Lebanon's Prime Minister Calls for Full Government Control Over the Country

Nawaf Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, emphasized on Tuesday, February 12, that the government must take control of all Lebanese territory. In an interview with Lebanese state television, he stressed the necessity of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of the country, stating, "The Lebanese government must assert full control over the country through its own forces, which includes areas around the Litani River." The Prime Minister also noted, "We insist on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and will continue our diplomatic and political efforts to achieve this." According to the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese army must deploy in the south of the country alongside United Nations peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) as the Israeli army withdraws within a 60-day period. Hezbollah is also required to move its forces north of the Litani River. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the United States and France, came into effect on November 28. Following ongoing efforts by the U.S. and France to stabilize Lebanon, the new government was formed on Saturday, February 10. About two-thirds of the parliament members, 84 out of 128 representatives, supported Nawaf Salam's premiership on January 15. The Lebanese parliament also introduced Joseph Aoun, a Maronite Christian politician and army commander, as the new president on January 10. Lebanon's exit from political deadlock has occurred amid the weakening of Hezbollah, which, supported by the Islamic Republic, has the least share in Lebanon's future politics. Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Deputy Envoy for Middle East Affairs, stated on Friday, February 9, that the United States has set a "red line" that Hezbollah should not be part of the new Lebanese government.