World Lebanese Cultural Union
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Los Angeles, June 17, 2026
President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, Fares Wehbe:
Lebanon will not prevail before Israel and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard withdraw from it
The diaspora supports the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister in continuing negotiations
Against the backdrop of the U.S.–Iran agreement—whose disclosed and undisclosed aspects remain unknown—Lebanese citizens have awakened to the consequences of military adventurism that has devastated Lebanon. The toll from the latest round alone stands at approximately four thousand dead, more than ten thousand wounded, and dozens of towns destroyed and occupied. Yet some continue to address us with rhetoric of victory, as if nothing had happened, or as though all these losses were a sacred duty imposed on the Lebanese people in the name of a religious doctrine detached from time and dominating Lebanon.
Lebanese people, both resident and expatriate, have grown weary of futile wars and instability. They will not accept a return to the cycle of submission revived by a deep state that aligned with external tutelage, first handing over control of the country to Syrian guardianship and later to Iranian guardianship. Accordingly, we declare the following:
- International understandings and agreements are necessary for regional de-escalation. However, it must be clear that we will not tolerate any attempts to distort these agreements to reintroduce foreign tutelage into Lebanon. The era of tutelage has ended, with no return.
- No to the occupation of the South, the Bekaa, and the southern suburbs by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, no to Israel’s occupation of the South, and no to renewed Syrian intervention. The new Syrian leadership has rightly distanced itself. Yes to the liberation of Lebanon under a sovereign and free state that alone holds the authority of war and peace, and that purges ministries and institutions of affiliates of the Revolutionary Guard who empowered Hezbollah over decades to control Lebanon’s fate, leading to its destruction and bankruptcy.
- All negotiations and agreements are irrelevant to us unless led by the state. We commend the courage of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister in pursuing direct negotiations with Israel. These must be complemented by direct negotiations—not with Iran’s arm in Lebanon—but with Iran itself, to end its blatant interference in Lebanon’s affairs and in the destiny of the Lebanese people.
- The diaspora will continue to disturb those who sell illusory victories and their allies. The era of monopolizing decision-making and recklessly playing with the country’s fate has ended. From positions of influence abroad, we will remain a pressure force to achieve full sovereignty for Lebanon.
- Only international resolutions protect Lebanon. We adhere to them because they provide the sole legal international framework to shield Lebanon from uncontrolled weapons and unchecked ambitions.
- We will not retreat from our fundamental demand that the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese security forces alone be responsible for the security of the Lebanese people and the integrity of the borders.
In conclusion, we say: Look at us in the capitals of the world—we will not remain silent about occupations, nor will we turn a blind eye to the illusions of those promoting foreign tutelage. Lebanese blood is not cheap to be shed on the altar of any tyrant. Our land will no longer remain violated, and Lebanon will no longer be an arena for anyone.
Yes to the rule of law, to the implementation of the constitution, and to a just state that governs. Sovereignty is not determined by Iran—it is determined by Lebanon!