Lebanon's Prime Minister Salam calls for Israel's withdrawal

Lebanon's Prime Minister Salam urges full Israeli withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for all available means to be mobilized to secure Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanon and rebuild the country around a single army and a unified decision-making mechanism. Saying that waiting for a major regional settlement was not an option, Salam called for an end to the attacks and a safe return to the south.

Scraper SystemOctober 02, 2026, 01:24 PM

Lebanon's Prime Minister Salam urges full Israeli withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for available means and support to be mobilized to rebuild the country as a strong and effective state and secure Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Speaking at a press conference in the city of Nabatieh on Friday, Salam said Lebanon should be governed by a single army with sole authority over decisions of war and peace. The prime minister said this structure would protect the country from new wars and eliminate justifications that could be used to launch new attacks or expand existing ones.

Lebanon's priorities

Describing an end to Israeli attacks as one of Lebanon's priorities, Salam said Israel must withdraw completely from the country and that people must be able to return safely to their homes. Salam also called for livelihoods to be restored and life to be revived in cities, towns and villages in the south.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (archive)

The prime minister said it was not known whether a major regional settlement would be reached or whether it would be delayed for years. Salam said that even if such a settlement were achieved, it could produce an outcome detrimental to Lebanon, adding that the country could not consider waiting for that possibility an option.

The city of Nabatieh (archive)

Attacks and withdrawal framework

At least 4,386 people have been killed, 12,413 injured and more than 1 million displaced in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2.

A framework agreement providing for Israel's gradual withdrawal from Lebanese territory was signed between Beirut and Tel Aviv on June 26 under U.S. mediation. While Israel's attacks continue, some areas in southern Lebanon remain under Israeli control. Some of these areas have been under control for decades, while others were seized during the latest war and military operations.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Salam urges full Israeli withdrawal