In the midst of ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has made a poignant appeal for peace at the United Nations General Assembly. His call for a ceasefire with Israel and the end of occupation in southern Lebanon underscores the urgent need for a resolution, emphasizing the necessity for all parties to adhere to international agreements. Salam’s remarks shed light on the complex dynamics in the region, where local governance and international diplomacy intersect, and reveal a broader aspiration for regional stability that respects the rights of the Palestinian people.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged a definitive end to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon and the rigorous enforcement of a ceasefire during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As conflict rages on, with reports of Israeli shelling and demolitions, Salam emphasized that peace must be pursued actively and effectively. “We want the war to end, and we want the ceasefire consolidated,” he declared, calling for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory up to its internationally recognized borders, alongside the release of all Lebanese detainees.
While Salam spoke at the UN, the situation on the ground manifested ongoing hostilities. Israeli forces reportedly executed a substantial explosion near Taybeh and Deir Siryan, while an airstrike targeted a valley between Froun and Ghandourieh, resulting in uncontrolled fires. Local reports noted that Lebanese civil defense teams and firefighters faced obstacles due to ongoing Israeli operations, impeding their efforts to extinguish the flames. “From the ground here in Froun, we can still see Israeli warplanes and drones flying at low altitudes in the skies above,” noted Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr, who covered the escalating tensions.
Since March 2, when hostilities reignited between Hezbollah and Israel, the scale of destruction has been staggering. The conflict has led to at least 4,386 fatalities and 12,407 injuries, with Israeli forces having occupied around 600 square kilometers of Lebanese territory, reaching the Litani River. An agreement brokered by the United States in June aimed to facilitate a gradual Israeli withdrawal and the repositioning of the Lebanese army into areas vacated by Israeli troops.
In his speech, Salam highlighted the crucial need for both parties to honor their commitments for peace and stability. “What is required is to translate this agreement into actionable steps within a clear timetable and with a verification mechanism to ensure compliance,” he stated. Emphasizing the sanctity of state sovereignty, Salam insisted it must be respected universally, reinforcing that international law should not apply selectively.
Salam reiterated the importance of addressing Hezbollah’s disarmament, positing it as a precondition for Israel’s full withdrawal. He proclaimed that “weapons must be exclusively in the hands of the state,” asserting that decisions regarding war and peace should lie solely with Lebanon’s constitutional authorities. He underscored the principle that true stability in the Middle East hinges on recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people. “Lasting stability in Lebanon cannot be achieved without parallel stability in the region,” he cautioned, reminding delegates that the quest for peace must also ensure the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
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