At the UN General Assembly Friday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said only the state can negotiate for Lebanon and called for an end to Israeli attacks, a consolidated ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory to its internationally recognized borders.
Salam’s remarks appeared aimed particularly at Iran and its ally Hezbollah, which has its own armed forces and a central role in the conflict with Israel. He said Lebanon should not be drawn into regional conflicts or used as a bargaining chip, and that the state should control weapons and decisions on war and peace.
Salam cited the 1949 Armistice Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in calling for Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territory. Hostilities continue despite a ceasefire, with Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah accusing each other of violations; Israel’s military carries out near-daily attacks in Lebanon and maintains troops at several positions. Salam also called for Lebanese prisoners to be released, displaced people to return and war-damaged areas to be rebuilt.
