Salam: We will not yield to blackmail or threats of civil war | LIVE

Salam: We will not yield to blackmail or threats of civil war

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he was "not seeking a confrontation" with Hezbollah, while insisting that the government would not abandon its goal of restricting the possession of arms to the state.

"On the contrary, we must do everything possible to avoid an armed confrontation with Hezbollah. But we will not yield to blackmail or threats of civil war, and we will not retreat from the objective of limiting weapons to the state," he said.

Salam added that neither he nor any member of the government would give in to Hezbollah's "blackmail."

"I ask Hezbollah only to honor the commitments it itself accepted under the Taif Agreement, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, the cessation of hostilities declaration and the ministerial statement," he said.

The prime minister also said he had called, together with France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other partners, for a conference in Paris on March 5 to support the Lebanese Army.

"Unfortunately, we were drawn into war on March 2. Today, strengthening the army's capabilities is indispensable," he said.

Salam: It is not Lebanon, but those opening fire, who must end the hostilities

The prime minister rejected criticism that Lebanon is responsible for enforcing the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel.

"The question is: Who must stop the firing? It is not Lebanon, but those who are opening fire — namely Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards, according to their own statements. They are the ones who must end the hostilities, not me," he said.

Salam also thanked Iran, the United States and Pakistan for including Lebanon in the cease-fire arrangement.

He denounced what he described as "numerous falsehoods" about the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding, saying the text does not provide, at any point, for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon within 60 days.

He reiterated that the goal of the negotiation framework is the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the full return of south Lebanon's residents to their villages so reconstruction can begin.

Salam: We reached negotiations only after two wars

"We are not enthusiasts of negotiations, but we have reached this stage after two wars that left thousands of victims," Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said. He added that the first war caused more than $7 billion in direct damage, excluding economic losses estimated at $13 billion.

He said the objective is to allow the residents of south Lebanon to return to their homes and to put an end to "the bloodshed" and the war. He described the second conflict as "a war of revenge linked to [Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei."

Salam also said that, if implemented, the negotiation framework should lead to a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and allow the "safe and dignified" return of displaced residents to their villages and homes.

Salam: We are now discovering tunnels and weapons in the South, which was supposed to be a demilitarized zone

Salam recalled that Lebanon had committed under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 to make south Lebanon a demilitarized zone.

"Yet today, we are discovering tunnels and weapons," he said.

He also questioned why the Lebanese Army had not been allowed to deploy in the South following Israel's withdrawal in 2000, which came after the resistance's military operations.

"Today, every area evacuated by the Israeli army will be taken over by the Lebanese army, which will extend the state's authority there," he said.

Salam explained that the process outlined in the framework is both gradual and reciprocal. It provides for Israel to withdraw first from two pilot zones, after which the Lebanese Army will deploy there and establish state authority.

1949 Armistice remains a 'fundamental reference,' Salam says

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also responded to criticism from Walid Joumblatt regarding the framework agreement under negotiation, saying the 1949 Armistice Agreement remains a "fundamental reference."

"The Armistice Agreement is a fundamental reference. What remains of it are the principles on which it is based, but for it to be applicable today, it must be updated," he said, adding that he understood Joumblatt’s "concerns."

The prime minister also noted that the cease-fire agreement of Nov. 27, 2024, which ended the previous escalation, "also did not refer to the Armistice Agreement." As for U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, he said it refers to it "only once, solely for border delimitation."

Referring to what he called the "support war" launched by Hezbollah on March 2 in solidarity with its Iranian ally, Salam said that "regardless of the adventure of the support war and its catastrophic consequences, which some describe as victories, we see the number of victims and the cost of reconstruction: it is a real catastrophe."

Iran says talks in Qatar on implementing MoU with US have concluded

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced on Wednesday the conclusion of talks in Doha on implementing the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington on ending the Middle East war, state media reported.

The participants agreed that "a communication channel would be established by tomorrow" to report and record violations of the memorandum, the IRNA state news agency quoted Gharibabadi as saying.

Salam: Our priority in upcoming negotiations will be to establish a timetable for Israeli withdrawal

Salam added that Lebanon’s priority in the next rounds of negotiations will be to secure a clear timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Salam said that if the Lebanon–Israel text is understood as a framework defining the course of negotiations, then the issue of Israeli withdrawal must be addressed according to a specific timeline. "Our priority in the next rounds of negotiations will be to establish this timetable," he said.

Addressing residents of south Lebanon, the prime minister said the text does provide for an Israeli withdrawal. "What is the difference between redeployment outside Lebanese territory and withdrawal? The framework provides for redeployment outside Lebanese territory. The term ‘territory’ is defined with the definite article, meaning the entirety of Lebanese territory. This therefore means a withdrawal," he said.

Salam: We are not talking about an ‘accord’ but a tripartite framework

In an interview with journalist Albert Kostanian on LBCI, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he had "a problem" with the term "framework agreement" used to describe the text concluded Friday between Lebanon and Israel, which links Hezbollah’s disarmament to an Israeli withdrawal.

He said the wording was "a source of misunderstanding."

"We are not talking about an agreement called a ‘framework agreement,’ but a tripartite framework," he said, adding that it is a "framework for negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement, not an agreement in itself or a treaty."

Netanyahu’s claim that Iran already possesses nuclear weapons ‘complete lie,’ source tells Haaretz

An Israeli source familiar with Iran's nuclear program told Haaretz that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that Iran had already obtained nuclear weapons was a "complete lie."

In an interview Wednesday on the right-wing Channel 14 program "The Patriots," Netanyahu said he decided to attack Iran twice to save Israel "from annihilation by atomic bombs, which were already in their possession, and who knows who would be here today."

2 Israeli drone strikes on Nabatieh Fawqa

Two Israeli drone strikes hit Nabatieh Fawqa within the span of a few minutes, marking the first Israeli strikes on south Lebanon today.

One of the strikes hit a parked car, without causing any casualties, our correspondent in the South reported. As an Islamic Health Committee (affiliated with Hezbollah) Civil Defense team attempted to inspect the site, Israeli troops shot at them, forcing them to evacuate.

The Israeli army opens fire toward Beit Yahoun and Haddatha

The Israeli army opened machine-gun fire toward the villages of Beit Yahoun and Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district.

Thick black smoke was also seen rising above Beit Yahoun, where our correspondent in the South reported a possible Israeli operation in which invading troops are setting homes on fire.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli army drone dropped two sound bombs over Nabatieh Fawqa.

Israeli attacks have killed 4,297 and injured 12,196 since March 2

Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed over 4,297 people and injured 12,196 others, according to the Health Ministry. The death toll has been steadily climbing as rescuers recover bodies from the rubble in areas Israel had previously blocked off access to.

South Lebanon: Israel fires 3 stun grenades on Yater from military drone

Israel fired three stun grenades from a military drone on Yater (Bint Jbeil), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Trump says US and Iran 'getting along very well'

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States was getting along very well with Iran and that recent meetings in Qatar went well.

"The denuclearization of Iran is moving along well," Trump told reporters. "They've had very good meetings, and we'll see," saying that Iran has "come a long way." "I think they're fine," the president added.

The U.S. and Iran held technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as they seek to ‌agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting "cease-fire," a source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Iranian official said.

Aoun welcomes Berri’s stance ‘aimed at preventing discord,’ denies rumours of Haykal’s dismissal

President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that he welcomed the recent remarks by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri “aimed at preventing discord” following the fierce criticism leveled at the framework agreement concluded last week between Lebanon and Israel.

“We all agree that discord is unacceptable and that it is forbidden to undermine the army,” said Aoun on the sidelines of a reception for delegations from the Beirut and North Lebanon Bar Associations at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. He took the opportunity to deny the “rumors” surrounding the possible dismissal of the army’s commander-in-chief, General Rodoplh Haykal, and other heads of the security forces — rumors which had been circulated in recent days by Nawaf Moussaoui, a senior Hezbollah politician.

“The framework agreement resulting from the Washington negotiations embodies the logic of the state through its provisions and safeguards Lebanon’s rights both legally and operationally,” he also stated, emphasizing that its signing constituted “neither a capitulation nor a renunciation of our rights."

Iran deputy FM: Discussions in Doha focused on 'implementation of interim agreement between Tehran and Washington'

The talks in Doha focused on “the implementation of the interim agreement between Tehran and Washington,” said Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, according to state media cited by Reuters.

Leading a delegation comprising representatives from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank, and the Agriculture Ministry, Kazem Gharibabadi held talks with the Prime Minister of Qatar. He also took part in a trilateral meeting between Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan to discuss the implementation of the interim agreement.

Southern Lebanon: Man injured from Israeli airstrike on June 19 in Nmeirieh succumbs to his injuries

Rafeh Ali Bdeir, who was injured on June 19 in an Israeli strike on Nmeirieh (Nabatieh), has succumbed to his injuries. The Amal Movement, of which he was a member, announced his death.

Iran will respond 'immediately and forcefully' to any Israeli threat, says Araghchi

Iran will respond “immediately and forcefully” to any threat against its people or its leaders, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X, in response to statements by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz had stated at a press conference that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was “on the list of people to be eliminated.”

“The U.S. President has pledged to rein in his protégés in Tel Aviv. If they disobey their master, Iran will teach them a lesson,” Araghchi added.

Indirect Iran-US technical talks underway in Doha, source says

Indirect technical talks between the United States and Iran have been ongoing since Tuesday night in Doha, with Qatar and Pakistan serving as mediators, a senior Iranian official with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters on Wednesday.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met Qatar's prime minister on Tuesday to lay the groundwork for Wednesday’s technical sessions but are not attending the talks themselves, adding that the discussions were focused on the release of Tehran's funds and the Strait of Hormuz.

“Indirect negotiations began on Tuesday night. Iran held meetings with Qatari and Pakistani officials, who in turn met with the U.S. side. The indirect talks continued on Wednesday, focusing on Iran’s frozen assets and the Strait of Hormuz,” the official said.

Katz: Israel will remain in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza ‘indefinitely'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed that Israeli forces will remain “indefinitely” in what it describes as “security zones” established in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army “will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an indefinite period in order to protect our citizens and communities from jihadist elements,” he said in a speech delivered at a military ceremony.

Israel establishes 2 new military checkpoints near Naqoura, southern Lebanon

Israel has installed two new military checkpoints near Naqoura in southern Lebanon, within the occupied "buffer zone," reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

One is situated on the Iskandarouna coastal road, approximately eight kilometers from the southern border, and the second near the Rêve de la Mer hotel in Naqoura, halfway between the first and the Blue Line.

According to our correspondent, this measure is aimed in particular at restricting the movements of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose headquarters are situated nearby.

Security sources contacted by our correspondent have also denied press reports claiming that such barriers have been installed along the so-called "Yellow Line," which marks the boundary of the occupied zone in southern Lebanon.

According to these sources, the Israeli army had already effectively cut off several roads separating the occupied "buffer zone" from the rest of Lebanese territory, either wholly or partially, following Israeli air strikes.

House of Representatives rejects resolution calling for 'withdrawal of US armed forces from all hostilities in Lebanon'

Last night, for the second time in June, the House of Representatives rejected a resolution calling for “the withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from all hostilities in Lebanon,” at a time when the Israeli army is refusing to withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah has been disarmed — a task entrusted to the Lebanese Army.

Several dozen Democrats in the House of Representatives voted alongside Republicans on Tuesday to reject the motion. Specifically, the resolution was defeated by 235 votes to 189, with 22 Democrats joining Republicans in voting against it, according to Axios.

According to the text, tabled by Democrat Rashida Tlaib, Congress was to “direct the President to withdraw United States armed forces from any hostilities in Lebanon no later than seven days after the date of adoption of this concurrent resolution.”

“Nothing in this concurrent resolution shall be construed as preventing or limiting security cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) or the protection of diplomatic facilities,” the text specified. This point was not included in the first version of the text, which had been rejected by 117 Democrats.

Most of the centrist Democrats who voted against the resolution felt that it addressed a non-existent problem, pointing out that the United States is not involved in Israeli operations in Lebanon, reports Axios. “To my knowledge, we are not engaged in a conflict with Lebanon,” said Jared Golden (Maine), a pro-Israel Democrat who opposed the measure.

Ghalibaf: Iran favors diplomacy with US but stands ready for 'war’

The head of the Iranian negotiating team, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said in an interview broadcast on state television on Tuesday evening that Iran favored dialogue with the United States whilst standing ready for "war."

“We favor dialogue, but if this dialogue does not materialize, we are also prepared for war,” said Ghalibaf, who is also the Iranian Speaker of Parliament, as Iranian and U.S. delegations are due to hold separate talks with Qatar, which is mediating alongside Pakistan.

US and Iranian representatives are set to hold indirect talks today in Doha

U.S. and Iranian representatives are due to hold indirect technical talks today in Doha on the agreement aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, a diplomat familiar with the talks told AFP.

“U.S. and Iranian officials are set to hold indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators,” said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Donald Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who met the Qatari Prime Minister in Doha on Tuesday, will not be taking part in these technical talks.

Netanyahu: We must deal with remnants of Iranian axis and seize opportunities for peace agreements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel still needed to “deal with the remnants of the Iranian axis and seize opportunities for peace agreements” during an interview last night with Israel’s Channel 14, as reported by The Times of Israel, a few days after the signing of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

“There are agreements with Lebanon that nobody had anticipated. There are also contacts with other countries. I cannot say any more than that,” added the head of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. The agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv provides for the disarmament of Hezbollah alongside Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, as a prerequisite for “lasting peace” between the two countries.

When asked whether the wars waged by Israel against Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah in recent years could be considered over, Benjamin Netanyahu replied: “It is never over. If you want to live in the Middle East — and in the world — you have to be very strong." "Israel is stronger than ever, and we have repelled these threats. We have considerably weakened them. We still have work to do…’, he said. He concluded: "When you are strong, people ally themselves with you, and they also make peace with you."

Israel delays withdrawal from 'pilot zones' in southern Lebanon

Israel has delayed its withdrawal from the so-called "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon until a new monitoring mechanism is put in place, according to Kan11.

The withdrawal of Israeli troops from two "pilot zones’ in southern Lebanon, as provided for in the framework agreement signed last Friday between Lebanon and Israel, is reportedly to be postponed until an agreement is reached on a "joint monitoring mechanism" for the Lebanese and Israeli armies, according to Israeli Channel 11.

In addition to the framework agreement, the two countries signed a “security annex” on Friday, which provides for Lebanon and Israel to establish a “Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L),” tasked with operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to manage deconfliction, verification, and overall implementation” of the framework.

This new "Mechanism," which is set to replace the supervisory committee established following the ceasefire agreement of Nov. 27, 2024, is expected, according to the Israeli broadcaster, to "strengthen cooperation" between the two countries, "which will operate jointly, presumably within a virtual joint command center, under U.S. coordination."

Security sources close to the matter emphasized to the media that no timetable has been set for a withdrawal from the "pilot zones," but that when it does take place, it must “be carried out properly.”

Unlike the 2024 "Mechanism," this supervisory commission will also be tasked with coordinating the dismantling of Hezbollah’s infrastructure, rather than merely reporting "cease-fire" violations. With this in mind, the United States seeks to "approve" the participants in order to ensure that Hezbollah does not have access to the information transmitted via this mechanism.

Israeli soldiers open fire on a vehicle in Ibl al-Saqi, without causing any injuries

This morning, Israeli soldiers opened fire on a vehicle near the Ibl al-Saqi spring (Marjayoun), hitting the car several times without causing any injuries, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Located in the south-eastern corner of Lebanon, a few kilometers from the border, the village was home to around 450 Lebanese families — Christians and Druze — prior to the war.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops carried out earthworks using military bulldozers on what was once a farm on the outskirts of Shanouh and Halta (Hasbaya), within the so-called "yellow line." The farm has been emptied of both people and farm animals due to Israel's ongoing occupation of the area.

Overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, an Israeli drone fired a stun grenade on Haddatha. Israel proceeded to destroy houses in both Haddatha and Tiri, both located in the Bint Jbeil district.

On Wednesday, Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced the death of one of its members, Hassan Khaled Abu Nasser, aged 25, who was killed in southern Lebanon during the war. His funeral is due to take place later today at the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.

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