Lebanese Prime Minister: No sovereignty or stability without the army's deployment across our entire territory
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Saturday that restoring the country’s sovereignty and achieving stability require the deployment of the army and the extension of state authority over its entire territory, affirming his government’s resolve to strengthen the military’s capabilities. This statement came in a post published by Salam on the American platform X, on the occasion of the National Army Day, which is observed annually on August 1.
Salam said: “We renew our pride in our national army (...) There can be no restoration of our sovereignty, no stability for our homeland, and no security for our children without the deployment of our armed forces across all our territories and the extension of state authority over them, from Naqoura (in the south) to Arida (in the north).”
He affirmed his government’s determination to “enhance the army’s capabilities by increasing its numbers, equipping it, and improving its conditions in order to defend Lebanon and protect its people.”
On November 27, 2024, the Lebanese Army announced that it was taking necessary measures to complete its deployment in the south, following the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, as mandated by the Lebanese government.
However, the Israeli army continued to violate the agreement before launching a new offensive against the country on March 2, which was followed by a fragile truce on April 17.
The Lebanese Army began its deployment in the town of Zaiter al-Gharbi (Western Zaiter) on July 21, as part of the first phase of implementing the “Framework Agreement,” following the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the area.
Western Zaiter, located south of the Litani River, is one of the experimental areas covered by the first phase of the agreement signed in Washington on June 26.
The Lebanese Army is carrying out its missions in the Froun and Sareea areas, in coordination with the Special Military Coordination Group for Lebanon, alongside its ongoing operations in other southern areas, according to an army statement on Sunday.
The Special Military Coordination Group for Lebanon was established in June as part of the “Framework Agreement.” It is a trilateral mechanism comprising the United States, Lebanon, and Israel, designed to coordinate the implementation of the agreement.
Since March 2, the Israeli offensive on Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of 4,333 people and injuries to 12,236 others, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the clashes between 2023 and 2024. During the current offensive, Israeli forces have penetrated more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.
