Beirut, June 13 (SANA)– Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed Saturday that Lebanon alone holds the decision over negotiations with the Israeli side, stressing the need to restore the decision of war and peace, calling on all Lebanese parties to fulfill their commitments in order to secure Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
In a statement to Reuters, Salam also affirmed that Lebanon negotiates for itself as an independent state, saying: “No one negotiates on its behalf.”
He hinted at attempts by Tehran to use Lebanon as a bargaining chip in negotiations in Islamabad. He did not rule out the possibility that Lebanon could benefit from such efforts if they lead to a ceasefire on its territory.
Salam called on all active parties to honor their commitments, regarding disarmament, in order to secure Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, in reference to Hezbollah, which he said is hindering negotiations by refusing to comply with Lebanese decisions that support the withdrawal of militias, the deployment of army units in areas of conflict, and restricting weapons to the state.
It was reported that Hezbollah rejected the ceasefire plan agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel in Washington talks, which are scheduled to resume on June 22.
Reports said that Tehran linked a ceasefire in Lebanon to a broader agreement with Washington, amid indications of an approaching understanding between the two sides. Meanwhile, Lebanon is calling for a permanent ceasefire that would pave the way for a full Israeli withdrawal and the return of displaced civilians under the supervision of the Lebanese army.
N.J/MZN
