📰 8 sources 10 articles · 25 Sep 2026, 17:38 → 21 days ago

Nawaf Salam in New York: Lebanese sovereignty is indivisible, and a meeting with the Saudi foreign minister

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed in his speech at the United Nations that there is no weapon or war decision outside the state and that Lebanese sovereignty is indivisible, and called for setting a timeline to implement the framework agreement, stressing that no one negotiates on Lebanon's behalf. In New York he met the Saudi foreign minister. This coincided with reports of Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon and of Lebanon entering a waiting phase tied to Israeli and US electoral milestones.

📍 Where things stand: Salam's positions at the UN and his meeting with the Saudi foreign minister remain the latest developments, amid reports that major files are frozen pending the Israeli Knesset elections on October 27 and the US midterm elections on November 3.

⏱️ Timeline

25 Sep 2026, 17:38 In his speech at the United Nations, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed that there is no weapon and no war decision outside the state, and that Lebanese sovereignty is indivisible. He called for setting a timeline to implement the framework agreement, stressing that no one negotiates on Lebanon's behalf, that Lebanon's future is not decided for it, and that its security is not a price paid in settlements reached in its absence.
25 Sep 2026, 23:13 A report noted that the Israeli army announced a new phase of fighting in Lebanon focused on Iqlim al-Tuffah, and that Hezbollah moved its leadership and weapons to Jabal al-Rayhan and Safi, noting that the Lebanese scene until early November remains tied to Israeli opinion polls and the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27.
25 Sep 2026, 23:43 Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met the Saudi foreign minister in New York, and affirmed that no one speaks on Lebanon's behalf or negotiates for it.
26 Sep 2026, 08:51 A report assessed that Lebanon has entered a long waiting phase in which major files have been frozen, tied to two consecutive electoral milestones: the Israeli elections on October 27, 2026 and the US midterm elections on November 3, 2026. It noted that Hezbollah avoids giving Benjamin Netanyahu an opportunity to expand the confrontation and use it electorally, and that Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz and energy card present amid oil price sensitivity.
27 Sep 2026, 09:02 A political analysis argued that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam carried to the UN podium the position that "no one speaks or negotiates on behalf of Lebanon except the Lebanese state," a challenge Lebanon faces amid continued Iranian intervention through "Hezbollah" and its linking of its decision to Tehran's decisions rather than the state's. The article noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed to New York conditions for resuming the stalled negotiations with Washington.

Timeline written by AI from the sources below; updated as new reports arrive.

How the sources covered it

Coverage varied between focusing on the content of Salam's UN speech and the assertion that no one negotiates on Lebanon's behalf, and linking the Lebanese position to Israeli escalation in the south and to the upcoming Israeli and US electoral milestones.

صوت بيروت إنترناشونال Focused on the content of Salam's UN speech (no weapon or war decision outside the state and indivisible Lebanese sovereignty), and on his meeting with the Saudi foreign minister in New York, quoting his affirmation that no one speaks or negotiates on Lebanon's behalf.
Al Akhbar Led with Salam's affirmation from New York that no one negotiates on Lebanon's behalf, and with the call to set a timeline for implementing the framework agreement.
UN News Highlighted that Lebanon's future is not decided on its behalf and that its security is not a price paid in settlements reached in its absence, in a speech addressing Lebanon's position on regional arrangements and settlements.
الديار Linked Salam's adherence to Lebanese constants to the Israeli escalation in the south, citing the Israeli army's announcement of a new phase of fighting focused on Iqlim al-Tuffah and Hezbollah's moving of its leadership and weapons to Jabal al-Rayhan and Safi, as well as the Knesset elections on October 27.
Lebanon Debate Focused on Lebanon entering a long waiting phase and the freezing of major files, on this being tied to the Israeli elections on October 27, 2026 and the US midterm elections on November 3, 2026, and on Hezbollah avoiding giving Netanyahu a chance to expand the confrontation and use it electorally.
annahar.com Presented an analysis titled "The New York confrontation" highlighting the position that "no one speaks or negotiates on behalf of Lebanon except the Lebanese state," and noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed conditions to New York for resuming the stalled negotiations with Washington.