Lebanese Prime Minister: We will continue working until the release of all our prisoners

Beirut, Sept 3 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed on Thursday the continuation of efforts to secure the release of all prisoners and the clarification of the fate of the missing, as well as achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. In a statement, Salam said, “The return of any liberated Lebanese to his homeland safely constitutes an important step on the path to addressing this file.” He extended his thanks to the U.S. administration, particularly to U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Weiss, for the efforts made in this regard. Salam added, “No matter how difficult the negotiation process may appear, we will continue to mobilize all necessary efforts to safeguard Lebanon’s rights and the interests of Lebanese citizens, especially our people in the South, and to ensure their safe and dignified return to their land and villages, and to restore the state’s full sovereignty over its territory.” The Lebanese National News Agency had previously reported that the Lebanese Army received prisoner Malik Ghazi through the International Committee of the Red Cross, after he was handed over by Israeli occupation forces at the Nahr al-Kalb border crossing in the south. It noted that Ghazi was transferred to the Lebanese Army’s intelligence office at the Benou Barakat barracks in Sidon. It is recalled that Lebanon signed a tripartite framework agreement with the United States and Israeli occupation forces on June 26, following the conclusion of the fifth round of Lebanese-Israeli talks mediated by the United States in Washington. The agreement included provisions concerning the Israeli occupation’s withdrawal, the return of displaced persons and prisoners, and even the remains of Lebanese held by the occupation. (End) A.Y.B./T.M.A.