Lebanese UN Delegation Departed During Netanyahu Speech to Appease Hezbollah

A Lebanese political source revealed that the Lebanese delegation to the UN General Assembly departed during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to avoid angering Hezbollah. The source, who opposes Hezbollah, told Kan News that the delegation also held an unusual meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN assembly.

The source questioned the purpose of the meeting with the Iranian president, stating, "These meetings with the Iranians only give them legitimacy to continue interfering in Lebanon, contrary to the path the leadership is leading. What benefit is there in this?" The source suggested that this Lebanese behavior is not occurring in a vacuum, and that Lebanon's actions are being carefully calculated due to the upcoming elections in Israel and the US midterm elections.

Netanyahu's speech at the UN General Assembly on Thursday was met with walkouts by dozens of representatives and protests outside. He addressed the walkouts, saying, "If there are still cowards here who haven't left yet, please, leave now."

This development follows a report from Kan News last week indicating that Lebanon requested a postponement of negotiation talks with Israel, scheduled for this month in Rome. This request was reportedly made due to IDF activity on the Ali Taher ridge. Shortly before that, Kan News reported that the IDF was expected to reduce its forces in the ridge area.