Lebanese prime minister visits war-torn south

By Murat Basoglu and Ikram Kouachi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday visited southern Lebanon, marking his first trip to the region since his government received a vote of confidence.

Salam, whose government secured the support of the parliament on Wednesday, was accompanied by a number of ministers.

Their first stop was in the Benoit Barracks in the coastal city of Tyre, where Salam delivered a speech to the Lebanese army and UN mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL.

In his address, Salam praised the army for its role in maintaining stability in the region and reiterated its commitment to securing the safety of the local population.

“The Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties, reinforcing its deployment with determination and resolve to uphold stability in the south and ensure the safe return of our people to their villages and homes," Salam said.

The prime minister emphasized that his government would continue to empower the army by expanding manpower, upgrading its equipment and training, and improving service conditions to enhance its defensive capabilities.

Salam also appreciated UNIFIL, recognizing “its role as a peacekeeping force that has supported Lebanon since 1978.”

Condemning any attacks on the UN mission, he praised “its close cooperation with the Lebanese army in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, aimed at maintaining security in southern Lebanon.”

“We reject any assault on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and will take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Salam said.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since late November, which ended months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26. However, the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.

Lebanese authorities have reported over 1,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 83 victims and injuries to 280 others.