Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Thursday that his country is ready to negotiate with Israel and will seek US assistance to initiate talks, as Israeli airstrikes intensify against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
“I repeat the same offer of readiness to negotiate with Israel,” Salam said in an interview with Bloomberg TV, referencing previous overtures by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to resolve land border disputes and secure Israeli withdrawal from areas retained after last year’s war.
Salam, a former head of the International Court of Justice, pointed to the US-brokered 2022 maritime border agreement as proof that diplomacy is possible. “They ask for negotiations and when we show readiness they don’t agree to the rendez-vous,” he said. “That’s something I’ll be bringing up with the Americans.”
Tensions remain high a year into a US- and French-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel accuses Beirut of failing to uphold its obligation to disarm Hezbollah, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US.
Israel has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as the terrorist organization continues to rebuild its military infrastructure and maintain an armed presence near Israel’s northern border.
Lebanon’s cabinet recently tasked the army with formulating a plan for disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025.
The terrorist group’s leader, Naim Qassem, condemned the Lebanese government's plan to disarm the terror organization. He has repeatedly vowed that Hezbollah would keep its arms.
Despite this, Salam insisted in the interview with Bloomberg that demilitarization plans are “on track,” with the Lebanese army expanding its presence near the Israeli border.
Salam claimed Israel is violating the ceasefire by maintaining positions on five southern hilltops, which he said “have no military or security value” and serve only to “pressure the Lebanese.” Israel maintains the positions for strategic depth, citing Hezbollah’s efforts to rearm.
While Lebanon denies evidence of Hezbollah’s rearmament, Salam said the army is tightening control over smuggling routes, especially along the Syrian border.