Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday that the Lebanese Army will deploy to Zoutara al-Gharbiya to restore services and open roads [1, 2].
The move represents a strategic effort to revitalize southern Lebanon and secure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories [1, 2].
Salam said the deployment in the southern town is designed to facilitate the return of residents and the restoration of basic infrastructure [1, 2]. He said that the government will provide the necessary support to ensure this transition is successful, emphasizing that the state is mobilizing all available resources to accompany the return of displaced people [1].
According to the prime minister, the objective is to transform the return to the south from a mere slogan into a realized national goal [2]. This initiative is framed as a reflection of Lebanese unity, and a commitment to national sovereignty [1, 2].
While focusing on the deployment and civil recovery, other political discussions regarding security have continued. Some reports indicate that three conditions have been specified by Aoun regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah [2].
Salam said the government remains focused on the immediate humanitarian and security needs of the southern region. The process involves not only a military presence, but a comprehensive plan to reopen transit routes and provide essential public services to the local population [1, 2].
“The return to the south is not a slogan but a national goal”
The deployment of the Lebanese Army to Zoutara al-Gharbiya serves as a dual-purpose mechanism: it establishes a state security presence to discourage further conflict while creating the logistical conditions necessary for civilian resettlement. By linking infrastructure recovery with military deployment, the Lebanese government is attempting to assert sovereign control over the border regions to finalize the withdrawal of foreign forces.
