Lebanese Withdrawal Demand
Lebanese Prime Minister Demands Full Israeli Withdrawal And Exclusive State Authority At U.N.
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Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told the U.N. General Assembly that Lebanon wants the fighting to end, the ceasefire to be upheld and Israeli forces to withdraw from all Lebanese territory. He also called for the release of Lebanese detainees, the safe return of displaced residents and reconstruction of areas damaged by the war. Salam said only Lebanon’s constitutional institutions may negotiate on the country’s behalf or decide on war and peace, and argued that the state must hold exclusive authority over weapons. His demands came as reports described continued Israeli shelling, airstrikes and demolitions in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire framework. He criticized what he called the selective application of international law and said regional stability also requires Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination.
Key Points
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Salam grounded his withdrawal demand in the 1949 General Armistice Agreement; he also cited U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.
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Al Jazeera reporter Zeina Khodr said more than 60 towns in southern Lebanon remained occupied and described firefighters and civil-defence crews as being prevented from reaching areas to put out fires.
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The report said Israeli forces had occupied as much as 600 square kilometres of Lebanese territory up to the Litani River; it also reported at least 4,386 people killed and 12,407 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2.
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Salam said Lebanon did not want to be drawn into regional conflicts or used as a bargaining chip; the article described the remarks as aimed particularly at Iran and Hezbollah.
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