Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein (right) welcoming Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam upon his arrival at Baghdad International Airport to participate in the 34th Arab League Summit on May 16, 2025. (Credit: Thaier Al-Sudani/Pool/AFP.)
BEIRUT — Speaking at the Arab summit held in Baghdad on Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Lebanon has opened a new chapter in its history "with a clear policy" based on reforms and the restoration of the state's sovereignty over its entire territory, holding the monopoly on arms and the decision of war and peace.
In a speech before Arab leaders, Salam thanked the countries of the league for their support in the ongoing process of restoring Lebanon, insisting on his commitment to implement United Nations Resolution 1701 and rebuild areas destroyed during the last conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
He also denounced the ongoing Israeli occupation at various points in southern Lebanon, as well as its daily violations of the truce, calling on Arab countries to exert pressure within the international community to put an end to the aggression.
Two-state solution
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates the disarmament of militias and armed parties, facilitated the end of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Several Arab leaders emphasized on Saturday the necessity of its implementation.
Salam assured that despite all the challenges, Lebanon remains committed to the Palestinian cause, condemning the Israeli policy of destruction and massacres in the Palestinian territories, notably in Gaza, and its refusal to implement international resolutions. He recalled Lebanese support for the two-state solution, in accordance with the decisions of the Beirut Summit in 2002, and its refusal of any deportation of Palestinians.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani announced on Saturday that his country would allocate $40 million for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, devastated by 19 months of Israeli bombardment.
The summit also urged the international community to fulfill its legal obligations and take decisive measures to end the Israeli occupation of Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan and southern Lebanon, as well as condemning Israeli violations.
It also called for the full, immediate and unconditional withdrawal from southern Lebanon, demanded the handover of prisoners and detainees of the recent war and called for adherence to the 1949 Armistice Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Despite the November cease-fire agreement, which ended more than 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the Israeli army has been carrying out near-daily airstrikes and still occupies five positions in southern Lebanon.
Moreover, the states expressed their support for Lebanon's security, stability and sovereignty as well as for efforts to return displaced Syrians to their country.
Lebanon has hosted several hundred thousand Syrian refugees since the beginning of the civil war in that country in 2011. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 paves the way for their return home, and the upcoming lifting of sanctions should allow for an economic recovery that will aid in their resettlement in their towns and villages.
Cooperation with UNIFIL
During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit, Salam strongly reiterated Lebanon’s “categorical rejection of (Israeli) aggression” and stressed “the need for its immediate cessation,” stating that “the continued Israeli occupation of parts of Lebanese territory constitutes a blatant violation of international legitimacy resolutions, primarily Resolution 1701,” according to a statement from the Grand Serail posted on X.
Despite the cease-fire agreement, Israel continues to carry out near-daily bombings in southern Lebanon, killing 159 people since it came into effect, according to our tally, and maintains five positions within Lebanese territory.
Salam also “reaffirmed the importance of the role played by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)” to Guterres and expressed “the full commitment of the Lebanese government to cooperate with it in order to help maintain security and stability along the Blue Line.”
A key component in the implementation of Resolution 1701, the international force — which uncovers Hezbollah weapons caches south of the Litani River and carries out patrols often without the Lebanese Army — has faced increasing confrontations in recent weeks from residents in southern Lebanon.
In a separate meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Salam thanked Spain for its participation in UNIFIL and expressed gratitude to Madrid for its “support for Lebanon, its recognition of the State of Palestine, and its endorsement of the two-state solution as a path toward a just and comprehensive peace,” according to another statement from the Grand Serail on X. UNIFIL currently consists of 10,000 soldiers, including 650 from Spain.
Discussing with Syrian authorities
Salam welcomed the recent decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions against Syria, congratulating Saudi Arabia for its role in this breakthrough, which he believes will have positive repercussions on Lebanon. He stated that Lebanese authorities are ready to discuss with Syrian authorities the arrangements for the return of Syrian refugees to their homes and asked Arab countries to help these people regain a dignified life in their country.
Lebanon has hosted several hundred thousand Syrian refugees since the beginning of the civil war in that country in 2011. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 paves the way for their return home, and the upcoming lifting of sanctions should allow for an economic recovery that will aid in their resettlement in their towns and villages.
The decision to lift sanctions against Syria, operational for years, was made by Trump during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, under the impetus of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), and following a meeting in Riyadh with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.