Latest news with #Salam
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lebanese Prime Minister says normalization with Israel only possible with two-state-solution
"I would like to see a two-state solution, Israel withdrawing from the occupied territories in exchange for peace, and that peace will lead to normalization," said the PM. Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon and former President of the International Court of Justice, said in an interview with CNN in Dubai this week that his country's normalization of relations with Israel would only be possible through a two-state solution that includes the creation of a Palestinian state. "I would like to see a two-state solution, Israel withdrawing from the occupied territories in exchange for peace, and that peace will lead to normalization. Normalization is part of the vision." Salam also said during the interview that Israel's presence "in parts of southern Lebanon is undermining Beirut's attempts to restore sovereignty," and added that he would like the US to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five outposts that it established a few hundred meters from the border. 'Israeli presence in Lebanon is a red line for everyone. This is not a red line for Hezbollah alone,' he added in the interview. He previously did an interview with Sky News Arabia this week, and told the source that his government would not be cooperating closely with Iran, and said that Lebanon would only consider peace with Israel if it was "real peace." 'We are a peace-seeking nation, but we want a real peace. Israel is occupying territories that belong to our country,' he said. Salam was appointed prime minister in January, with his ascent to the position being met with opposition from Hezbollah. As ICJ president, he initially presided over South Africa's ongoing genocide case against Israel. Yonah Jeremy Bob, Amichai Stein, and Steve Ganot/The Media Line contributed to this report.
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri urges govt. to prioritize reconstruction, says 'will escalate if Salam escalates'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 7 hours Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri seems to support ally Hezbollah in its cold war with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Salam, who vowed the state's monopoly on arms since his appointment, recently escalated his rhetoric saying that the era of "exporting the Iranian revolution has ended" and that the state "will not remain silent over any arms outside the state's control". "The region has grown tired of Iranian-U.S. polarization," he said. Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad responded criticizing Salam for recently omitting the word "Resistance" from the "Resistance and Liberation Day" holiday in one of his statements, but said he would not say more "to preserve what's left of cordiality." Berri seemed to take Hezbollah's side, telling local al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Friday, that "if Salam escalates, we will escalate and if he chooses to calm things down, we will calm them down." Berri went on to say that it is the government's responsibility to prioritize the construction of war-hit regions, "whether it likes it or not." "It must be the first topic to discuss with sisterly countries, especially since Lebanon has begun strengthening its relations with the world." Salam had said that Lebanon, exhausted by divisions and wars, is returning to the Arab fold and will be open to the world.
Ya Libnan
2 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
‘We want Israel out yesterday, not tomorrow:' Lebanon's PM urges US to pressure Israel to withdraw troops
Israel's military occupation in parts of southern Lebanon is undermining Beirut's attempts to restore sovereignty over a nation reeling from decades of conflict, the country's prime minister has told CNN. Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he would like to see the current United States administration put pressure on Israel to withdraw from five locations in southern Lebanon. A US-mediated agreement in November last year paused months of fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militant group that operates in Lebanon. Israel has significantly weakened Hezbollah over the past year, killing much of its top leadership and severely degrading its power through mass airstrikes. 'Israel's presence is politically counterproductive. It's undermining my government…we want Israel out yesterday, not tomorrow.'Salam The prime minister said Lebanon has been honoring its commitments to the November agreement and that the Lebanese military is 'consolidating control' over the south of the country and its borders. Hezbollah is committed to an agreement that affirms that the Lebanese military is the only authority allowed to bear arms, Salam said Wednesday. However, 'Israel has not honored its commitments,' he added. The 'Israeli presence in Lebanon is a red line for everyone. This is not a red line for Hezbollah alone,' he told CNN's Becky Anderson in Dubai, where he's attending the Arab Media Forum and meeting Emirati leadership. 'Israel's argument is as follows… they need to be in these five points in order to have a better monitoring of the situation in southern Lebanon… but we are not in World War One…we are in the age of satellite imagery, of drones with cameras. They have balloons monitoring the region, let alone a network of spies operating on the ground,' Salam said. 'Israel's presence is politically counterproductive. It's undermining my government…we want Israel out yesterday, not tomorrow.' Despite agreeing to withdraw from Lebanese territory as part of the US-mediated agreement, Israel has said that the Lebanese army has yet to take control of a region with Hezbollah presence. Israeli defense minister, Israel Katz, said in March that the Israeli military would remain in these five points 'indefinitely, to protect the residents of the north – regardless of any future negotiations.' Along with the United States, France and the United Nations are monitoring the ceasefire. 'I'm sure they can testify that Lebanon has been honoring its commitments while Israel has not honored its commitments,' Salam said on the mediating countries. Salam, who rose to prominence after presiding over the International Court of Justice during South Africa's genocide case against Israel, was designated Lebanon's prime minister in January in a surprise move that was seen as a blow to Hezbollah and its allies. Widely seen as a reformist, the prime minister declared specific priorities for his mandate, including ending institutional corruption and regaining sovereignty over his country by disarming Hezbollah and Palestinian factions. 'The goal… is that the state should have exclusive monopoly over arms, over all its territory,' he said in the interview. (CNN)
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Science
- Gulf Today
Lebanon PM visits Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGM) in Abu Dhabi. He was accompanied by Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of Lebanon; Fouad Chehab Dandan, Ambassador of Lebanon to the UAE, and his accompanying delegation. The Prime Minister of Lebanon, accompanied by Dr. Yousef Al-Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, began his tour by visiting the tomb of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who promoted tolerance, coexistence and peace throughout the world, followed by the mosque's halls and sections, where he was briefed by cultural specialists about its mission to spread the values of coexistence, tolerance and acceptance, as promoted by the Founding Father. While exploring the mosque's Islamic architecture, he was also told about its history and its role in showcasing Islamic culture and reinforcing international cultural dialogue. At the end of the visit, SZGM officials offered Dr Salam a copy of the book 'Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace,' a publication that captures the mosque's architectural magnificence and features award-winning images from the 'Spaces of Light' Award. Separately, the Museum of the Future welcomed Dr Salam as part of his official visit to the UAE. During his visit, Dr Salam was accompanied by Majed Al Mansoori, the Executive Director of the Museum of the Future. He was introduced to the museum's unique architecture, which stands as an iconic and global icon of engineering and design. The Prime Minister gained insights about the museum's role as an international hub for future foresight and a platform that brings together decision-makers, innovators, and thinkers from around the world. Dr Salam, along with his accompanying delegation, explored the museum's latest exhibitions, which showcase cutting-edge scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and immersive experiences that invite visitors to imagine the future of humanity. He was also briefed on the museum's mission to transform knowledge into real-life experiences, its role in fostering global dialogue, and the museum's efforts in supporting initiatives that contribute to building a better future for upcoming generations. WAM
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Lebanon: 80% of Hezbollah disarmament achieved amid ongoing Israeli violations
Shafaq News/ Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that his government has achieved over 80% of its objectives in disarming Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. 'All over the Lebanese territory, the state should have a monopoly on arms,' Salam said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. 'We don't want to put the country onto a civil-war track, but believe me, this is not going to affect our commitment to the need to extend and consolidate the authority of the state.' Earlier, Salam emphasized that his government's project links reform with sovereignty, which reportedly necessitates the exclusivity of weapons. He stressed that his administration "will not tolerate any weapon outside the state's authority." President Joseph Aoun had advocated in April for calm dialogue on Hezbollah's weapons, reiterating the state's long-term goal to consolidate all arms under its authority. 'We're waiting for the right moment to implement this move.' The Lebanese officials' remarks come in the context of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27, 2024, which mandates the disarmament of forces south of the Litani River and the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. Despite this, Lebanese authorities have documented more than 3,000 Israeli violations since the truce began, including repeated aerial incursions, gunfire into border towns, and deadly airstrikes. In a recent breach, the Israeli army raised large flags on Wednesday on a hill it occupied during the latest conflict, overlooking the Wazzani River in southern Lebanon. Although Israel claims to hold five positions along the border, Lebanese security sources confirm that seven sites remain under occupation, with the deepest incursion reaching approximately three kilometers into Lebanese territory. An Israeli force, accompanied by a bulldozer and infantry patrol, also advanced 200 meters into the Bir Shuaib area near a Lebanese army post on the eastern outskirts of Blida. Lebanese reports indicated attempts to build an earthen barrier in the area and annex parts of the liberated land. In response, the Lebanese army deployed reinforcements and coordinated with UNIFIL forces already present on the ground. Addressing these breaches, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem insisted on Sunday that armed resistance remains Lebanon's only viable response to Israeli aggression. While affirming Hezbollah's adherence to the ceasefire agreement, Qassem called on the Lebanese government to take a stronger diplomatic stance. 'We give the state time to act, but we are prepared for all scenarios,' he warned.
