Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Baabda. (Credit: AFP)
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that "we have removed weapons from over 500 warehouses in the south, strengthened security at Beirut International Airport and we are working with diplomatic channels to stop Israel's attacks on Lebanon and to withdraw from the five points," during his speech at the Lebanon Reconstruction Conference on Tuesday.
Israel still occupies five positions in southern Lebanon, in violation of the cease-fire agreement signed with Lebanon on Nov. 27, 2024, after more than 13 months of war. This agreement specifically called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops within two months.
Speaking at a conference titled "Investment Frameworks, Business Prospects, and Conflict Resolution," at the Phoenicia hotel in Beirut, Salam emphasized that "restoring the sovereignty of our country is crucial to rebuilding trust with the international community and encouraging investors to return to Lebanon. An independent judiciary is the cornerstone for making our country a hub for international arbitration and redefining its role in conflict resolution."
In May, Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said before a delegation of the Lebanese-Saudi Business Council that "what encourages the return of investors, especially those from the Gulf, is the reestablishment of confidence in Lebanon, and that is what we are working on in cooperation with Parliament and the government," Aoun said.
He also stated that "the reforms that have been approved, and those that will be, are the natural entry point for the return of this confidence," as Lebanon hopes to attract investments that could revive an economy in a severe socio-economic and financial crisis for more than five years.
'Israeli attacks have destroyed infrastructure'
Salam added, "It is time to build the state, which is one of the top priorities of my government. The pillars of my government’s vision are restoring sovereignty and ensuring security and stability across all Lebanese territories."
He emphasized that "Israeli attacks have destroyed infrastructure and impacted the lives of the Lebanese people. However, the people have persevered with steadfastness and determination, just as companies and institutions have remained resilient despite the collapse."
For the fourth time since the cease-fire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel came into effect on Nov. 27 of last year, Israel bombed Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday night with at least eight airstrikes.
The World Bank estimates the total cost of damage at $6.8 billion in the regions affected by Israeli bombings in Lebanon, with economic losses amounting to $7.2 billion. These estimates cover the period from Oct. 8, 2023, the date the hostilities began between the two foes, to Dec. 20, 2024.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon also killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon.