The Day of the Wafic Safa Resignation

Morning editorial coverage focused on the diplomatic fallout from General Joseph Aoun’s Washington visit, specifically Senator Lindsey Graham’s public criticism of the Lebanese Army's relationship with Hezbollah. Simultaneously, editors tracked the opening of the Muscat nuclear channel, with state-aligned and pro-Hezbollah media framing Iran’s refusal to negotiate its missile program as a non-negotiable red line. By early afternoon, attention shifted to the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who pressured Lebanese officials to implement a state monopoly on arms. This coincided with the signing of a judicial agreement with Damascus to repatriate 300 Syrian prisoners, a development highlighted as a rare instance of bilateral cooperation. The evening was dominated by reports that Hezbollah accepted the resignation of its long-time security and liaison chief, Wafic Safa. Editors across the spectrum treated the appointment of Hussein al-Abdallah as his successor as a major structural shift within the organization, overshadowing cabinet discussions regarding public sector salaries and the potential reopening of the Qoleiat airport.