Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has emphasized the importance of providing logistical and financial support to the Lebanese Army to enhance its capabilities and swiftly implement the second phase of the arms control plan.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Salam praised the significant efforts by the Lebanese Army in completing the first phase of its plan to enforce the government's decision to restrict weapons to state authority and extend control across all Lebanese territory. He highlighted the return of residents to areas south of the Litani River as a top priority and mentioned that the government will accelerate reconstruction efforts in southern Lebanon following the approval of a World Bank loan by the Lebanese Parliament.
Salam reiterated Lebanon's commitment to garnering Arab and international support to pressurize the Israeli occupation to withdraw from occupied points, halt violations, and secure detainee returns, thereby consolidating stability and extending state authority throughout the country.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, stated in a post on X that substantial progress requires the Lebanese Army to establish effective field control south of the Litani River. She noted the significance of this development while acknowledging that much work remains. She added that this milestone reflects the commitment of Lebanese authorities and strengthens the monitoring mechanism established under the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
On Thursday, the Lebanese Army announced that its arms control plan had reached an advanced stage, successfully achieving the objectives of the first phase. The multi-phase plan, unveiled in September, aims to extend state authority using national forces and restrict weapons to legitimate institutions, with completion expected by the end of 2025.