’s economic crisis?

Lebanon’s economic crisis stems from two major factors that act like a vice grip, severely strangling the country’s economy.

The first is the blockade imposed on Lebanon at the behest of the United States and its favored ally, Israel, aiming to pressure Lebanon into submission. The blockade serves two primary objectives: the demarcation of maritime and land borders to benefit Israel.

This was evident in the 2023 maritime border agreement, which favored both Israel and Iran at the expense of Lebanon. Israel wasted no time extracting gas from the Karish field within a week of signing the deal, while Total, the French company exploring Lebanon’s Qana field, claimed no gas was found—despite Israel extracting gas just a few hundred meters away.

Israel and its allies seek to redraw Lebanon’s land borders to serve its interests, jeopardizing Lebanon’s national security. So far, this has not materialized.

Washington and Tel Aviv are pushing for the permanent resettlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to eliminate their right of return—a demand Western officials continue to make, despite firm Lebanese opposition at both the official and popular levels.

The Islamic Group has maintained a firm stance against these three issues, rejecting border demarcation agreements that benefit Israel while yielding nothing for Lebanon. It also insists on the Palestinians' right to return home rather than being forcibly displaced or given an alternative homeland.

What led to poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s handover to the UAE? Is the economic crisis at play, and why didn’t the Islamic Group or Hezbollah intervene to help?

The Mikati government ended its tenure in disgrace by handing over renowned poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi to the UAE authorities.

This was a grave mistake, as Lebanon has long been a haven for free expression—not a trap for silencing dissidents. Despite legal and political pressure from the Islamic Group to secure his release, the prime minister rushed to extradite him, seemingly as a political offering to secure his reappointment.

Ultimately, this act stands as a stain on his government’s legacy.

Normalization with ‘Israel’

Could Lebanon be drawn into normalizing ties with "Israel" following Trump's statement that the new Lebanese president could lead to peace with neighboring countries?

Lebanon will never be drawn into normalization with the Israeli enemy, as such a move would not only end its regional role but could also threaten its very existence. Normalization is not a simple issue that would pass unnoticed; it would face overwhelming rejection from broad segments of Lebanese society.

As a small country with a diverse sectarian and religious makeup, Lebanon has long been eyed by Israel as an easy target—for both its land and its natural wealth.

When the U.S. president claims that the Israeli Occupation’s territory is small, there’s no doubt he’s hinting at an expansionist agenda, with Lebanon—or part of it—potentially targeted for the expansion of the Israeli state.

Before Operation al-Aqsa Flood, Israel had been positioning itself to assume the historical role that Lebanon once played—as a bridge between East and West, a hub for Arab wealth, and a center for education and healthcare in the region.

These factors only strengthen the Lebanese resolve to defend their country’s role and sovereignty by all necessary means. For this reason, normalization with Israel is not a viable or acceptable prospect for the Lebanese people. It is widely and genuinely rejected across multiple segments of society because, ultimately, normalization would mean not just the loss of Lebanon’s role, but the erasure of Lebanon as an independent state.

Arab-Lebanese Relations

What will the fall of Bashar al-Assad mean for Syrian-Lebanese relations?

The fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad, who killed his people with barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and other brutal methods, will undoubtedly be seen as a blessing and a source of relief and joy for both Syrians and Lebanese alike. The establishment of an independent, liberated Syrian state free from oppression would be a significant, indirect benefit for Lebanon.

This newfound freedom would also create immense opportunities for Lebanon's economy, particularly in terms of investing its natural resources like oil and gas, which would require an agreement with the new Syrian leadership on maritime borders and economic zones.

Syria has historically served as Lebanon's gateway to the Arab world, a relationship that must remain open. For these reasons, the new leadership in both countries, especially Lebanon, must ensure that they cultivate a special relationship with the new Syrian authority, one based on good neighborliness, independence, and non-subservience.

Can the relationship between Lebanon and the new Syrian regime evolve into genuine neighborly ties after the decline of Iran and Hezbollah’s influence?

It is well known that the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad, with its barrel bombs, mass graves, and systemic oppression, did not only target Syria but also Lebanon in the most direct and destructive ways.

Bashar's regime interfered in every detail of Lebanon's political, economic, and even social affairs. It shielded and perpetuated corruption within Lebanon, jailed, and assassinated numerous Lebanese leaders. Lebanon continues to pay the price for this intervention even today.

Given that Lebanon's identity and culture are Arab, it is crucial that Lebanon maintains a genuine and distinct relationship with its Arab neighbors, especially the Syrian state. The Lebanese government should work to strengthen its ties with Syria's new leadership.

What is the extent of Saudi influence with the new government?

It has become evident that Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to complete critical milestones in Lebanon, including electing a president, appointing a prime minister, and forming a government, all in a bid to assist Lebanon in resolving its complex crises.

Will Saudi Arabia fill the void left by Iran after the Israeli strikes on Hezbollah?

Saudi Arabia has historically played a key role in supporting Lebanon. It remains one of the most prominent nations backing Lebanon, whether through economic assistance such as grants and loans, participation in international conferences aimed at supporting Lebanon, or hosting tens of thousands of Lebanese expatriates.

These efforts distinguish Saudi Arabia from non-Arab nations. Strengthening Lebanon's relationship with Saudi Arabia is therefore crucial, and the kingdom does not compete with any other country in this regard.