Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory during a visit to a war-hit village [1].

The visit highlights the tension between the Lebanese government's push for sovereignty and the security requirements set by Israel regarding the presence of Hezbollah in the south [2].

Salam visited a battered village in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, to emphasize the urgent need for reconstruction following recent fighting [1, 3]. The prime minister used the visit to press for a full Israeli pull-out, citing the terms of a U.S.-brokered agreement [1, 4].

"We demand the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory immediately," Salam said [1].

Despite the demand for a total exit, Salam also addressed the conditions under which the Israeli Defense Forces operate. He said the Israeli Defense Forces will not withdraw as long as Hezbollah remains in the south [2].

The prime minister's comments reflect the complex security environment in the region. While the Lebanese government seeks a return to pre-conflict borders, the presence of armed groups continues to complicate the implementation of diplomatic agreements [4].

Salam's visit to the damaged infrastructure serves as a public appeal for international support, and a reminder of the humanitarian toll of the conflict in southern Lebanon [1, 3].

“"We demand the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory immediately."”

The contradiction in the Prime Minister's statements underscores the diplomatic deadlock in southern Lebanon. While the official state position demands a full Israeli withdrawal to restore sovereignty, the acknowledgement that the IDF's presence is tied to Hezbollah's activity suggests that a permanent peace depends on the disarmament or relocation of the militant group, rather than just a diplomatic agreement.