Salam: No lasting stability without full withdrawal of Israeli army

The Lebanese prime minister, Nawaf Salam, stated on Friday during a tour in south Lebanon that there would be no "lasting stability" without a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from points it continues to occupy on heights it describes as "strategic."

Salam made this statement while addressing residents of Dhaira, a village whose southern part, totally destroyed, is occupied by Israeli troops, similar to at least five other positions in the border strip. These residents demonstrated in Sour in front of the Benoit Barakat barracks, where the head of the government met with Lebanese army officers to demand that the authorities "pressure" for a total Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Reconstruction process and dignified return to south Lebanon

According to the state-run National News Agency (NNA), Salam addressed the protesters at the barracks' exit and said "the government's commitment" to work for a swift return of residents from villages destroyed by Israeli bombings.

"This is not a promise, but a commitment from me and the government. We promise you a safe return to your homes and confirm the government's commitment to the reconstruction process so that this return is done with dignity, as mentioned in the ministerial declaration," he said, adding that "the government seeks to earn the people's trust through actions and not just through words."

"The government has begun, before receiving confidence, to mobilize all Arab and international support to force the enemy to withdraw from our territories and the five points as there is no real and lasting stability without the full withdrawal of Israel," he continued, expressing hope to visit the border villages soon.

Read more

Rebuilding the war-stricken areas in Lebanon, before or after the reforms?

The prime minister was met at the Sour barracks by the acting army commander, Major General Hassan Audeh, and the commander of the southern Litani sector, Brigadier General Edgar Lawandos, who represents the army within the cease-fire oversight committee.

Salam is touring the south with Environment Minister Tamara al-Zein. They arrived in the region by helicopter and are also scheduled to visit Marjayoun, Khiam and Nabatieh.

In his speech at the Sour barracks, the prime minister paid tribute to the army's “heroes” and its “innocent martyrs.”

“You are the backbone of Lebanon's sovereignty and independence,” he said, according to remarks published on X.

“Today, the Lebanese army is fully fulfilling its duties and reinforcing its deployment with determination to consolidate stability in the south and the return of our people to their villages and homes,” he added, stating that his government would work to strengthen the army, through recruitment and improving its equipment and the living conditions of soldiers.

Salam then held meetings with high-ranking officers at the François al-Hajj barracks in Marjayoun before going on to Khiam where he saw the extent of the destruction caused by the Israeli offensive. He held a rapid dialogue with the village's inhabitants, who expressed their support for the liberation of the entire south and their opposition to any Israeli army presence on Lebanese soil. The head of government said that “the Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties and is the only one authorized to protect and defend the homeland.”

After his visit to Khiam, Salam and the accompanying ministerial delegation headed for Nabatieh on the Khardali road.

“The Zionist enemy is meters away, can you bring back the Hamams Hills through dialogue? The government is not letting us rebuild our homes. Whoever destroyed my home, I will destroy his life. Through resistance, I will bring back my land,” a man from southern Lebanon told Salam during the latter’s visit to south Lebanon.

The cease-fire agreement, which went into effect at the end of November after more than 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, stipulated that the army and security forces are the only entities authorized to bear arms or deploy troops in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army remains positioned on at least five points in Lebanese territory, despite its withdrawal from south Lebanon on Feb. 18.