Salam: “The horizon of negotiations leads to ending the state of conflict between Lebanon and Israel”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed that the Lebanese government is working to “consolidate the ceasefire before the next round of negotiations with Israel,” stressing that “if the Israeli aggression continues, the first item in the negotiations will be the consolidation of the ceasefire.”

Salam explained that during the negotiations Lebanon will raise “stopping Israel’s attacks, releasing prisoners, and scheduling the withdrawal in a way that allows the displaced to return and reconstruction to proceed,” noting that “the horizon of negotiations, according to Lebanon’s vision, leads to ending the state of conflict between Lebanon and Israel.”

He pointed out that “Lebanon is seeking American guarantees that would help restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” affirming that “Lebanon has succeeded in establishing that the state, through its constitutional institutions, is the party negotiating on its behalf.”

He added: “Lebanon’s success in establishing the state as the reference point for negotiations does not mean that we are not affected by the course of the Islamabad negotiations.”

On the domestic front, Salam affirmed “his government’s commitment to restricting weapons to the hands of the state alone, in accordance with the decisions of the Lebanese government.”

He also revealed that “his visit to Syria tomorrow aims to strengthen relations in the fields of economy, transport, and energy,” noting that “the Lebanese authorities will work with the Syrian leadership to address the outstanding issues between the two countries in a spirit that serves the interests of both nations.”