Lebanese Prime Minister: Monopolizing weapons and vesting the decisions on war and peace in the state are top priorities
New York, 25 Sep (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized on Friday the paramount importance of confining weapons and the decisions on war and peace to the state and its constitutional institutions, noting that this represents a priority translated into decisions adopted by the Council of Ministers.
He made these remarks in a speech delivered during the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, stating that his country is facing a war "imposed upon it" despite repeated warnings about the dangers of being drawn into it.
Salam affirmed that as the scope of the war in the region expands and multiple initiatives aimed at ending it multiply, Lebanon adheres to a "non-negotiable" principle: no one may speak on behalf of Lebanon or negotiate for it except the Lebanese state through its constitutional institutions.
He stressed the rejection of Lebanon becoming a battleground for others' conflicts or a bargaining chip in their hands, affirming that "Lebanon's future is not decided on its behalf, and its security and stability must not be the price of settlements reached in its absence."
He explained that his country's position on the war is to demand its cessation, the consolidation of the ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces from all Lebanese territories, the release of all prisoners, the return of residents to their villages, and the reconstruction of those areas.
Salam noted that, based on this, Lebanon has entered negotiations with the Israeli occupation, under U.S. sponsorship, to reach arrangements ensuring the end of the war and the restoration of full Lebanese sovereignty.
He underscored the necessity of completing the translation of the tripartite framework reached in the negotiations into practical steps within a clear timeline and a verification mechanism ensuring the implementation of all its provisions.
Regarding the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Salam praised the role of the force, its leadership, personnel, and staff, and their sacrifices in maintaining stability and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in performing their duties and implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
On the humanitarian front, the Lebanese Prime Minister stated that the war has caused a widespread humanitarian crisis and extensive damage to housing, public facilities, infrastructure, and productive sectors, depriving large numbers of Lebanese of their homes and livelihoods.
He expressed gratitude to UN agencies and international partners for their humanitarian contributions, calling for the continued provision of necessary funding to meet the basic needs of those affected, particularly displaced persons, in parallel with the requirements for early recovery, reconstruction, and development.
He affirmed that Lebanon is fulfilling its responsibilities in reform and extending state authority over its entire territory, while calling on the international community, in turn, to assume its responsibilities in ensuring respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions.
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