Greetings to Shehbaz Sharif: Necessity of continuing pressure for Israel's complete withdrawal and supporting the extension of the Lebanese state's authority

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that “Lebanon does not want to be a battleground for regional conflicts or for exchanging messages, and that no one should negotiate on behalf of Lebanon except the Lebanese state.” He emphasized the importance of “continuing pressure for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territories and halting its aggression, as well as supporting the process of extending the authority of the Lebanese state over its entire territory with its own forces.”

During his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, and in the presence of Foreign Minister and Expatriates Affairs Minister Youssef Raji and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, President Salam welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and promote diplomatic solutions, commending the role played by Pakistan in this regard over the past months. He noted that “it is natural that any de-escalation in the region would have a positive impact on Lebanon.”

For his part, Prime Minister Sharif affirmed that “Lebanon and de-escalation within it constitute a priority for Pakistan,” and that his country “has ensured, through its contacts and regional efforts, that Lebanon is included in any de-escalation process.” He also highlighted “Pakistan’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as its support for the Lebanese government’s efforts to extend state authority over its entire territory, in accordance with the Constitution.”