Lebanon vows to end Israeli war, secure full withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared on Sunday that his government remains committed to ending the Israeli war on Lebanon and securing a full Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese land. Speaking at a press conference in Beirut, Salam stated: “We will continue working to end this war, secure the Israeli withdrawal from all our territory, and secure the return of all our prisoners.”

Rebuilding and protecting the south

Salam’s remarks came on the eve of the anniversary of Lebanon’s 1975 civil war, which killed 150,000 people and displaced over one million. He emphasized that the government is actively working to rebuild villages and towns destroyed by Israeli assaults and to enable displaced families to return home. “The south will not be abandoned again to face fear, destruction, and anxiety about its future,” Salam said. “Its protection, like the protection of all of Lebanon, can only be achieved through a single, strong, and just state.”

Escalation and upcoming talks

Since Hezbollah launched a cross-border attack on March 2, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 2,055 people and injured nearly 6,600 in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to escalate operations and refuses negotiations unless Hezbollah is disarmed. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel have agreed to hold their first meeting in Washington on April 14, a move Hezbollah has condemned.