Lebanon – Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati considered, yesterday, Sunday, that there is currently an opportunity for there to be no weapons in southern Lebanon except those of the state.
Since last September 23, Israel has been waging a massive, bloody war on Lebanon, calling for the withdrawal of the Lebanese factions to the north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, while it has continued for decades to occupy Lebanese lands in the south.
Mikati spoke in a meeting with members of the Lebanese community at the Lebanese Embassy in Riyadh, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office.
On Monday, Mikati will participate in an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Saudi Arabia to discuss the continuation of the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.
Mikati said, in the meeting with the community, “The opportunity is available today to bring everyone back under the control of the state, and for the state to be the first and last decision maker on all matters.”
He added: “God willing, we will not waste this opportunity, so we will work together to save Lebanon.”
Mikati continued: “I hope that we will pass this difficult stage as quickly as possible, and reach a ceasefire and implement international resolutions, the basis of which is Resolution 1701, and strengthening the army’s presence in the south, and there will be no weapon except the weapon of legitimacy.”
Resolution 1701, issued by the UN Security Council on August 11, 2006, calls for a complete cessation of combat operations between Hezbollah and Israel at that time.
It also calls for the establishment of a zone free of weapons and militants between the Blue Line (separating Lebanon and Israel) and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with the exception of the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL).
Earlier on Sunday, the newspaper “Israel Hayom” talked about an upcoming agreement between Lebanon and Israel, according to which the Israeli army will withdraw from the first line of Lebanese factions’ positions in southern Lebanon. The agreement includes international guarantees from the United States and Russia to prevent the party’s re-arming.
No official statements were issued by the parties concerned about the imminence of reaching an agreement.
After clashes with factions in Lebanon, which began after Israel launched a war of genocide on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, leaving more than 146 Palestinians dead and wounded, Tel Aviv has expanded the scope of genocide since last September 23 to include most areas of Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut, through air strikes. It also began a ground invasion in its south.
The Israeli aggression against Lebanon resulted in a total of 3,189 dead and 14,78 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to about 1,400,000 displaced people. Most of the victims and displaced persons were recorded after September 23, according to Anatolia’s monitoring of official Lebanese data until Saturday evening. .
Every day, the Lebanese factions respond by launching missiles, drones, and artillery shells targeting military sites, intelligence headquarters, military gatherings, and settlements. While Israel announces some of its human and material losses, military censorship imposes a strict blackout on most of the losses, according to observers.
Anatolia
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**Interview with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati About Current Developments in Southern Lebanon**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Prime Minister Mikati. You recently mentioned the possibility of disarming factions in southern Lebanon and giving the state control over weapons. Could you elaborate on what led you to believe that this opportunity exists now?
**Prime Minister Mikati:** Thank you for having me. The situation has been incredibly difficult in recent months, especially with the ongoing Israeli aggression. However, I believe there is now a unique opportunity for unity among the Lebanese factions. We can bring everyone under the control of the state, which is essential for restoring order and stability. This is an opportunity we must not waste.
**Editor:** You mentioned the importance of Resolution 1701 in your statements. Can you explain how this resolution can play a role in the current context?
**Prime Minister Mikati:** Resolution 1701 is vital for ensuring peace in our region. It calls for a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a demilitarized zone between Lebanon and Israel. By strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the south and ensuring that only legitimate state authority carries weapons, we can uphold this resolution and work towards long-term peace.
**Editor:** The situation on the ground appears to be precarious, especially with longstanding tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. How do you plan to facilitate cooperation among different factions in Lebanon?
**Prime Minister Mikati:** It starts with dialogue. We must engage with all factions and emphasize that a unified Lebanon is in everyone’s best interest. I will be attending an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit to address these issues. We aim to garner regional support for a ceasefire and the implementation of international resolutions to stabilize the situation.
**Editor:** You have expressed hope for a swift end to the current crisis. What immediate actions do you believe will help achieve this?
**Prime Minister Mikati:** First and foremost, we need to work towards a ceasefire. We must implement international resolutions, particularly 1701, and enhance the presence of our military in the south. Together with the support of the international community, we can create a secure environment where the state holds a monopoly on legitimate force.
**Editor:** Thank you, Prime Minister Mikati, for your insights. We wish you success in your efforts for peace and stability in Lebanon.
**Prime Minister Mikati:** Thank you. Together, we can save Lebanon and ensure a brighter future for all its citizens.
