Lebanese PM decries Israel’s ‘scorched-earth policy,’ defends diplomacy as ‘least costly path’

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounces what he calls a “dangerous and unprecedented” Israeli escalation in the south, urging an immediate ceasefire and insisting that a “scorched-earth policy” will not ensure Israel’s security.

In a televised address, he accuses Israel of “implementing a policy of total destruction of cities and towns” and of carrying out mass displacements, claiming Israeli forces fighting Hezbollah are trying to “uproot Lebanon’s memory and erase the people’s history.”

He adds that his government will do all it can to achieve a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the return of displaced people to their homes.

Salam also defends Beirut’s direct negotiations with Jerusalem, saying the talks are the “least costly path” for Lebanon. He says the negotiations are not guaranteed to produce results and at the same time they don’t mean a surrender for Lebanon.

Another round of talks is scheduled to take place in Washington on Tuesday.