Ahead of peace talks, Lebanese PM says Beirut ‘cannot live’ with Israeli buffer zone in country’s south

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says Beirut is urging the United States to press Israel to moderate its demands and withdraw from southern Lebanon ahead of a second round of direct talks, set for today in Washington, in an interview with The Washington Post.

Salam says Lebanon cannot accept any deal that does not include a “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces, rejecting Israel’s plans for a security zone.

“We cannot live with a so-called buffer zone,” he says, describing it as “an Israeli presence where Lebanese displaced people are not allowed to return, where destroyed villages and towns cannot be rebuilt.”

He stresses that Washington’s role in negotiations is key, saying Lebanon is entering the talks “convinced that the US is the party that can have leverage over Israel.” He adds, “Their role was critical in reaching the ceasefire, and we hope they will continue exercising their leverage over Israel.”

Salam also calls for extending the fragile US-brokered ceasefire, and acknowledges uncertainty over the outcome of negotiations.

“I don’t know what we can achieve through negotiation, but I know what we want,” he says. “We don’t want to leave any stone unturned to reach our objectives.”

Addressing the issue of Hezbollah, Salam says the “only way” to disarm the terror group is by bolstering the Lebanese army, adding that “a state cannot have two armies.” He emphasizes that “disarmament is a process; it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight,” but says the government has already shown “seriousness” in taking steps toward that goal and is not “intimidated” by Hezbollah.