OMM Redaksiyası
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on Friday for Israel to withdraw fully from Lebanon and for the country to strengthen state authority, as Israeli attacks continued in the south.
Speaking at a news conference during a visit to Nabatieh, Salam said Lebanon should mobilise available resources and support to build an effective state “with one army and one decision-making authority”. He said this could help prevent further wars and remove grounds for another attack or an expansion of the current one.
Lebanon’s immediate priorities
Salam said the government’s immediate goals were to stop Israeli attacks, secure a full Israeli withdrawal, allow displaced residents to return home safely, restore livelihoods and revive communities in the south.
He said Lebanon could not wait for a broader regional settlement, which might not happen or could be delayed for years. Even if reached, Salam added, such an agreement could come at Lebanon’s expense.
Attacks and withdrawal agreement
Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 4,386 people, injured 12,413 and displaced more than one million, according to the figures provided in the report.
On June 26, Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a US-sponsored framework agreement providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Israeli attacks have continued despite the agreement, and Israel still occupies areas in the south.
