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"Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday lashed out at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for blocking the US-backed ceasefire agreement with Israel, accusing Tehran of using the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon as a 'bargaining chip' in its own negotiations with Washington. Salam noted that Lebanon, thanks to the efforts of the Lebanese state, Arab support, and the US, had reached 'an understanding on a ceasefire', during a press conference launching the second Flash Appeal at the Grand Serail in Beirut "[We] were stunned yesterday to find the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as the first to reject it, before any other party. This is yet another confirmation that this war is not ours, that it is not fought for us, but on our soil and at the expense of our people. Thus, the South and its people pay the price once more—for a decision they did not make, and a war that is not theirs," stated Salam. In a message to Tehran, the prime minister appealed to it to 'spare our south', while reaffirming that diplomacy is the 'least costly option' to bring the conflict to an end. "We are a nation that refuses to become a mailbox for others’ messages or an open arena for their wars. Lebanon is no one’s pawn on a table, and the South is no one’s reserve front," he proclaimed. He called on ambassadors of countries and UN organisations to 'press' Israel to stop targeting civilians and destroying villages in the south, stressing that the people of the south are not a party to any regional conflict, and 'they have the right to live in safety and dignity'. Salam concluded by confirming that negotiations continue with Tel Aviv, but that dialogue alone is 'not enough as long as the fires rage', calling for more comprehensive action. Meanwhile, Hezbollah rejected the new ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday that he 'would agree to Hezbollah's withdrawal from southern Lebanon' on the condition that 'Israeli forces withdraw at the same time from the territories they occupy', describing the US-brokered ceasefire framework as 'unjust'. The Israeli army announced on Thursday the continuation of its military operations in southern Lebanon, warning Lebanese against returning to areas south of the Litani River. On the Iranian side, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commented on the agreement, stating that its 'primary condition for accepting a ceasefire in the regional war is a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon', describing US interventions as coming under the 'pretext of establishing peace' but only leading to 'an increase in crimes and genocide'. The US State Department announced late Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to 'implement a ceasefire' under US auspices, which would include a complete cessation of hostilities by Hezbollah and the evacuation of its fighters from south of the Litani River. On April 15, the US President announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and on April 23 he confirmed its extension for three weeks, following direct talks hosted by Washington between Lebanese and Israeli officials. In mid-May, the US announced a new 45-day extension."
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