AITAROUN (LEBANON), Feb 28: Lebanon’s new prime minister, Nawaf Salam, used a tour on Friday of areas near the border with Israel that suffered wide destruction during the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war to call for an Israeli withdrawal and promised residents of border villages a safe return to their homes and reconstruction.
Salam’s visit came two days after his government won a vote of confidence in parliament, where members of Hezbollah’s bloc voted in favour of the new administration’s policy statement, although it said that only the national army has the right defends the country in case of war.
The statement was a blow to the militant group that has kept its weapons over the past decades saying it is necessary to defend Lebanon against Israel.
“This is the first real working day of the government. We salute the army and its martyrs,” Salam said in the southern port city of Tyre while meeting residents of the border village of Dheira. “We promise you a safe return to your homes as soon as possible.”
The government is committed to the reconstruction of destroyed homes, which “is not a promise but a personal commitment by myself and the Government,” Salam added.
Israel withdrew its troops from much of the border area earlier this month, but left five outlooking posts inside Lebanon, in what Lebanese officials called a violation of the US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on November 27, ending the war. (AGENCIES)
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