New York, Sept. 24 (SANA) Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed Thursday that Lebanon would continue pursuing reforms, strengthening state institutions and bringing weapons under exclusive state control, while stressing the need for Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory, halt its attacks and allow residents to return to their towns and villages.
In a post on X following a series of meetings on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Salam said discussions focused on preparations for the period after the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, completes its mission and on preventing a security vacuum in southern Lebanon. Salam’s account of the discussions was reported Thursday by Lebanese media.
Salam said Lebanon was seeking a framework that would maintain an international presence in the south to carry out monitoring, reporting and liaison functions under a U.N. Security Council mandate. His government has raised the issue in several meetings in New York, including talks with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The Lebanese prime minister said his meetings addressed efforts to reduce tensions and prevent further confrontation in Lebanon and the wider region, as well as strengthening Lebanon’s Arab, regional and international relations on the basis of respect for sovereignty, non-interference and shared interests.
Discussions covered greater economic and investment cooperation and regional connectivity, particularly in energy, electricity, transportation and infrastructure, as well as international expertise to modernize public administration and digitize government services.
Salam stressed the need to mobilize support for recovery and reconstruction, restore essential services and support the return of residents to affected areas.
The Lebanese government has raised those priorities in several meetings during Salam’s New York visit. In talks with Guterres, Salam called for a gradual transition from emergency assistance toward programs supporting return and recovery, while the United Nations said it remained committed to helping mobilize international support for Lebanon’s recovery, reconstruction and economic stabilization.
Salam had reaffirmed earlier in the week his government’s commitment to extending state authority and bringing weapons under exclusive state control. The U.N. secretary-general, during his meeting with Salam on Sept. 21, welcomed steps by the Lebanese government toward ensuring a state monopoly over weapons and stressed respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
N.J/R.K